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WINTER 2009-2010
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Seattle Art Museum Unveils New Calder Exhibition
Alexander Calder: A Balancing Act is an exhibition of the work by the American sculptor Alexander Calder, featuring small-scale works on paper as well as jewelry, large-scale sculptures and one of the artist’s largest mobiles. Drawn primarily from private collections, the exhibition includes more than 80 pieces, many of which have rarely been seen by the public. The bold sculptures and two-dimensional works of the exhibit track Calder’s creative development from 1927 through the mid-1970s, with an in-depth look at his most celebrated period in the late 1940s. The exhibition will be on view through April 11, 2010.
Media contact: Nicole Chism Griffin, Seattle Art Museum, (206) 654-3158; www.seattleartmuseum.org.
Taking Aim: Unforgettable Rock 'n' Roll Photographs Selected by Graham Nash Opens February 6, 2010 At Experience Music Project
Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame is opening Taking Aim: Unforgettable Rock 'n' Roll Photographs Selected by Graham Nash, Feb. 16, 2010 . This new exhibition, organized by EMP, showcases some of the most memorable photography in the history of popular music, as chosen by legendary musician Graham Nash of the musical group Crosby, Stills & Nash, who is also known as a photographer, collector and pioneer in digital imaging and printing. As guest curator, Nash brings his rich musical history, keen eye and storytelling skills to an exhibition of 98 rock 'n' roll images taken by 40 of the world's greatest music photographers, including Anton Corbijn, Annie Leibovitz, Jim Marshall, Neal Preston, Mick Rock, Francesco Scavullo and Nash himself. The exhibition includes an audio tour narrated by Nash, sharing insights about the images, artists and photographers, as well as his own connections to them. Taking Aim: Unforgettable Rock 'n' Roll Photographs Selected by Graham Nash will travel to other venues starting in mid-2010.
Media contact: Danielle Bias, Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, (206) 262-3242; www.empsfm.org.
Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
presents Gelatine Lux
Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum (EMP|SFM) opened Gelatine Lux, an otherworldly exhibition by noted Italian glass and installation artist Maria Grazia Rosin on Nov. 21, 2009. Organized by the Carnegie Museum of Art, this immersive installation features a series of glass curtains that vaguely encase 20 illuminated glass sculptures in bold colors, suspended within a universe that includes sound and video components. The exhibition will run through April 11, 2010.
Media contact: Danielle Bias, Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, (206) 262-3242; www.empsfm.org.
New Jimi Hendrix Exhibit On View at Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
The Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame opened a new exhibition about the legendary Seattle musician Jimi Hendrix on April 26, 2008. Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound focuses on how Hendrix affected popular music with his innovative sound. The new exhibit chronicles the artist’s career in five stages: The Seattle Scene (Nov. 1972-May 1961), The Chitlin’ Circuit (his southern United States touring years of May 1961-July 1965), The Village (his time spent in New York from September 1966-July 1969) and The World Stage (July 1969-July 1970). The exhibit includes rare Hendrix films and footage, music recordings on iPods® and a sound effects interactive display that demonstrates how Hendrix created the guitar sound that he became known for. The exhibit runs through April 11, 2010.
Media contact: Danielle Bias, Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, (206) 262-3242; www.empsfm.org.
New Heritage Guides Offer Visitors a Look at Historic Seattle and King County
4Culture, in partnership with the King County Historic Preservation program, has released three new, free travel guides that highlight significant pieces of history in Seattle and King County via themes: maritime, agriculture and industry. The colorful, printed guides feature more than 70 sites, including historic landmarks, museums, festivals and scenic drives, and encourage visitors to explore the history of the region. Guides contain historical descriptions, addresses and GPS coordinates for featured sites. Additionally, five featured sites per guide have audio clips that are accessible via listed telephone numbers. The “Destination Heritage” guides are available at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the Colman Dock on the Seattle waterfront and at the Seattle Visitor Center and Concierge Services, located at the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle. The guides are also downloadable at www.destinationheritage.org.
Media Contact: Heather Bryant, Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau, (206) 461-5805; www.visitseattle.org/cultural.
SCVB Announces New Seattle Cultural and Heritage Guides
Travelers to Seattle now have a new cultural resource available from Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB). The Seattle African American Heritage Guide highlights significant African American attractions, museums, heritage sites, historic background and special events information. To create this heritage guide, SCVB worked in conjunction with a review panel of community members to ensure accuracy and to provide proper cultural and historic perspective. The new guide is free of charge and can be mailed to travelers upon request. The guide is also downloadable from the SCVB web site and available at the Seattle Visitor Center and Concierge Services, located at the Washington State Convention Center, as well as at several other Seattle area locations. For more information, updates or to download a guide, visit www.visitseattle.org/cultural. The guide is supported by funding from 4Culture and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
Media Contact: Heather Bryant, Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau, (206) 461-5805; www.visitseattle.org/cultural.
ATTRACTIONS & TOURS
Explore Vampire Country with Evergreen Escapes
EverGreen Escapes now offers a full-day tour to Washington state’s infamous Olympic Peninsula inspired by the best-selling Twilight book series. The tour begins with a ferry ride across the Puget Sound followed by a scenic drive to the town of Fork, home of Twilight characters Edward and Bella. Visitors and Twilight fans are invited to traverse the old growth, moss-filled Hoh Rainforest during a guided walk through the Hall of Mosses Trail. Additional tour destinations include La Push, home of the Quileute Native American Tribe and Jacob Black and First Beach, a drive-to beach known for occasional whale spotting. The tour concludes with dinner at La Bella Italia in Port Angeles where Edward and Bella had their first date. To find out more about this tour and others offered by EverGreen Escapes, visit www.evergreenescapes.com.
Media Contact: Jake Haupert, EverGreen Escapes, (206) 650-5795; www.evergreenescapes.com.
Learn to Sketch Seattle’s Surroundings Like a Pro
Learn the skills necessary to sketch Seattle’s sights, while learning the back-story behind some of Seattle’s historical architecture with the new Travel to Sketch architectural sketch and walking tour. The neighborhoods, locations and subjects vary depending on the group’s interests. Tours are offered every Friday with the option of either a three-hour or six-hour class. Supplies are provided, including a sketch book to keep. No sketch experience is required. For more information, visit www.traveltosketch.com.
Media Contact: Melanie Corey-Ferrini, Travel to Sketch, (206) 353-1687; www.traveltosketch.com.
See the Seattle Sights Through the Lens of a Camera
Shutter Tours’ new, three-hour walking tour through downtown Seattle is designed for visitors looking to improve their travel photography while learning historic and fun facts about Seattle. Each tour offers lessons in photo composition and is for both the beginning and experienced photography lover. Cameras are not provided but a simple disposable camera will work for the tour. Groups are limited in size to ensure quality interaction and attention from guides. For more information on the tour and tour times, visit www.shuttertours.com.
Media Contact: Terry Tivyak, Shutter Tours, (425) 516-8838; www.shuttertours.com.
Enjoy Seattle’s Sights from the Sky with SeattleHeliTours.com
Classic Helicopter Corporation has announced the inauguration of its new SeattleHeliTours.com flightseeing tours, offering custom or pre-packaged helicopter tours of Seattle landmarks such as downtown Seattle, the Space Needle, Lake Washington, Lake Union and the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Tours of sights outside of Seattle such as downtown Bellevue, Snoqualmie Falls and Mount Si are also available. For details on the tours, visit www.seattlehelitours.com.
Media Contact: Greg Baker, Classic Helicopter Corp., (206) 499-1172 / (206) 767-0515; www.seattlehelitours.com
Space Needle Joins Seattle CityPass
CityPass had joined forces with the Space Needle and now includes the iconic attraction in its Seattle CityPass attraction book. The Space Needle joins other great Seattle attractions such as the Pacific Science Center, Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo and an option ticket with the choice of visiting Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame or The Museum of Flight. The collection of passes is priced 51% less than if each ticket was purchased separately. Adult Seattle CityPasses are $54, while youth passes (ages 4-12) are $39.
Seattle CityPass may be purchased at Seattle’s Visitor Center & Concierge Services located in the upper Pike Street lobby of the Washington State Convention Center, at any of the included attractions or online at http://www.citypass.com/city/seattle.html.
Media Contact: CityPass Public Relations, publicrelations@citypass.com; www.citypass.com.
New Humboldt Penguin Exhibit Debuts at Woodland Park Zoo
The Woodland Park Zoo opened a new Humboldt penguin exhibit on May 2, 2009. A colony of 20 endangered Humboldt penguins reside in a 17,000-square-foot exhibit that replicates shoreline cliffs and features viewable nesting burrows and rocky tide pools. Special windows and acrylic walls allow spectators underwater vantage points. The exhibit also features crashing waves and a beach that mimics the desert coast of Punta San Juan, Peru, home of the largest colony of wild Humboldt penguins.
As part of Woodland Park Zoo’s commitment to "green" practices, the exhibit has been designed with sustainable technologies, using geothermal energy and a filtration system that will save three million gallons of water and 75 million BTUs of energy each year. The exhibit is also designed to contain and recycle all storm-water runoff, preventing the pollution of natural resources like Puget Sound. For more information on the Humboldt penguin exhibit or Woodland Park Zoo, visit
www.zoo.org.
Media Contact: Gigi Allianic, Woodland Park Zoo, (206) 548-2550; www.zoo.org.
EverGreen Escapes Offers New Seattle Voluntourism Experience
EverGreen Escapes, a Seattle outdoor adventure company, recently began offering a half-day voluntourism tour on Tuesday afternoons. The tour affords participating volunteers the opportunity to take part in habitat restoration in Seattle nature parks. Volunteers meet with restoration stewards and assist in habitat improvement. Depending on the season, volunteers will remove invasive plants that choke out important native species, plant native plants or conduct beach clean-ups to remove trash that is harmful to wildlife. Hotel or cruise terminal pick-up, refreshments and afternoon tea are included in the tour. For more information visit www.evergreenescapes.com.
Media Contact: Jake Haupert, EverGreen Escapes, (206) 650-5795; www.evergreenescapes.com.
Savor Seattle Food Tours Sets Its Sights on Coffee
Savor Seattle Food Tours launches its two hour Chocolate Indulgence Tour on Jan. 2, 2010. The tour focuses on Seattle’s finest chocolate creations and provides guests the opportunity to experience decadent chocolate truffles and caramels, mini cupcakes, Columbian drinking chocolate and a handcrafted chocolate cocktail and more.
Media Contact: Angela Shen, greenrubino, (206) 957-4272; www.savorseattletours.com.
Flying Heritage Collection Lands at Paine Field Airport
The Flying Heritage Collection celebrated the grand opening of its new location at Paine Field Airport on June 6, 2008, coinciding with the 64th anniversary of D-Day. The 15-plane, three-artifact collection is housed in a restored 51,000-square-foot hangar on the grounds of the airport. The Flying Heritage Collection is a collection of rare World War II-era military aircraft owned by Microsoft co-creator and philanthropist Paul G. Allen. It is one of the world's largest collections of vintage aircraft to be restored to flying condition and features planes from the five major combatants of World War II - the United States, Britain, Japan, Germany and Russia. Paine Field Airport is located in Everett, 20 miles north of Seattle, and is also the home to the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour.
Media Contact: David Postman, Flying Heritage Collection, (206) 342-2000; www.flyingheritage.com.
HOTELS
The Maxwell Hotel to Open in March 2010
he Maxwell Hotel, an independent family-owned hotel located at the base of Queen Anne hill adjacent to the Seattle Center, will open its doors to guests in March 2010. The hotel will feature 140 guestrooms, an indoor pool, an exercise facility, an espresso bar, 1,600 square feet of meeting space and 3,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. Located just north of downtown Seattle, the Maxwell is just steps away from the Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, SIFF Cinema, Intiman Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Teatro ZinZanni, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum, Pacific Science Center and the iconic Space Needle.
Media Contact: Lorne Richmond, Richmond Public Relations, (206) 682-6979; www.themaxwellhotel.com
Hostelling International Seattle Opens Doors of American Hotel in Downtown Seattle
Hostelling International opened its renovated facility in the historic American Hotel in downtown Seattle on July 31, 2009. The American Hotel is a 90-room, 320 bed hostel with rates beginning at $28 per bed for dorm-style accommodations for Hostelling International members. Dorm-style accommodations for non-members are $31 per bed. Private rooms are available for $86 a night for up to two people, with extra persons in a private room for an additional $9. A continental breakfast and sheets, towels and pillows are complimentary. Other amenities include computers, laundry facilities, a self-serve kitchen and storage lockers.
Media Contact: Scott Shapiro, American Hotel Seattle, cell (206) 999-5088; www.americanhotelseattle.com.
Hyatt Regency Bellevue Opens Doors to Second Tower Expansion
The Hyatt Regency Bellevue opened the doors to its much anticipated expansion on July 31, 2009. The expansion introduces a second tower with 43,000 square-feet of meeting and event space, as well as 351 new guestrooms. With the opening of the second tower, the hotel houses 733 luxury guestrooms, 60,000 square-feet of meeting and event space as well as a 7,000 square-foot workout complex. Reservations may be made online at www.bellevue.hyatt.com or by calling Hyatt Hotels & Resorts at (800) 223-1234.
Media Contact: Caitlin Haedicke, Duo PR, (206) 957-8305; www.bellevue.hyatt.com.
Hyatt @ Olive 8 Opens in Downtown Seattle
The Hyatt brand has expanded its holdings in downtown Seattle with the opening of a $175-million, 39-story hotel-condominium project located one block north of the existing Grand Hyatt Hotel. Opened January 30, 2009, Hyatt at Olive 8 features 231 condominiums on the upper 22 floors and 346 hotel rooms on the lower 17 floors. The entire building will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, with high efficiency building mechanical systems, dual flush toilets and a green housekeeping program. On-site amenities available to both condominium owners and hotel guests include the locally-sourced restaurant Urbane, an eco-friendly spa, saltwater pool, housekeeping, drying-cleaning services, valet parking and 24-hour room service, in addition to separate lobbies and elevators for the hotel and condominium components of the building. Hyatt at Olive 8 also contains 11,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space.
Media Contact: CaitlinHaedicke of Duo PR, caitlin@duopr.com, 206-957-8305; www.olive8.hyatt.com
MTM Luxury Lodging to Manage New Property Opening in 2012
MTM Luxury Lodging has announced that it will manage the Bellevue Park Hotel, a new property in Bellevue, WA being developed by Hydra Developments, LLC. The 100-room hotel is expected to open in spring 2012.
Media Contact: Kirsten Bell, GreenRubino, (206) 447-4747; www.mtmluxurylodging.com.
Hyatt @ Olive 8 Opens in Downtown Seattle
The Hyatt brand has expanded its holdings in downtown Seattle with the opening of a $175-million, 39-story hotel-condominium project located one block north of the existing Grand Hyatt Hotel. Opened January 30, 2009, Hyatt at Olive 8 features 231 condominiums on the upper 22 floors and 346 hotel rooms on the lower 17 floors. The entire building will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, with high efficiency building mechanical systems, dual flush toilets and a green housekeeping program. On-site amenities available to both condominium owners and hotel guests include the locally-sourced restaurant Urbane, an eco-friendly spa, saltwater pool, housekeeping, drying-cleaning services, valet parking and 24-hour room service, in addition to separate lobbies and elevators for the hotel and condominium components of the building. Hyatt at Olive 8 also contains 11,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space.
Media Contact: CaitlinHaedicke of Duo PR, caitlin@duopr.com, 206-957-8305; www.olive8.hyatt.com
Four Seasons Returns to Seattle
Four Seasons returned to Seattle on Nov. 3, 2008 with a 21-story hotel and condominium tower in the heart of downtown, adjacent to Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum. The luxury hotel features 134 guestrooms, 13 suites, a signature water-view restaurant and event and meeting space, including an expansive ballroom and an outdoor pool overlooking Elliott Bay. The hotel's restaurant, ART Restaurant & Lounge, has a "best source" philosophy of using the freshest local ingredients, not only in its main dining room, but also in its in-room dining and catering menus. Overseeing the food and beverage for the hotel is acclaimed Seattle chef and Four Seasons veteran, Executive Chef Kerry Sear. The project was developed by The Seattle Hotel Group LLC, which is comprised of local investors John Oppenheimer, president and CEO of Seattle-based Columbia Hospitality; former Seattle mayor Paul Schell; and entrepreneur Bruce McCaw.
Media Contact: Meg Paynor, Paynor PR, (206) 913-3848; www.fourseasons.com/seattle.
Historic Arctic Club Hotel Now a Doubletree® Hotel
The historic Arctic Club Hotel has been renamed the Doubletree Arctic Club Hotel Seattle-Downtown. The hotel will continue to be managed by the Hotel Group which has managed the property since the hotel opened in July 2008. The Arctic Club Hotel has 120 rooms, 5,800 square feet of meeting space and fitness center. The hotel is located in the historic Arctic Building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and once housed a fraternal men’s club. The building’s taste of early 1900s architecture including a foyer and stairwells lined with Alaskan marble, 23 molded walrus heads wrapping the third floor exterior and the Northern Lights Dome Room, featuring Rococo gilt ceiling, ornamental cornices and a stained glass dome, with effects reminiscent of the Northern Lights, will remain untouched. Operation under the Doubletree® banner will prompt a change of JUNO, the on-property restaurant from upscale to an urban casual dining experience.
Media Contacts: Doubletree Hotels Media Relations: Thomas Wingham, (310) 205-4545; www.hiltonworldwide.com
Arctic Club Hotel/The Hotel Group: Tamara Wilson, Wilson Public Relations, (206) 838-8977; www.arcticclubhotel.com
Tulalip Resort Casino Opens New Hotel and Spa
Tulalip Resort Casino, located 40 minutes north of Seattle, celebrated the grand opening of its 370-room luxury hotel and spa on August 15, 2008. The resort provides a location for meetings, conferences, weddings and retreats, as well as overnight accommodations for casino visitors. The hotel features specialty suites such as the 2,000-square-foot Player's Suite with a professional-size pool table, dart board and arcade games and two Asian-themed suites designed on the principles of feng shui but with a Northwest twist. The hotel also offers 13 meeting rooms, a 5,000-square-foot junior ballroom and a 15,000-square-foot ballroom, totaling up to 30,000 square feet of meeting and reception space. There are two restaurants in the hotel, as well as a cocktail bar located in the hotel lobby. The 14,000-square-foot T Spa features men's and women's lounges with saunas, steam rooms and rainwater showers. The spa also has couples and group treatment rooms for up to six people. Authentic tribal art, valued at more than $1 million, is incorporated into the hotel's interior design.
Media Contact: Danielle Zarrella, Richmond Public Relations, (206) 682-6976; www.tulalipcasino.com
Sheraton Seattle Opens New Hotel Tower
The Sheraton Seattle Hotel celebrated the official opening of its second tower on June 8, 2007. The new Union Street Tower is 25-stories and has 420 new guestrooms, bringing the total number of guestrooms for the property to 1,258. This makes the Sheraton Seattle the largest hotel in Seattle. The new tower also has 16 new meeting rooms that add an additional 12,000 square feet of function space to the hotel. The project also included renovation of pre-function areas and ballrooms in the hotel's existing space. The Grand Ballroom was enlarged from 14,200 to 18,300 square feet with banquet seating for 1,400 people. The Metropolitan Ballroom doubled in size from 4,700 square feet to 9,440 square feet, with seating for 800.
The Sheraton Seattle is located in the heart of the downtown Seattle retail and entertainment district, one block from the Washington State Convention Center.
Media contact: Richmond Public Relations, (206) 682-6979; www.starwood.com
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Link Light Rail Reaches Completion from Downtown Seattle to Airport
Sound Transit’s Link light rail line from downtown Seattle to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) reached completion on Dec. 19, 2009. The first 13.9 miles of Link light rail opened in July 2009 with service between downtown Seattle and Tukwila, where riders could catch a free shuttle bus to and from the airport. Now travelers will be able to traverse the 15.6 miles between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac seamlessly. Downtown stations are located at Westlake Center, the financial district, Pioneer Square and the International District. The train makes stops in several neighborhoods south of Seattle before reaching the Sea-Tac/Airport Station, an approximately 30 minute trip. The Sea-Tac/Airport Station connects to the airport through the airport parking garage via a pedestrian walkway. The fare for the trip from downtown Seattle is $2.50 for adults, $1.75 for youths 6-18 and free for riders under six when accompanied by a paying adult.
Media Contact: Bruce Gray, Sound Transit Media Relations, (206) 398-5069; www.soundtransit.org.
AIR TRANSPORTATION
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Inaugurates New Runway
The new, third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) began use on November 20th 2008. Sea-Tac was one of three major airports in the United States to add new runways on November 20. Dulles International Airport in the Washington, D.C area and O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, IL also christened new runways that day.
The runway is expected to reduce flight delays and allow the airport to remain on time when the runways are covered in low clouds. The runway allows landings on two runways at the same time in all but the worst weather, increasing the airport's efficiency and decreasing passenger delays.
The third runway completes a 4.1-billion capital improvement program that the airport has undergone over the past ten years. Upgrades have included an enhanced transportation system, new terminals, enhanced security, updated retail, new concession areas and additional curbside baggage check-in locations. According to the Port of Seattle, which operates the airport, Sea-Tac set a new record for numbers of passengers in 2008, with 32 million passengers passing through.
Media contact: Perry Cooper, Port of Seattle, (206) 431-4923; www.portseattle.org.
Alaska Airlines Begins Two New Seattle Routes Beginning in Fall
Alaska Airlines inaugurated new daily non-stop service to Houston on Sep. 23, 2009 and new daily non-stop service to Atlanta, beginning Oct. 23, 2009.
Media Contact: Alaska Airlines Corporate Communications, (206) 392-5101; www.alaskaair.com.
Icelandair Inaugurates New Non-Stop Seattle to Reykjavik Route
Icelandair began new service between Seattle and Reykjavik on July 22, 2009. Icelandair offers four flights a week, departing Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. As the only Nordic airline to serve the West Coast, the carrier serves as a gateway to Scandinavian countries, including connections through Reykjavik to Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, as well as other European destinations. Icelandair is the fifth airline to fly non-stop from Sea-Tac to a European destination.
Media Contact: Terri-Ann Betancourt, Port of Seattle, (206) 248-7494; www.portseattle.org.
Hainan Airlines Chooses Seattle as First United States Destination
Hainan Airlines, China's largest privately-owned air carrier, began offering non-stop service between Beijing, China and Seattle, four times weekly, on June 9, 2008. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the first United States destination served by Hainan Airlines. Hainan Airlines inaugurated service with an Airbus A330-200 but has ordered Boeing 787s for future use.
Media Contact: Nyhus Public Relations, (206) 323-3733; global.hnair.com
Alaska Airlines Begins Seattle-Austin Service
Alaska Airlines began nonstop flights from Seattle to Austin on Aug. 3, 2009. Flights leave Seattle at 9:45 a.m. Pacific time and arrive at 3:40 p.m. Central time. Flights to Seattle leave Austin at 4:40 p.m. Central time and arrive at 6:45 p.m. Pacific time.
Media Contact: Alaska Airlines Corporate Communications, (206) 392-5101; www.alaskaair.com
Alaska Airlines Inaugurates Service from Seattle to Hawaii
Alaska Airlines inaugurated two new routes between Seattle and the Hawaiian Islands in 2008. The airline commenced service to Maui and Kona, using a Boeing 737-800, accommodating 16 first class passengers and 141 in the main cabin. Routes also began from Seattle to Honolulu and Lihue in October 2007.
Media Contact: Alaska Airlines Corporate Communications, (206) 392-5101; www.alaskaair.com
Lufthansa Now Offering Direct Flights from Germany
Lufthansa Airlines began daily non-stop service between Frankfurt, Germany and Seattle beginning on March 30, 2008. Lufthansa is the largest carrier of international passengers in the world and Frankfurt Airport is the eighth largest airport in the world. The route is served by a 221-seat Airbus A330-300 aircraft.
Media Contact: Jennifer Urbaniak, Media Communications Manager, N. America, (516) 296-967; www.lufthansa.com.
Virgin America Offering Flights Between Seattle and San Francisco and Los Angeles
Virgin America began service between San Francisco International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) on March 18, 2008, with three daily roundtrip flights. The airline also began three daily roundtrips between Los Angeles International Airport and Sea-Tac in April, followed by a fourth flight in May.
Media Contact: Abby Lunardini, Virgin America, (650) 533-7576; www.virginamerica.com
Air France Sets up Shop at Sea-Tac
Air France inaugurated the first daily, non-stop service between Paris and Seattle in June 2007. The more than 50,000 people who make the journey between Paris and Seattle annually will no longer need to connect through another city. The new route makes Paris the fourth European city, along with London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen that is directly accessible by air from Seattle.
Media Contact: Kristen Loughman, Air France U.S., (212) 830-4356; www.airfrance.com
CRUISES
Port of Seattle Opens New Cruise Facility
Seattle’s new cruise facility, Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, opened on April 24, 2009. The facility is located at Pier 91, 15 minutes from Seattle’s downtown core. The new terminal provides two, 1,200-foot berths, both equipped with shore power facilities that eliminate the need for vessels to run their diesel engines while docked. This will create savings in fuel costs for the cruise lines and translate into an environmental benefit of no air admissions while docked. The new terminal serves as homeport for Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. The existing Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 will continue to serve Celebrity Cruise and Norwegian Cruise Line. For more information on Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, visit www.portseattle/seaport/cruise.
Media Contact: Peter McGraw, Port of Seattle, (206) 728-3235; www.portseattle.org.
Carnival Cruise Line to Enter Seattle Cruise Market in 2010
Carnival Cruise Line has announced that it will operate a schedule of seven-day, round-trip Alaska cruises from Seattle beginning in May 2010. The 17, week-long cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit will depart Seattle on Tuesdays from May 11 - Aug. 31, 2010. Port calls include the Alaskan towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Media Contact: Jennifer de la Cruz, Carnival Cruise Line, (800) 438-6744 or (305) 599-2600 ext. 16000; www.carnival.com.
Holland America Line to Debut 14-Day Cruises from Seattle in 2010
Holland America Line announced it will also begin a new 14-day, round-trip “Alaskan Adventurer” cruise from Seattle beginning in 2010. The route will be served by the 1,380-passenger ms Amsterdam and will include a port call in Anchorage, marking the first time a major cruise line will regularly call upon the city. The cruise will depart Seattle May 17-Sept. 6, 2010 and will makes port calls in Ketchikan, Skagway, Sitka, Anchorage, Kodiak, Juneau and Victoria, British Columbia.
Media Contact: Holland America Media Relations, (800) 637-5029; www.hollandamerica.com
CONVENTION NEWS
Team-Building Takes on a Whole New Adventure
EverGreen Escapes, a local outdoor adventure company, is now offering private team-building retreats throughout the Seattle region for corporate groups. Programs are customized in order to meet the needs and objectives of each group. Sustainability, wilderness and adventure are the basis for these hands-on challenges that encourage leadership, communication and problem-solving skills. Some activities include scavenger hunts using GPS and/or maps and compasses, team survival or rescue, kayaking, rock climbing, wine tasting and much more. Each group is led by a professional naturalist who is dedicated to educating people on sustainable travel.
Media Contact: Jake Haupert, EverGreen Escapes, (206) 650-5795; www.evergreenescapes.com
Washington State Convention Center to Open Additional Space
The Washington State Convention Center (WSCC) acquired approximately 50,000 square feet of additional meeting and exhibit space with the purchase of a building located at 8th Ave. and Pike St., within the Convention Center complex. The interior of the building will undergo a complete redesign and renovation prior to its anticipated opening as The Conference Center in second quarter 2010.
Media Contact: Michael McQuade, WSCC, (206) 694-5105; www.wscc.com
Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau Opens New Visitor Center
Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (SCVB) new Market Information Center opened for business on June 15 at the entrance to the Pike Place Market at 1st Ave. and Pike St. The opening of the center is a collaboration between SCVB and the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority. The intent is to offer a first-class visitor information facility that serves the needs of Seattle visitors and locals, as well as the Pike Place Market neighborhood. The Market Information Center is open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau also opened a new location of the Seattle Visitor Center and Concierge Services (formerly the Citywide Concierge Center), in the upper Pike Street lobby of the Washington State Convention Center, in January 2008. The new, highly-visible location allows the center to assist more visitors and convention attendees. The center features large plasma-screen displays of Seattle information and real-time Seattle-Tacoma International Airport flight information. Seattle Visitor Center and Concierge Services is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Media Contact: Heather Bryant, Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau, (206) 461-5805; www.visitseattle.org
Download in PDF format.
Contacts:
David Blandford,
(206) 461-5806,
dblandford@visitseattle.org
Heather Bryant,
(206) 461-5805,
hbryant@visitseattle.org
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