Tourism generates more than $822 million annually for Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley. Behind that economic impact are thousands of people, businesses and organizations working every day to create exceptional experiences for our visitors. The Tourism Summit is our opportunity to come together, invest in ourselves and one another, and prepare for what’s next.

breakout sessions

• Meetings & Sports Group Sales: Where You Fit in the Visitor Journey
  Every meeting attendee and sports family visiting Salem creates opportunities for local businesses—from arrival and downtime to dining, shopping, excursions, receptions and extended stays. The key is knowing where your business fits into their experience and how to turn those moments into new customers. This session maps both the Meetings & Conventions attendee journey and the sports family journey, showing hotels, restaurants, attractions, venues and vendors where opportunities exist before, during and after an event. Learn how your business can help enhance the visitor experience while benefiting from group and sports business already coming to our community. You’ll leave with practical ideas, a clearer understanding of Travel Salem’s sales pipeline, and concrete next steps for positioning your business for upcoming meetings, conventions, tournaments and sporting events.

• Don’t Skip the Basics: Build a Stronger Marketing Foundation
  Great marketing starts with a strong foundation. This practical workshop will help tourism and hospitality businesses understand the essential marketing basics that make it easier to gain exposure through Travel Salem’s existing channels. Learn how to better position your business for inclusion in content, PR and media opportunities, publications, digital marketing, visitor communications and more. The bottom line: The easier you make it for us to market your business, the more opportunities we have to put you in front of potential customers.

• Leadership in the 21st Century
  What it takes to successfully lead teams through disruption, innovation and rapid change

• Generational Communication
  Understanding how different generations communicate, interact and work together.

• Oregon’s Tourism Political Landscape
  What’s happening at the state and local level and how changes could impact the industry

Attendees will leave with more than great ideas. You’ll take home real-world tools, actionable resources and practical techniques you can put to work immediately in your organization.

1. Who should attend the Tourism Summit?
The Tourism Summit is for anyone who plays a role in making the Mid-Willamette Valley a great place to visit. Tourism professionals, local businesses, community partners, attractions, hospitality businesses, and curious community members are all welcome. Whether you work directly with visitors or support the visitor economy behind the scenes, there’s something here for you.

2. Is the Tourism Summit intended for businesses of all sizes?
Absolutely. The Tourism Summit is designed to bring together organizations of different sizes and backgrounds, from small businesses and independent operators to larger organizations and community partners.

3. What can I expect at the Tourism Summit?
Expect a day filled with practical ideas, fresh perspectives, and opportunities to connect with others from across the region. The Tourism Summit features educational sessions, conversations about the future of tourism, networking opportunities, and plenty of chances to celebrate the people and organizations helping our region thrive.

4. What are the MOPO Awards?
MOPO stands for The Most Oregon Part of Oregon — a celebration of the people, places, businesses, and ideas that make the Mid-Willamette Valley uniquely Oregon. The MOPO Awards annually recognize those making a meaningful contribution to our visitor economy and helping showcase what makes our region special.

5. Will there be opportunities to network?
Yes! Connecting with fellow local businesses and tourism partners is a big part of the Tourism Summit. Come ready to share ideas, make new connections, and maybe meet the person you’ve been meaning to put a name to.

6. Will lunch be provided?
Yes! Each registration includes buffet lunch provided by Salem Convention Center. For participants with dietary restrictions, please clarify your needs and preferences in the form when you register.

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