Washington Filmworks Executive Director Amy Lillard and Production Services Coordinator Krys Karns traveled to Port Townsend for the Olympic Peninsula Tourism Summit that took place at Fort Worden on October 22. There were approximately 150 attendees for the daylong event. This year’s program, “Orchestrating Tourism Together,” spoke to the strong cooperative spirit of the Olympic Peninsula’s tourism industry and to the economic impact of shared branding.

Congressman Derek Kilmer

Washington Filmworks Production Service Coordinator Krys Karns.

Lillard and Karns were invited by our Film Liaisons in the Olympic Peninsula to give a presentation about how our two industries can collaborate. “The truth is that the film and tourism industries are the flip sides of the same coin,” said Lillard, “Each industry aims to create economic development opportunities by finding unique and interesting ways to market the state. And when we work together, amazing things are possible.” During this work session, Washington Filmworks talked about the nine projects that have filmed on the Peninsula over the past two years and offered valuable tips and tricks on how the Olympic Peninsula can market their jurisdiction as a destination for motion picture production.

Other speakers were Congressman Derek Kilmer and a special guest appearance by Mick Dodge from the National Geographic Reality Series, The Legend of Mick Dodge. “There were rave reviews about Washington Filmworks’ presentation…people were excited to know more about the filming on the Olympic Peninsula. It set the stage perfectly for Mick Dodge’s appearance and the rest of the presentations,” remarked Christina Pivarnik, Director of Marketing, City of Port Townsend.

Washington Filmworks would like to give special thanks to our film liaisons in the Olympic Peninsula for their hospitality, generosity and insight.

Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau Executive Director Marsha Massey