One way to stay in touch with everything happening at Mount Rainier is by calling upon the resources of Visit Rainier. Below, the organization’s executive director and board have answered a few questions that highlight their goals and objectives.
Provide a short history of the organization
Visit Rainier is a nonprofit destination marketing organization created in 2005 to serve the entire Mount Rainier region. Since its mission is to brand the region as a popular, recreational destination, Visit Rainier is committed to marketing, networking and discovering the special people, places and activities in the Mount Rainier region.
Visit Rainier is governed by a nine-member board of directors representing funding entities inunincorporated Pierce County (Elbe and Ashford), Crystal Mountain, Eatonville and Enumclaw. Partnerships with state and regional tourism entities, as well as Mount Rainier National Park are vital to the organization. While Visit Rainier is not the park service, we enjoy a strong partnership with them and help disseminate valuable information through communication tools such as social media and the Visit Rainier website. The park service works to provide a high-quality visitor experience and supports Visit Rainier programs to achieve this goal.
During its first decade, Visit Rainier has created a comprehensive brand awareness campaign using digital marketing, social media and collateral material. Public relations is a key element of the program to promote the bounty of the Mount Rainier region to other areas of the globe through press releases and media outreach. The mainstay for Visit Rainier continues to be the website with over 2.5 million pageviews in 2014. The progressive and sophisticated website is a mobile friendly site created to take full advantage of the growing trend of mobile devices.
The Visit Rainier organization is led by Executive Director Mary Kay Nelson. Nelson has 18 years of experience in nonprofit leadership in the tourism industry. She has served as director of Visit Rainier since it was organized 10 years ago. Annalee Tobey, Vitality Marketing, is the website content manager and social media expert using Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and other platforms to engage visitors who are interested in visiting this outdoor recreation paradise. The website was created and designed by Eric Sheckler, Parts and Labor Inc., who continues to work, not only on the website but also as brand designer and in product development. Julie Johnson, public relations, manages all media contacts, including travel and tourism professionals.
What is the goal of the Visit Rainier website?
Simply, the goal is to put “Heads in Beds” and “Feet on the Street.” We work to enhance the economy of Mount Rainier gateway communities by bringing more customers and revenue to businesses and events. When Visit Rainier was organized in 2005, it was evident there was a need for an official and definitive tourism resource to offer information, recommendations and opportunities for Mount Rainier lodging and activities.
Visit Rainier’s focus is on Mount Rainier gateway communities and businesses whose economy depends on tourists visiting Mount Rainier National Park. The funds that support Visit Rainier come from the Hotel-Motel Lodging Tax. In order to replenish these tax funds, it is vital we focus on bringing visitors to stay at the lodging facilities. To achieve our goal and gain the desired market share, we need to provide visitors a variety of reasons to come, create the desire to stay longer and return again and again. The website was created to accomplish these goals. All marketing and promotion directs traffic to the website where the focus is on finding overnight lodging and increasing awareness of Mount Rainier activities.
Describe what the website offers a viewer?
VisitRainier.com has become a household word synonymous with Mount Rainier travel. The image-driven website was built and designed to help visitors find lodging, in or near the national park, select hiking trails or a driving tour, discover the top 10 things to do, or simply check the webcams and road conditions. Site visitors can plan a dream vacation, multi-day getaway or a day visit to the mountain. Helpful seasonal information on the website includes a summer wildflower guide, fall foliage hot spots, spring waterfall choices and winter snowshoe trips. What sets VisitRainier.com apart from other websites is its ability to provide a comprehensive list of lodging availability by date, region or type. Based on the number in your party, the amenities you desire, the location or the date you plan to travel, you will find the perfect place to enjoy your mountain vacation. This travel and adventure website excels when it comes to Mount Rainier vacation and trip planning. Links to social media, newsletters, national park news, photography and much more make this website worth bookmarking.
What are you hoping Visit Rainier will provide to the Plateau community in the future?
We expect to establish the Rainier region as the preferred mountain destination for the Pacific Northwest urban centers, the western United States and some national and international markets. As the largest service area near Mount Rainier National Park, the Enumclaw Plateau offers a multitude of shopping, culinary experiences and dining options, as well as tourism related services for Mount Rainier visitors. It is our intent to increase multi-night stays throughout the year, thus generating additional revenue for the community. The Crystal Mountain and Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park are major attractions and offer a year-round menu of recreational opportunities not only in the national park, but also in the national forest and other public lands.
