Location spotlight series: Seattle
The Seattle metropolitan area is home to the headquarters of Amazon, Expedia, and Starbucks, to name a few of the large global corporations operating there. Ten Fortune 500 companies alone are based in Seattle (as of December 2021).
Some say it’s the fastest-growing major city in America, so with that in mind, it’s likely you’ll want your business to be part of this buzzing corporate scene by establishing connections or even putting down roots as part of your company’s global mobility plans. This may mean relocating your company/employees or sending them on business trips to the area.
But, no matter the reason for visiting the city, you’ll be sure to need excellent accommodation! Luckily, booking platforms make it easier than ever to find properties tailored to your requirements.
So, why visit Seattle, instead of Chicago, San Francisco, or a European capital city for that matter?
Five ways Seattle is optimized for business travel
Whether you’re dropping in on your way through, having a two-day business trip, or staying permanently, Seattle has a lot to offer:
Since the COP26 Summit in 2021, sustainability in travel is at the forefront of everyone's minds, and companies are being held accountable for their contribution to the global footprint. This may play a part in the rise of domestic travel.
Seattle, also known as the ‘Emerald City’, is surrounded by green spaces making it appear more environmentally friendly. But it's not just appearances, it was voted one of the US’s most sustainable cities. Known for its dedication to recycling and composting almost 60% of its waste - Seattle has a hefty $250 fine for those not using paper/reusable bags.
Seattle’s mission is to have ‘Green and Healthy streets’ with all shared mobility completely emission-free with electric options. By 2030 it plans for nine out of ten personal trips to be zero emissions.
2. Seattle has been on top of progressive trends over the past few years. Proptech is now a driving force behind travel choices, with guests expecting smart home tech advances in all kinds of accommodation booked.
Often referred to as a ‘tech-hub’, the city has increased tech jobs by 35% over four years, growing faster than other US tech markets. Tech-empowered giant Amazon chose Seattle, and Microsoft is based in the neighboring city of Redmond.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of tech talent in the city, since the population grew 25% in the last decade. There’s also a strong support system for startups from the city’s universities, including Seattle University, University of Washington, and Seattle Pacific, which offer entrepreneurship programs.
3. The city has great access to both essential and luxury facilities. It’s home to one of the largest ports in the US, The Port of Seattle, which is a major gateway to trade with Asia as well as cruise travel.
There’s a host of modern spaces to set up a workstation or network with clients. In downtown Seattle, there’s The Conference Center, a LEED silver-certified meeting space with over 400,000 square feet of meeting/exhibit space.
Outdoor activities such as kayaking and hiking are popular, encouraged by the vast amount of water and green spaces around the city. So, employees looking to tack on a few extra days or those on an extended stay trip have plenty of options to explore - bleisure travel is a popular option now.
4. Forbes voted Seattle the best city for business two years in a row because of its booming economy, large millennial population, and educated workforce. Seattle has been ranked the most literate city in the US, with a large percentage of the 700,000+ population having a college degree or higher.
Known for its resilience to the boom and bust trends it has faced in the lumber, Klondike gold rush, shipbuilding, and Boeing industries - Seattle now sits firmly in the software, technology boom, a trend that is unlikely to go away for some time.
Surrounded by green spaces and over 200 miles of fresh and saltwater shoreline, Seattle has a balanced blend of skyscrapers and outdoor spaces, making it a perfect place for a bleisure trip.
5. Spend your days at The Conference Centre or working from your tech advanced aparthotel, and your evenings taking a walk around Kerry Park for a skyline view of the city. If you’re a coffee lover you could visit the Starbucks reserve roastery and tasting room. From the Space Needle to the science museum, the ballet to the aviation center, Seattle has something to offer for every interest.
It’s for these reasons that we believe this tech-advanced city, full of talent and opportunities, is a great business destination. It would be a crime to not take advantage of their high-quality accommodations and vast co-working spaces, whilst being eco-conscious and surrounded by beauty and fun activities!
So, will you be sending your employees to the city of Seattle?
3Sixty
3Sixty is a state-of-the-art marketplace that reduces the noise in extended-stay travel.
Our HomeMatch™ technology leverages machine learning and human expertise to curate quality, cost-effective housing where your employees feel safe, comfortable, and at peace.