National Tourism Leaders to Keynote Governor's Conference on Tourism

Caroline Beteta of Visit California, Cathy Tull of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Caroline Lipps of Thunder Island Brewing Co. in Cascade Locks and Anne Madison of Brand USA will keynote a powerful discussion about preparing your destination for disaster at this year's Governor’s Conference. We are thrilled to have these panelists share their different experiences and perspectives with us this spring.

For more information and to register, visit the conference website.

Sponsor and exhibitor partnership opportunities are still available. View the full list of partnership opportunities.

Have you submitted your nomination for an Oregon Travel & Tourism Industry award? Submit your nomination by Feb. 28, 2019.

Oregon Tourism Commission Designates Seven Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMOs)

As an outcome of the recent Regional Cooperative Tourism Program (RCTP) RFP process, the Oregon Tourism Commission designated the following entities to serve as the Regional Destination Management Organizations for the seven tourism regions of Oregon:

Central Oregon: Visit Central Oregon
Eastern Oregon: Eastern Oregon Visitors Association
Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge: Clackamas County Tourism & Cultural Affairs
Oregon Coast: Oregon Coast Visitors Association
Portland Region: Travel Portland
Southern Oregon: Travel Southern Oregon
Willamette Valley: Willamette Valley Visitors Association

Each RDMO develops and enacts a two-year tourism destination management plan that involves the input of regional tourism stakeholders and Travel Oregon.

Learn more about the Regional Cooperative Tourism Program at: Industry.TravelOregon.com/RCTP.

New Car-Free Itineraries are Available Across the State

Oregon is often referred to as a fly-drive market. In response to this, Travel Oregon has developed 10 car-free itineraries to inspire visitors to experience our state without having to be behind the wheel of their own vehicle. By highlighting destinations like Crater Lake, the Willamette Valley, Bend and the Oregon Coast, these itineraries also inspire visitors to explore outside urban areas and into more rural gems of our state. A major objective of this effort was to curate leisure travel experiences for Oregonians without a car, people with disabilities and international visitors who are either uncomfortable with driving in the U.S. or are not licensed to do so.

Review all of our car-free itineraries online here.

Market Update: Germany

Join Travel Oregon for the inaugural Market Update webinar featuring Germany on April 10, 2019 from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. In this free webinar you will learn:

The importance of the German travel market
German travel behavior and expectations
How to work with key German tour operators
Travel Oregon’s market strategy
Upcoming opportunities to enhance visitation from the German market

This program is ideal for Oregon lodging properties, tours, attractions, DMOs and CVBs interested in increasing their international visitation and learning more about working with the German market. Register now.

Upcoming Grant Writing Workshops

Experienced grant writer, grant coach and trainer Meredith Howell will be conducting multiple grant writing workshops in conjunction with “Conversation with Funders” roundtable discussions in La Grande and Roseburg. The workshops will help attendees focus on skills in developing strong proposals and successfully planning, writing and attaining grant funds. Sharpen your grant writing skills prior to upcoming funding opportunities.

Reminder, applications are open until 5 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2019 for the Oregon Wine Country Plates Matching Grants Program, administered by Travel Oregon. The 2019-2020 Travel Oregon Competitive Small Grants program will open on May 20, 2019.