Join our panel of local executives and experts as they discuss how they are navigating reopening and what predictions they are making about the tourism industry's road to recovery.
Our tourism sector – cruise business, conventions at area hotels, restaurants, arts and cultural attractions, and more – brought in more than 40 million visitors and $8 billion to King County last year. 2020 looks very different, with a 77% decline in spending and hospitality jobs representing 42% of all jobs lost in the state in the first 2 months of the pandemic response.
Emergency funding and pivoting to new services are helping some businesses, in addition to the outpouring of support from Seattle area locals, but the future remains uncertain for many as we move slowly into the phases of reopening.
Our Panel Includes:
Hon. Stephanie Bowman
Commissioner
Port of Seattle
Edouardo Jordan
Chef/Owner
Salare, Junebaby &
Lucinda Grain Bar
Amanda Parsons
General Manager
Thompson Seattle hotel
Howard Wright
Chairman & Founder
Seattle Hospitality Group
Tom Norwalk
President & CEO
Visit Seattle
(moderator)
About the Executive Speaker Series: Our bi-monthly Executive Speaker Series events each focus on a unique industry and feature top business leaders who discuss the successes, challenges, and opportunities facing their sector.
Visit the Executive Speaker Series Program page to see all of our other Executive Speaker Series events!