Skagit Tourism Bureau, the destination marketing and management organization for Skagit County Washington, has selected award-winning Paradise Advertising & Marketing Inc. as its first agency of record agency, providing strategic planning, brand development, creative services, public relations, and paid advertising media to promote and encourage responsible, sustainable tourism and visitation for the Skagit Valley region.

Paradise is a renowned full-service agency that specializes in destination brand development and evolution, omnichannel advertising, and sustainability and social inclusion marketing. Agency team members located throughout the United States will be responsible for promoting the stunning destination beautifully situated between Seattle, WA to the south, Vancouver, BC to the north, the San Juan Islands to the west, and the gateway to the North Cascades National Park.

Skagit Valley has been waiting for generations to have its story told in a singular, powerful, amplified voice that reflects equal nods to history, heritage, and the future ahead. Known for its breathtaking plein air recreation and experiences, including the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and North Cascades National Park, the region is home to Samish Indian Nation culture, and European-influenced agricultural and culinary offerings. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, an annual tourism anchor in the region, pays homage to the hundreds of Skagit Valley Dutch-style dikes, flows, and farmlands, producing more tulips, daffodils and iris bulbs than in any other county in the United States.

“We are excited to team up with Paradise as our destination’s brand steward,” said Jake Buganski, CEO, Skagit Tourism Bureau. “With snow-capped peaks, extraordinary waterways, and some of the world’s most fertile farmlands, along with locally foraged farm to fork and ocean to table culinary delights, the Skagit Valley is a truly enchanting and unique destination. We are excited that our partnership with Paradise will support the community’s growth in ways that encourages responsible visitation – an area where Paradise has proven success.”

Rudy Webb, President of Paradise added: “This is an important chapter for the Skagit Tourism Bureau, the destination and the community as a whole. It’s rare that we’re able to work with a newly formed DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) to set the strategic direction for both the brand and the tourism product from day one.”

Having experienced steady growth since 2018 when Barbara and Tony Karasek acquired Paradise from tourism marketing icon Cedar Hames, the Skagit Tourism Bureau is now the first client partner for Paradise located on the west coast.

About Skagit Tourism Bureau and Skagit County

The Skagit Tourism Bureau (STB) was formed in October 2021 to perform destination marketing and management services utilizing Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) funds. The Skagit Valley is perfectly positioned halfway between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia, in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest. The name Skagit (pronounced ska-dj-ut) – comes from Lushootseed Salish, the indigenous language of Puget Sound and the Skagit Valley. In the 1850s, settlers honored the name of the first people who lived at Penn Cove, Skagit, using it as the namesake of the nearby bay, river, valley, and county. In traditional Lushootseed, Skagit means to hide away.

In many ways, that is exactly what you can still do and find in the Skagit Valley–peace, endless natural beauty and the freshest produce and products harvested on farms, from the Pacific and our rivers. The destination invites guests to “hide away” and experience the many colors of Skagit as they visit its unique and vibrant cities, towns, and national park. From the towering Cascade Mountains to the bountiful Salish Sea, Skagit County is magic. To learn more, go to VisitSkagitValley.com.