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We’re just back from the Travel Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism, and as always, the conference is an incredible time of networking and learning from our tourism partners.
A few of our highlights from this year include:
Celebrating Stacey Gunderson’s Rising Star Award! The Rising Star Awards are presented to individuals who are new to the tourism industry within the last five years in which time they have shown exemplary leadership, commitment and passion for Oregon’s tourism industry. Travel Oregon honored seven Rising Stars, one from each region of the state.
As Global Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Stacey is a champion for promoting the Oregon Coast and the incredible work of our partners to our visitors. Congrats, Stacey!
We also celebrated our partners who are doing incredible work on the coast:
Alanna Kieffer of Shifting Tides won a Travel & Tourism Industry Achievement Award for her business Shifting Tides, and her incredible leadership in sustainable seafood tourism.
Jason Coleman, Senior General Manager of The Coho Oceanfront Lodge, received the Oregon Hospitality Award for his exceptional leadership, commitment to service and dedication to both the Coho team and the Lincoln City community at large.
The Oregon Coast Visitors Association team also represented in panels and workshops at the conference, with Deputy Director Arica Sears presenting on the panel: Tourism Funding Evolutions: taxes and grants and fees, oh my! This session explored a series of case studies from Oregon tourism leaders who have successfully navigated a variety of funding increases to support their work in destinations, and Arica spoke to the federal funding OCVA has pursued for new projects.
Arica also participated as a judge for the pitch event: Accessibility Shark Tank: Pitching adaptive Innovations that enhance Travel for everyBODY, Where visionary entrepreneurs present groundbreaking technologies designed to enhance travel accessibility for all. Powered by TravelAbility’s InnovateAble Showcase.
On the marketing side of things, Communications Director Karen Olson presented on the panel Collaborative Marketing: Building Regional Campaigns Across Communities – where she spoke about how DMOs, small businesses, and local governments can collaborate on regional marketing campaigns to attract more visitors.
The conference took place at the Oregon Convention Center, with excursions around the city at the peak of springtime. We were also excited to see a conference-wide focus on accessibility, from a sensory room for attendees to workshops and keynotes led by disabled folks to exhibitors like Wheel the World, KultureCity, and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
We’re so grateful for this opportunity to connect with industry friends and get to know the new colleagues who will help shape the future of Oregon’s tourism industry. Until next year!
The Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) is the official Regional Destination Management Organization for the entire Oregon Coast as designated by the Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon).Through innovation, stewardship, and strategic investments, OCVA inspires travel and strengthens collaboration towards a sustainable coastal economy.
OCVA has the honor of working with coastal communities to align partnerships, destination development projects, and destination marketing with the vision of creating an enriched coastal experience for all. This includes coastal stakeholders, new and returning visitors, and the natural resources that make these coveted experiences so magical.
