PORT ANGELES — Today is the last day for early bird registration for a two-day tourism summit in Port Angeles.
Raising the Tide, the 2017 Olympic Peninsula Tourism Summit, will offer speakers, workshops and learning labs at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
The summit will be from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, and from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27.
If purchased today, a two-day pass is $159, a Thursday-only pass is $129 and a Friday-only pass is $69.
If purchased after today, a two-day pass is $199, a Thursday-only pass is $159 and a Friday-only pass is $99.
Passes include meals.
On Oct. 26, Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon, will be the keynote speaker as the summit gets underway at 9:30 a.m.
Under Davidson’s leadership, the tourism industry in Oregon has flourished into a $10.8 billion industry that employs more than 105,000 Oregonians, according to his resume.
Background
He is the past chairman of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and was appointed in 2016 to serve on the National Advisory Committee on Travel and Tourism Infrastructure. He also serves as the national chairman of the U.S. Travel Association and on the National Council of State Tourism Directors and the Western States Tourism Policy Council.
The next day, the keynote speaker will be Deana Scott, CEO of Raving Consulting. She will speak at 1:45 p.m.
She is a patented inventor who has had hands-on experience in the startup and expansion of several business ventures, including two casinos, three hotels, a convention facility, an RV park, restaurants and a cranberry farm.
She emphasizes research and planning in business.
This year’s summit is “hands-on,” organizers said, urging participants to bring their laptops, tablets or smartphones.
Workshops in works
Workshops planned are “The Value Season: Planning for the Other Eight Months of the Year” by Andi Day, executive director of the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau; “Improving the Visitor Experience” by Bret Pfost, regional general manager of Aramark; “Packaging the Peninsula,” a panel moderated by Jessica Wiersma of Black Ball Ferry Line; and “Maximizing Social Media Outreach for Small Businesses,” a panel moderated by Rochelle Roberts of Black Ball Ferry Line.
Learning labs are “Harnessing the Free Power of Google Maps” by Roberts; “Generating Social Buzz with Facebook Advertising” by Keven Elliff, Windridge Solutions; “Amplify the Narrative Using Instagram Stories” by Wiersma; “Using OTAs to Increase Value Season Bookings” by Christopher Yanasak, associate market manager of Expedia Inc.; “Mechanics of Photo Storytelling on Social Media” by Tommy Farris Jr., owner and founder of Olympic Hiking Co.; and “Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission Master Marketing Calendar Collaboration” by Marsha Massey, executive director of the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau.
To register and for more information, see www.chambersignups.com.
