Explore Seattle Southside Achieves Double Recognition in Global Destination Awards

“This dual recognition reflects the dedication of our team and partners in elevating Seattle Southside as a world-class destination,” said Explore Seattle Southside CEO Mark Everton. “We’re honored to be included among the industry’s best and grateful for the support of our community.”

Explore Seattle Southside has been named a finalist for the 2025 Stella Awards in the Best CVB/DMO category, recognizing excellence in destination marketing and services for meetings and events professionals. The Stella Awards, presented by Northstar Meetings Group, honors organizations that deliver quality service, innovation, and value to the meetings industry. Explore Seattle Southside is the only Pacific Northwest DMO represented within its geographic category. Find a full list of winners here.

Explore Seattle Southside has also been shortlisted in two categories at the City Nation Place Awards 2025:

Valerie Skubal, Social Media Manager at Explore Seattle Southside, for The City Nation Place Future Leader Award
Explore Seattle Southside – “Welcome Back, Aliens” Campaign for Best Communication Strategy – Tourism
The City Nation Place Awards celebrate outstanding place branding and destination storytelling from around the world. Finalists are listed here. Winners will be announced during the City Nation Place Global conference in London on November 6, 2025. Please find images here.

About Explore Seattle Southside

Explore Seattle Southside (Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority) has a bold vision to reimagine the way people travel. Established over 25 years ago in 1999, Explore Seattle Southside is the destination marketing organization for the cities of SeaTac, Tukwila, Des Moines and beyond. Also known as the curiously wonderful destination for exploring the Pacific Northwest, Explore Seattle Southside showcases the Seattle Southside region with pride and imagination as an ideal travel destination for leisure and business travelers to explore Western Washington and as an idyllic place for meeting and event planners to hold their events. Explore Seattle Southside is funded by a Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) assessment and was recognized three years in a row, 2023-2025—thanks to a commitment to empowering employees and an ambitious vision for the future—as one of Washington State’s Top 100 Best Workplaces.


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Media Contacts:

Erin Osborne / Annie Sullivan

ON Public Relations for Explore Seattle Southside

206-948-6059 / 206-856-5660

pr@seattlesouthside.com