The Why Tourism Matters public education campaign features advertisements in local media, public relations and community outreach and cooperative tourism industry communications directed to citizens and business and government leaders.
  Karen Allred
Captain,
Argosy Cruises
When Karen Allred worked in a Seattle jewelry store, her colleagues jokingly referred to her as the resident "tour guide" because of her enthusiasm in offering information about local attractions and events. In early 2000, she put that interest to the test as a tour guide for Argosy Cruises. Today, she's a captain.
An Interview with Ms. Allred >>
 Jitesh Verma
Banquet Captain, Sheraton Seattle Hotel
Jitesh Verma migrated from India to Seattle in 1987. He worked part time at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel while in school and running a small business. After he achieved his degree in Commerce and hotel Management, he sold his business, went full-time at the Sheraton Seattle and, in his own words, "stayed to pursue happiness and a dream."
An Interview with Mr. Verma >>
 Dominique Calle
Private Dining Manager, El Gaucho
Manager, Inn At El Gaucho
Marketing Manager for MacKay Restaurants
Dominique Calle has worked for Seattle area restaurant companies for two decades, the latter with MacKay Restaurants where she started work in the cigar room at the venerable El Gaucho restaurant. She moved up to manage the restaurant's private dining and set up private dining programs for MacKay restaurants in Seattle and Portland. She also manages the company's 18-room inn, called Inn At El Gaucho.
An Interview with Ms. Calle >>
 Mark Hewitt
President, Tillicum Village
Mark Hewitt grew up in tourism, the son of the late Bill Hewitt, who in 1962 started a Northwest Coast Native American cultural and dining experience called Tillicum Village. Mark's first job was at Tillicum Village and today he serves as company president, overseeing a peak-season staff of nearly 60 and managing one of the region's top visitor attractions.
An Interview with Mr. Hewitt >>
 Chris Gordon
General Manager, Cheesecake Factory, Downtown Seattle
For the past six years, Chris Gordon has managed one of downtown Seattle's largest restaurants, overseeing 11 managers and staff of between 175 and 200. He clocks them all in when big citywide conventions are at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, right across the street.
An Interview with Mr. Gordon >>
 Brett Nugent
Server/Performer, Teatro Zinzanni
Brett Nugent has been a professional singer, dancer and actor since he was 16. Like many budding performers, he's paid the rent with restaurant serving jobs. Three years ago he joined Teatro Zinzanni, Seattle's performance of cirque and cabaret beneath an antique Belgian spiegeltent that seats 285 for a five-course dinner. The job pays him to serve and cultivate his craft at the same time.
An Interview with Mr. Nugent >>
 Charles Bailey
Admission Attendant, Washington State Convention & Trade Center
Charles Bailey saw the inside of a lot of convention centers when he was growing up. His father, a pastor for a Baptist Church, included his family when he attended conventions around the country. Today, Bailey is an 11-year veteran at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center and says with genuine authority: "I work at one of the greatest convention centers in the world."
An Interview with Mr. Bailey >>
 Jing Hua Li
Turndown Attendant, Grand Hyatt Seattle
Jing Hua Li worked in a hospital in China prior to her immigration to the U.S. in 2002. She moved her young family to Seattle and joined the housekeeping staff at the newly-opened Grand Hyatt Seattle upon arrival.
An Interview with Ms. Li >>
 Justin Hall
Fishmonger, Pike Place Fish
At age 13, Justin Hall began working at the venerable Pike Place Fish and over 22 years his one-and-only job has made him one of Seattle's frontline tourism ambassadors. He and his colleagues have been featured in countless newspapers, magazines and TV travelogues and they welcome visitors from around the world to Seattle every day.
An Interview with Mr. Hall >>
 Curtis Solomon
Guest Service Agent, Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Curtis Solomon considered careers in sales and law enforcement but opted for a career in tourism instead. He worked at the Sheraton Waikiki ten years prior to moving to Seattle. This month marks his nine-year anniversary at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel (which was operated by Four Seasons when he began). He was named Employee of the Year for the property in 2003.
An Interview with Mr. Solomon >>
 Sarah Gilbert
Glass Blower, Lead Shop Technician,
Museum of Glass, Tacoma
Sarah Gilbert is a rock star in the glass blowing world. Five days a week, she and an elite team of artists take center stage at one the world's premier, state-of-the-art hot shops.
An Interview with Ms. Gilbert >>
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