By almost every measure, 2025 was a challenging year for La Conner. Tourism was down, foot traffic was lighter than usual and that ripple effect was felt across our local economy. Restaurants, shops, galleries and service providers all saw fewer visitors walk through their doors. As a community newspaper rooted in those same streets, we felt it too.
When tourism slows, advertising slows. Many businesses understandably tightened their belts, delayed marketing plans or chose to wait and see. The result was a difficult year for ad sales — not just for us but for local publications across the region.
This year, we’re responding with intention.
In 2026, La Conner Community News is putting a renewed emphasis on helping local businesses reach the audiences that matter most — both residents and visitors — while making every advertising dollar work harder. That means smarter packages, longer runs and new partnerships designed to expand reach without expanding costs.
We’re especially excited about new collaborative advertising opportunities with tourist-focused publications such as Waterside Magazine and Pacific Coast Weddings. These publications are distributed on Washington State Ferries and in high-traffic locations between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., reaching exactly the audiences many La Conner businesses want to attract: travelers, destination wedding planners and people actively looking for places to eat, shop, stay and explore.
By partnering across publications, we can offer bundled deals that stretch ad dollars further — giving businesses consistent visibility throughout the year rather than one-off placements that are easy to miss.
If 2025 was about weathering uncertainty, 2026 is about rebuilding momentum together. Right now is an excellent time to lock in annual advertising at favorable rates and position your business for the return of visitors and renewed local energy.
To learn more about advertising packages and partnership opportunities, contact us at advertising@laconnercommunitynews.org. Supporting local media helps sustain local business — and together we can help La Conner thrive again.
