James Beard Public Market is accepting food vendor applications
The James Beard Public Market, slated to open in 2025, will be a daily, year-round market dedicated to honoring the legacy of James Beard and celebrating the best of Oregon’s food and culture. The market, which will include 40 new small businesses (and create an estimated 200 new jobs), and will encompass a teaching kitchen, event space, restaurant, bakery, fish market, butcher, cheese shop, wine merchant, local farm stalls, prepared foods, bookstore and fast casual dining, will be a place where Oregonians and visitors alike can connect with local food producers, chefs and artisans.
Vendor applications are now available and will be accepted until March 30. Download the Vendor Application Packet to learn more about the space, vendor selection and how to apply.
Dark Sky Tourism Learning Community meeting, Feb. 27
The next Oregon Dark Sky Tourism Learning Community meeting will take place on Feb. 27 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Attendees will learn about the latest developments and opportunities for dark sky tourism in Oregon. The goal of this learning community is to facilitate education and foster alignment across the tourism industry and key stakeholders in order to elevate Oregon as a premier destination for dark sky experiences.
This virtual meeting is open to anyone interested in preserving Oregon’s dark skies, developing and promoting dark sky visitor experiences, and staying connected with dark sky initiatives and stakeholders across the state.
Advance registration is required. Register here. Looking for more information on dark sky tourism? Visit industry.traveloregon.com/darkskies to access industry resources or request a personal consultation with a dark sky expert.
Attend the Blue Foods Forum event series, Feb. 18-20
Aimed at bringing together passionate food industry dreamers, makers, and doers, Winter Waters, in partnership with the Oregon Ocean Cluster and Oregon Mariculture Collaborative will debut the first ever Blue Foods Forum in Portland this February. These dynamic experiences will feature some of Oregon’s best chefs and artisans and are designed to deepen connections and uplift Oregon’s blue foods, producers, and makers. This inaugural event series will unfold in three parts:
- Seafare Symposium: Feb. 18, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at The Redd, Portland
- Seaweed + Oyster Social: Feb. 18, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at The Redd
- Ocean Art! Xperience: Feb. 19, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., at Art Design Xchange (ADX), Portland
- Seafaring Speakeasy: Feb. 20, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Union Pine, Portland
Learn more and purchase tickets to each of the above events here.
Food Hub Worker Safety & Infrastructure Grant program
The Oregon Community Food Systems Network is accepting applications for its second round of Worker Safety Grants and Infrastructure Grants. The application window is open from Feb. 1 to March 15, 2025. These opportunities are aimed at supporting emerging and established food hubs through two grant tiers. The first aimed at low-barrier supplemental support and the second at building capacity. Help strengthen your local food systems and share this opportunity with food systems partners in your community.
Winter What’s New
Looking for compelling media angles? The latest Winter What’s New in Oregon is fresh off the press, showcasing exciting new hotels, restaurants, events, and accessible travel experiences. Produced and distributed quarterly to domestic and international media, What’s New offers a glimpse into Oregon’s latest offerings.
Have a story idea for a future edition? Submit it here. Questions? Contact allison@traveloregon.com.
Celebrate Trade Business Awards information for applicants and nominators
The Oregon Consular Corps promotes activities that support international trade, business, exchange, and education. Each year the Oregon Consular Corps, in cooperation with its sister organization the Oregon Consular Corps Scholarship Fund, organizes the Celebrate Trade gala which raises funds to support scholarships at five Oregon universities.
The Oregon Consular Corps is joined by the Port of Portland, the City of Portland, the State of Oregon, and key representatives from SW Washington, along with associates in the regional trade and business community, to host Celebrate Trade. This year’s event will take place on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in the elegant Kridel Ballroom at the Portland Art Museum. Learn more about last year’s event here .
Celebrate Trade honors student scholars and trade-sector companies that have made significant contributions to the region’s economic vitality and quality of life. The Oregon Consular Corps also selects an additional organization or individual for special distinction. More than 500 members of the community come together for an evening of connection, fun and entertainment.
Download a concise overview of the business awards here .