Vancouver USA businesses illuminate purple to honor hospitality workers throughout the city
VANCOUVER, Wash.—On Tuesday, businesses around downtown Vancouver will light up in purple to honor hospitality workers in the city. Initiated here by the Hilton Vancouver, the concept originated in San Francisco. Ten Vancouver businesses have already joined, with purple lights loaned free of charge by PSAV, the Hilton’s onsite preferred Audio-Visual vendor. The lighting coincides with U.S. Travel’s National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), which this year carries the theme ‘Spirit of Travel’.
Participating businesses:
| Hilton Vancouver | Vinnie's Pizza |
| Grays Restaurant | Little Italy's Trattoria |
| Little Conejo | Elements Restaurant |
| Main Event Sports Grill | WildFin American Grill |
| Niche Wine Bar | American Queen Steamboat Company - American Empress |
| Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce | Compass Coffee |
| Cascadia Development Partners | LSW Architects |
| First Pacific | Davidson Insurance |
| Not Too Shabby | IQ Credit Union |
| Cellar 55 | Advance Lighting Systems |
| Beaches Restaurant | The Source Climbing Gym |
| Vancouver Pizza | Clark County Historic Museum |
| The Upper Room Esthetic Spa | Columbia Bank |
“The collaboration and generosity of the hospitality industry in creating this display is exactly what the lights honor,” said Cliff Myers, President and CEO of Visit Vancouver USA. “We are proud of every member of the hospitality community that makes our visitors’ experiences truly memorable and has helped us grow tourism to the area.”
General Manager of the Hilton, Mike McLeod added, “We want to visually show off that we are one interconnected community. We can’t wait to have our teams back together and be able to toast to them in person. Until then, we are happy that we are able to share these lights with the downtown business community.”
The City of Vancouver is also lighting the 6th Street gateway sign in purple beginning Monday, May 4th as part of the initiative (photo by Alia Rust, CRHS Photography Student). The Hilton hopes to partner with even more local businesses to spread purple light across town.
Purple was chosen to represent hospitality because of its blend of “luxurious, confident red and relaxing, comforting blue,” reported the San Francisco Travel Association. Businesses in Vancouver interested in participating can use their own purple lights, or can contact Christie Rust at Christie.Rust@hilton.com for assistance.
“In this time of crisis, we want to make certain that all of the hospitality workers who make downtown Vancouver such a great place to be are recognized—a thank you to all of those still working and a virtual embrace to those who cannot,” said Leah Jackson, owner of Niche Wine Bar and Angst Gallery.
The lights will continue throughout the month of May, which is also the City of Vancouver’s small business month.
About Visit Vancouver USA
Visit Vancouver USA is the official destination marketing organization for Vancouver USA and the surrounding areas. The organization also markets the region as a venue for sports events through the Vancouver USA Sports brand. Visit Vancouver USA's mission is to increase visitor spending in Vancouver and Clark County through competitively marketing the area as a destination for meetings, conventions, and group and leisure travelers. For more information call 360-750-1553, or visit www.VisitVancouverUSA.com.
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