Willamette Valley
Industry News
In this Issue:
WVVA Announces Grant Recipients
AmeriCorp RARE program now accepting applications
'Conversation with Funders' hosted by Oregon Cultural Trust
Wine Country License Plate Grant open until Feb. 21, 2020
Willamette River Recreation Studio- April - May 2020
Register Now: Travel Oregon Rural Tourism Conference & Travel Oregon
|
|
Willamette Valley Visitors Association selects 2019 grant recipients
|
|
|
Improving Willamette Valley Communities through tourism development
SALEM OR – The Willamette Valley Visitor Association (WVVA) is excited to announce that seven projects have been awarded grants through the Regional Cooperative Tourism Program totaling $78,695. Funded through state-wide transient occupancy lodging tax funds in the Willamette Valley, the matching grants are competitive grants that work to improve local communities with investments in wayfinding signage, museum development, regional trail development and marketing collateral. These projects will enhance the visitor experience throughout the valley solidifying the Willamette Valley as a premier year-round travel destination.
The grant awardees and their projects are:
Corvallis to Sea will be installing wayfinding trail signage and kiosks along the soon to be completed Corvallis to Sea multi-use regional trail. This regional 60-mile trail will connect Corvallis to the Oregon Coast.
Albany Historic Carousel & Museum will be renovating their current basement space to expand their carousel museum exhibits to better display carousel artifacts donated by the Dentzel Family. This expanded exhibit will expand the visitor experience for all ages.
Oregon Made Creative Foundation will be installing three Willamette Valley signs on the Oregon Film Trail to expand the Willamette Valley presence along this state-wide Trail. Two signs will be installed in Cottage Grove and one will be installed at Silver Falls State Park.
McKenzie River Chamber of Commerce will be creating a McKenzie River Corridor Branding and wayfinding signage design plan.
Downtown Corvallis Association will be bringing retail experts, Kizer & Bender to evaluate and educate Willamette Valley Main Street businesses how to have visually appealing storefronts to encourage more visitors and downtown shoppers to enter their stores.
AC Gilbert House Children’s Museum will be renovating their Inventors Yard to bring back some favorite exhibits and make the yard more ADA accessible. Grant funds will help with the exhibit/signage development of the new experience.
In a Landscape will get assistance with video production and social media campaign help to increase awareness and attendance to outdoor music series from visitors outside 50-miles.
|
|
RARE AMERICROP PROGRAM CALL FOR COMMUNITY APPLICATIONS
Rural communities looking to expand their capacity to get project driven work done can apply to this program. To apply, communities must submit a Community Application by 5:00 PM on April 17th. RARE AmeriCorps placements are contingent on availability of program funding.
If you have not heard of RARE (Resource Assistance for Rural Environments) you can attend a free webinar:
What is The RARE AmeriCorps Program?
The mission of the RARE AmeriCorps Program is to increase the capacity of rural communities to improve their economic, social, and environmental conditions, through the assistance of trained graduate-level members. RARE members assist in the development and implementation of projects focused on increasing the vitality of the communities and organizations we serve. Our members live in and serve communities for 11 months. The RARE AmeriCorps Program is now in its 26th year and has placed more than 525 individuals and served every Oregon county.
Does My Organization Qualify For The RARE AmeriCorps Program?
The RARE AmeriCorps Program works with organizations that have identified specific needs in rural areas. Eligible organizations include public agencies (including city, county, and regional governments); special districts (such as soil and water conservation districts, park and recreation districts); and non-profit organizations. RARE projects typically fall into the following categories: land use planning, downtown development, community and economic development, regional tourism, renewable energy, food systems planning, and natural resources planning.
How Can My Organization Participate?
To host a RARE member, each participating community or agency must provide a $23,500 match towards the placement, training, and support for the full-time RARE member. RARE AmeriCorps Program staff will administer the member's monthly stipend, medical insurance, and post-service educational award.
The Ford Family Foundation is open to requests to help support the placement of a RARE AmeriCorps member in rural communities in Oregon. These funds are highly competitive. For more information please visit the Financial Support section of our website. The deadline to apply for this support is April 17th, 5pm.
If you have questions about RARE program, please reach to Titus Tomlinson, RARE Program Director, rare@uoregon.edu.
|
|
JOIN THE OREGON CULTURAL TRUST 2020 ‘CONVERSATIONS WITH FUNDERS AND PARTNERS’
Travel Oregon is partnering with the Oregon Cultural Trust to deliver grant writing workshops during their 2020 Conversations with Funders and Partners Tour. This is an excellent opportunity for you and your partners to speak directly with funders who are offering more than $5 million in funding for FY2021.
Represented funders: the Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Heritage, Oregon Humanities and the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office – as well as counterparts from The Oregon Community Foundation, the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Travel Oregon, Oregon Parks and Recreation (three locations), the State Library of Oregon, the Marion Soil and Water Conservation District (Salem only) and Portland’s Regional Arts and Culture Council (Portland only); among other
Willamette Valley Locations:
Eugene: 11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, Eugene Public Library (Bascom-Tykeson Room) 100 W 10th Ave.
Salem: 3-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, United Way Mid-Willamette Valley (Public Meeting Room), 455 Biller Ave. NE.
For more information and full event schedule, please visit: https://culturaltrust.org/blog/news/2020-conversations-with-funders-and-partners-scheduled-feb-19-march-12/ |
|
|
|
Applications Open for Oregon Wine Country License Plates Matching Grants Program
The 2020-2021 Oregon Wine Country License Plates Matching Grants Program is currently accepting applications until 5 p.m. on February 21, 2020.
The mission of Travel Oregon is to inspire travel that drives community enhancement and economic development, creating a better life for Oregonians through strong, sustainable local economies. With funding provided through sales of the Oregon Wine Country license plate, Travel Oregon has established a program to make grant awards available to “tourism promotion agencies” for projects that promote wine and culinary tourism.
For grant guidelines and to apply go to industry.traveloregon.com.
|
|
|
WILLAMETTE RIVER
RECREATION STUDIO
APRIL – MAY 2020
Travel Oregon, in partnership with the Willamette Valley Visitors Association and a local steering committee, will offer a workshop series this spring for communities along the Willamette River between Springfield and Milwaukie. This program is designed to identify opportunities and develop strategies to enhance the river recreation experience.
Anyone interested in contributing to the advancement of river recreation is invited to participate, including local leaders, public officials, tourism agencies, land managers, regulatory agencies, economic development organizations, conservation groups, tour operators, guides, outfitters, restaurants, lodging property owners and outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Community members connected to the Willamette River who are interested in improving the local economy and river experience are also invited to participate.
Schedule of workshops and registration available at industry.traveloregon.com/willametteors. Registration is required and scholarships are available. Cost to attend Community Workshops is $5; no cost to attend May 19 Summit. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
|
|
Oregon Rural Tourism Conference
April 26-28, 2020 - Sunriver, OR
Registration is now open for the Oregon Rural Tourism Conference. To register go to industry.traveloregon.com.
About the conference - Travel Oregon is committed to supporting rural communities through continued investment in education, development and leveraging of partnerships for a healthy Oregon tourism ecosystem.
Based on this commitment, Travel Oregon is hosting the first-ever Oregon Rural Tourism Conference. This rural-focused platform will deliver practical and applicable education, collaboration and networking opportunities that support Oregon’s destination management & marketing organizations, businesses and industry partners that work in rural tourism communities.
For the purposes of the conference, rural is defined as a city that is less than 25,000 population and not adjacent to or part of an urban or metropolitan area. Anyone who works in or with rural Oregon communities is invited to attend the conference.
Scholarships are available through Travel Oregon and Visit Central Oregon. Applicants will have the choice to ask for a one day or full conference registration. There is also the option to ask for financial assistance with your hotel room and mileage to and from the conference. The deadline to apply is March 5. Applications will be reviewed and status notifications sent to all applicants by March 16. If you do not receive a scholarship, you will still be able to register by the early bird deadline of March 31. Find out more details and apply for a scholarship HERE.
Questions about the Rural Tourism Conference can go to Courtney Brie Doss, courtney@traveloregon.com.
|
|
Travel Oregon 101 Seminar
Register to attend the Travel Oregon 101 on Monday, February 24 from 9–11:30 a.m. in Independence. Participants will gain an increased knowledge of the many opportunities available through Travel Oregon and the network of local, regional, national and international industry partners. Registration available at https://industry.traveloregon.com/opportunities/events/travel-oregon-101/.
| WHO SHOULD ATTEND A TRAVEL OREGON 101? |
- Convention & visitor bureaus and chambers of commerce staff (DMOs)
- Owners/managers of lodging properties, restaurants and visitor attractions
- Organizations producing events that attract visitors
- Economic development staff of government agencies at all levels
- Tour operators, visitor services of all types
- Staff of heritage organizations, museums and interpretive centers
|
| |
| WHAT WILL YOU LEARN? |
- How to get looped into the tourism industry’s communication system (at the local, regional, statewide, national and international levels)
- How to let Travel Oregon know you’re out there and ready for visitors
- Programs and services Travel Oregon offers to help businesses, organizations and communities draw more visitors
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
