Destination Master Plan

The Visitor and Convention Bureau of Thurston County, dba Experience Olympia & Beyond, has contracted with Convention, Sports, Leisure, International (CSL) to develop a ten-year Destination Master Plan for Thurston County. We will hold sector-based focus groups and one-on-one meetings November 1st - 3rd with local stakeholders.

Helping Shape the Future of Thurston County

Experience Olympia & Beyond is the official destination marketing organization for Thurston County in southwestern Washington State. Our mission is to reveal Thurston County’s most iconic experiences for the world to discover and our vision is to be known as a top destination in the Pacific Northwest.

To accomplish this, we know we have some work to do and there’s no time like the present to make sure each day we take steps to provide the best destination experience possible for locals and visitors. The Destination Master Plan is a framework that helps ensures this process rooted both in understanding and continuous improvement continues.

In 2023 Experience Olympia & Beyond contracted with Convention, Sports, Leisure (CSL) International to produce Thurston County’s Destination Master Plan. CSL is an industry-leading advisory and planning firm specializing in providing consulting services to the convention, sports, entertainment and leisure travel industries, and their team has worked with Thurston County stakeholders and residents to create a meaningful and actionable blueprint to the future.

Steering Committee

Patty Belmonte, Executive Director, Hands on Children Museum
David Burnett, Corporate Executive Officer, Island Enterprises, Squaxin Tribe
Michael Cade, Executive Director, Thurston Economic Development Council
Todd Cutts, Executive Director, Olympia Downtown Alliance
Amy Evans Harding, Commissioner, Port of Olympia
Tony Liberal, Director of Business Development, Medicine Creek Enterprises, Nisqually Tribe
Jennica Machado, Economic Development Director, Thurston County
Harry Pickernell, Director of Operations, Chehalis Tribal Enterprises
Austin Ramirez, Economic Development Manager, City of Tumwater
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director, City of Olympia
Line Roy, Director of Recreation & Communications, City of Yelm
David Schaffert, Executive Director, Thurston Chamber of Commerce
Sarah Schelling, Senior Project Planning Mgr., Community and Economic Development City of Lacey
George Sharp, Rural Program Manager, Thurston Economic Development Council Representing Tenino, Bucoda, Grand Mound and Rochester
Satpal Sohal, Owner, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Tumwater

Upcoming Activities

  • Public visioning workshops—Dates TBD

Press Releases

Questions about the Destination Master Planning process? Drop us a line!