Don’t miss your chance to register for the Governor’s Conference on Tourism
There’s just over a week to register for the 2025 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism, April 14-16. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn from and network with industry experts, hear from keynote speakers, attend educational breakout sessions and in-depth workshops, celebrate industry achievements and more. Registration closes on March 28.
While you’re in Portland, don’t miss these pre-Governor’s Conference events:
Marketing & Sales Happy Hour
Sunday, April 13, 4-6 p.m. in the Regency Club at the Hyatt. This casual networking event brings together sales and marketing professionals from around the state and is an opportunity to connect with and meet Travel Oregon’s Brand Stewardship department as well as Travel Oregon’s international contractors.
RDMO meeting
Travel Oregon’s Destination Stewardship Department is gathering the seven RDMOs from around the state to convene at Amaterra Winery in Portland to discuss Collaborative Regional Investments on April 13. This convening is an invitation only space for RDMOs to discuss projects and programs guided by Travel Oregon’s Strategic Plan around Oregon to support tourism in each region with the support of Travel Oregon staff. Questions? Please email StephanieB@traveloregon.com.
Dark Sky Tourism Learning Community evening event at OMSI
Join the Oregon Dark Sky Tourism Learning Community on Sunday, April 13 from 6-8:30 p.m. for a special event at OMSI’s Kendall Planetarium. Connect with others in the tourism industry interested in preserving and promoting Oregon’s dark skies, learn about the latest developments and opportunities for dark sky tourism in Oregon, and expand your knowledge through a special program celebrating Oregon’s magnificent dark skies curated by planetarium director Jim Todd. Heavy appetizers and refreshments will be provided. Registration for this event is separate from the Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism and space is limited. Reserve your spot.
Oregon Tour & Travel Alliance Spring meeting
Warm up for the Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism at OTTA’s spring meeting, April 14 from 8:30 a.m.-noon at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. This fun and fast-paced event will put you one-on-one with other tourism professionals from around the state, giving you the opportunity to meet and develop new partnerships. In addition to networking, hear industry updates from Travel Oregon and Travel Portland. Register here.
Travel Oregon with Travel Oregon Spring launch
Last week, Travel Oregon launched the Spring pulse of Travel Oregon with Travel Oregon. This campaign effort will launch two new films featuring adaptive mountain biking in Central Oregon and brews and beaches on the Oregon Coast.
This campaign will have robust content promotion on Travel Oregon social media channels as well, with the team creating a special lineup that features mountain biking, kayaking and culinary delights in the Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge region. The campaign runs March 12 – May 25, 2025.
Recreation Ready Community Gatherings in April
Recreation Ready is a Travel Oregon program designed to support rural communities in developing new outdoor recreation visitor experiences that drive economic prosperity, respect natural environments, and increase access and equity. Four communities were accepted into the program this cycle, and each will be hosting a local Community Gathering in April:
- Cave Junction: Gateway to the Stars – April 8, 5-7 p.m.
- McKenzie River: Deathball Trail System – April 9, 5-7 p.m.
- La Grande: Bike Park – April 21, 4-6 p.m.
- Newberg: A Riverfront Reimagined, April 23, 9-11 a.m. & 5-7 p.m.
At the Community Gatherings we’ll share preliminary project concepts, answer questions, gather feedback—plus, attendees can enjoy food and drinks on us! Learn more and register.
Local Government Grants for outdoor park & recreation facilities
The Local Government Grant, administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, is open for application. Eligible projects must include public outdoor park and recreation areas and facilities that are open and accessible to the public at large. Large grants are due April 1, small grants on May 1 and planning grants are due May 15. Typically, the program awards over $5 million annually to qualified projects, and has awarded over $60 million in grant funding since the program began in 1999. Learn more and apply.
Visitor Use Management Training & Symposium
Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals is bringing the Visitor Use Management Training & Symposium to Vancouver, WA on June 2-5, 2025. Discover innovative ways to foster unforgettable visitor experiences with the stewardship of natural and cultural resources. Connect with land managers, tourism organizations and nonprofit leaders from across the U.S. and Canada, learn from tribal wisdom, and engage in meaningful discussions about outdoor recreation planning and management. Learn more and register.