2023 Tourism Awards Nominees & Winners
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.
Winner's names are listed in bold text.
BOLDNESS IN TOURISM AWARD
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
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/christen-greene-team-tomorrow02.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=eebfb83cabc616dfe6739837821524c2 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/christen-greene-team-tomorrow02.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=0b355fdb33f9313348e0c65c58675c1a 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/christen-greene-team-tomorrow02.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=129925871dcfc59b484080e4f8ac9e90 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/christen-greene-team-tomorrow02.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=2b47b501412a600135ee31c4f5975fdd 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/christen-greene-team-tomorrow02.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=bf7323636cad79b4f08d3748d19277a3 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/christen-greene-team-tomorrow02.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=6b2232c7de8b9e7dd8cdfe237512d414 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/christen-greene-team-tomorrow02.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=aae23629dab2cf3611152e06c100ebd7 1920w)
EXCELLENCE IN HOSPITALITY AWARD
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](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/sofie-landis-sofies-scoops.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=df4604790e2d6077e221a5b91d874d46 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/sofie-landis-sofies-scoops.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=18b5c2b3c2057036e79ae10e03560d9d 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/sofie-landis-sofies-scoops.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=aaed5346ba1a6de673bba6e9dff633ee 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/sofie-landis-sofies-scoops.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=cf5e25891b3a15ec184dce06e7a78758 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/sofie-landis-sofies-scoops.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=8fdb9a2215a798a3a71fd5b1d2521809 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/sofie-landis-sofies-scoops.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=7c10fa34b8f63c2b4e1ad541399408dd 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/sofie-landis-sofies-scoops.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=c8a5b4756832b378abb40d54099931d4 1920w)
PATRICK KNUTSON TOURISM LEGEND AWARD
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.
Patty Belmonte, Hands On Children's Museum
Christen Greene, Team Tomorrow
Andy Moreno, Capcity Presents
Carol Riley, Olympia Harbor Days Festival
George Sharp, Thurston EDC
Christian Skillings, Cynara and Iron Rabbit
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/carol-riley-olympia-harbor-days.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=134d9b156f5a7c3eba42c92967de9db6 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/carol-riley-olympia-harbor-days.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d4f79957895bdda485cf30964ef71fbc 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/carol-riley-olympia-harbor-days.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=2aba0384f89a65ef4ab78ecf19de541f 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/carol-riley-olympia-harbor-days.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1b541fd6fadedfb422a806a2b9e14389 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/carol-riley-olympia-harbor-days.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=307dcb64b92ecad733ff347c94993a41 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/carol-riley-olympia-harbor-days.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=06540e5c123103074a98320800eb801f 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/carol-riley-olympia-harbor-days.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=41cfb6e730fdc718b3715f4a7f9fbe08 1920w)