As work begins on developing strategic plans that are responsive to Oregon’s ever-dynamic tourism economy, Travel Oregon and the state’s seven official regional destination management organizations (RDMOs), are hosting virtual engagement sessions to seek input from communities, local businesses and individuals that drive the state’s tourism economy. Anyone who is involved in the tourism industry, including business owners, staff, destination marketing organizations, public land managers, policymakers, and tribal representatives are strongly encouraged attend.

Participants will have the opportunity to review draft regional strategic plans as well as high-level statewide strategic priorities and share their insights and perspectives. The information collected from participants during these sessions will help inform strategies, tactics, key programmatic and funding decisions in 2021-23 strategic plans.

Learn more and register for the engagement session in your region.

At the upcoming Feb. 23 Oregon Tourism Commission meeting, a 2021-23 revenue forecast will be presented to aid in the development of the 2021-25 strategic plan and biennial budget to rebuild the travel and tourism industry following the substantial impacts of COVID-19.

Part of this planning includes the adoption of a 2021-23 revenue forecast which anticipates the need for a budget modification for the remainder of this fiscal year. A public meeting notice of a budget modification was distributed on Feb. 8 and the proposed budget modification has been posted to the meeting materials page on Travel Oregon's website. A full review of the proposed budget modification will be shared with the commission and industry partners during next week’s meeting.

To review the proposed budget modification and ways to submit comment, please go here.

Thursday, Feb. 25 at 12 p.m., Travel Oregon will host a one-hour grant writing session with professional grant writer, Allison Shirk. The tourism industry’s operations have been disrupted by the current public health crisis. Grants are being distributed to help nonprofits and businesses survive but finding these opportunities and completing the application can be mystifying.

In this session, participants will learn where to find grant opportunities and tips on grant writing for your tourism-related business or nonprofit. Explore tools for breaking down the process of writing grants into manageable steps. Learn to avoid common pitfalls and put your best foot forward. Receive resources and tips that will inspire and help you to get started.

To attend the webinar and/or access the recording, registration is required.

Join Travel Oregon, Oregon Outfitter & Guide Association, Adventure Travel Trade Association and Oregon’s professional tour operators, guides and outfitters (TOGOs) on Wednesday, March 3 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. for an online forum: Successfully Manage Finances & Build Profit.

Presenter, Russell Walters, Adventure Travel Trade Association’s North America’s Region Director has 30 years of experience working with small businesses in the recreation and outfitting sector. This workshop will help participants gain a stronger grasp on financial planning and projections and participants will walk away with practical tools to advance their businesses. Register online.

This event is part of the Tour Operator, Guide & Outfitter Online Forum Series. 

Join us on March 4 from 12-1 p.m. for the latest installment of Travel Oregon’s Small Business Marketing Series: Content Strategy Tips and Tricks for 2021. With COVID-19 restrictions, wildfire impacts and other challenges in this new travel landscape, a good content plan can be the foundation of your recovery efforts. Join Jen Anderson, Senior Editor at MEDIAmerica, and Mo Sherifdeen, Global Integrated Marketing Director at Travel Oregon, to learn how to develop a content marketing plan and get tips (and tricks) on editorial content to promote your business or destination. Registration is now open.

Learn more about the Small Business Marketing Series and view the recording of the last webinar in the series, Demystifying SEO.

Oregon Tour and Travel Alliance (OTTA), in partnership with Travel Oregon, is excited to host world-renowned travel expert and Pacific Northwesterner Rick Steves at the OTTA Winter Virtual Meeting. Rick is an American travel writer, author, tour operator and television personality. His travel philosophy encourages people to explore lesser-known areas of destinations and to become immersed in the local people's way of life. Join us Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. for an inspirational conversation on resiliency, collaboration, and the power of tourism.
This event is free to OTTA members and $25 for non-members. Register here.