Annual Meeting

Celebrating Thurston County’s creative spirit at this year’s Annual Meeting, PopArt Party was a total blast! We let that inner child run a little wild at Olympia’s flagship attraction, the Hands On Children’s Museum!

Thursday, June 1, 2023 | 5:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.

Hands On Children's Museum
414 Jefferson St. NE, Olympia

We had such a great time at Olympia’s flagship attraction, the Hands On Children’s Museum! This year we paid tribute to our region’s diverse and ever-growing creative arts scene. We got down to the vintage sound stylings of Music De-Lite, had our minds blown by local aerial performers from Wings Aerial Acrobats, and took part in a group art project (yep, we threw some paint on a canvas like we really meant it!) And no party’s complete without a dash of the culinary arts so enjoyed a little post-work noshing with OlymPita, The Oysterboys of Perkins Family Farms, Jerk an Tings, Simple and Delicious Donuts, and adult beverages courtesy of Budd Bay Café.

Meet the Emcee!

Line Roy works in Yelm as the City of Yelm’s Communications and Recreation Coordinator. She lives in Yelm as an obsessed dog mom and ineffective housekeeper. Line is a proud Jackrabbit, graduating from South Dakota State University, where she studied marketing, public relations, and event management. Line has spent the last decade in Yelm encouraging fun, by sidelining as a trivia and bingo host, spending a year as a cheer coach, and encouraging everyone to find excitement in their own backyard. Line is a community connector and positive problem solver who leads with passion, enthusiasm, and authenticity. She is an unapologetic cheerleader for shopping local, supporting local, living local, and loving local.

Recognizing Thurston County’s Tourism Leaders

Thurston County's tourism industry can only be as successful as the people working behind the scenes planning the events, running the businesses, marketing the area, and of course, making all guests feel welcome and at home here. It's this combined body of work that brings visitors to our area. That said, some individuals truly took hospitality and destination development to the next level in the past 12 months, and these are the people we want to recognize via the 2023 Tourism Awards. 2023 Winners are in bold.

Boldness In Tourism Award Nominees

This individual brought bold, new ideas and innovative ways of attracting visitors to Thurston County in the past 12 months. They took risks and thought "out of the box", and the result is growing enthusiasm about visiting the iconic destinations in Thurston County.

Alicia Elliott, West Central Park Neighborhood Center
Wayne Fournier, City of Tenino Mayor
Christen Greene, Team-Tomorrow
Mitch Lewis, Summit Farms
Ryan Perkins, Oly Town Artesians Soccer Club / Olympia Ballroom
Janine Phillips, Hampton Inn & Suites
Donna Taylor Mayo, Tenino Arts

Excellence In Hospitality Award Nominees

This individual is a frontline worker who put in the hours during the past 12 months, made all guests feel welcome, and typified the attributes of a gracious and knowledgeable host. The result of their efforts creates a visitor who is eager to return and visit Thurston County.

Jamie Brayshaw, Octapas Café
Emily Dunn, The Marie Bed & Breakfast
Wayne Fournier, City of Tenino Mayor
Christen Greene, Team-Tomorrow
Sofie Landis, Sofie’s Scoops
Jay Potter, Hands On Children's Museum
Mark Sand, Ashley Creek Farm
Matt Trotter, Well 80

Sofia Landis of Sofie's Scoops is awarded the Excellence in Hospitality Award

Patrick Knutson Tourism Legend Award Nominees

The Patrick Knutson Tourism Legend Award honors an individual who has served in the hospitality industry for 10+ years and either currently resides in or has roots in Thurston County. The award winner exemplified the characteristics of leadership, innovation and stewardship in hospitality over his or her lifetime.