Mason County Tourism
WorkshoPs 2025
If your business serves the public in our area—whether in dining, lodging, shopping, or farming—local tourism can significantly influence your success. This workshop series explores tourism's impact, collaboration, and strategies for enhancing customer experiences.
Presented by Mason County Tourism, along with Scenic WA, KMAS, and the Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce, these free community meet-ups offer resources and promote networking among local tourism stakeholders.
The first in the series, February’s Workshop is archived below in summary & video links.
PAST: WORKSHOP #1 : HOODSPORT
2/01/25 | View overview below
WORKSHOP #2 : SHELTON
3/06/25 | Hosted at the High Steel Beer Brewery (all ages)
Workshop #1 | February 1, Hoodsport
Part 1: Introduction
Welcome from Mason County & Workshop Resource Overview
Rachel Hansen, NW Event Organizers, Shelton
This workshop is an opportunity for stakeholders to come together and discuss strategies that will elevate all levels of business and encourage stronger relationships amongst our providers. Rachel emphasized that tourism success is a collective effort, where businesses work together rather than compete. Funded by lodging tax revenue, her work supports not just lodging but all businesses that make Mason County an attractive destination. To adapt to shifting tourism trends the NW Events team has introduced a new digital “progressive web App” along with the traditional printed media, social medial, digital and hands-on visitor interaction. The Wild Side WA app. is available for web viewing as well as a download. The application provides real-time information on events, dining, and activities, making it easier for both visitors and local businesses to access and share tourism resources. Collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and leveraging digital tools are key to growing Mason County’s tourism industry.
ABOUT NORTHWEST EVENT ORGANIZERS
Originally established in 2009 to preserve and host the historic Mason County Fair & Rodeo, Northwest Event Organizers is a corporation based in Shelton, WA that manages and promotes local large scale community events. Designers at Northwest Event Organizers are most comfortable helping non-profits and local businesses originate professional marketing campaigns within budget and exceeding reach expectations. From programs to posters, display ads and social media management, the team works side by side with event organizers to leverage each marketing dollar with authentic reach. Since 2017 NEO has produced the quarterly Tracing the Fjord Magazine and has held the marketing contract for Mason County Tourism Services since 2018.
Rachel Hansen holds a BA in Classical Studies and is trained as an Adobe graphics designer for web, print and digital media. She and her husband, John, live in Shelton where they have raised their three children on a local oyster farm. Their faces can be seen at many local events including the Christmastown festivities as well as each weekend managing the Fjord Oyster Bank in Hoodsport.
Part 2: WA State
How Do Small Local Businesses Fit into the WA State Tourism Bigger Picture?
Jennifer Coleman, Scenic Washington
Jennifer shared insights on tourism funding, including grants for businesses and nonprofits, and encouraged participation in state-provided tourism workshops. Her approach emphasizes strategic marketing, digital storytelling, and partnerships to enhance tourism visibility.
ABOUT JENNIFER COLEMAN:
Jennifer is a publisher based in Bellingham producing the annual Scenic Washington Road Trip Guidebook & Map publications, which highlights Washington’s 29 scenic byways. Her focus is on creating print and digital materials to promote tourism and distributing thousands of maps and guidebooks through visitor centers, ferries, and online orders. She also integrates social media and email marketing to reach a broad audience. Her work includes developing interactive maps and custom itineraries, such as a Pacific Coast waterfall route, to help travelers discover new experiences. Jennifer collaborates with Washington State Tourism, local businesses, and tourism organizations like Mason County to boost visitor engagement.
Jennifer Coleman
360-739-2685
jennifer@scenicwa.com
WA State Travel Concierge
1-877-260-2731
9a-5p Pacific Time
Monday-Friday
Topic 3: Wildside WA
Going Digital: Introducing the Mason Wild Side WA Progressive App
Jeff Slakey, NW Event Organizers
Jeff highlighted efforts to digitize tourism information, augmenting printed materials with adaptive online resources at the County’s tourism website, explorehoodcanal.com and introduced the Wild Side Wa progressive app, available free on Google and Apple stores. This new digital integration offers GPS-based listings of attractions, restaurants, and local events. Jeff emphasized how businesses can use the app to enhance the visitor experience as well as keep up to date on local happenings and resources. The app includes itinerary-building features, allowing users to plan and share trips and allows for integration of video content to promote local businesses and events, including YouTube features, and lobby screen displays.
Topic 4: Google
Are you Google Ready? Leveraging Free Marketing Opportunities
Deidre Peterson, President & CEO, Shelton Mason Chamber of Commerce
Deidre emphasizes the importance of businesses claiming and managing their Google Business Profile to ensure accurate and updated information for customers. A Google Business Profile is essential for ensuring accurate business information online. It helps businesses appear in search results with correct details like name, hours, location, and contact information. Claiming and verifying a profile at google.com/business allows business owners to control their listing instead of relying on outdated third-party sources. Service-based businesses can define service areas instead of listing a physical address, and profiles should be regularly updated, especially for holidays or special events.
Google offers tools for engagement, including posts, offers, and event listings that appear in search results. Businesses can add photos, videos, and special attributes like "women-owned" or "veteran-owned" to enhance their profile. Customer reviews also play a major role in visibility—responding to both positive and negative reviews boosts credibility. Encouraging happy customers to leave reviews helps improve search rankings, and businesses should handle negative feedback professionally, with an option to move discussions offline.
Google provides analytics tools to help businesses track customer interactions, including how people find their listing, request directions, or visit their website. The Shelton Mason Chamber of Commerce offers support in setting up and verifying profiles, as well as correcting listing errors. Businesses can access training, workshops, and guides on masonchamber.com/google to maximize their online presence and ensure their information is accurate and up to date.
Deidre Peterson, President & CEO
Shelton Mason Chamber of Commerce
A fourth-generation Mason County native, Deidre has earned a reputation known for her strong work ethic, professional behavior, and business acumen. Deidre is a Google certified partner and serves on the board of directors for both WACE and WA Chamber of Commerce Executives.
(360) 701-4643
deidre@masonchamber.com