A new Washington State Tourism Marketing Authority (TMA) was established by the legislature (ESSB 5251) to contract for statewide marketing services that promote tourism on behalf of the citizens of the state, and for managing the authority’s financial resources. The first TMA Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Conference Center at SeaTac International Airport, Beijing Room.  The meeting is open to the public. Business on the inaugural agenda includes: install the Board of Directors, elect officers, form appropriate committees, establish a private local account for authority finances, and discuss plans for contracting for marketing services. Big Tent Vice President, Rob Sendak, is the Outdoor Recreation appointee to the Authority.

Since Utah established the country’s first state office of outdoor recreation five years ago, the idea has spread rapidly. Colorado and Washington opened offices in 2015; in 2016, three more states started offices or initiatives dedicated to promoting outdoor recreation. Last year, the number nearly doubled, bringing the total to 11. This rush of activity indicates that state governments have come around to the idea that outdoor recreation is a significant driver of economic activity that also offers other important environmental and social benefits. Until relatively recently, most states gauged the value of federal public lands within their borders purely in terms of their viability for extractive industries like mining, logging, and oil drilling. But in recent years, thanks to a growing awareness of the consumer spending and state tax revenue associated with outdoor recreation, that attitude has begun to evolve. Now these new offices are looking to advance changes in policies to further support the sector.

In the state of Washington, outdoor recreation and tourism is a $21 billion industry, a figure on a par with information technology and aerospace. But according to Snyder, outdoor recreation does not receive the same government support those industries do. The Confluence Accords aim to change that.

Congrats to Rob Sendak of WWRC for earning a spot on the new Washington Tourism Authority Board established by the state to kick-start tourism promotion efforts in WA.  Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the appointment of nine members to the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority Board. The members, from a diversity of backgrounds and regions throughout the state, will oversee a new fund to promote tourism in Washington state.

This is an exciting time for Oregon and for Oregon’s 5th and 6th grade students as OSU Extension works in collaboration with schools, partners, and communities to launch the statewide Outdoor School program, building on a legacy that began in 1966.

Tourism is Washington's fourth largest industry.  It provides more than 177,000 jobs, brings in more than $21 billion to our economy annually, and returns $2.50 to $20 in tax revenue for every $1 spent on tourism marketing.  The big-picture achievements we are trying to accomplish have been outlined by the Washington State Tourism Marketing Committee, composed of members of the WTA, state DMOs, the Washington State Department of Commerce, and the WSDMO and other interested stakehoders.  View the recently produced marketing plan designed to attract domestic and international visitors to our wonderful state of Washington.

Outdoor recreation gathers: The Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition will have two upcoming festive gatherings that are scheduled for Wednesday, June 27 and Thursday June 28 in Wenatchee. We will will be holding our board retreat on June 28, and to maximize our time together we plan to meet for some fun the evening before as well as post retreat. Please join us if your schedule allows. These two events will be relaxed, no-host, and allow for us to spend some time together as we think about the future of outdoor recreation in Washington State. Please R.S.V.P. or for further info - or to say hello at info@bigtentcoalition.info.

• 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, June 27, Wenatchee Valley Brewing Company, at the Pybus Market, 7 North Worthen, Wenatchee.
• 3 - 5 p.m. Thursday, June 28, Rivertop Bar & Grill, on the 9th floor of the Coast Hotel.