Industry Events

October 8

• Sustainable Business Technical Assistance with Bring Recycling

  Since 2010, BRING’s Rethink Business Program has provided free sustainability technical assistance to help businesses in Lane County reduce their environmental impact and save money. This summer, BRING and the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) partnered to host an Oregon Applied Sustainability Experience (OASE) Intern, expanding BRING’s program reach along the Oregon Coast. Learn about BRING’s Rethink Business Program with Emily Reynolds, and explore this summer’s OASE case study presented by Jamie McMurray, which highlights the benefits of bringing sustainable practices to new areas.

• Get Found: Using Google Tools to Elevate Your Business

  Join us for an informative session with Cecilia Suvagian from Travel Oregon, where you’ll discover how to leverage Google tools to enhance your business’s online presence. In this workshop, you’ll explore valuable Locl tools provided by Travel Oregon to help market your business, learn how to claim, manage, and optimize your Google Business Profile to attract more customers, and ensure your business is accurately represented on Google Maps so potential customers can easily find you. Whether you’re new to Google Business Profiles or seeking to optimize your current strategies, this session will offer actionable insights to help your business succeed. Speaker: Cecilia Suvagian, Database Information Specialist, Brand Stewardship at Travel Oregon.

• Advancing Travelability: Making Destinations Accessible for All

  Join a panel of tourism professionals as they share their recent initiatives to make destinations more accessible and inclusive for all. This session will explore innovative investments, such as the installation of hearing loops for the hearing impaired, providing color blind glasses, the availability of David’s Chair for mobility assistance, the implementation of Mobi Mats for easier beach access, and the use of influencers to spread awareness. Learn about the challenges faced, the strategies implemented, and the positive impacts these efforts have had on visitor experiences.

• Strengthening Oregon Coast’s Hospitality Industry

  The Oregon Coast Hospitality Industry Sector Partnership will be a collaborative initiative designed to strengthen and elevate our industry. This partnership will bring together local businesses, industry leaders, and community stakeholders with a shared goal: to enhance the hospitality sector, foster professional growth, and drive economic development along our beautiful cost. Throughout this conversation, we’ll explore the vision and goals of the partnership, hear from key participants, and discuss how each of you can contribute to and benefit from this collective endeavor. So, let’s dive in and discover how we can work together to make the Oregon Coast hospitality industry stronger, more resilient, and even more welcoming. This workshop panel will be facilitated by Jesse Quinn, Community Engagement Director, Lane Workforce Partnership.

• Welcoming All: Inclusive Hospitality for LGBTQ+ Travelers

  LGBTQ+ travelers are an important and growing visitor demographic. What does it look like to provide safe and welcoming hospitality to guests who are part of this community? Why does visible support for LGBTQ+ locals and visitors matter, and how can your business or organization live out your commitment to inclusion? What are Oregon Coast businesses and organizations doing to connect with LGBTQ+ travelers, and what have they learned through this vital work? Join Amalia Greene, founder of Out in L.C., and Scott Justus, owner of Xanadu Astoria and founder of Queer Astoria, for this important discussion.

• Tourism Talks: From Taxes and Tangible Benefits

  Join Kate Baumgartner, External and Public Affairs Strategist at Travel Oregon, for an engaging and informative workshop on tourism advocacy. This session will delve into the significance of understanding the transient lodging tax (TLT) and how these funds are utilized by most tourism organizations. Attendees will learn the importance of crafting narratives that highlight the positive impacts of tourism on both communities and visitors.

  Learn to navigate essential resources such as the Oregon legislative website, equipping you to identify key contacts and stay informed about legislative developments. Gain a comprehensive understanding of how tourism issues span various levels—from community to state and even federal—empowering you to advocate effectively.

  This workshop promises to be informative and hands-on, providing valuable tools and knowledge to support your advocacy efforts in the tourism sector.

• Mastering Short-Form Video for Impactful Marketing

  Short form video is a popular and effective marketing tool, but it can be hard to know how to get started. Why is video worth adding to your communication toolkit? When and where should you consider using video to tell your story to your organization’s audience? How can you get started creating effective video content, with the tools and skills you already have available (hint: the phone you have in your pocket and the social media platforms you already use every day). Join us for this practical workshop that will empower you to create and share new content!

October 9

• Riding the Wave of Cycling Tourism on the Oregon Coast

  The Oregon Coast has always been a paradise for cyclists. Now, new investments in cycling infrastructure are set to diversify the region’s tourism economy. This workshop will explore the benefits of cycling tourism, highlighting the development of mountain biking trails and gravel routes along the coast. With insights from local gravel route experts (Dirty Freehub) and a case study of a bikepacking race in Iceland, attendees will discover how gravel cycling, mountain biking, and bikepacking can enhance local economies and promote sustainable travel. Learn how to attract tourists to cultural points of interest, create authentic travel experiences, and explore strategies for businesses to support and thrive in the growing cycling tourism industry.

• Plug and Play Graphic Design for your business

  Learn how to leverage online design platform Canva to create marketing materials for your business that are simple and impactful. Led by Oregon Coast Visitors Association’s marketing team Karen Olson and Stacey Reynolds, this is a great opportunity to learn the ins-and-outs of Canva. Bring your own device so you can begin your own design project along with this hands-on training.

• The Electric Oregon Coast: EV Charging Opportunities with FORTH

  Forth, a nonprofit championing equitable clean transportation, will share their EVAL workplace charging program and the way businesses along the coast can achieve a workplace charging certification. They will also provide insights on the available EV charging incentives in Oregon and guide you through the application process, helping your organization take a significant step towards a sustainable future. Learn more about EV charging opportunities and the A-Z of how to take advantage of charging incentives at this practical, action-oriented workshop.

• Sandboarding Adventure at Sand Master Park

  Ready for some fun after the conference? Join us for an exhilarating sandboarding experience on Oregon’s Adventure Coast! Discover the thrill of gliding down the dunes at the world’s first sandboarding park, established in 2000 and nestled along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 101) in Florence, Oregon.

  Located just minutes from the Pacific Ocean, Sand Master Park offers quick access to stunning beaches, delightful restaurants, cozy hotels, and vibrant shopping areas—all surrounded by Oregon’s iconic sand dunes. With 200 acres of pristine dunes and access to a 40-mile stretch of coastal sand, the park features slopes for every skill level, making it the perfect way to cap off your time on the coast.

• Florence Public Art Walking Tour & Gallery Visit

  Join the Florence Public Art Committee for a guided walking tour of the city’s latest public art installations on October 9th at 2 PM. After the tour, attendees have the option to visit the Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) Art Center/Gallery, located at 120 Maple Street in Old Town. Whether you’re interested in exploring the public art or heading straight to the gallery, this experience offers a unique opportunity to engage with Florence’s vibrant arts community.

• Experience Beach Accessibility with David’s Chair at Heceta Beach!

  Join us after the conference to explore Heceta Beach in Florence, OR, with the aid of a track chair, specially designed to provide beach and ocean access for individuals who use wheelchairs. This opportunity is made possible by the generosity of David’s Chair Outdoor Mobility Systems and a private donor, offering free use of the track chair to those with mobility challenges.

  The track chair is available exclusively at Heceta Beach County Park, a beautiful and accessible location featuring a wide, flat sandy beach perfect for beachcombing and enjoying stunning sunsets.