FOLLOW ANN PEAVEY, THE SEATTLE MAVEN

@SeattleMaven A city tour on the water? Here's what's in AND on it! @argosycruises

It seems appropriate that freak is a synonym for maven. My love of Seattle, coupled with a propensity to remember and reference obscure bits and pieces of information, should certainly qualify me as a freak of some sort. Regardless - I am the Seattle Maven and an expert information specialist for Seattle's Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

A BIT ABOUT MY BACKGROUND
I'm a born-and-raised Washingtonian (still waiting to proclaim to be a Seattleite, as I've only lived here for 28 years). As a child I spent a week of each summer in the Seattle area visiting my grandmother. I enjoyed trips to the zoo and was dazzled by penguins swimming round and round. We'd visit the Space Needle and I'd be mesmerized by the quick-ride up in their glass-sided elevator. THIS was my first taste of Seattle...and I loved it!

@SeattleMaven A flying saucer...a tethered balloon... 605' of iconic Seattle! Love it day and night -- dinner with a flaming dessert! @space_needle

At an early age I fell in love with Seattle history through, of all things, root beer floats. My grandmother had a set of world-fair glasses with 8 different elements of the World's Fair on their frosty painted wrap. The information on each glass gave me a glimpse into a Seattle event before my time, and piqued my interest in Seattle events and history.

My first job in Seattle was at a publishing company on Mercer Street just a few blocks from Seattle Center - and just a block away from Seattle's first espresso cart. Before coffee was 'in', I was walking up to get my daily fix.

I moved from publishing, to teaching, to a summer job as a tour guide in and around the city. This experience is when I truly fell in love with all that Seattle had to offer. As I toted guests through the city on a mini-coach, spouting statistics and regaling them with stories of old Seattle, I found a deeper passion for sharing my wealth of knowledge with others.

WHY FOLLOW ANN?

@SeattleMaven Gems to take home? A world of shopping awaits! Flagship stores like @nordstrom and @rei_coop will add to your overstuffed baggage!

After beginning my hospitality experience with The Westin Seattle, I eventually found my perfect home - managing the visitor information center for Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau. The best part of my day is sharing 'my' city with our guests! Each day as I meander to and from my bus stop, I venture a new direction in hopes of finding yet another gem to send curious visitors to experience. It's truly a gift to be able to have such an impact on so many visitors' Seattle experiences, as well as to be their family and friends when they're away from theirs.

I'm a lover of food and wine - while not a 'foodie', per se, I still have a great appreciation for flavors and foods. Be it a meal cooked at home with ingredients fresh from the Pike Place Market, or a dinner-out at one of Seattle's amazing restaurants - the northwest's bounty is always welcome at my table. Based on consumption alone, I may wake up one morning weighing 350+ pounds.

@SeattleMaven I can have my fruit (and vegetables) and eat it too! Fresh from the producer makes for a unique Seattle experience!

Twitter has been a natural outlet for me - I'm a closet word-nut (maybe even a Word Maven!). I enjoy my Sunday morning crossword each weekend. Twitter has been a delightful way to not only play with our language, but to inform Seattle's audience in what to see and do when visiting. Twitter allows me to highlight my natural desire to interact -- I love people! (A perfect pairing with my position at the CVB, I suppose).

Follow me...follow those that I follow - as these are the hospitality partners that will help make your upcoming Seattle stay a trip to remember!