Local business owners can promote their businesses at Experience Olympia, for free 

As the hospitality industry starts to recover from the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Experience Olympia & Beyond would no longer require business owners to pay membership fees to be featured in their tourist-focused website and newsletter.

At the Tumwater City Council work session on Tue., Nov. 9, Experience Olympia and Beyond CEO Annette Pitts said, “Even though it has been a bumpy ride this last year, and the world has a lot of changing, the power and impact of tourism...really has not.”

To boost tourism in the area, Pitts shared that they would no longer require local business owners to pay membership fees to be featured on their website. “The people that you see on our website right now are the dues-paying members,” she explained. Pitts said that she does not want business owners to choose between having to pay the membership fees and having to cover their operational costs.

The move was a part of Experience Olympia’s Mid-Range Strategic Plan, which provides a three-year framework to encourage tourism in the region. Experience Olympia & Beyond is the brand name for what’s legally known as the Olympia - Lacey - Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau, the regional destination marketing organization for Thurston County. 

In addition, the CEO added that they are planning to expand their branding to include other cities such as Experience Tumwater since several community members shared that they do not feel represented with the idea of just Experience Olympia. 

With this, Pitts is encouraging local business owners in the hospitality industry to reach out to Experience Olympia to have their businesses featured on their newsletter, and website. Pitts also confirmed that they are in the process of revamping their website, which will be launched by the spring of 2022. “We want to put our best foot forward, and show ... all the magnificent things that we have to offer,” the CEO said.