On Tuesday, September 3, the Washington Retail Association (WR) joined the Tumwater Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) and Tumwater School District (TSD) to celebrate the revitalization of the Tumwater Visitors Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This event marked the beginning of an exciting project aimed at boosting retail and tourism while offering invaluable work-based learning opportunities for students.
Rose Gundersen, VP of Operations and Retail Services, played a key role in securing the NRF Foundation as a sponsor for the Grand Opening, recognizing the innovative potential of the Center. During the event, Gundersen highlighted three compelling reasons to promote careers in retail: retail is a significant economic driver and a key source of tax revenue for local and state governments; it offers meaningful earning potential and opportunities for advancement; and our state’s policymakers actively support retail workforce careers and training. For the sixth year, Governor Inslee has proclaimed September as Careers in Retail Month.
Chris Reykdal, OSPI Superintendent, read Governor Inslee’s 2024 Careers in Retail Proclamation at the event. He emphasized the importance of connecting students with future employers, stating, “Our retailers are gaining access to a new generation of workers.”
Chris Sieg, Tumwater School District CTE Director, noted, “This hub will offer students critical hands-on experience. The skills they develop in retail and service are among the most powerful they will gain.”
Ryan Reynolds, President of the Tumwater Chamber of Commerce, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “The vision is exciting and sets a precedent that can be replicated statewide.”
The Grand Opening marks the start of an exciting journey. WR is encouraging the Center to aim for national recognition as the NRF Foundation’s Rise Up Partner of the Year. Several high schools across the country have earned this recognition by providing students with job training through RISE Up certifications and connecting them with meaningful retail jobs.
WR also invites retailers in Thurston County to partner with the Tumwater Retail and Tourism Center to offer advice and training opportunities. Statewide, WR is seeking to recruit five retailers to join a retail industry workgroup starting this October to help shape our state’s higher education strategies for retail workforce training.
For more information, please contact Rose Gundersen at [email protected].
Click here to view a copy of the Governor’s Careers in Retail proclamation
