SEATTLE – Visit Seattle and Seattle Bank announced a partnership to bring tourism revenue to Seattle’s small businesses and diverse communities. The first collaboration between the organizations, the Community Partnership Program will provide support to 20 locally owned businesses – including restaurants, cafes and shops – within Seattle’s vibrant Chinatown-International District and Central District neighbourhoods.
Seattle Bank and Visit Seattle partnered with Intentionalist, the Central Area Collaborative and the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) to identify the selected businesses — focusing on establishments owned by women, people of colour and LGBTQ+ community members in the easily accessible Central District and Chinatown-International District neighbourhoods.
Through the partnership, the 20 businesses will receive waived membership dues (funded by Seattle Bank) to join Visit Seattle’s partnership network. As members, each business will receive direct promotional support through Visit Seattle’s marketing channels (website, social, publications), access to leads and referrals from Visit Seattle to encourage leisure visitors, business travellers and conference and meeting attendees to dine and shop at their locations, and focused B2B strategies to expand business opportunities within the regional hospitality and tourism industry. In addition, Seattle Bank will offer complimentary financial consulting services to each participating business.
“As we welcome back visitors to Seattle, we must think about how we can effectively invest in and increase access to the incredible, diverse businesses and neighbourhoods that are fostering our economic growth and cultural vibrancy,” said Rob Leslie, director of partnership and destination services for Visit Seattle. “We are proud to partner with Seattle Bank to increase access and resources for these businesses to expand their presence and visibility with our visitors.”
Seattle Bank – a boutique bank focused on the needs of individuals, families, businesses and community organizations in the Pacific Northwest – developed the business support model in partnership with Visit Seattle.
“Seattle’s small business owners are the heart of our city and our path to recovery depends on giving them the right resources to thrive,” said Mary Grace Roske, senior vice president of marketing communications and community relations for Seattle Bank. “It’s something we should all have a stake in. That’s why we built this cohort of mission-minded organizations to invest back in a stronger Seattle. The model we’ve developed with Visit Seattle will give our vibrant businesses the foundation to sustain and grow through this period of recovery and beyond.”
Intentionalist, an online directory and marketplace that makes it easy to find and support local small businesses and the diverse people behind them, will also support the businesses by hosting tabs – jointly funded by Seattle Bank and Visit Seattle – of $250 per business. Visitors will be able to enjoy a free taste of the business by putting a treat on the tab until the limit is met. Intentionalists will share tab information on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Intentionalist.com.
“As travel opens back up, it’s important for visitors to think about how being intentional about where they eat, drink, and shop can enrich their experience and make a positive impact on the city they’re visiting,” said Laura Clise, founder and CEO of Intentionalist. “The 20 businesses selected offer travellers an opportunity to explore the diverse cultural fabric of our neighbourhoods.”
“This program gives us an opportunity to share our story with a broader audience – to welcome more people to experience the true origins of coffee and the rich history of coffee in Africa,” said Efrem Fesaha, CEO and founder of Boon Boona Coffee, an African inspired coffee shop that prioritizes community education and engagement. “Visitors may know Seattle for its coffee culture, but there’s so much more to uncover and learn about – much like there is with Seattle’s entire food scene. We’re excited that Visit Seattle and Seattle Bank are putting a spotlight on our businesses and creating opportunities for visitors to go deeper into exploring our city’s beautiful and diverse neighbourhoods.”
“We’re so grateful to be part of the Community Partnership Program,” said Diane Ung, co-owner of Phnom Penh Noodle House, a Cambodian restaurant in the Chinatown-International District. “It’s giving us the opportunity to introduce our cuisine to those who are travelling from afar, and neighbours we have yet to meet. The program allows us to reach a whole new segment of guests. Thank you to Visit Seattle, Seattle Bank, and Intentionalist for prioritizing and advocating for small businesses.”
