Nov. 2, 2023 2023 Governor's Conference Awards Ceremony

2023 Travel and Tourism Industry Achievement Award Nominations

The 2024 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism will feature its annual celebratory showcase of travel and tourism industry award winners for work done in 2023. But we need your help in nominating those most deserving of recognition.

Please note that we have slightly altered the nomination process. Submit your best work or nominate other organizations or individuals for recognition in the following categories: Rising Star; Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion; Leadership; Partnership; Hospitality; and Stewardship.

Nominate yourself, your organization or others here before Nov. 22 at 5 p.m.

Why Guides Registration is Open: Tell Us About Your Guided Tour Product

Tour operators, guides and outfitters interested in joining Travel Oregon’s Why Guides program are invited to register between now and Nov. 30 during the open registration period. This no-cost program helps highlight the incredible guided tour experiences available around the state while focusing on the following industry-wide objectives:

Increase the use of guided tours, offering visitors unique experiences, access to local experts, and a stronger connection to the state’s rich history and cultures.

Focus on safety and education about best-practices when engaging in recreation and other activities around the state.

Invest in guides and tour companies to strengthen our ability to manage and develop destinations responsibly and sustainably.

Directly market small, locally owned tourism industry businesses as viable contributors to the state’s economy and position tour companies and guides to be ready for the future of domestic and international travel trade.

What's the Benefit?
Registering your tour company or guide business for the Why Guides program helps Travel Oregon market and promote guides and outfitters to visitors and adventurers around the world. Participation in the program also provides businesses and their staff with exclusive access to marketing programs, topical and technical trainings and networking opportunities at no cost or at subsidized rates.

Guides who enroll in the program by Nov. 30 will gain access to winter 2023-24 programming and opportunities so be sure to register for this free program before the deadline.

Google Business Profile Fundamentals Webinar

A Google Business Profile (GBP) is the single most important tool for your business online. A complete Google Business profile is 70% more likely to bring a customer to your business and, with minimal time investment, you can maximize your visibility.

Join Travel Oregon and Kim Palmer of Miles Partnership on Nov. 9, 12-1 p.m. for a virtual webinar to learn the Five Fundamentals for using GBP to manage your online presence across Google’s ecosystem. Register here.

For more information about Google Business Profiles, Locl and/or OTIS, visit the Business Listings Toolkit.

Oregon Lodging Industry: Update Your Lodging Property Listing by Dec. 8

It’s time to make sure your lodging property is included in the 2024-2025 Travel Oregon Visitor Guide. Printed annually, the guide is the only statewide print piece for comprehensive lodging listings. Any transient lodging property in Oregon that pays the statewide 1.5% lodging tax is eligible for a free basic listing in the printed guide as well as a listing on t raveloregon.com. Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) manages the lodging database used to feed both directories.

Properties are required to update/verify their existing listing or submit a new lodging listing to ORLA by Dec. 8, 2023, for inclusion in the guide.

Questions? Please contact ORLA at Listings@OregonRLA.org.

Upcoming Events

Oregon Outdoor Recreation Summit, Nov. 2-4
Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge Tourism Partner Engagement, Nov. 7
Google Business Profile Fundamentals Webinar, Nov. 9
Mid-Willamette Valley Tourism Summit, Nov. 9
Oregon Dark Sky Tourism Learning Community Meeting, Nov. 30
Oregon Tourism Commission Meeting, Dec. 6
Oregon Destination Association Conference, Jan. 17-19

Research & Reports

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Contact Travel Oregon at: 971-717-6205 or by email Industry@TravelOregon.com
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