FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 14, 2012

For more information:
Zach Stratton
360-750-1553 Ext 19
marketingadmin@visitvancouverusa.com

 

VANCOUVER USA SHINES AS A MEETINGS DESTINATION

DURING SUCCESSFUL WSAE CONFERENCE AND FAMILIARIZATION TOUR

Association executives are treated to Vancouver USA's hospitality and venues

VANCOUVER, Wash. - The Washington Society of Association Executives (WSAE) held its annual conference in Vancouver last week. The conference boasted 115 attendees from the Northwest and was a great opportunity to showcase Vancouver and Clark County as an ideal destination for business meetings and conventions, which provide a major economic impact in the region.

The conference, which was held at The Heathman Lodge, hosted WSAE members, who are the decision makers regarding meeting and conference locations for their organizations. With the convention theme of "Game On," the Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office sponsored an evening reception and incorporated a Scrabble theme throughout the conference, with the attendees collecting playing pieces in order to score the most points on a Scrabble board.

In conjunction with the WSAE Conference, the Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office hosted a Familiarization Tour prior to the three-day conference. The "FAM" tour showcased additional venues, restaurants, and attractions to visiting meeting planners and reunion organizers.

"This was such a great opportunity to meet with association executives that will be making a decision on where to host their upcoming board meetings, conventions and conferences," said Rosemary Cooke, Director of Sales at the Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office. "We were able to promote some of our area's diverse meeting venues, restaurants, and attractions. With Vancouver fresh in their mind as a unique, accessible destination, we are confident that we will see these associations return."

The WSAE conference and FAM tour featured dining at various restaurants around the community, site tours of local full-service hotel properties, tours of historical and state of the art attractions, and tastings showcasing local wineries.

"We are thrilled that so many of our community businesses supported this conference and local tourism," said Kim Bennett, President and CEO of the Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office. "This truly was a great opportunity for local businesses to showcase their services to visiting executives who are decision makers on future meeting venues. Tourism provides a great economic boost to our community, with visitors spending over $375 million annually in the Vancouver region, and our local hotels, restaurants and area attractions all play a major role in that."

Thanks go out to the community supporters who donated their time and/or goods and services:

• Hilton Vancouver
• Gray's at the Park
• Red Lion Hotel at the Quay
• Quay Restaurant and Bar
• The Heathman Lodge
• Hudson's Bar and Grill
• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
• Fort Vancouver National Trust
• Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23
• Pearson Air Museum
• Beaches Restaurant
• Burnt Bridge Cellars
• Tommy O's
• Main Event
• RAZ Transportation
• Big Al's
• Bethany Vineyards
• Three Brothers Vineyards
• English Estates
• Vancouver Volcanoes and Volcanoes Dancers

About Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office
The Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office, along with its subsidiary the Vancouver USA Regional Sports Commission, is an economic development organization responsible for competitively marketing Vancouver and the surrounding area as a destination for meetings, conventions, sports events, and group and leisure travelers. The organization's mission is to promote Vancouver and Clark County by increasing convention and visitor business. For more information call 877-600-0800, or visit www.VisitVancouverUSA.com.

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