Visit Vancouver USA has launched a campaign to encourage mask usage in Clark County in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
The #MaskUpClarkCounty Instagram contest started Monday and will end Aug. 21. To enter, residents are asked to take a photo of themselves wearing a mask properly at their favorite Vancouver area, such as a small business or park. Residents are asked to post the photo to Instagram using the hashtag #MaskUpClarkCounty for a chance to win a $100 gift card to the Clark County local business of their choice.
Michelle McKenzie, director of marketing for Visit Vancouver USA, said one winner will be selected at random on the Monday of each week until the contest ends.
“We’ve seen decent engagement so far,” McKenzie said. “We’re hoping to build more engagement, especially as the contest goes on.”
Gov. Jay Inslee mandated the use of masks or face coverings in public last month, due to the rising number of COVID-19cases both in the state and across the nation. However, some individuals refuse to follow that mandate.
To date, 1,605 Clark County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Clark County Public Health.
McKenzie said the contest is a way to incentivize mask usage while also supporting local businesses that may be struggling right now.
Visit Vancouver USA is a nonprofit business that promotes tourism in Vancouver. It’s funded in part by a Tourism Promotion Area. The TPA receives funding through a $2 per night charge applied to all hotel guests at hotels in the area with 40 or more rooms. According to its website, total TPA collections in 2019 were $1,205,950.
McKenzie said the local tourism industry has been hit hard this year. Due to low occupancy over the last few months, hotels in Vancouver are facing furloughs and layoffs despite taking steps like improving cleaning procedures, she said.
