“Romancing the Spouse” was the theme of the Washington State Tourism Travel Show, presented for the exclusive benefit of the estimated 18,000 soldiers and their families stationed at Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base.

There were exhibitors from hotels, visitor bureaus, sports franchises, chambers of commerce, and many more, all providing information and handouts about their business or locale – and Orcas Island was well represented, says chamber director Lance Evans.

The Orcas contingent included Jon Kobayashi (Outlook Inn), Lance Evans (Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce), Carol Kulminski (Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast), and Mamie Forbes (Orcas Island Boardwalk).

The four islanders traveled to the Tacoma area the day before in order to set up their Orcas Island information in time for the show.

“With four island goodwill ambassadors, Orcas Island was by far and away the most prominent destination represented,” Evans said. “And thanks to the generosity of many island businesses, many of the soldiers and their families will be receiving generous travel discounts that will put Orcas Island on their future travel itineraries. The Orcas Island displays were the clear favorites of those attending the show.”

The Orcas Island booth also have well over $4500 in door prizes, the largest amount at the event.

Orcas Island businesses that participated in the discounts and giveaways included Orcas Sew N Sew, The Office Cupboard, Orcas Outfitters, Lavender Hills Molls, Ray’s Pharmacy, Teezer’s Cookies, Allium Restaurant, New Leaf Café, Resort at Deer Harbor, Doe Bay Resort, Orcas Suites at Rosario, Old Trout Inn, Eastsound Landmark Inn, The Boardwalk, Turtleback Farm Inn, Blue Heron B&B, Orcas Island Sailing, Eclipse Charters, Orcas Island Golf Club, Magic Air Tours, Deer Harbor Charters, and Orcas Outdoors.