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

2. 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.

4. March 27th, 2018 Governor Inslee Signs Tourism Marketing Bill

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. 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.

8. 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)

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. The Planning for Tourism Marketing is Already Underway!
Early 2018: First cut at marketing plan developed by Green Rubino.
View at
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)

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. Thank you for coming!!! For more information,
Please visit our industry website:
and the official State Tourism website:
Mike Moe