Public Service Recognition Week events for state employees

The following is from the Office of the Governor:

OLYMPIA (May 8, 2023) – Gov. Jay Inslee invites Washington state employees to celebrate Public Service Recognition Week from May 7-13. In-person celebrations will take place in Olympia, Spokane and Kennewick.

Employees will have an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of their peers, learn about employee business resource groups, benefits and programs, and charities supported by state employees. More than 1,500 employees attended the Olympia event in 2019, the last time it was held.

“Public Service Recognition Week is a time to acknowledge the hard work our state employees do each day to serve the millions of people living in the great state of Washington,” Inslee said. “Those who are called to public service make a big difference in people’s lives and can take great pride in their work.”

Wednesday, May 10 

11 a.m.–1 p.m. – Olympia – East Plaza Lawn on the Capitol Campus (on the east side of Capitol Way across from the Legislative Building)

●  Outdoor event with hot dogs, vendor booths, DJ and a live band
●  Free parking will be available in the Plaza Garage. Attendees should print out a parking pass ahead of time to place on their dashboard

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. – Spokane – National Guard Readiness Center, Building G (1626 N. Rebecca St.)

●  Outdoor event with lunches provided, along with vendor booths, activities and prizes

Thursday, May 11 

5:30-7:30 p.m. – Tri-Cities – Southridge Sports & Events Complex (2901 Southridge Blvd., Kennewick)

●  Indoor/outdoor event with hamburgers, hotdogs, and beverages provided, and rides on the Gesa Carousel

Inslee will also recognize recipients of the 2023 Public Service Recognition Awards throughout the week. These are awarded to individuals or groups of state employees who have gone the extra mile in serving the public or who have shown exemplary leadership.

This year’s employee appreciation events are sponsored in Olympia by the Washington State Employees Credit Union, Washington Federation of State Employees Local 443, the Office of Financial Management and the Department of Enterprise Services; in Spokane by WSECU, the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Washington Military Department, WFSE and Teamsters Local 117; and in Kennewick by WSECU, the Gesa Carousel of Dreams, Umpqua Bank, Southridge Sports & Events Complex, WFSE Local 1253 and Teamsters Local 117.

More information about the events is available at ofm.wa.gov/psrw.