The Lights of Christmas, held at Warm Beach Camp, has been designated as one of the American Bus Association's Top 100 Events in North America for 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations magazine, indicates that The Lights of Christmas offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual attendees.

A committee of elite tourism professionals selected The Lights of Christmas from among hundreds of entries nominated by state/provincial tourism offices and local and regional convention and visitor bureaus. Judges considered the event's broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches and skill at handling large groups, quality of experience for the guests, and a variety of other relevant criteria.

Now in its fifteenth year, The Lights of Christmas has become an attractive holiday event, drawing approximately 50,000 people each year. With over one million lights, the event combines the largest light display in the Northwest with live music, three theatre venues, children's activities, food, gifts, overnight options and world class hospitality.

"The Lights of Christmas is attractive for tour groups because of the capacity to accommodate large groups, the festive decorations and activities associated with the theater performance, and the ability to house groups on site," says Amy Spain, Executive Director of the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau.

"Tour groups receive personalized care by the many volunteers and staff that make up our hospitality team," says Patrick Patterson, Administrative Director of Warm Beach Camp. "For example, when busses arrive at the event, they are ushered directly into the main gates where they are met with courtesy carts, ready to bring anyone with mobility challenges right into the heart of the event."

"The honor of being included in the ASA's Top 100 list is a credit to our many hard-working volunteers and staff," says Patterson. Each night of the event, over 200 volunteers and staff provide everything from parking and front gate hospitality to helping with the petting farm and toy shop. "Everywhere you go, staff and volunteers from the community are greeting people, stoking warming fires, driving courtesy carts, and providing Christmas cheer throughout the event," says Patterson.

"The Warm Beach staff makes the difference," says Spain. "Every touch point a visitor and group tour operator have with the friendly people at Warm Beach enhances the overall experience."

For more information about ABA's Top 100 events, see www.buses.org/News-Publications/Top-100. To learn more about The Lights of Christmas visit www.warmbeachlights.com.