Central / Eastern Washington
Export & Tourism 
Roundtable Tour 
April 24 to 26, 2013

Gateway for Agriculture Exports 





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Tour route and locations 
Title Information 
Bullet information 
Second level 
Third level 
Fourth level 
" Fifth level

Export & Tourism Roundtables 
Locations: 
1.  Ellensburg 
2.  Wenatchee 
3.  Spokane 
4.  Walla Walla 
5.  Tri-Cities (Kennewick) 
6.  Yakima 
Discussion topics include: 
1. How and what can the Port of Seattle do to help increase exports? 
2. What are some of the operational issues facing Washington enterprises? 
3. What are the current logistical challenges facing Washington exporters? 
4. What policy issues are affecting our ability to export, and how can we work
together to address them? 
5. Are there state or federal issues that offer an opportunity to work together?

Key Messages 
1. Competitive ports and an efficient transportation system are critical for Washington
agriculture export economy and jobs. All exporters were asked to support for the statewide
transportation investment.
2. We must work together to ensure public policy to support our export-focused economy and
create and sustain jobs in Washington state. 
3. The federal Harbor Maintenance Tax puts U.S. ports at a disadvantage vis--vis Canadian
ports. The Port is seeking to level the playing field, and all exporters were asked to
communicate the need for reform to the state's congressional delegation. 
4. To grow the state's export capacity, the Port must continue to develop the seaport's
infrastructure and attract additional shipping lines, vessels, containers and other equipment
needed by exporters. 
5. The Port of Seattle has been a major funder of the Washington Tourism Alliance and now is
the time for communities across the state to speak with one voice to build and maintain a
long-term solution to tourism promotion funding.

Tour of Anderson Hay & Grain 
High quality Alfalfa Hay from Ellensburg 
is exported to Japan, Korea, Mid-East and China 
Anderson Hay exports 140 to 180 TEUs/day

Ellensburg Export Forum 
28 people attended this forum. Most of the attendees were
regional hay exporters, or other hay related businesses.
Anderson Hay & Grain and Kittitas County Chamber of
Commerce were our local sponsors.
Attendees and commissioners/CEO had good discussion on
some of the key issues related to hay exports.

Wenatchee Export Forum 
25 people attended this forum. Leading apple shippers are Stemilt, Chelan Fresh, and
Gebbers Farms.
Our local sponsors were WA Apple Commission, WA Horticulture Association, WA
Growers Clearing House and Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association. Wenatchee City
Mayor Frank Kuntz was also at the meeting. 
Exporters expressed their concerns on reefer shortages and the lack of Air Cargo
capacity at Sea-Tac Airport for cherry exports

Meeting with Port of Moses Lake 
Steve Swanson, GM of SGL/BMW provided an
general update of their manufacturing and FTZ
operation (second from left) 







Both commissions are interested in
the application of carbon fiber its for
shipbuilding.

Spokane Export & Tourism Forum 



20 people attended the roundtable. Spokane Incorporated; Spokane International Trade Alliance, Spokane SBDC,
and Spokane CVB were all well represented and acted as our local sponsors. Leading exporters were Wagstaff,
HotStart, and Spokane Seed. Services providers were American Container Line, Zip Trucking, IEDS Logistics and
Raymont Logistics.
Commissioners and attendees discussed I-90 pass improvement and regional transportation concerns.

Meeting with Port of Walla Walla 


The Port of Walla Walla and Port of Seattle Commissions
had a joint meeting, discussed cooperation in economic and
tourism development.

Walla Walla Tourism Roundtable 



Port of Seattle Tourism Development Director Jane Kilburn with Port of Seattle Commissioner
John Creighton and Walla Walla Tourism Executive Director Ron Peck 
Washington Tourism Alliance is to establish a more solid funding stream now that the state no
longer funds tourism promotion. 
The Port works to bring travel writers, agents and cruise industry planners to Walla Walla and
other communities in the region to spur tourism growth.

Tri-Cities Export Forum 
Executive Director of Port of Pasco Jim Toomey 
expressed strong interest to work in partnership 
with the Port of Seattle in tourism and trade development.

Yakima Export & Tourism Forum 
About 16 people attended this forum. The focus was cherry and other fruit
exports from Yakima Valley. 
Our local sponsors were WA State Fruit Commission, NW horticulture
Council, WA Fruit Exporters, Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association
and Yakima Visitor and Convention Bureau.
Attendees and commissioners had discussions about the potential impact of
sport arena on the Port and the financial impact to our region when the GA
moved from POS to POT.

Summary 
More than 100 leading exporters, EDC leaders, 
transportation associations,
agricultural commissions, inland ports and trade councils 
attended our roundtable discussions. 

The Port of Seattle is ready to lead and to support our export focused
economy for Washington State. 
Working together, we are the gateway to the world! 

Thank you!