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WOODINVILLE, WA -Woodinville Wine Country is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a $22,000 Rural Tourism Marketing & Production Grant from State of Washington Tourism. This grant will be a significant contribution that will play a pivotal role in enhancing our marketing initiatives and driving economic growth to the region.

The Rural Tourism Marketing & Production Grant will enable us to expand our multimedia content library, creating captivating videos, photos, and written materials that highlight the diverse tourism offerings of Woodinville Wine Country and surrounding areas. These assets will showcase wine adjacent activities such as art studios, cooking classes, outdoor adventures, dining experiences, theater, music, and more, enticing visitors to explore the region and stay overnight.

"We are thrilled to receive the Rural Tourism Marketing & Production Grant from State of Washington Tourism," said Adam Acampora, executive director of Woodinville Wine Country. "This grant will empower us to create engaging content that resonates with our target audience, attracting more visitors through Woodinville Wine Country and fostering economic growth in our community."

In partnership with the city of Woodinville and neighboring cities of Redmond, Bothell, and Kirkland, Woodinville Wine Country will leverage this grant to collaborate on marketing initiatives and promote the collective region as a must-visit destination for travelers.

The Rural Tourism Marketing & Production Grant program is a vital resource for destination communities like Woodinville. It provides funding to develop impactful marketing campaigns that raise awareness, stimulate visitor spending, and showcase the unique attractions and experiences that make Washington State a premier tourism destination.

"We recognize the significance of the Rural Tourism Marketing & Production Grant in supporting our tourism marketing initiatives," added Acampora. "It not only offers financial support but also validates our efforts to promote our collective region as a must-visit destination."

Woodinville Wine Country is committed to leveraging this grant to its fullest potential, collaborating with partners and stakeholders, and producing high-quality content that showcases the beauty, diversity, and hospitality of our region. We look forward to sharing our progress and the impact of this grant on our tourism marketing initiatives in the coming months.

For more information about Woodinville Wine Country and our tourism marketing efforts, please visit woodinvillewinecountry.com or contact wwc@woodinvillewinecountry.com.

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About Woodinville Wine Country:

Woodinville Wine Country is a 501(c)(6) destination marketing and trade association representing the thriving Washington state wine industry in the Greater Woodinville area. Our mission is to support the development and promotion of a world-class wine tourism destination. With over 130 wineries and tasting rooms, Woodinville Wine Country is the most densely populated wine region in Washington State. Just 30 minutes from downtown Seattle, Woodinville offers a unique blend of urban amenities and rural charm, providing easy access to wineries, outdoor activities, dining, shopping, and more. Whether you're a wine enthusiast, foodie, outdoor adventurer, or cultural explorer, Woodinville Wine Country has something for everyone. Visit us today and discover the magic of Woodinville Wine Country!

About State of Washington Tourism:

SWT is a 501(c)(6) organization and serves as the official destination marketing organization for the State of Washington. It has and will continue to work closely with destination organizations, rural communities, tribes, and tourism/hospitality-related small businesses in Washington State. Its mission centers on destination promotion and destination development across the state. SWT procures and administers funds for statewide destination promotion activities, including strategic marketing plans and community-based destination development projects.

To protect workers from the dangers of breathing wildfire smoke, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has filed permanent wildfire smoke rules, which will take effect January 15, 2024. 

Read More --> CLICK HERE

Within the world of hospitality it is always a good idea to keep an finger on the tourism pulse. This podcast is just one way to do that.

The Future of Tourism Podcast

A series of candid conversations with industry leaders, luminaries and visionaries about the challenges and opportunities facing the travel and tourism industry today.

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• Android
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• Spotify 

Nonprofit Ready is a Cornerstone Foundation initiative that offers nonprofits access to free learning opportunities increase knowledge and resources to create transformative impact in their own communities. They have modules, certificates, and curriculums address Project Management, Leadership, DEI, Marketing, and more. See below some of the topics:

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Project Management Essentials - Part A

• Project Management Essentials - Part B

• Project Planning - Part A

• Project Planning - Part B

• The Project Framework - Part A

• The Project Framework - Part B

• Anticipating Project Risks - Part A

• Anticipating Project Risks - Part B

• Drawing Up a Project Budget - Part A

• Drawing Up a Project Budget - Part B

LEADERSHIP

• Becoming a Great Leader - Leadership Skills

• Why Leadership Isn't About the Leader

• Leading Your Team Through Change

• Handling Team Conflict

• The Advantages of a Behavior-Based Interview

• Fostering and Maintaining Motivation

• The Emotional Skills of the Manager

• Stress Management and Mental Health for Everyone

• Mindfulness for Stress and Trauma

DEI

• Why Diversity Matters for Nonprofits

• Introduction to Unconscious Bias

• Address Your Unconscious Biases

• Equity and Inclusion Lens

• Reduce the Harm of Microaggression in the Workplace

• Support an Inclusive Culture

• Respect Ethnic & Racial Difference

MARKETING

• Marketing Essentials

• Crafting Cause Marketing Partnerships with Meaning

• Online Marketing Concepts Everyone Should Know

• The 5 Email Marketing Basics: A Step-by-Step Beginners Guide

Here is a snapshot of the tourism data WWC has gathers for Q1 & Q2 of 2023. This data has been compiled from Datafy and Community Benchmark. You can review the snapshot --> HERE

Today, we are thrilled to announce the launch of a valuable new resource that will enhance our collective marketing efforts – the

Woodinville Wine Country Association Member Content Library!

1. Member Content Library is going Live!

We are excited to inform you that the Woodinville Wine Country Association has taken another step towards strengthening our collaborative efforts in promoting our region. Our Member Content Library is now live and accessible to all our dedicated members.

2. Exclusive Google Drive Access As part of this initiative, members who serve as points of contact for their businesses will receive exclusive access to a dedicated Google Drive folder for their establishment. This folder will be your canvas to showcase your winery or business through visual content.

3. Upload Your Marketing Assets We invite and encourage you to upload high-quality images, captivating videos, and logos that represent your Woodinville Wine Country experience. These assets will be used in our collective marketing efforts, showcasing the incredible diversity and excellence that define our region.

How to Access and Upload Content:

• You will receive a separate email with a personalized link to your business's Google Drive folder.
• Click the link and sign in to your Google account (if not already logged in).
• Once in the folder, simply drag and drop your images, videos, and logos into the designated sections.

Why Participate? By sharing your unique assets with the Association, you not only contribute to our shared success but also ensure that your business is prominently featured in our marketing materials, events, and campaigns. Together, we can create a stronger and more compelling presence for Woodinville Wine Country. If you have any questions, encounter any issues, or need assistance with this process, please don't hesitate to reach out to cara@woodinvillewinecountry.com Thank you for your continued dedication to the Woodinville Wine Country Association. We look forward to seeing your stunning contributions and watching our community flourish as a result.

TAKE A LOOK --> CLICK HERE

As disagreement in Congress remains over federal government funding, there is growing concern the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) could face closure during a potential government shutdown as early as October 1, 2023. Craft beverage producers must prepare in the event Congress does not reach an agreement in time to avoid a full federal government shutdown.

We urge everyone to file any mandatory applications for labels, permit amendments, export certificates and other TTB needs prior to September 30. Under a government shutdown, the TTB would be closed except for very limited activities related to the protection of life and property.

For more information, click here to read Wine Institute‘s news alert.

Register for WAVE here ($20).

Register for Viticulture Field Day ($20).

 

For additional information, contact Melissa Hansen, Research Program Director at mhansen@washingtonwine.org.

 

About the Washington State Wine Commission:
The Washington State Wine Commission (WSWC) represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington State. Guided by an appointed board, WSWC provides a marketing platform to raise positive awareness about the Washington wine industry and generate greater demand for its wines. Funded almost entirely by the industry through assessments based on grape and wine sales, WSWC is a state government agency, established by the legislature in 1987. To learn more, visit www.washingtonwine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Bradshaw, Communications Director, Washington Wine
(206) 495-5844 / hbradshaw@washingtonwine.org

William Lukela's first day was on July 10th. Lukela is coming to WSLCB from the Colorado Department of Revenue bring with him 30 years of regulatory experience, particularly in the enforcement and licensing fields. Read more about Lukela --> HERE.

Woodinville Wine Country welcomes Cara Castro as the new Digital Marketing Specialist. In this role she will manage our social media channels, newsletter, content creation, consumer communications and more.

Cara Castro, a Washington native, is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the Washington Wine Industry. Previously, Cara managed social media and Hollywood Hill’s tasting room for Alexandria Nicole and is thrilled about the opportunity to return to Woodinville working with the team at Woodinville Wine Country. She is excited about contributing to the growth and engagement of the local beverage and hospitality industries, utilizing her knowledge and passion to create exceptional experiences for tourists and residents alike.

Cara holds an undergraduate degree in Global Wine Studies from Central Washington University and a Master's Degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of Washington. Currently residing in University Place, WA, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and camping with her husband and dogs.

Cara Castro began with Woodinville Wine Country on July 10, 2023 and can be reached at cara@woodinvillewinecountry.com