Seattle Southside RTA Introduces New Hires

SEATTLE, Wash. (September 11, 2018) – Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority (RTA), the official destination marketing organization for the cities of Des Moines, SeaTac and Tukwila, has announced two new hires to support and expand its long-term growth strategy. They are Caitlyn Shearer as business development manager and Mandy Kruger as outreach coordinator. These experienced tourism professionals will work closely with current team members to promote the region, foster relationships with key Seattle Southside stakeholders and further cultivate regional partnerships.

Caitlyn Shearer, business development manager

Caitlyn Shearer brings over 15 years of travel industry experience including operations, management and development to the RTA. After graduating from Washington State University, she spent several years in Juneau, Alaska, working as a tour manager for local helicopter operator TEMSCO Helicopters. Most recently, Shearer was the marketing and business development manager at Pacific Alaska Tours, LLC. Her past experience also includes positions at global cruise line Holland America. She enjoys being a member of Skål International’s Seattle chapter and, in her spare time, she is a performing member of Kent’s Rainier Chorale.

As business development manager, Shearer will work with community partners to promote and sell Seattle Southside to meeting, reunion, sports and event planners. She will create and sustain a client base and represent Seattle Southside at trade shows, sales missions, client meetings and networking events.

Mandy Kruger, outreach coordinator

Mandy Kruger brings over 10 years of leadership and training experience in the leisure travel and cruise industries to the RTA. After graduating from The Travel Academy, Kruger worked in leisure travel sales at Costco Travel, where she helped supervise the cruise department. Her experience includes positions in training and development at Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and The Travel Academy. Due to her passion for travel, she encourages others to travel through her blog, Mapping with Mandy. She has also received numerous awards for her volunteer efforts both locally and abroad including, volunteer leader of the year for Girl Scouts of America and the President’s Award for the help and support of military families.

As outreach coordinator, Kruger will support the sales and services department’s business development efforts throughout Seattle Southside. Her work will involve meeting with community partners and planning and coordinating events for business associates.

About the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority

The Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority (RTA) is the official destination marketing organization for SeaTac, Tukwila and Des Moines. The organization is responsible for competitively marketing the area as an ideal travel destination for leisure and business travelers who wish to explore Western Washington and an idyllic place for meeting and event planners to hold their events. The Seattle Southside RTA is funded by a self-assessed hotel fund and supported by a lodging tax from the cities of SeaTac, Tukwila and Des Moines. For more information, please visit www.seattlesouthside.com or call 206-880-7163.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Althea Conyers Achem
Public Relations, GreenRubino for Seattle Southside
P: 206-452-8178
E: altheaca@greenrubino.com