Why Guides Program Offerings

2024-2025 Opportunities

View the recording of the October 31 programming info session.

The following programs and opportunities are available to the ownership and employees of businesses enrolled in Travel Oregon’s Why Guides program.

Events & Networking Opportunities

No additional networking opportunities are currently open for registration this Spring.

Business Development Opportunities

Dark Sky Tourism Learning Lab for Businesses – Application Process Now Open!
April 21-23, 2025 | Brasada Ranch & Surrounding Region
Travel Oregon and Visit Central Oregon are teaming up to offer a multi-day learning lab for tour operators, guides and outfitters operating anywhere in Oregon to dive into the opportunities of developing tour product that showcases Oregon’s uniquely pristine dark skies. Participants will receive educational and technical training by dark sky experts to help build the skills and knowledge necessary to bolster and expand tour offerings into the night and gain inspiration from Central Oregon’s assets to bring back to their businesses and communities. Participation in this event is free but limited – applications are due by 5 p.m. March 17 and selected participants will be notified by March 21.

Learn more and apply to participate by March 17 here. 

On-demand Consultations for Guides & Outfitters
Travel Oregon offers two types of one-on-one consultation services for guide and outfitter businesses seeking support. These “always-on” resources are available year-round, with up to 5 hours of consultation and follow up provided at no cost to businesses. Simply submit a request for the type of consultation you are seeking using the associated link below.

• General Consultations for Tour Operator Businesses
• International Travel Trade Consultations for Tour Operator Businesses

Guide Trainings & Educational Opportunities

De-Escalation Training
February 4, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Portland
Travel Portland and Travel Oregon have teamed up to provide a de-escalation training for up to 30 tour company partners. Silvia Smart, head instructor from NAGA, will do a two-hour deep dive into de-escalation principles and tactics as well as cover the basics of self-defense. The training will take place in-person at the Travel Portland office in downtown Portland. Learn more and register here.

Elevate Outdoors: DEI, Access, and Belonging in Outdoor Recreation
This self-paced online employee development program offered by Oregon State University’s Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy is available at no cost for guides in the Why Guides program. Focused on public-facing frontline staff in the outdoor industry, the course is designed to foster more inclusive and accessible outdoor recreation spaces through self-reflection and personal learning opportunities. Guides should plan to allocate 8 hours over the course of several weeks to complete the course. Learn more and register here. Use code WGFALL24 to waive the course fee during registration.

Guide and Outfitter Recognized Professional (GORP) Program
Travel Oregon is providing free access to this self-paced online recognition and training program offered by Oregon Sea Grant/Oregon State University. The GORP program offers training on a wide range of topics and industry best practices including the Adventure Travel Trade Association Guide Standard best practices. Learn more about the program. Guides can access Oregon-specific training modules as well as modules specific to the Oregon Coast by signing up for the GORP Oregon Bundle. Use code ygorp24 to waive the course fee during sign-up

Past Events & Closed Opportunities

SCHOLARSHIPS: 2025 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism – Application Window Closed
April 14-16 | Portland
Up to 20 scholarships are available for tour operators, guides and outfitters to attend the 2025 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism, Oregon’s premier tourism industry gathering. To be eligible, applicants must be one of the following: 1) a small entity (five or fewer full-time employees) owner or employee within the tourism industry; or 2) a volunteer guide within the tourism industry. Scholarship recipients will receive complimentary conference registration and up to two nights of lodging.

Subsidized Wilderness First Responder Course
February 10-14, 2025 | South Beach, OR
15 scholarships are available for guides to attend a NOLS-led Hybrid Wilderness First Responder certification course taking place on the Oregon Coast this coming February 10-14, 2025. The course is hosted by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry at their Camp Gray campus in South Beach, Oregon. As a hybrid course, this WFR combines 3 modules of online learning with 5 days of in-person training. You’ll begin by completing work in an online platform that includes readings, videos and quizzes. The online content is expected to take 30-45 hours to complete, and you’ll need to finish them before the in-person portion begins. The 5-day in-person course at Camp Gray will focus on skills and scenarios.

Pre-Summit Workshop and Networking Happy Hour for Guides & Outfitters
December 4, 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Sunriver Resort, Sunriver, OR
Join us in Central Oregon for this educational workshop and networking event in advance of the Oregon Outdoor Recreation Summit. Join your peers and key supporting agencies including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Oregon State Marine Board for an interactive afternoon diving into the topics most pertinent to the guide and outfitter community. Learn more and register to attend here. See the next item for scholarship information to support you attending this event.

SCHOLARSHIPS: 2024 Oregon Outdoor Recreation Summit
December 4-6 | Sunriver Resort, OR – Application window closed
Up to 20 scholarships are available for tour operators, guides and outfitters to attend the Oregon Outdoor Recreation Summit. Scholarship recipients will receive complimentary conference registration and up to two nights of lodging and in return must commit to participating to the best of their ability in the following activities:

• Attend the Pre-Summit Workshop for Guides & Outfitters on Dec. 4 (see above)
• Attend summit programing from Dec. 5-6

Marketing Boost Program – Application Window Closed
Up to 20 businesses are eligible to receive a comprehensive marketing assessment and up to 10 hours of professional consultation to help refine and elevate existing marketing initiatives and provide education on future strategic opportunities. The application period will open on Nov. 12 and closes Nov. 26, with assessments and support conducted from December through May. Only businesses who have not participated in this program in the past are eligible to apply.