Experience Olympia & Beyond announces 2026 Tourism Award nominees

Experience Olympia & Beyond has announced the nominees for its 2026 Excellence in Hospitality and Boldness in Tourism awards, recognizing individuals who help create memorable visitor experiences and strengthen tourism throughout Thurston County.

The nominees will be celebrated during Experience Olympia & Beyond’s 2026 Annual Meeting, “Mission: Tourism Possible,” on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the South Puget Sound Community College Lacey Campus, 4220 6th Ave. SE, Lacey. 

The annual gathering brings together tourism and hospitality professionals, community leaders and partners to hear updates on the state of tourism in Thurston County, celebrate this year’s tourism award honorees and get a first look at what’s ahead for the destination, Experience Olympia & Beyond said in a news release. 

Attendees will also be among the first to see the reveal of a “top-secret project,” said Experience Olympia & Beyond. 

The awards and nominees are: 

• Excellence in Hospitality Award: This individual is a frontline worker who put in the hours during the past 12 months, made all guests feel welcome, and typified the attributes of a gracious and knowledgeable host. The result of their efforts creates a visitor who is eager to return and visit Thurston County. The 2026 nominees are Krista Bentow, Batdorf & Bronson Legacy Café; Angelina Blueback, Candlewood Suites Olympia/Lacey; Sarah Hamblin, 1776 Bar and Grill; and Cher Hobbick, Altitude 15 & Bite Me Catering. 
• Boldness in Tourism Award: This individual brought bold, new ideas and innovative ways of attracting visitors to Thurston County in the past 12 months. They took risks and thought "out of the box", resulting in growing enthusiasm about visiting the iconic destinations in Thurston County. The 2026 nominees are: Jill Barnes, Washington Center for the Performing Arts; Thomasina Cooper, Thurston County Fairgrounds & Event Center; Jeff Devlin, Best of Olympia Facebook Group; Andrea Levanti and Diego Fleitas, InGenius! Local Artisan Gallery & Boutique; Monique Ossa, Ossa Skinworks; Janine Phillips, Hampton Inn & Suites Olympia/Lacey; and Greg Taylor, DoubleTree by Hilton Olympia. 

 “These nominees represent the heart of hospitality in our region,” said Shauna Stewart, CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond. “They are often the people visitors remember long after a trip is over. Their care, knowledge and commitment to creating exceptional experiences are an important part of what makes our destination special.”

Tickets and additional information are available at ExperienceOlympia.com/industry/annual-meeting/