Willamette Valley Visitors Association

WVVA is excited to announce the?Willamette Valley Strategic Investment Fund—an all-new program that provides funding for organizations working to bolster the visitor experience throughout the Willamette Valley. The following organizations and businesses are eligible and encouraged to apply for funding: Nonprofits Private businesses Non-governmental organizations Federally recognized tribes serving the Willamette Valley Destination Marketing/Management Organizations (DMOs) Applicants must be in the following counties: Southwest Clackamas, Yamhill, Marion, Polk, Linn, Benton, and East Lane County. Learn more about the new fund—along with information on what projects are eligible, who can apply, and key deadlines. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gzpbGZUe

Travel Oregon is hosting 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 offers the opportunity to elevate local food through tourism efforts while strengthening the roots of those who feed Oregon communities. Register and Learn More: https://lnkd.in/dN4-4b-5

Please join us in celebrating our most recent TDP cohort's successful completion of all four program sessions, which are focused on advancing inclusive travel practices. They are now translating their learnings into practical departmental plans, which will be vetted by Travel Unity to ensure high quality and alignment with industry best practices. We've been consistently impressed by their commitment and the insightful perspectives they've brought to the program. Their work will undoubtedly contribute to a more welcoming future for travel. For those looking to take their leadership to the next level, we invite you to explore our CDTP program. This leadership-level certification equips leaders with the knowledge and tools to develop comprehensive, organization-wide inclusive strategies. This flexible program offers two learning options: completing individual workshops or participating in the complete course. CDTP equips participants to develop a tailored plan for inclusive practices that will be vetted by Travel Unity to help their organizations to drive meaningful and sustainable change. Learn more about CDTP and how it can benefit your organization here: travelunity.org/cdtp Congratulations again to our TDP cohort! We look forward to seeing the positive impact of your work. #TravelUnity #TDP2025 #CDTP #DiversityInTravel #DEI #InclusiveTravel #TravelIndustry

There’s still space to attend two vibrant events that celebrate women in tourism and hospitality. She Leads events are free to attend and open to all. Attendees will hear from creative influencers such as Kim Malek of Salt & Straw, Janie Brooks Heuck, the managing director at Brooks Winery, Jill Kuehler, founder of Freeland Spirits and many more 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. https://lnkd.in/gts7D9rY Monday, March 3 | Brooks Winery in Amity, 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 5 | Crow and Cart in Eugene, 4-7 p.m.

Travel Oregon will be participating in a virtual funders panel on Thursday, March 6 from 3-5:30 p.m as part of the Oregon Cultural Trust’s 2025 Conversation with Funders event! Join us to learn about Travel Oregon’s Competitive Grants program, connect with other funders from across the state, and discuss your project ideas. Travel Oregon will only be participating in the virtual event, but other funders will be meeting in person across the state through March 21. Check each location for participating funders and register using the Event Brite link. Registration is strongly encouraged. https://lnkd.in/d6BCdkuX March 6, 3- 5:30 p.m Conversation with Funders: Virtual Event March 10, 1-4 p.m. Conversation with Funders: Eugene March 11, 1- 4 p.m. Conversation with Funders: Portland March 13, 1-4 p.m. Conversations with Funders: Pendleton March 18, 1-4 p.m. Conversations with Funders: Coos Bay March 19, 1-4 p.m. Conversations with Funders: Ashland March 21, 1-4 p.m. Conversations with Funders: Sisters

Calling all early birds. Tomorrow (Feb 28) is the last day for early-bird-discount pricing on registration for the Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism. On March 1, registration will increase to $475.?Register today to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/gFXhzAQB ?? Join us to celebrate standout industry achievements at the Travel & Tourism Industry Achievement Awards Ceremony and Dinner. Be inspired by our exciting keynote speakers: ?? Actress, director, screenwriter, and environmental activist?Bonnie Wright ?? President & CEO?of Brand USA, Fred Dixon ?? Deaf mountaineers and educators Scott Lehmann & Shayna Unger ?? And make sure to grab a spot at one of the Tuesday afternoon workshops. These workshops are included in your conference registration, but space is limited, and pre-registration is required. ?? Rooms are still available at the Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, but they're selling fast, so don’t wait to book. Hope to see you in Portland!

Travel Oregon will be hosting a Oregon Dark Sky Tourism Learning Community meeting that will take place on Feb. 27 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. 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: https://lnkd.in/gd7y6ebR

? We're incredibly honored to host the first "She Leads" event with Travel Oregon - a new series celebrating and empowering women in tourism and hospitality! Join us at our tasting room on March 3rd from 4 to 7 PM for an inspiring evening featuring our Managing Director, Janie Brooks Heuck, and special guest Kim Malek, Founder of Salt & Straw! These amazing leaders will share their experiences and insights during a panel discussion. Enjoy Oregon craft beverages and local bounty, and connect with other incredible women changemakers in our industry. Whether you're established in your career or just starting out, this is your space to grow, learn, and lead together! ?? RSVP for the She Leads event at Brooks for the event in Eugene at on March 5th: https://lnkd.in/gPsngwiA.

Hello Willamette Valley!?Check out this season's quarterly?industry?newsletter to learn about Truffle Season and how you can share?your truffle-related events to be promoted on our channels. Oregon Cultural Trust?grant makers offering more than $5 million in 2025 funding will participate in the?Cultural Trust’s 2025 “Conversations with Funders” events?between March 6 and March 21.?You can?register for the virtual event (March 6)?or?sign up for the conversation in Eugene (March 10)?with the links in our newsletter. Join Travel Oregon next month for She Leads: Celebrating Women in Tourism and Hospitality. Events will be held in Amity on March 3rd and?in?Eugene on March 5th.?Use the link in our newsletter to?RSVP for the event?you'd like to attend by February 28th! Read more here:?https://lnkd.in/gU_Jp58E?

Friends, we hope you'll join us in early March for a series of special events dedicated to connecting women in Oregon's tourism industry. Open to all, "She Leads: Celebrating Women in Tourism & Hospitality" is the perfect opportunity to grow professionally?and gain valuable career?insights?in?a supportive and encouraging community setting. ?? Hear from creative?influencers passionately leading?in their?industries ? Enjoy remarkable Oregon craft beverages and bounty ?? Network and build relationships with other impactful women in tourism ?? Monday, March 3 |?Brooks Winery?in?Amity, 4-7 p.m. ?? Wednesday, March 5 |?Crow and Cart?in?Eugene, 4-7 p.m. ?? Thursday, March 6 |?Freeland Spirits?in?Portland. 4-7 p.m. RSVP here by February 28: https://lnkd.in/gts7D9rY