If your event is to occur in the next several weeks, we suggest you purchase your banquet permit NOW. All banquet permits have to be purchased online after May 31 and there have been problems with the new system. If you get your permit now, it leaves plenty of time to run down to the liquor store in the next 7 days if the online processing doesn't work.

We're now a just week away from the Thursday, May 31 close of the last of the Washington State Liquor Stores and the start of private liquor sales on Friday, June 1st.  All sales of Washington State banquet permits will now be made online...and there appear to be some problems.  Apparently, the credit card processing is proving difficult for some types of cards and there is an alert on the website....which directs you to the state run liquor store. To avoid problems, don't wait 'til the last minute.

While the state is out of the liquor selling business, it is NOT out of the permit business and you still need a Banquet Permit to serve liquor at a private event held in a public place. State Liquor Control Officers can visit events, so remember to sign and post a copy of the banquet permit at your event where the alcohol is served.

Here are the regulations about banquet permits from the Washington State Liquor Control Board website – and do read all the way to the bottom.

What is a banquet permit? 
A banquet permit is a permit you apply for that allows the service and consumption of liquor at a private, invitation-only banquet or gathering held in a public place or business. Examples include weddings, company banquets, retirement parties, and club, organization or church events.

Ordering your banquet permit online
Please order your banquet permit online.

What does the permit cost?
Banquet permits cost $10 per day for your event, so, a three day events costs $30. Note that you will need an email address and a credit or debit card to complete this transaction. If you do not find the email with attachment in your inbox, please check your “junk” or “spam” folders before contacting LCB Licensing Customer Service Desk for support.

Important information about banquet permits

• All banquet permit sales are final
• No refunds will be issued
• Banquet permits are available to for-profit businesses, societies, organizations, and individuals
• Retail liquor licensees may not obtain banquet permits
• Attendance must be by invitation only
• The event may not be open or advertised to the public
• Liquor must be free of charge, or brought by individuals attending the event. No separate or additional charge may be made for liquor, and donations cannot be accepted
• The event cannot be for business promotions
• Liquor must be purchased from a retail store at full retail price
• Package deals are allowed that may include, for example, the cost of dinner, liquor and entertainment. To ensure participants receive an equal share, tickets exchangeable for drinks may be issued as part of the package price. No profit may be made from the packaged deals
• Rental facilities or halls may require a banquet permit
• You must obtain any required permits from your local authorities when you host an event in a public place
• A banquet permit is not required when all of the following apply:

1. The event is hosted by an individual, not an organization or business entity
2. Guests are not charged for admission or anything provided at the function (e.g. ice, setup, food, hors d’oeuvres, etc.).
3. "Charge" includes donations, dues, fees, or otherwise
4. The event would normally be held in the individual’s private home, but is so large that a separate facility is needed to accommodate it
5. The facility where the event is held is closed to the general public during the event and does not have a liquor license
6. There is no business purpose for the event or any financial gain

What does the Liquor Control Board do with my banquet permit?
When you purchase your banquet permit online, an email copy of it is sent to your local liquor enforcement office. Officers can visit gatherings, so it is important that you sign and post a copy of your permit at the location where you will be serving the alcohol at your event.

Photo by Amazing Ice Sculptures

Located just two hours from Seattle and nestled into the forest on the banks of the Icicle River, Sleeping Lady offers inspiring outdoor venues, art and music, beautiful guest rooms and gathering places – the ideal backdrop for events, adventures and escapes.

Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort features conference rooms filled with natural light, sumptuous cuisine, and competitive, all–inclusive rates to make planning and budgeting easy—all in a stunning mountain setting just moments from scenic Leavenworth.

Click here to see Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort's full B&E Destination Location page!

SEATTLE METROPOLITAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Tradeshow 2012
DATE: Wed, May 16, 2012
TIME: 3 - 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Century Link Field and Events Center
MORE: seattlechamber.com/tradeshow

It's the biggest B2B networking event in the region! Come meet and network with over 160 exhibitors, win prizes, build relationships and experience the variety of products and services Seattle Chamber members have to offer!

Be sure to stop by booth #226, to receive your complimentary
2012 B&E Event Resource Guide!!

With 160 exhibitors and 1,500-plus attendees, the Seattle Metro Chamber's Annual Tradeshow packs Seattle's best networking and marketing opportunities into a four-hour event.

What to do while you're there:

• Build your B2B relationships - it's quality and quantity all in one place!


• Be seen. Be Found. Be Productive. Play our scavenger hunt game - visit the Brandify, Bing and Microsoft stations and enter to win a Sony Vaio SA laptop!


• Visit the BizExchange Connection Cafe - a networking zone where attendees can gather, meet each other and enjoy hosted coffee and cupcakes! Also BizX prospects could win $500 in BizXchange! Follow #CCBizX on twitter for quick updates from the Connection Café and Bizx Members.


• Win great prizes such as roundtrip airline tickets, $1500 BizX Online Marketplace Gift Card, Teatro Zinzanni tickets, hotel and resort stays, a HTC EVO 3D phone, season tickets to Seattle University basketball, Microsoft software and much more through the Passport game!


• Meet important clients, suppliers and potential customers face-to-face in a brief period of time at the best priced tradeshow in the region


• Enhance your image, visibility and presence in the marketplace

It's the place to be on May 16!!

From the SCVB newsletter:

Please consider promoting Why Tourism Matters in one or more of the following ways:

• Wear a Tourism Matters button
• Display a Tourism Matters window cling
• Post the Tourism Matters logo to your web site
• Edit your e-mail signature to reflect National Travel & Tourism Week
• Post tourism impact messages on your company signs, marquis and elsewhere
• Post positive tourism industry messages via your social media channels

Tools you can use:

• Pick up free supplies of Tourism Matters buttons and window clings at one of SCVB’s two visitor information centers – in the Washington State Convention and Trade Center lobby or in the Pike Place Market
• Request an electronic Tourism Matters logo by e-mailing publicrelations@visitseattle.org
• Download facts and figures about the impact of tourism in Seattle and Washington
• Learn more about National Travel & Tourism Week at www.ustravel.org/marketing/national-travel-and-tourism-week
• To find out more about why Tourism Matters to your local community, visit www.whytourismmatters.com

1The tourism industry in Washington State employs 150,000 people, creates $4.5 billion in earnings (payroll), generates total direct visitor spending of $16.4 billion and generates $1.8 billion in state and local tax revenue, and touches the community in countless other ways. Hotels and meeting facilities, attractions, restaurants, cultural institutions, tour companies and transportation providers are among the local businesses greatly impacted by travel to Washington State. Source: Preliminary 2011 Travel Impacts Report/Washington State Department of Commerce and Washington State Tourism.

Come visit Washington’s only theme and water park.  Enjoy over 60 rides, slides and attractions, including Washington’s biggest wooden coaster.  Wild Waves Theme Park offers more variety, more appeal and more thrills than all other venues combined.  Take a breather from all of the thrills in the secluded Cascades Picnic Grove where you can enjoy a buffet style lunch in a covered pavilion.



Gather where the sea, islands, mountains and nations meet to enjoy; time together with activities for relaxation or networking, comfortable meeting environments and award wining service that create a shared experience lasting well beyond the event.

Located just a few hours outside of Seattle, Semiahmoo offers a picturesque destination location for your business and meeting needs! Check out their full page for more info and photos!

Check out West Seattle Golf Courses full page for more info!

In the meeting and hospitality industry, we have unique opportunities to do it smarter and better.

Always ask your meeting venue to put out clearly marked recycling bins and let your attendees know where they are.  Plan your meeting with the most efficient use of any paper or products. Will pitchers of water work just as well as bottled water? How about using linen instead of paper napkins? Always provide transit options and encourage people to use them. Put together a committee whose designated task is all about making your event Green and then recognize, promote and reward it.

We're going to have a glorious weekend in Seattle. Here are some of the things that will be going on to celebrate Earth Day 2012:

23 ways to celebrate Earth Day from the Seattle Times

Seattle Earth Day Events from the SeattlePI.com

EcoConsumer Zero Waste Earth Day from King County Solid Waste Division

Earth Day Wetland Restoration at Brightwater from King County News Blog

Earth Day Celebration and The Next Fifty Opening Day Celebration at Seattle Center

Gifts By Design has...

"Everything event planners need for the most creative branded merchandise, gifts and giveaways for your event.  Great prices and stellar customer service.  We are the experts when it comes to your meeting and events gifts."

Check out their full page for more info.

LOCAL, ORGANIC, SUSTAINABLE, AND ALL YOURS!

Get away from the mainstream.  Get out of that anonymous Hotel Meeting Room.  Portage Bay Café offers three fantastic locations for your next private event.  Our Roosevelt café is near the University of Washington.  Our South Lake Union café is in the heart of the vibrant, bustling neighborhood surrounding the new Amazon Campus.  Our Ballard location is just a block from the Locks.  Each café has it’s own unique character, but all share our commitment to locally sourced menus, created in partnership with you.  Call and speak with one of our experienced, friendly event planners.  Your guests will thank you!

Check out their full page for more info!