See you in Portland, March 9-11, 2026!
Submit your nominations for the Tourism Industry Achievement Awards
On March 9, the 2026 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism will kick-off with the Tourism Industry Achievement Awards, celebrating work done across the industry in 2025. But we need your help in nominating those most deserving of recognition.
Please nominate an organization, individual, or yourself for outstanding work in the following categories: Rising Star, Equity, Prosperity, Marketing and Stewardship. Award nominations will be open until November 14.
Sponsors and Exhibitors
We are welcoming sponsors and exhibitors for the 2026 Governor’s Conference. As a sponsor of Gov Con, you have the unique opportunity to gain visibility among 600+ decision-makers, industry leaders and attendees shaping the future of travel in Oregon.
View the 2026 Sponsor and Exhibitor Guide to get started.
The Commission will open a public meeting at 9 a.m. and immediately go into an Executive Session, returning to a public meeting at 11:15 a.m. to move into Commission Action. Only individuals authorized and invited by the Commission are permitted to attend the Executive Session.
The meeting will be recorded and posted on Travel Oregon’s Industry YouTube Channel following the meeting.
Accessibility and Accommodation Requests
For questions about accessibility or accommodations for persons with disabilities, or to request a translator, interpreter, or other communication aids, please contact Matthew Finn at matthew@traveloregon.com.
The 2025 Summit will take place Thursday-Saturday, November 6-8, in Pendleton, Oregon and surrounding areas. The summit combines fun and high impact in-person networking opportunities with conference programming on the important issues of the day, educational content, trails stewardship work parties, and in-field tours and workshops.
The summit will bring together Oregon’s outdoor community to learn, build relationships, and find solutions to the challenges we face in developing and elevating outdoor recreation opportunities to best serve Oregon communities and celebrate and protect our natural, cultural, and historic wonders.
The Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) is hosting its annual economic forum and rail summit in Portland this October 14-17. The event will bring together government and industry leaders from the U.S. and Canada to discuss transportation, energy, trade, tourism and economic development in the region. Sessions will cover topics relevant to Oregon’s tourism industry, including passenger rail and multimodal tourism.
PNWER is a statutory, public-private partnership chartered by the states of Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana and Washington; and the western Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan; and Yukon and Northwest Territories. PNWER is recognized in both the United States and Canada as the model for regional and bi-national cooperation.
Find the draft agenda here.
This year, the Oregon Main Street Conference will be held in Albany, October 8-10, in collaboration with the Albany Downtown Association, the Albany Visitor’s Association, and the City of Albany.
Attendees at this Fall’s conference can look forward to:
- Engaging panels and speakers
- Walking tours featuring inspiring projects throughout downtown
- Two pre-conference workshops, featuring an old favorite Main Street 101
- Our annual Excellence on Main Awards celebration
- Networking opportunities with peers and partners
Take advantage of the early bird discounted rate of $115 through August 15, 2025. Student rates always available. Visit our conference homepage to register today and find additional information about the conference, including our schedule-at-a-glance, and lodging information. To register directly, visit the OMS Conference Registration.
Tourism and hospitality professionals from across Oregon are invited to Seaside this September 13-15 for the 2025 ORLA Hospitality Conference—a must-attend event offering fresh ideas, practical workshops and inspiring keynotes to help you grow your business and strengthen your team.
Be sure to join Saturday’s Women in Tourism & Hospitality Symposium (separate registration), designed to spark meaningful connections and deliver insights you can put into action.
TravelAbility, the nation’s leading conference focused on advancing accessibility in travel and tourism, is coming to Sunriver, October 13–15, 2025.
The event will bring together DMOs, attractions, lodging partners, and accessibility advocates from across the U.S. to explore innovation, training, and solutions that open doors for travelers with disabilities.
Why You Should Attend:
- Learn from leading accessibility experts
- Gain tools to make your destination or business more inclusive
- Network with peers and innovators working to expand travel for all abilities
- Be part of the national conversation – right here in Oregon
Special Discount for Oregon Partners
TravelAbility is offering limited-time registration discounts:
Oregon50: 50% off discount code for Oregon-based hoteliers/property managers. Runs through October 1.
NP25: $300 off for nonprofits. Runs through October 1.
ADA35: Special ADA promotion. $250 all ticket types through the month of July. Ends July 31.
Let’s make a strong showing and demonstrate Oregon’s commitment to welcoming every traveler. Whether you’re already engaged in accessibility efforts or just beginning your journey, this conference is a chance to learn, connect, and grow.
Register now at travelability.net – together, we can make Oregon a leader in accessible tourism.
The Commission will open a public meeting at 11:00 a.m. and immediately go into an Executive Session, returning to a public meeting at 12:15 p.m. to move into Commission Action. Only individuals authorized and invited by the Commission are permitted to attend the Executive Session.
Happy Pride Month!
Travel Oregon is proud to support 20 Pride events across the state. This directly aligns with Travel Oregon’s mission to foster an inclusive, welcoming, and vibrant tourism economy. These partnerships demonstrate a clear and intentional commitment to LGBTQIA2S+ inclusion, not just in words, but in action. These events celebrate the diversity that makes Oregon’s communities unique and attractive to travelers seeking destinations where they feel safe, seen and celebrated.
Here is the latest roundup of small-town Pride events in Oregon: Celebrate Pride Year-Round in Oregon – Travel Oregon.
You can find sponsored content for Here is Oregon partnership here.
Below you’ll find a list of PRIDE events taking place around the state. We encourage you to share the events with your community and attend an event in your area.
Greater Portland Region
Willamette Valley
Southern Oregon
Central Oregon
Eastern Oregon
- Eastern Oregon LGBTQ+ Coalition (June 18)
Mt. Hood Gorge
Oregon Coast
Oregon Tourism Commission Briefing
Sept. 11, 2025
2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Yachats Commons Multipurpose Room
441 Hwy 101 N
Yachats, OR 97498
Resources & Presentations:
Oregon Tourism Commission Meeting
Sept. 12, 2025
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Yachats Commons Multipurpose Room
441 Hwy 101 N
Yachats, OR 97498
Resources & Presentations:
The Eastern Oregon Workforce Board is offering an opportunity to become Guest Service Gold certified at no cost over the course of three days, in three cities: Hermiston (June 16), La Grande (June 17) and Ontario (June 18). Please see details about the program below.
Becoming Guest Service Gold certified as a Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP®) empowers individuals with the skills and mindset to consistently deliver exceptional customer service. This industry-recognized certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence, sets candidates apart in the job market, and opens doors to advancement in hospitality careers.
CGSPs gain a deeper understanding of how to create memorable guest experiences, increase customer satisfaction, and contribute meaningfully to their organization’s success. During the high season for tourists this year, the Eastern Oregon Workforce Board is providing employers and workers with this significant opportunity for professional development.
No matter what industry you are in, customer service defines your brand. If you have people facing people in your organization, don’t miss this opportunity to gain an industry recognized credential in customer service. Register your whole team today: https://eowb.org/guestservice.
June 16 – Hermiston
WorkSource Oregon Center
950 SE Columbia Drive
June 17 – La Grande
WorkSource Oregon Center
1901 Adams Avenue
June 18 – Ontario
WorkSource Oregon Center
375 SW 2nd Avenue
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at each location 30 minute lunch break, lunch not provided
Join us virtually July 1, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. for the second Food Systems and Tourism Learning Community convening. This collaborative space aims to bring together small farms, extension services, and food system organizations from across Oregon with local and statewide tourism partners. Collaboration between these two industries is paramount and offers the opportunity to elevate local food through tourism efforts while strengthening the roots of those who feed Oregon communities.
Learn more about the community here.
Register HERE to attend. If you have any questions, please reach out to clairea@traveloregon.com
We look forward to convening with you soon!
This event has passed. Download the slide deck.
Monitoring and managing your Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the best ways to improve your visibility and conversion. Responding to reviews and other activities like uploading photos and posting updates can drive more exposure and customers to your business.
To help make managing your GBP easier, Travel Oregon partnered with Portland-based company Locl to provide you (free!) access to a suite of GBP optimization tools. Locl helps businesses manage profile updates, create events and offers, engage with customer reviews, monitor business performance and act on insights – all in one place and for every location.
Join Cat Sherry of Locl and learn how to use Locl’s optimization suite to maximize your GBP and drive business.
Session Outcomes:
• Understand what a Google Business Profile (GBP) is and why it is important.
• Understand what Locl is and why it is important.
• Learn how to use your GBP profile to access to Locl for free.
• Learn how to take advantage of Locl’s optimization suite to improve GBP listings, monitor business performance and act on insights.
Register here.
The virtual meeting will be held on May 7, 9-10:30 a.m.
April 14 | 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Oregon Convention Center
Resources:
Presentations:
Join the Oregon Dark Sky Tourism Learning Community for a special pre-conference event at OMSI’s Kendall Planetarium on Sunday evening, April 13 from 6-8:30 p.m. 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 during a networking reception from 6-6:45 p.m., followed by programming in the planetarium. Registration for this event is separate from the Governor’s Conference and space is limited. Reserve your spot.
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.
Travel Oregon, in partnership with Taste Newberg, and local steering committee from Yamhill County, City of Newberg and Chehalem Parks & Recreation Department, invited all to a series of two community gatherings on April 23, 2025, to learn about a new project, A Riverfront Reimagined. We shared the preliminary project concept, answered questions and gathered feedback from over 75 community members.
WATCH A RECORDING OF THE GATHERING HERE
PLEASE COMPLETE FEEDBACK SURVEY by May 2, 5pm.
About A Riverfront Reimagined:
This exciting concept aims to create a water trail access point, designed to accommodate all skill levels, offering recreational entry to a regional water trail network near the confluence of the Willamette and Yamhill Rivers.
Questions?
Katie McFall, Taste Newberg
Katie@TasteNewberg.com
Nastassja Olson, Travel Oregon
Staj@TravelOregon.com
About Recreation Ready:
This gathering is part of Recreation Ready, 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.
Travel Oregon, in partnership with Grande Ronde Gravity, invited all from the community to a gathering to learn about a new project, La Grande Bike Park. Grande Ronde Gravity shared the preliminary project concept, answered questions and gathered feedback.
VIEW PRESENTATION SHARED HERE
PLEASE COMPLETE FEEDBACK SURVEY by May 2, 5:00pm
About La Grande Bike Park:
This exciting concept aims to create a destination-quality bike park close-to-town that offers trails, jumps and skills area for mountain and BMX biking for all abilities.
Questions?
Sean Lerner, Grande Ronde Gravity
sean@easternwheelworks.com | 541-786-5523
Nastassja Olson, Travel Oregon
Staj@TravelOregon.com
About Recreation Ready:
This gathering is part of Recreation Ready, a Travel Oregon program designed to support rural communities in developing outdoor recreation visitor experiences that drive economic prosperity, respect natural environments, and increase access and equity.
Travel Oregon, in partnership with the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce, invited all from the Illinois Valley to a community gathering to learn about Gateway to the Stars, a new initiative to certify the City of Cave Junction as a Dark Sky Community. We shared the preliminary vision, answered questions and gathered feedback.
Watch the April 8 Community Gathering recording
by May 2
About Gateway to the Stars:
This exciting initiative aims to certify the City of Cave Junction as a Dark Sky Community from DarkSky International, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the beauty of night skies. The initiative would enhance street and business lighting to maintain Cave Junction’s rural charm while reducing light pollution—supporting Cave Junction as a premier destination for stargazing and dark sky tourism.
Questions?
Megan Curtis, Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce
illinoisvalleycc@gmail.com | 541-592-3326
Nastassja Olson, Travel Oregon
Staj@TravelOregon.com
About Recreation Ready:
This gathering is part of Recreation Ready, a Travel Oregon program designed to support rural communities in developing outdoor recreation visitor experiences that drive economic prosperity, respect natural environments, and increase access and equity.
Travel Oregon, in partnership with Cascade Volunteers and McKenzie Trail Volunteers, invited all from the McKenzie River area to a community gathering to learn about a new project concept, Deathball Trail System. We shared the preliminary project concept, answered questions and gathered your feedback.
Watch the April 9 Community Gathering recording
by May 2
About Deathball Trail System:
This exciting new project concept seeks to develop a destination-quality trail system with interpretive sites honoring First Nations heritage, designed for mountain biking experiences for all skill levels and abilities including e-bikes and adaptive bikes and is accessible by public transportation.
Questions?
Alyssa Brownlee
reservations@horse-creek.com | 503-720-4809
Nastassja Olson, Travel Oregon
Staj@TravelOregon.com
About Recreation Ready:
This gathering is part of Recreation Ready, 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.
Travel Oregon is excited to announce the first convening of a Food Systems and Tourism Learning Community! This collaborative space aims to bring together small farms, extension services and food system organizations from across Oregon with local and statewide tourism partners. Collaboration between these two industries is paramount and offers the opportunity to elevate local food through tourism efforts while strengthening the roots of those who feed Oregon communities.
Learn more and register to attend here.
Register for Travel Oregon’s Dark Sky Tourism Learning Community meeting to 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.
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.
Join us for this vibrant event that celebrate women in tourism and hospitality. This event is open to all, and is an opportunity to grow professionally and gain valuable career insights in a beautifully designed, community setting. Attendees will hear from creative influencers who are passionately leading in their industries. With incredible Oregon craft beverages and bounty, opportunities to mingle, you may end up cultivating new friendships with like-minded women who are leading change.
Please complete the RSVP form by February 28.
This event is one of three:
