Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism Announces New Sports Alliance
The Alliance will operate as a department of BWCT—with dedicated staff, resources, and web presence—while working closely with local stakeholders including race directors, tournament directors, facility managers, parks managers, city and county officials, and other members of the sports and recreation community. It will also collaborate with local lodging properties to establish room blocks for teams, participants, and families.
In addition to raising awareness of our area as a destination for sporting events, the Alliance also aims to:
- Foster a more vibrant sports culture in Bellingham and Whatcom County, enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
- Attract new business to our area using resources like Playeasy, a sports marketing platform that includes the largest online network of event organizers, destinations, and facilities from across the country, and by attending sports tourism conferences and educational events.
- Advocate for the development of new sports facilities as well as improvements to existing ones.
- Collaborate with organizations to respond to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for potential new events.
- Promote existing sporting events by exhibiting at consumer trade shows, expos, and outdoor recreation events and through sponsorships, referrals, resources, and grant support.
- Continue building programs like the Bellingham Athlete Ambassador program, which sponsors local athletes who travel to destination races and compete locally.
Visit Bellingham | Whatcom County is an independent, 501 (c)(6) nonprofit economic development organization whose purpose is to improve the economy by marketing Bellingham Whatcom County as a premier, year-round visitor, sports, outdoor recreation, arts and cultural, and meetings destination, which supports all travel, tourism, and hospitality businesses and nonprofits in Whatcom County.
