Seattle is a seaport city and the largest in the Pacific Northwest region. With a growth rate of 21% between 2010 and 2020, it makes it one of the nation's fastest-growing large cities. Native Americans inhabited the Seattle area for at least 4,000 years before the first permanent European settlers. Arthur A. Denny and his group of travelers, subsequently known as the Denny Party, arrived from Illinois via Portland, Oregon, on the schooner Exact at Alki Point on November 13, 1851. The settlement was moved to the eastern shore of Elliott Bay and named "Seattle" in 1852 in honor of Chief Si'ahl of the local Duwamish and Suquamish tribes. Today, Seattle's diverse population includes Native, Scandinavian, European American, Asian American, and African American people, as well as a thriving LGBT community that ranks sixth in the United States by population.

The "Emerald City" is defined by Puget Sound to the west and the various lakes the city is built around, including Lake Union, Lake Washington, and Greenlake. Water, green foliage, and mountains define almost every view. Its beauty and location serves as a backdrop for big businesses with Seattle roots like Boeing, Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks, and nourishes an art and music scene that has set trends around the globe. Seattle’s skyline is peppered with historic towers next to modern landmarks by Frank Gehry and Rem Koolhaas, all within walking distance of each other. Come and learn how the recent growth and influx of money has both helped and challenged the preservation industry in the Pacific Northwest. We look forward to seeing you in Seattle in October 2023!