Tourism matters, damn it. We mean it. That shit is important. So important, in fact, that the Tacoma Regional Convention + Visitor Bureau will celebrate the 2011 Tourism Matters Meeting + Celebrity Awards from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Cheney Stadium's Summit Club. That's right. They're giving awards for contributions to tourism. We told you that shit was important. Honors like the "Community Unity Award," "Tourism Professional of the Year Award," "Sports Tourism Award" and Allen C. Mason Tourism Visionary Award" will be bestowed upon lucky winners from a cast of nominees that includes FeedTacoma.com's Kevin Freitas, The Hotel Murano's Dale Rush, Alyson Jones of the Tacoma Rainiers and Mike and Lisa Hahn of Tacoma Runners. Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson, Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and Tacoma Waterfront Association President Stan Selden are scheduled to present awards.

[Cheney Stadium Summit Club, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., $55-$65, 2502 S. Tyler St., TAcoma, 253.284.3268]