NACHES, Wash, —The White Pass Scenic Byway is offering free hospitality training workshops for area business leaders this spring. The purpose of the workshops is to give businesses -- especially frontline staff – tools and knowledge to help welcome travelers to the White Pass Scenic Byway and to encourage travelers to extend their visit. 

The interactive workshops will provide information from the experts to help front line become more familiar with recreation opportunities, points of interest, and the various communities along the 126 miles of US Hwy 12 know as the White Pass Scenic Byway. Workshops will be led by Pam Painter, Hospitality Trainer and will feature Ross Huffman, Oak Creek Elk Feeding station; Bryan Bowden, Mt. Rainier National Park; Pam Alamos, Yakima Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Mary Kay Nelson, Visit Rainier as members of the panel.  “We’re incorporating important updated information as well as some training on best practices for working with the public,” Painter said. Workshop activities will include refreshments and prizes.  

Each business will receive an official White Pass Scenic Byway decal and buttons. 

A total of four hospitality training workshops have been scheduled this spring at three locations. Each business along or near the byway is encouraged to attend one of the free workshops since each covers the same information. The first hospitality training workshop will be held at the Naches Train Depot on Wednesday, May 11th, from 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Two workshops will take place in Packwood on Wednesday, May 18th at 9 am and  1 pm.  The fourth workshop will be held in Morton, Thursday, May 19th at 1 pm.  To register and reserve space, please contact Pam Painter at 253-208-0789 or ppainter@mashell.com. 

More details are available at WhitePassByway.com.

The White Pass Scenic Byway is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors with representatives from communities along the byway from Salkum to Naches, including Mossyrock, Morton, Packwood, Randle, Glenoma, and the White Pass Ski Area.  

Agencies and groups associated with tourism and economic development along the byway have also joined the effort.  

The goals of the group include promoting and enhancing traveler experiences on the byway, as well as increasing the economic vitality of the communities along the US 12 corridor. 

For more information, visit www.whitepassbyway.com