25TH ANNUAL NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK CHAMPIONS
NATION'S $740 BILLION TRAVEL INDUSTRY
VANCOURVER, Wash. - May 8, 2008 - Vancouver and Clark County join hundreds of cities, states and travel-related businesses nationwide in recognition of the 25th Annual National Tourism Week, to be held May 10-18. Designated by Congress and established by presidential proclamation in 1983, the event celebrates the value and scope of the nation's $740 billion travel and tourism industry, and the economic and social contributions it brings to the nation's communities. read more (PDF)

TOURISM BUREAU'S JENN SMELLER RECOGNIZED FOR
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
VANCOUVER, Wash. - May 8, 2008 - Jenn Smeller, Sales Manager for the Southwest Washington Convention and Visitors Bureau, (SWCVB), has been recognized by the Washington Society of Association Executives, (WSAE), with an "Associate Member of the Year" award. The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to WSAE and to not-for-profit organizations in Washington State. Individual awards will be presented at the WSAE annual awards luncheon on May 13th in Tacoma, Washington. read more (PDF)

BUREAU HIRES NEW DIRECTOR OF SALES
VANCOUVER- March 26, 2008 - Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau has hired Rosemary Cooke to fill the Director of Sales position beginning April 1, 2008. Cooke, a seasoned professional that has worked in the Vancouver hospitality market for over 10 years in both full service and extended stay hotels, will manage and lead a sales team of four to promote and sell Vancouver and Clark County as a premier destination to meeting planners and group tour operators. » read more (PDF)

BUREAU ANNOUNCES 2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
VANCOUVER, Wash. – February 8, 2008 - Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau announces the newly elected directors and officers of their 2008 Board of Directors.  Effective January 1, 2008, Cindee Stinton-Brown, General Manager of Phoenix Inn Suites, assumed the position of Board Chair.  Brett Wilkerson, General Manager of The Heathman Lodge, assumed the position of Vice Chair, and Gerry Link, General Manager of Hilton Vancouver Washington, assumed the position of Secretary/Treasurer.  Alison Hite, General Manager of SpringHill Suites by Marriott, and Tina Messenger, General Manager of Staybridge Suites, joined the Board as newly elected directors. » read more (PDF)

BENNETT APPOINTED TO STATE TOURISM COMMISSION
VANCOUVER, Wash. – August 8, 2007 - Kim Bennett, SWCVB President and CEO, has been appointed by Governor Gregoire to the new Washington State Tourism Commission.  In April, Governor Gregoire signed legislation that created the new 19-member commission and more than doubles state funding for tourism promotion. » read more (PDF)

GOVERNOR GREGOIRE SIGNS LEGISLATION TO INCREASE TOURISM TO WASHINGTON
VANCOUVER, Wash. – On Monday, April 30, 2007, Governor Christine Gregoire signed Substitute House Bill 1276 that will help increase tourism to Washington.   The bill establishes a new Washington tourism commission and more than doubles the existing state tourism budget. Clark County tourism executive Kim Bennett, President of the Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau, and two Clark County legislators, Representative Deborah Wallace of Vancouver and Representative Jim Dunn of Battle Ground, were part of the 15 member statewide Tourism Advisory Committee appointed last July that made recommendations to the Governor resulting in this historic piece of legislation for Washington’s tourism industry.  » read more (PDF)

BUREAU ANNOUNCES THE HIRING OF SUSAN MITCHELTREE AS
CONVENTION SALES MANAGER
VANCOUVER, Wash. – March 14, 2007 - Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau announces the hiring of Susan Mitcheltree as Convention Sales Manager. Mitcheltree will work with the Bureau’s existing sales team to generate leads and bring meetings and conventions to Vancouver and Clark County.  She will also be responsible for helping to promote the area as a premier meeting destination site in the northwest marketplace.  » read more (PDF)

BUREAU ANNOUNCES 2007 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
VANCOUVER, Wash. – January 30, 2007 - Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau announces the newly elected directors and officers of their 2007 Board of Directors.  Effective January 1, 2007, Tamra Tulp, General Manager of Residence Inn by Marriott, assumed the position of Board Chair.  Patrick Swanson, General Manager of Staybridge Suites, joined the Board as a newly elected director.  » read more (PDF)

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER MOVES TO DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER
VANCOUVER, Wash. – January 2, 2007 - The Southwest Washington Convention and Visitors Bureau is thrilled to announce the new location of their walk-in Visitor Information Center which previously resided in the O.O. Howard House on Vancouver's Officers Row. Effective January 2nd, visitors and residents will find the new Center in the heart of downtown Vancouver on Main Street between 7th and 8th streets. » read more (PDF)