CEO accepts position in Yakima, WA

5/1/2007

John Cooper, President and CEO of Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, has been selected to lead the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau. A 25 year veteran of the tourism industry, Cooper has spent the past 14 years leading the Bellingham tourism bureau. During that period, annual visitor spending in Whatcom County grew 62% to $396 million and the organization’s budget grew from $280,000 to $670,000. Cooper was awarded Washington State Tourism Professional of the Year in 2003 and the Washington Society of Association Executives recognized him as Executive of the Year in 2001.

Prior to Bellingham, he was executive director of the Southern Oregon Visitors Association and the Corvallis Oregon Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“We are extremely pleased to have found such a highly qualified candidate as John,” stated Greg Luring, Chair of the Board for the Yakima Valley Visitor and Convention Bureau. “After a thorough, national search we found the ideal candidate right in our back yard. His experience in Olympia and knowledge of Washington tourism issues will be invaluable.”

In his capacity at the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau, Cooper will oversee an organization with an annual budget of $1.80 million and the responsibility of managing the 41,000 square foot Yakima Convention Center and the Yakima Valley Sports Commission.

“I am excited about this opportunity,” Cooper stated. “With the burgeoning wine industry, downtown Yakima redevelopment, strong sports component, plans for an expansion at the convention center and other tourism projects, the Yakima Valley region is on a roll.”

Cooper replaces Kathy Coffee, who retired earlier this year after 18 years of service. He starts work in late June.