This is to recognize 30 years of service by Connie Upton, General Manager of the Yakima Convention and Event Center.

As background, Connie began her career at the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau in 1994 as the Convention Sales Manager.  She quickly moved over to the Yakima Convention & Event Center and became the Convention Center Sales Manager.  She did not hold that title long before becoming the Assistant General Manager to Kathy Coffey, who was then General Manager of the Convention Center.  When Kathy retired, Connie was named the General Manager in 2007.

Connie helped make the Yakima Convention & Event Center what it is today, by being involved in or overseeing four expansions including the outdoor plaza.  She is known and respected by planners throughout the industry and can be found seeing to every detail of the facility on a daily basis.  Nobody knows the facility better than Connie who truly treats each space like her own home.  Those that work with her on a daily basis cannot express how important her presence is here at the Center. Her service and professionalism have contributed greatly to the economic vitality and positive image of Yakima, and the success of the Convention Center.