[OMS_MANAGERS] Travel and Tourism Award Nominations due tomorrow

Thu Dec 4 16:33:20 PST 2025

Hello Everyone!

Travel Oregon is still accepting award nominations for the Governor’s
Conference on Tourism coming up this March. I know a lot of you were
planning on going this year or were at least thinking about it. It would be
really, really cool if a main street organization took home an award or two
considering how much work we all do in tourism and that impact is growing!

I think many of our directors and programs across the state would be
contenders in many categories. The link to nominate is in their industry
newsletter below!

Nominations are due tomorrow so no time like the present submit your
favorite programs, projects, and people.

Megan Dompe
Director of Coburg Main Street
PO Box 2875
Coburg, Oregon 97408
(541)913-6570

"Start where you are,
Use what you have,
Do what you can."
- Arthur Ashe
[image: Outlook-oqfl5f5k.png]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Travel Oregon <industry at traveloregon.com>
Date: Thu, Dec 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Subject: Award nominations due | Learn about digital accessibility | AI
accessibility assistance | Commission meeting recording | Food Systems
meeting | Rose City Certified
To: <coburgmainstreet at gmail.com>

Industry News, December 4, 2025
[image: Industry News, December 4, 2025]
*   December 4, 2025*
                                     *
                          Industry Achievement Awards 2024*
*Last call for award nominations*
Are you a DMO that could be recognized for a successful and creative
marketing campaign? Do you have a colleague whose work is championing the
value of tourism and creating optimal economic impact in your destination?
Then don’t miss your chance to submit a nomination for recognition at the
Industry Achievement Awards at the 2026 Oregon Governor’s Conference on
Tourism.
We have some amazing submissions but would love to see more. Award
categories include Stewardship, Equity, Prosperity, Marketing and Rising
Star.
Nominations close *this Friday*, December 5. Submit your nominations today!

Submit your nomination <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/xhv4bve>
*Have a question about digital accessibility? Ask an Expert*
Are you seeking assistance to support your destination in creating
welcoming and accessible digital experiences for travelers with
disabilities? Travel Oregon has partnered with Jen Macias, an Experience
Design & Accessibility Specialist, to consult with you directly (for free)
– to discuss your specific destination’s digital touchpoints and come away
with a list of strategies, resources, relevant examples and potential
partnerships to explore.
This program offers Oregon's tourism-related businesses, DMOs and
non-profit organizations free resources related to assessments, best
practices for approaching digital accessibility work, and how to understand
and go beyond WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliance.

Request a consultation <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/daw4bve>
*Meet your new accessibility assistant: The AI Companion in TravelAbility's
Playbook*
Earlier this year, TravelAbility introduced a new feature to its
Accessibility Playbook—the AI Companion. As you know, the playbook itself
is a comprehensive resource designed for tourism partners—businesses, DMOs,
and RDMOs—who want practical guidance on making their destinations more
accessible. If you missed it, the Accessibility Playbook is available online
<https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/t2w4bve>.
 *What makes the AI companion so useful?* no need to read the entire guide
to find what you need. This smart tool lets you ask questions and instantly
pull up relevant sections, saving time and effort. For example, you can
quickly find best practices for accessible hotel booking, discover tips for
inclusive marketing campaigns, or get checklists for improving on-site
experiences. It’s like having the Playbook at your fingertips, ready to
deliver actionable insights whenever you need them. Try it today and make
accessibility planning easier than ever.
To request access, please email industry at traveloregon.com
<industry at traveloregon.com?subject=I%27d%20like%20access%20to%20the%20Accessibility%20Playbook>
with your first and last name.

Request access <industry at traveloregon.com>
*December 3 Oregon Tourism Commission Meeting*
If you missed the last Oregon Tourism Commission meeting, you can access
the recordings and presentations online here
<https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/9ux4bve>.

Oregon Tourism Commission Meeting
<https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/pny4bve>
*Food Systems & Tourism Learning Community Meeting, Dec. 10*
The next Food Systems x Tourism Learning Community
<https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/5fz4bve> meeting will be virtual
on December 10 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. This meeting will have a topical
focus on local food directories, food/farm trails, passport programs and
other efforts to showcase local food offerings in a format relevant to
visitors. Organizations engaged in these 'products' or getting ready to
embark on a directory or culinary trail project are highly encouraged to
join. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their experience and
learn from peers across the state and across sectors. Learn more about the
community here <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/l8z4bve>.
If you have questions, please reach out to hilary at traveloregon.com.

Register here to attend <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/1004bve>
*Travel Portland launches Rose City Certified*
Rose City Certified is a one-hour destination training program for
frontline hospitality workers. Help contribute to a more unified and
welcoming experience for Portland’s visitors by learning key information,
such as what to see and do, navigating the city, how to handle difficult
conversations with guests and how to welcome guests of all cultures and
abilities.
Rose City Certified is online, mobile-friendly and available on demand. The
curriculum is geared for hotel front desk and concierge staff, rideshare
drivers, retail and restaurant workers, tour guides, museum and attraction
staff and others who interact with visitors on a regular basis. It contains
a mix of videos, written instructions and interactive activities across
five modules:

   1. Initiating welcoming conversations
   2. Things to see and do in Portland
   3. Navigating Portland
   4. How to have conversations about Portland-specific issues
   5. Cultural competencies, accessibility and Equity, Diversity and
   Inclusion (EDI)

Bonus: Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate of
completion and a commemorative lapel pin.

Get Rose City Certified <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/ht14bve>
*Research & Reports*

   - All Travel Oregon Research
   <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/xl24bve>
   - *Economic Impact of Travel in Oregon
   <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/de34bve>*
   - Statewide Lodging Weekly Report
   <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/t634bve>
   - Statewide Lodging Monthly Report
   <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/9y44bve>
   - 2024 Tourism Workforce Sentiment Study
   <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/pr54bve>
   - Strategic Plan Progress Report
   <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/5j64bve>
   - 2024 Resident Sentiment Study
   <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/lc74bve>
   - RCTP Dashboard <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/1474bve>
   - Oregon Monthly Barometer
   <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/hx84bve>

*Interested in receiving critical data on lodging trends, occupancy and
revenue? Subscribe to our monthly lodging reports to get the county and
statewide level insights you need for strategic decision-making. Sign-up
here <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/xp94bve> to join our
distribution list.*
*Upcoming Industry Events*

   - Food Systems & Tourism Learning Community Meeting
   <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/dia5bve>, Dec. 10
   - Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism
   <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/tab5bve>, March 9-11

*Stay Connected to Your Region *If you don’t receive your region’s industry
newsletter, subscribe below:

   - Central Oregon <https://t.e2ma.net/click/tue9kr/5rcrvdod/92b5bve>
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Contact Travel Oregon at: 971-717-6205 <9717176205> or by email
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