Association of Washington State Public Facilities District 9/26/18 Association of Washington State Public Facilities District #TourismWorksforWA Introduction

Washington Tourism Alliance History Washington State languished at or near the bottom of all state budgets for several years On June 30, 2011, the state tourism office was closed by the legislature The next day, the state’s private sector tourism industry founded the Washington Tourism Alliance Seven years of tourism advocacy followed To help us organize, identify ourselves and stand out in a busy legislative session, we have created a new, exciting and special brand for the WTA grassroots efforts. The campaign theme is “It’s a Great Return – Tourism Works for Washington” It’s a Great Return – Tourism works for Washington Our top line shows a return on the investment of tourism to Washington and a return to the state’s direct involvement in promoting visitors to Washington State. Tourism works for Washington is our tagline – it captures everything about our industry – it works for our communities, our employees, and our economy.

March 27th, 2018 Governor Inslee Signs Tourism Marketing Bill

Funding – No New Taxes Total of $3 million - $3 million from state to dedicated account and a $6 million private match over a biennium 0.2 percent of existing general sales taxes collected on retails sales of lodging, restaurants and rental cars will be deposited into the Statewide Tourism Marketing Account Deposits are limited to $3 million per biennium Release of funds contingent upon 2:1 industry match Industry match may include some forms of in-kind contributions Example: $20,000 contribution to WTA for international trade show would release $10,000 from state. To help us organize, identify ourselves and stand out in a busy legislative session, we have created a new, exciting and special brand for the WTA grassroots efforts. The campaign theme is “It’s a Great Return – Tourism Works for Washington” It’s a Great Return – Tourism works for Washington Our top line shows a return on the investment of tourism to Washington and a return to the state’s direct involvement in promoting visitors to Washington State. Tourism works for Washington is our tagline – it captures everything about our industry – it works for our communities, our employees, and our economy.

Tourism Marketing Bill Calls For: • A contract with a non-profit statewide tourism marketing organization in existence on the date of enactments whose sole purpose is to increase tourism visitation and expenditures • Focus on (but not limited to) Rural tourism-dependent counties - Natural wonders - Outdoor recreation - Attraction of international tourists Assistance for tourism areas adversely impacted by natural disasters Cooperation with local tourism organizations The logo can be adapted for use by your own business, community and region Here is a preview of how it can work – (prompt for video)

Washington Tourism Marketing Authority Comprised of a diverse selection of tourism professionals from around the state, appointed by the Governor Contracts with an entity to market Washington as a tourist destination Defines what can be used for match funding Measure the return on investment of the marketing program The value of tourism to Washington’s economy is substantial, but it could be even better. Washington State closed its tourism office in 2011 leaving us the only state in the nation without a state tourism marketing program. While visitors to the Greater Seattle area have continued to be strong, many of our smaller and rural communities have struggled to keep vital tourism dollars (and the resulting jobs and tax revenues) flowing to their communities and businesses. Tourism impacts more than hotels, restaurants and destinations. It benefits retailers, outdoor recreation, state parks, ports and cities….and ultimately the taxpayers of Washington. More than $1.8 billion in local and state tax revenues are generated directly from tourism and it is responsible for more than 170-thousand jobs.

Let the Marketing Begin! September 2018: WTMA Board elects to pursue a sole source contract with the WTA to market Washington State as a tourism destination The logo can be adapted for use by your own business, community and region Here is a preview of how it can work – (prompt for video)

WTA Mission Statement The sole purpose of the Washington Tourism Alliance is marketing Washington to tourists. In order to accomplish this, the activities of the Corporation will include, but not be limited to advocating, promoting, developing and sustaining destination tourism marketing for Washington State. The value of tourism to Washington’s economy is substantial, but it could be even better. Washington State closed its tourism office in 2011 leaving us the only state in the nation without a state tourism marketing program. While visitors to the Greater Seattle area have continued to be strong, many of our smaller and rural communities have struggled to keep vital tourism dollars (and the resulting jobs and tax revenues) flowing to their communities and businesses. Tourism impacts more than hotels, restaurants and destinations. It benefits retailers, outdoor recreation, state parks, ports and cities….and ultimately the taxpayers of Washington. More than $1.8 billion in local and state tax revenues are generated directly from tourism and it is responsible for more than 170-thousand jobs.

The WTA is the Tourism Industry Destination marketing organizations Economic development organizations Attractions Arts/culture Lodging Resorts Wine/beer/spirits Retail Restaurants Transportation Tribes Adventure/recreation Education The Washington Tourism Alliance has been working to help its members reach out to legislators over the interim but we really need your help now to get ready for the January 2017 legislative session.   So let’s get started on what you can do. First of all – mark January 24 on your calendar and attend the WTA Tourism Summit in Olympia. More information on the Summit is available on the WTA website. You can also reach out to your legislators now and help us find new advocates in your community

WTA Regional Represenation Northwest: San Juan, Island, Whatcom and Skagit Counties Olympic Peninsula: Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor and Mason Counties Southwest: Pacific, Lewis, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark and Skamania Counties North Puget Sound: Snohomish and King Counties South Puget Sound: Pierce, Kitsap and Thurston Counties Northeast: Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln and Spokane Counties Southeast: Adams, Whitman, Garfield, Asotin, Columbia and Walla Walla Counties North Central: Douglas, Chelan, Kittitas, Counties South Central: Yakima, Klickitat, Grant, Franklin and Benton Counties To help us organize, identify ourselves and stand out in a busy legislative session, we have created a new, exciting and special brand for the WTA grassroots efforts. The campaign theme is “It’s a Great Return – Tourism Works for Washington” It’s a Great Return – Tourism works for Washington Our top line shows a return on the investment of tourism to Washington and a return to the state’s direct involvement in promoting visitors to Washington State. Tourism works for Washington is our tagline – it captures everything about our industry – it works for our communities, our employees, and our economy.

The Planning for Tourism Marketing is Already Underway! Early 2018: First cut at marketing plan developed by Green Rubino. View at www.watourismalliance.com The logo can be adapted for use by your own business, community and region Here is a preview of how it can work – (prompt for video)

Focus on Consumer Marketing Destination brand development Advertising campaigns Digital marketing programs and partnerships Social media Travel trade/packaged travel development Destination publicity/travel media Crisis communications/economic recovery Consumer website expansion and visitations Visitor guides and other collateral Visitor information and assistance Destination development for communities that need it The value of tourism to Washington’s economy is substantial, but it could be even better. Washington State closed its tourism office in 2011 leaving us the only state in the nation without a state tourism marketing program. While visitors to the Greater Seattle area have continued to be strong, many of our smaller and rural communities have struggled to keep vital tourism dollars (and the resulting jobs and tax revenues) flowing to their communities and businesses. Tourism impacts more than hotels, restaurants and destinations. It benefits retailers, outdoor recreation, state parks, ports and cities….and ultimately the taxpayers of Washington. More than $1.8 billion in local and state tax revenues are generated directly from tourism and it is responsible for more than 170-thousand jobs.

Increasing Tourism Returns… Requires Tourism Investment By mission and by legislation, WTA is industry-led and funded Matching funds and activities from the industry required to unlock state general funds (2:1) WTA is working to foster marketing investment and partnership opportunities Goal: procure $4 million in industry investment/general funds throughout 2019 To help us organize, identify ourselves and stand out in a busy legislative session, we have created a new, exciting and special brand for the WTA grassroots efforts. The campaign theme is “It’s a Great Return – Tourism Works for Washington” It’s a Great Return – Tourism works for Washington Our top line shows a return on the investment of tourism to Washington and a return to the state’s direct involvement in promoting visitors to Washington State. Tourism works for Washington is our tagline – it captures everything about our industry – it works for our communities, our employees, and our economy.

Thank you for coming!!! For more information, Please visit our industry website: www.watourismalliance.com and the official State Tourism website: www.experiencewa.com Mike Moe 425-444-0589 mike@watourismalliance.com