Oregon Tour & Travel Alliance
E-Newsletter
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Message from Your President
Happy New Year!
Wow, what a difference a month makes! While we were confident and excited in December to host our first in-person meeting in almost two years, the Board has decided to err on the side of caution and move our January meeting to a virtual format. The date has been shifted to Tuesday, January 25th from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm via Zoom and we hope this will allow more of you to take part in the programming. We have tentatively rescheduled the networking event that was slated to happen at Bullwinkle’s the night before our meeting to Thursday, May 12. Hopefully by then we’ll be able to see everyone’s smiles in 3D!
NTA Travel Exchange leads were emailed on January 6. As a reminder, please do not add these contacts to your direct email marketing distribution lists. These leads require highly targeted and personalized communication for follow up. If you are unsure how to respond to these leads, please reach out to your local DMO for assistance. OTTA board members, including me, Mindy Caldwell, Kristen Dollarhide, Amy Bailey and Chris Chester have attended NTA in the past and are also willing to answer questions. A segment about how to respond to leads will be included in our January 25 program.
to make sure we have the correct contact information for you and/or your property.
In case you missed it in your Travel Oregon industry newsletter, a three-part COVID Recovery Training focused on the return of international inbound travelers is being offered in conjunction with the International Inbound Travel Association. The first part of the Steps to Success Workshop Series is on February 2 from 10:00 am-11:30 am. Go to industry.traveloregon.com for more information or to register for this event.
Last but not least, your 2022 membership renewals were sent out last week. Pricing and membership levels remain the same as 2021 and we will again be extending 10 scholarships to members who may be facing financial need during the ongoing recovery. Click here to complete the scholarship form. We appreciate your commitment to OTTA as we all work through this together.
Wishing you all good health.
Tammy Thompson
OTTA President
Hotelco, LLC
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Are You Willing to Serve?
A great way to enhance your membership is to participate on a committee or join our Board of Directors. Board terms are for two years and we meet once a month, typically via Zoom, to discuss our programs and goals as well as share updates about what is going on around the state. This is a great opportunity for you to expand your tourism knowledge and network within Oregon. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to anyone on the Board. Click here to download an application.
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Virtual Winter Meeting
January 25 • 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Via Zoom
Members - FREE • Non-Members - $25
The education topic for the winter meeting is focused on trade shows … what makes a good profile, what you need for your meetings, how to make the most out of your appointments … and more.
Speaker: Jamie McKinney-Fousek is the Director of Global Sales and Marketing for America’s Hub World Tours and has been attending Travel and Trade shows since 2017. Within the United States she has attended NTA, ABA, IPW, IITA, Active America China, Adventure Elevate, and Go West. Overseas she has attended shows in Australia and New Zealand, along with two Brand USA Sales Missions in India. She enjoys using her knowledge of, and love for Oregon, to inspire others to visit our amazing state and to create custom off the beaten path tours. If you see what appears to be an orange ball of fire pass across the screen while Jamie is talking, don’t worry, she is not going to catch fire, that is her cat Mister Kitty who is a bit of a wild man and likes to see himself on screen.
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International Inbound Travel Assocation Steps to Success
February 2 • 10:00 - 11:30 am
Join Travel Oregon on February 2, 2022 from 10-11:30am for the first session of the International Inbound Travel Association (IITA) Steps to Success, an international inbound training program that will provide you clear and achievable steps to obtain international business via the inbound travel trade. With an understanding on how to work with the travel trade, you can create new business partnerships while developing the necessary resources to bring international visitors to Oregon. Whether you are new to the industry or a veteran of working with the travel trade, come update your knowledge and hear from industry peers about what is expected and vital for the return of international inbound travel. This program is free of charge and the first session on February 2 will be virtual.
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Member/Staff Profile: Stephanie Green
Happy New Year OTTA members! I am Stephanie Green and I run my own association management company. I have five different associations that I manage. OTTA being one of them. Prior to opening my own business, I worked for Northwest Food Processors Association for 15 years executing their annual events.
When I am not managing my associations, I enjoy walking with my dogs, spending time with my friends and family, traveling, and enjoying a good book. I have recently become an empty nester and moved to Vancouver, Washington. I am enjoying some extra personal time by volunteering on a board for Magenta Theater in Vancouver, Washington.
I have been the association manager for OTTA for eight years. It has been great to get to know so many wonderful members.
I found out about OTTA by word of mouth. I am also the MPI Oregon association manager and the board at the time felt that I would be a good fit for OTTA as many of our members overlap.
OTTA has become like family to me. It has been a pleasure to be a part of such a passionate group that only wants the best of the State of Oregon. By being a part of OTTA I have learned more about the state as well as been able to provide OTTA with my knowledge and expertise in fundraising, membership development, and event management.
My favorite activities have been the FAM trips in Astoria and Albany. I loved Astoria and learning about all the movies that were filmed in the area as well as going through the new movie museum. I also loved the FAM in Albany because I was born in Albany and my grandparents lived there, so many family trips to Albany over the years. The carousel museum was a highlight for me.
Now that we are going on year two of COVID, I have learned to take things one day at a time. Life can change overnight or even within hours. Flexibility is needed. It has also been an opportunity to slow down, connect with family, and take time for myself. I have found that because of that I have felt less stress.
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Governor's Conference Registration NOW OPEN
Registration for the 2022 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism is now open. Focused on “Future Forward” content, keynote speakers and workshop session topics will include destination management, branding, climate change, and equity and inclusion.
All registrants will be required to show proof of the COVID-19 vaccine or provide a negative test result upon entry to the conference at Sunriver Resort. More details will be available on the conference website soon.
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Calendar of Events
March 14 – OTTA Spring Meeting, Sunriver, Time TBD
April 24-26 – Spotlight, Rapid City, SD
May 11 – OTIS Training
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Oregon Tour & Travel Alliance
503.626.8197
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