Outstanding Ecotourism:  Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is a nonprofit community group that supports the US Fish and Wildlife Service, promotes educational programs related to the Refuge, and works to aid the community and stake-holders of the Refuge.  Importantly for our tourism industry, the Friends joins with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to hold the annual BirdFest that includes nature walks, Cathlapotle Plankhouse tours, kayak tours on the Columbia River, and even a bluegrass music festival.

Outstanding Cultural Tourism:  Fort Vancouver National Historic Site - The Fort Vancouver National Historic site was established by Congress in 1961 and expanded to a Historic Reserve in 1996.  The 366-acre Reserve is administered by the National Park Service and it attracts around 800,000 visitors each year, making it the most popular tourist attraction in Southwest Washington.  Cultural tourism, including a collection of over 2 million artifacts, is a core mission for the site, with an emphasis on making history fun, hands on, and relevant to travelers.

Outstanding Young Tourism Leader:  Maili Morrison, Heathman Lodge - Maili has responsibility for serving clients, cultivating new business, training and enhancing the skills of her co workers, and marketing the Heathman Lodge.  A self-starter, Maili excels in her position due to her professionalism, intelligence, and initiative.  She was promoted to Assistant Director of Sales for the Lodge as a result of her leadership ability and high level of commitment, and most recently promoted to Regional Sales Manager for North Pacific Management, working with 8 hotels and restaurants.  Ms. Morrison is a credit to the Clark County tourism industry and exemplifies positive and effective tourism leadership.

Outstanding Event:  Vancouver Discovery Walk Festival - The Vancouver Discovery Walk Festival is a top draw for tourism to Vancouver and Southwest Washington.  Each year thousands of visitors are attracted from Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and from throughout the United States.  This yearly walking festival is sponsored by International Walk Fest and the City of Vancouver to foster international friendship and provides the opportunity to greet walkers from throughout the world.  It has become THE premier walking event on the west coast and is officially sanctioned by both the American Volkssport Association and the International Marching League Walking Association.

Outstanding Tourism Service:  Heathman Lodge - The Heathman Lodge describes itself as ‘a relaxing, rustic getaway in Vancouver, Washington, a mountain-like retreat.’  Yes, but people who stay or eat at the Heathman know it for something more:  service par excellence.  In a word, service at the Heathman Lodge is exceptional.  The hotel is filled with the spirit of the Northwest, including native artwork and rugged Northwest-inspired craftwork such as totem poles, Eskimo kayak frames, and Pendleton blankets.  Even the guest rooms feature a mix of rustic pine and peeled-hickory furniture, as well as rawhide lampshades and Pendleton-inspired bedspreads.  Yet with all this wonderful ambiance, it is still service which sets the Heathman apart and for which it has been recognized by Clark County.

All of these awardees deserve extraordinarily recognition for their meaningful and positive contributions to the tourism industry and our community.  They exhibit the highest levels of professionalism and are an inspiration to Clark County residents and business leaders alike.