“The Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce’s 2008 Visitor Guide and Business Directory has arrived on-island and the reviews are glowing!” said Lance Evans, Chamber Executive Director.

The annual guide contains a wealth of information for visitors and residents alike. This year’s edition features 40 pages (twice as many as last year) of visitor information and business listings. New features for the 2008 Guide include descriptive editorial elements covering such topics as “Orcas Island History” (written by local historian Tom Welch); “The Land of Orcas Island” (by Kathleen Foley for the San Juan Preservation Trust); “Amazing Marine Wildlife” (by Joe Gaydos, Director, SeaDoc Society); and “Island Made, Island Grown” (by local artisan Chris Morris and farmer George Orser). In addition to those in-depth pieces, the Guide also lists “Historic Places on Orcas Island,” “10 Fun Things for Kids to do on Orcas,” and a fun listing of “Orcas by the Numbers.” Also new this year is an Orcas Island map showing the many recreational spots on the island, and numerical identifiers for all the business and organizations listed in the Guide. The Visitors’ Guide was once again done by islander Wade Campbell, who is responsible for the current Orcas Center publications.

“This year’s guide truly sets the standard for Chamber publications for many years to come,” said Chamber Executive Director Lance Evans. “We listened to our membership and our visitors on what they were looking for in a comprehensive guide, and I think we met that mark. The layout, graphic design, and business listings give the reader more information than ever before,” said Evans. “We know island visitors rely on the guide, and, based on last year’s edition, we know it will be used by Orcas residents as their own guide to island businesses. It’s one of the best and most widely distributed publications containing Orcas merchant information.”

Visitor Guide forms are available through the Chamber office, and at local businesses.