The City of Sequim and the two local lavender associations, the Sequim Lavender Growers Association (SLGA) and the Sequim Lavender Farmer Association (SLFA) are coordinating efforts in key areas to ensure that visitors to the 2012 Sequim Lavender Weekend have an enjoyable and confusion-free experience during the Olympic Peninsula’s largest tourism event.
In February of 2012, the City began working with both organizations to identify areas that could be improved due to the two organizations holding lavender events during the same weekend, and the number of community events taking place during that same time period.
“The City of Sequim recognizes that tourism is important to our City and the community. We want to help ensure that Sequim continues to be known for putting on a premier lavender event and that visitors from all over the world will want to return year after year,” said Barbara Hanna, Communications and Marketing Director for the City of Sequim.
The areas of focus are:
Promote Sequim Lavender Weekend – Sequim Lavender Weekend has been developed as a title to encompass all of the events taking place during the busy weekend. Both associations’ website(s) and the City of Sequim tourism website www.visitsunnysequim.com have a button on their homepage directing visitors to” Learn More About Sequim Lavender Weekend.” Clicking on the button takes the visitor to the Sequim Lavender Weekend section of the Sequim tourism website. This section has information about all of the lavender events taking place in town, the community events over the weekend, information on taking pets to weekend events, and details about transportation options (this section is still being developed as details are confirmed.)
Both associations are promoting Sequim Lavender Weekend in all of their advertising. The City of Sequim applied for and received a marketing grant from the Olympic Peninsula Visitors Bureau to promote Sequim Lavender Weekend and is focusing on print and on-line advertising in the greater Seattle area.
In-City Shuttle Bus – The City is working with the Boys and Girls Club to run a shuttle bus system to all key in-city locations. The shuttle will stop at eight locations, which will include:
JC Penney Parking Lot
Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Show/Lavender Car Show
Sequim Lavender Festival Street Fair
Open Air Market (3rd & Cedar on Saturday and Sunday)
Downtown Sequim at 2nd and Washington
QFC Parking Lot
Blake Street Parking Lot
Lavender in the Park (Carrie Blake Park/Water Reuse Demonstration Site)
The shuttle bus system will utilize three vehicles running two circuits. Shuttles should be available at each stop approximately 30 minutes apart.
Information Booths – In an effort to ensure that all visitors receive comprehensive information about what to do during the weekend, information booths will be located at the Sequim Lavender Festival Street Fair, the Open Air Market (Saturday and Sunday), and at both the east and west sides of Lavender in the Park. These booths will be staffed by representatives from both associations.
If you are interested in volunteering to work in an information booth, contact one of the lavender associations directly. For the Sequim Lavender Farmers Association contact Melissa Murray at 360-452-6300 or volunteer@sequimlavenderfarms.org. For the Sequim Lavender Growers Association contact Leslie Hamm 360-681-3035 or volunteer@lavenderfestival.com. Volunteer applications are available on both association websites www.lavenderfestival.com and www.sequimlavenderfarms.org.
The Chamber of Commerce will also be hosting two Visitor Information Centers which are located at 1192 E. Washington Street and 163 W. Washington Street. There will be map kiosks located at the JC Penney Parking Lot, QFC Parking Lot, and in Downtown Sequim.
Event Map – The City of Sequim is producing an overall event map for the weekend that will give visitors an overview of all the things they can do during their visit. One side will show a regional view and feature the two farm tours. The map will represent the lavender farms open to the public through both the Lavender Farm Faire Heritage Farm Tour and the Sequim Lavender Festival Farm Tour. The other side of the map will feature the in-city events including many of the community events, the shuttle bus route and stops, and information booth locations. This tool is intended to be given to every guest who visits an information booth or one of the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Centers. Each lavender association will also make more detailed information on their events available.
Coordinated Signage – The City is working with both associations to coordinate a signage plan to best direct visitors to Sequim Lavender Weekend events. Because each association has a contract with the City of Sequim, they are allowed 20 signs each to promote their events within the city limits. Other permitted special events are allowed 10 signs each. The city will provide signage within a one block radius of Sequim Avenue and Washington Street.
These combined efforts are all intended to provide Sequim Lavender Weekend attendees all the information necessary to ensure that they have a great experience while they are in Sequim and so that they can enjoy all that the Sequim community and local lavender industry has to offer.