FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2010
Contact:  Kim Bennett, President & CEO 
Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau
(360) 750-1553 x12 - Vancouver, Washington
Email: kim@SouthwestWashington.com 


CLARK COUNTY HOSPITALITY PARTNERS TRAVEL TO
OLYMPIA IN SUPPORT OF TOURISM 
Vancouver, Wash. - The Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau along with partners 
from Clark County's hospitality industry joined fellow tourism industry representatives from across
Washington State in Olympia yesterday, Tuesday February 9th 
, to show how critical tourism is to the 
states economy. Tourism is ranked as the 4 th largest industry behind software, aerospace and 
agriculture & food in the state of Washington.
Hundreds of hoteliers, waiters, chefs, artists, clerks, porters, adventure guides, tour operators etc., 
helped to illustrate how far-reaching the tourism industry is in Washington State and to show our state 
government "Why Tourism Matters," the slogan for the state wide campaign and website 
www.whytourismmatters.com . The campaign features "Tourism Ambassadors" from all over the state 
including Vancouver's Gerry Link, General Manager of the Vancouver Convention Center. 
Clark County's tourism industry is an important part of the area's economy generating nearly $421
million in visitor spending each year and providing over 4,000 jobs and over $105 million in job
earnings.  Visitor spending also generates nearly $30 million in state and local taxes helping our
economy even more. On the state level, tourism in 2009 generated $14.2 billion in direct travel 
spending. The impact to the state was $1 billion in state and local taxes with 147,600 jobs and $4.2
billion worth of job earnings.
About the SWCVB: 
The Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau is an economic development organization
responsible for competitively marketing Vancouver and the surrounding area as a destination for meetings, 
conventions, and group and leisure travelers.  The SWCVB is located at 101 E 8 th  Street, Suite 240, 
Vancouver, WA 98660.  You can reach the Bureau at 360-750-1553, or via e-mail at
info@southwestwashington.com . You can also visit them on their web site at
www.SouthwestWashington.com . 
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