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.

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is making available for public review its draft Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzing effects of our proposed approval of the San Joaquin River Salmon Conservation and Research hatchery program currently in operation within the San Joaquin River Basin, California. The program is described in a Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) prepared by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

As discussions heat up over land use issues both locally and nationally, a panel of area high tech industry executives met in Bozeman on Thursday to discuss the importance of outdoor access, recreation and public lands to their businesses. Hosted by advocacy group Business for Montana’s Outdoors, the public meeting amounted to a celebration of the positive impacts the outdoors has on an industry typically more associated with cubicles than cutthroat trout.