Breaking Down the Barriers of Working with Elected Officials

This panel will cover best practices in effective communications, breakdown the dos and don’ts of approaching elected officials and engage participants in a questions and answer format. Participants will leave with a list of tools that can be applied to all levels of government and media.

View the session.

The 2020 Oregon tourism industry stakeholder survey found that Oregon tourism businesses and organizations want to learn more about how to organize and effectively communicate with elected officials and policymakers about the role of tourism in the local and state economy and when necessary, the most effective way to advocate for policies and funding to support tourism businesses/organizations.

PANELISTS

Tobias Read, State Treasurer, Oregon
Tobias Read is serving in his second term as Oregon’s State Treasurer. Elected Oregon’s 29th State Treasurer in 2016, Tobias is a collaborative problem solver who draws upon his management, political and finance policy experience to serve Oregonians. Prior to the role of Oregon Treasurer, he spent a decade serving in the Oregon House of Representatives, worked for Nike Inc., and for the U.S. Treasury. He is passionate about public education, at every level and improving state financial management, finance infrastructure, and providing Oregonians the tools to save a more secure future. As State Treasurer, Tobias believes that financial confidence helps Oregonians get ahead, no matter where they live. He supports efforts to connect Oregonians with their unclaimed property, to improve financial education, to encourage Oregonians to invest in themselves, and to promote smart and accountable government reforms that improve transparency and stretch dollars for taxpayers and beneficiaries of public trust funds.

Anna Richter Taylor, Owner, ART Public Affairs
Anna Richter Taylor is the owner of ART Public Affairs and specializes in tackling complex issues, often at the cross section of policy, politics and communications. She helps clients quickly identify clear objectives, and the strategies and tactics to deliver on those objectives. Her approach is to understand the perspective of all involved to collaborate and map a plan that provides benefit to all. Anna started her career in Washington, D.C. in the Clinton Administration, then honed her communications, policy and political skills serving as a Senior Advisor and Communications Director for Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski through his second term where she received on-the-ground education about the unique opportunities and challenges of Oregon’s many regions. She also worked for Gallatin Public Affairs for four years where she had the opportunity to work with many different perspectives, mostly in the private sector, which gave her a more comprehensive experience and understanding of business environment in Oregon.  As a result, she has strong relationships with leaders in the public and private sectors, as well as media throughout the state. She asks the right questions and brings a fresh, yet seasoned perspective to help deliver workable solutions to complicated issues.