The State of the Hospitality Industry in Thurston County

Annette Pitts, New CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond, to Keynote Thurston Chamber’s September Forum

The Thurston County Chamber invites the community to attend the Chamber’s September Forum on Wednesday, September 8 at 11:30 a.m. at the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake (Formerly Hotel RL). 

During this month’s luncheon and presentation, attendees will hear from Annette Pitts, Experience Olympia & Beyond CEO. Pitts will share data, trends and forecasts about the state of the hospitality industry in Thurston County and some of the strategic work and efforts of Experience Olympia & Beyond, especially critical throughout the COVID crisis. Attendees will hear how the hospitality industry can bounce back from the crisis. She’ll also share plans to promote Thurston County as a unique destination and how she and her team will continue to work side by side with community leaders throughout Thurston County to inspire, inform and influence travelers to visit the remarkable region we call home.

Pitts joined Experience Olympia & Beyond as Chief Executive Officer in June 2021. Pitts has extensive tourism experience and recently served as Executive Director of the Cascade Loop Association for ten years. Along with managing the execution of the Association’s destination development plan and overseeing a comprehensive rebrand, she also spearheaded a successful effort to earn the Cascade Loops federal designation as a National Scenic Byway. She also worked with organizational stakeholders, economic development organizations, and community leaders throughout the state to promote domestic, international, independent and group travel to the region.