Visit Seattle Surprises Houston and Boise with Free Coffee Perk

Destination marketing organization gives potential travelers a Monday boost 

SEATTLE – Houston and Boise residents received a perk-up on Monday, March 20 as Visit Seattle took over nearly 60 coffee shops in the two markets. Seattle’s official destination marketing organization provided up to $1,000 to cover coffee orders at each participating location to inspire travel to Seattle, a city famous for its coffee obsession. Coffee was given away in 27 coffee shops in Boise and 31 coffee shops in Houston. The coffee promotion kicks off a series of surprise and delight events Visit Seattle will bring to markets across the U.S.

Photos from the one-day coffee giveaway can be found HERE. (Photo credit: Visit Seattle)

“We loved bringing a taste of Seattle to Houston and Boise residents,” said Visit Seattle Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ali Daniels. “The idea was to provide people with a pick-me-up to combat the typical Monday morning blues. The fact that we were able to support small businesses, whom we value so much in Seattle, was a bonus as well. We hope potential travelers are spurred to consider the Emerald City as their next travel destination as a result of this promotion.”

Each cup of coffee came with a branded beverage sleeve promoting Visit Seattle’s campaign, I Know A Place, which asks locals to share personal recommendations for their favorite spots in the city. The campaign features videos with notable Seattle residents such as DJ/Producer Chong the Nomad and Seattle Kraken announcer Everett “Fitz” Fitzhugh showing off their city, as well as suggested itineraries by real Seattleites.

In Boise, Visit Seattle surprised customers in 27 coffee shops including Form & Function (511 W Broad St.), Push & Pour (214 E 34^th St.), and Java (223 N 6^th St.) In Houston, the organization provided free coffee in 31 coffee shops such as Slowpokes (2925 Richmond Ave.), Boomtown Coffee (242 W 19^th St.), and Giant Leap Coffee (1135 Uptown Park Blvd.)

Seattle is an easy flight for Houstonians, with Alaska Airlines and United Airlines offering nonstop flights to the destination. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines offer nonstop flights to Seattle from Boise, and the two cities are around 7.5 hours apart by car.

Starbucks originated in Seattle and its global headquarters is also located here. In addition to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood with rare coffees roasted onsite, Seattle has an impressive roster of independent coffee shops that are a must on any coffee lover’s list. From Boon Boona Coffee (various locations), committed to sharing the unique coffee traditions of East Africa helmed by founder and CEO Efrem Fesaha, to Vietnamese specialty coffee shop Hello Em in the Chinatown-International District co-owned by Yenvy Pham (who also runs Seattle’s famed Pho Bac with her family) and Nghia Bui, Seattle’s coffee shops offer a blend of history, culture and delicious smells. You can even book a tour of the Emerald City’s coffee scene via Get Your Guide and Viator.

Visit Seattle is planning other surprise-and-delight moments in other key markets throughout the year. Follow @VisitSeattle for the latest news.

About Visit Seattle:
Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organization, Visit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketing, convention sales and overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org.