The Why Tourism Matters public education campaign features advertisements in local media, public relations and community outreach and cooperative tourism industry communications directed to citizens and business and government leaders.
  Fran Bigelow
Proprietor, Fran's Chocolates
“Are you the Fran? Oh, I just love your chocolate – especially the caramels!” Fran Bigelow appreciates the travelers who crowd her new downtown Seattle store, some of whom quickly re-pack their suitcases with souvenirs for their return trips home. With nearly 30 years in business, her namesake Fran’s Chocolates has established a family livelihood and legacy, garnered countless awards and exported Seattle’s fancy for fine, artisan chocolate as far as the White House.
An Interview with Ms. Bigelow >>
 Tim Brooks
Vice President of Flight Operations, Kenmore Air
Tim Brooks’ summer job turned into a 34-year career with Kenmore Air, North America’s largest float plane operator. His professional journey from the company’s front lines to Vice President of Flight Operations includes some 17,000 flight hours and a passion for the natural beauty of the region that he shares with his passengers.
An Interview with Mr. Brooks >>
 Krista Daniel
Director of Event Services,
Washington State Convention Center
A banquet for 4,000 association meeting delegates? No problem. Crowd management of 10,000 consumer show attendees in a single day? Seamless. Meetings and conventions attract thousands and pump millions of dollars into the regional economy each year. But for Krista Daniel, volume business is just business-as-usual.
An Interview with Ms. Daniel >>
 Tony Craig
Houseman Supervisor, Mayflower Park Hotel
Crystal chandeliers and gleaming brass pervade the Mayflower Park Hotel, which was built in 1927 and is a member of the National Historic Trust. The hotel also boasts rich personal history in 26-year veteran Tony Craig, steward of hospitality and tourism ambassador.
An Interview with Mr. Craig >>
 Lorenzo Leonard & Lloyd Adalist
Co-Concierge Managers, Pacific Place
Most successful tourism enterprises take teamwork. Lorenzo Leonard and Lloyd Adalist have proven that for nearly a decade as concierge professionals at Pacific Place, a premier shopping, dining and entertainment center in the heart of downtown Seattle. Their secrets: high-quality service; abundant humor; and professional parallels with pro baseball greats.
An Interview with Mr. Leonard and Mr. Adalist >>
 Christi Smither
Senior Onboard Supervisor, Clipper Vacations
Christi Smither loves people and loves being on the water, which makes her post at Clipper Vacations a dream job. Actually, after 20 years with the Northwest’s largest tour operator, it’s a dream career.
An Interview with Ms. Smither >>
 Phil Harjo
Captain, Ride the Ducks
Eight years ago, busy marketing executive Phil Harjo had an epiphany while on a Ride the Ducks tour with his two young daughters. Today — a.k.a. Captain Phlip Dover — Harjo enjoys a change in career and shares his shift in attitude with his own Ride the Ducks passengers.
An Interview with Mr. Harjo >>
 Sarah Gilbert
Glass Blower, Lead Shop Technician,
Museum of Glass, Tacoma
Sarah Gilbert is a rock star in the glass blowing world. Five days a week, she and an elite team of artists take center stage at one the world's premier, state-of-the-art hot shops.
An Interview with Ms. Gilbert >>
 Karen Allred
Captain,
Argosy Cruises
When Karen Allred worked in a Seattle jewelry store, her colleagues jokingly referred to her as the resident "tour guide" because of her enthusiasm in offering information about local attractions and events. In early 2000, she put that interest to the test as a tour guide for Argosy Cruises. Today, she's a captain.
An Interview with Ms. Allred >>
 Jitesh Verma
Banquet Captain, Sheraton Seattle Hotel
Jitesh Verma migrated from India to Seattle in 1987. He worked part time at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel while in school and running a small business. After he achieved his degree in Commerce and hotel Management, he sold his business, went full-time at the Sheraton Seattle and, in his own words, "stayed to pursue happiness and a dream."
An Interview with Mr. Verma >>
 Dominique Calle
Private Dining Manager, El Gaucho
Manager, Inn At El Gaucho
Marketing Manager for MacKay Restaurants
Dominique Calle has worked for Seattle area restaurant companies for two decades, the latter with MacKay Restaurants where she started work in the cigar room at the venerable El Gaucho restaurant. She moved up to manage the restaurant's private dining and set up private dining programs for MacKay restaurants in Seattle and Portland. She also manages the company's 18-room inn, called Inn At El Gaucho.
An Interview with Ms. Calle >>
 Chris Gordon
General Manager, Cheesecake Factory, Downtown Seattle
For the past six years, Chris Gordon has managed one of downtown Seattle's largest restaurants, overseeing 11 managers and staff of between 175 and 200. He clocks them all in when big citywide conventions are at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, right across the street.
An Interview with Mr. Gordon >>
 Brett Nugent
Server/Performer, Teatro Zinzanni
Brett Nugent has been a professional singer, dancer and actor since he was 16. Like many budding performers, he's paid the rent with restaurant serving jobs. Three years ago he joined Teatro Zinzanni, Seattle's performance of cirque and cabaret beneath an antique Belgian spiegeltent that seats 285 for a five-course dinner. The job pays him to serve and cultivate his craft at the same time.
An Interview with Mr. Nugent >>
 Charles Bailey
Admission Attendant, Washington State Convention Center
Charles Bailey saw the inside of a lot of convention centers when he was growing up. His father, a pastor for a Baptist Church, included his family when he attended conventions around the country. Today, Bailey is an 11-year veteran at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center and says with genuine authority: "I work at one of the greatest convention centers in the world."
An Interview with Mr. Bailey >>
 Jing Hua Li
Turndown Attendant, Grand Hyatt Seattle
Jing Hua Li worked in a hospital in China prior to her immigration to the U.S. in 2002. She moved her young family to Seattle and joined the housekeeping staff at the newly-opened Grand Hyatt Seattle upon arrival.
An Interview with Ms. Li >>
 Justin Hall
Fishmonger, Pike Place Fish
At age 13, Justin Hall began working at the venerable Pike Place Fish and over 22 years his one-and-only job has made him one of Seattle's frontline tourism ambassadors. He and his colleagues have been featured in countless newspapers, magazines and TV travelogues and they welcome visitors from around the world to Seattle every day.
An Interview with Mr. Hall >>
 Curtis Solomon
Guest Service Agent, Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Curtis Solomon considered careers in sales and law enforcement but opted for a career in tourism instead. He worked at the Sheraton Waikiki ten years prior to moving to Seattle. This month marks his nine-year anniversary at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel (which was operated by Four Seasons when he began). He was named Employee of the Year for the property in 2003.
An Interview with Mr. Solomon >>
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