Power Hour
06/18/2024
Bellingham, WA
U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined a group of travel industry leaders for a Travel Works Power Hour event in Bellingham, WA at the Whatcom Museum.
Key Speakers
The Honorable Rick Larsen
U.S. Representative (WA-02)
David Blandford
Executive Director, State of Washington Tourism
Dylan Deane-Boyle
President & CEO, Visit Bellingham
Discussion Summary
On June 18, 2024, nearly 20 Washington state travel and business leaders came together for a Travel Works Power Hour roundtable discussion with Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen. The group discussed some of the industry most pressing priorities, including the recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) renewal, the need to lower lengthy wait times for U.S. visitor visas, as well as funding for the new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism position at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Participants also addressed Washington’s ferry service, hospitality education and support, and the upcoming FIFA World Cup games in 2026 in Seattle and 10 other cities nationwide.
Attendees
- Krista Bentley, Expedia Group Media Solutions + SWT Board
- David Blandford, State of Washington Tourism
- Keith Coleman, Springhill & TownePlace
- Dylan Deane-Boyle, Visit Bellingham & Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
- Lindsey Gerhard, Visit Bellingham & Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
- Erik Hansen, U.S. Travel Association
- Laura Kingman, WSDOT – Amtrak Cascades
- Bennett Knox, Whatcom County Parks and Recreation
- Guy Occhiogrosso, Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Emily Phillipe, Bellingham International Airport
- Drew Schmidt, San Juan Cruises + BWCT Board
- CJ Seitz, WWU Small Business Development Center
- Teresa Taylor, Office of Economic Policy, Lummi Indian Business Council, Lummi Nation
- Laurie Trautman, WWU Border Policy Research Institute
- Teri Treat, Inn at Lynden
- Dan Tucker, Working Waterfront Coalition
- Kip Turner, Bellingham International Airport
- Dana Weber, Four Points by Sheraton + BWCT Board
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