2024 Visitor Industry Celebration & Summit
Celebrating Industry Leaders in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Region
Join us on May 17, 2024 at Graduate Eugene for our Visitor Industry Summit and Awards Lunch. You can register to be a Summit attendee or a lunch only attendee. Either way, we are excited to have you!
Check-in and breakfast for the half-day summit begins at 8:00 a.m.
Check-in for Visitor Industry Celebration Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m.
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Turell Group, and our Industry Sponsors, Summit Bank and Mereté Hotel Management.
What you can expect as a Summit Attendee
The 2024 Visitor Industry Summit takes place ahead of the Industry Celebration luncheon on May 17 beginning with a keynote address by Molly Alexander, founder of ITP (Imagine the Possibilities) Consulting. Molly will dive deeply into her work around "Return on Emotion" as she leads breakout sessions following the keynote.
For over three decades, Molly Alexander has enjoyed a successful career focused on downtown revitalization and economic development, including enterprises in both the public and private sectors. For the past 20 years Molly worked for the Downtown Austin Alliance as the Executive Vice President of Economic Development and most recently as the Executive Director of the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation helping to shepherd a new era of downtown revitalization in Austin, Texas. Two additional breakout session tracks will offer education and networking opportunities throughout the morning.
Breakout sessions offer three tracks
Our additional breakout sessions provide opportunities to learn more about the importance of tourism in Lane County, how to make sure you are utilizing your partnership with Travel Lane County, and much, much more!
What you can expect as an Awards Lunch Attendee
You are invited to a special celebration of President & CEO Kari Westlund's 28 years of service to Travel Lane County, the region, the State and the industry. Seeing her colleagues will make the event extra special for Kari as she prepares to retire this fall. Let's pack the house to celebrate Kari's three decades of industry leadership. Here are just a few things you’ll learn about Kari during this special celebration event:
- Past CEO of the convention and visitors bureaus in Kodiak and Juneau Alaska
- First board president of DMA West Foundation, volunteer leader of DMA West and DMA West board member 1998-2007
- Spirit of Leadership award recipient from DMA West in 2009
- Served on the Oregon Tourism Commission and numerous statewide committees
- Past board member of U.S. Travel Association
- Past president and board member of the Oregon Track Club
Destination Award
Presented to a business or individual who, through their efforts, have excelled in promoting the community and the Eugene, Cascades & Coast as a visitor destination.
Community Leadership Award
Presented to a group, business or individual that has significantly contributed to the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region's tourism industry or visitor experience through an advocacy program(s), visitor product(s), or community development.
Sports Leadership Award
Presented to a local resident(s) or business that is directly responsible for the confirmation of a sports event, which brings in a significant number of overnight visitors to Lane County.
Convention Leadership Award
Presented to a local resident(s) or business that is directly responsible for the confirmation of a meeting or event, which brings in a significant number of overnight visitors to Lane County.
Stewardship Award
Presented to a group or organization who exemplifies the effective stewardship of people, resources and the environment.
Sponsors
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Turell Group, and our Industry Sponsors, Summit Bank and Mereté Hotel Management.
