Olympia and Beyond Annual meeting and PopArt party on June 1, and handed out this year’s Thurston County Tourism Awards at the Hands On Children’s Museum.
The lineup of vendors at the event included Olympita, the Oyster Boys (Perkins Family Farm), Budd Bay Café which also had a bar upstairs and down. Simple and Delicious Donuts, which was a big hit for treats. And Jerk An Tings brought tasty chicken that ran out right away.
There was a photo booth, treasure hunting, and Winged Aerial Acrobats that did acrobatic acts that amazed everyone mingled with music from D.J Robert and while a mural was being painted.
Awards were given out for 2022 Thurston County Tourism Award Winners and nominees were also honored. Annette Pitts, Experience Olympia & Beyond CEO presented.
There were three main categories, starting with Boldness in Tourism, which was presented by the Mayor of Bucoda, and awarded to Christen Greene of Team-Tomorrow and South Sound Block Party.
The second category was the Excellence in Hospitality Award, which was presented by Justin Bourdon of the Wild Heart Sipping Vinegars and Sandstone Distillery. He awarded this to Sofie Landis of Sofie's Scoops Gelato.
The last Category was the Patrick Knutson Tourism Legend Award, which was presented by Don Trosper of the Olympia-Tumwater Foundation, who awarded this to Carol Riley of the Olympia Harbor Days.
2023 Nominees
Alicia Elliott, West Central Park Neighborhood Center
Wayne Fournier, City of Tenino Mayor
Christen Greene, Team Tomorrow
Mitch Lewis, Summit Farms
Ryan Perkins, Oly Town Artesians Soccer Club / Olympia Ballroom
Janine Phillips, Hampton Inn & Suites
Donna Taylor Mayo, Of Water, Wind and Woods
Jamie Brayshaw, Octapas Cafe
Emily Dunn, The Marie Bed & Breakfast
Wayne Fournier, City of Tenino Mayor
Christen Greene, Team Tomorrow
Sofie Landis, Sofie’s Scoops
Jay Potter, Hands On Children's Museum
Mark Sand, Ashley Creek Farm
Matt Trotter, Well 80
Patty Belmonte, Hands On Children's Museum
Christen Greene, Team Tomorrow
Andy Moreno, CapCity Presents
Carol Riley, Olympia Harbor Days Festival
George Sharp, Thurston EDC
Christian Skillings, Cynara and Iron Rabbit
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BobJacobs
Sometime when you have a few minutes to spare, look at average wages by job category. Note that tourism generates jobs in the very worst-paid category. Therefore, growth of this category of jobs actually harms our local economy by driving down average wages.
So why on earth are our governments spending our tax money to grow tourism?
Bob Jacobs
Saturday, June 3, 2023 Report this