Commissioners Hear Lane Events Center Master Plan Update 

On August 26, the Lane County Board of Commissioners received a Visioning Summary Report from staff and the Lane Events Center Master Plan consulting team. The presentation summarized recent public outreach efforts and explained how this feedback, together with input from the Master Plan Visioning Group, is helping refine broad concepts into more specific recommendations for future improvements and construction priorities. 

At the meeting, Travel Lane County President & CEO Samara Phelps and Martine Wodke, Webfoot Juniors club volleyball coach, delivered public testimony, while Bev Smith—Executive Director of Kidsports and a Travel Lane County Board member—submitted written remarks. Collectively, their message was clear: the region is severely underbuilt and urgently needs additional indoor multi-use sports space. Testimony consistently emphasized that the proposed indoor facility in the Lane Events Center Master Plan should be the first project constructed. Beyond meeting critical demand for youth and adult recreation, such a facility would generate substantial economic impact by attracting tournaments and events, with revenues helping to fund future Lane Events Center improvements.

The Visioning Summary Report calls for additional market feasibility work - work that Travel Lane County has completed - so it's time to move an indoor multi-use sports facility project forward. Our industry has an important role to play in advocating for this facility. Learn more and add your voice to the conversation by emailing the Board of Commissioners. Watch for updates and additional opportunities to share your support with the Commissioners. 

Meg Trendler Retires 

Meg Trendler, Director of Tourism Sales at Travel Lane County, retired on August 31, 2025, after more than 21 years of incredible service. Colleagues and friends gathered at Territorial Vineyards and Wine Company to celebrate her remarkable career and wish her the very best in her next chapter.

Camp Selected to 20 Under 40 List

Allie Camp, City of Springfield Economic Development Manager and Travel Lane County Board member, has been recognized as a 2025 20 Under 40 Rising Star by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations Allie! 

Alaska Airlines Adds Hollywood Flight

Beginning October 26, 2025, Alaska Airlines will begin daily direct service to the Hollywood-Burbank Airport. Departure and arrival times will be: 

BUR 9:13 am – EUG 11:38 am

EUG 12:18 pm – BUR 2:42 pm

“The addition of service to Hollywood Burbank Airport provides more nonstop travel options for the people in our region,” said Eugene Airport Director Cathryn Stephens, A.A.E. “We have a strong partnership with Alaska Airlines and are excited for their addition of flights between EUG and BUR.”

EUG continues to be your best choice in air travel from the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region!

2025 Oregon Main Street Conference 

Early bird pricing for the 2025 Oregon Main Street Conference will be flying away Friday, August 15. The conference runs October 8-10 in Albany, so if you want the best price for:

• 18 open sessions covering the 4-points of Main Street
• 3 (maybe 4, surprise!) included 90-minute workshops
• 5 included walking/trolley tours
• A riveting keynote from our own featured speaker, Sheri Stuart
• Mixers and receptions for good food & good connections
• Awards celebrating Oregon’s commitment to community improvement
• Invaluable and innumerable networking opportunities

Register today!

Oregon Parks Grant Opportunities

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department provides both funding assistance and outreach to Oregon’s local communities through a series of grant programs. OPRD currently administers five recreation grant programs and five heritage grant programs, which combined give millions of dollars annually to grant project sponsors. Click here to learn about Recreational Trails Program (RTP), Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Grant Program, County Opportunity Grant Program (COGP) and Oregon Heritage Grant. For further information, please visit the program’s webpage or contact kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov.

Meet Lane Arts Council's New Executive Director

The Lane Arts Council Board of Directors appointed Tara Wibrew as their new Executive Director. Following a comprehensive and regional search process, Tara officially stepped into the role and is working closely with outgoing Executive Director Stacey Ray, as well as our dedicated staff and board, to ensure a smooth leadership transition.  

Offshore Wind Energy Survey

The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) is developing an Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap as directed by House Bill 4080 (2024). The Roadmap will define standards for potential future offshore wind development, focusing on environmental protection, community involvement, workforce development, economic opportunities, and tribal and cultural resource protection. The Roadmap will also identify actions and opportunities that could move the state responsibly along the path toward a future that includes offshore wind for Oregon. DLCD wants to hear from community members to help inform the policies and recommendations for the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap. Please share your thoughts using the survey here: DLCD Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap Community Survey. To learn more, check out the Offshore Wind Roadmap Website

All-Terrain Track Chairs at Mount Pisgah Arboretum 

Mount Pisgah Arboretum is proud to host two all-terrain track chairs through the organization David’s Chair. These chairs are free to use and can be reserved online or by calling the Mount Pisgah Arboretum office all (541) 747-3817.  

This program is possible thanks to a partnership between David’s Chair, Lane County Parks, McKenzie River Trust, and Travel Lane County, as well as generous Mount Pisgah Arboretum donors. 

Volunteers make it possible to accommodate a steady volume of reservations, especially during weekends. If you would like to be trained as a volunteer, click here to learn about training opportunities this fall. Once onboarded, David's chair volunteers are emailed the reservation schedule and have the opportunity to sign up to cover reservations. Volunteers check out the chairs and orient users, and then meet users at the end of their reservation time to put the chairs away.

Disability Inclusion Training Coming in October

VisitAble  offers disability inclusion training for organizations that want to be the best at serving their customers and guests. This video training is offered online and in bite-sized vignettes that make it easy to work through at work or home. Travel Lane County is excited to be partnering with VisitAble to offer this training to our Members beginning this fall! Be on the lookout for information on how your business and staff can take advantage of this training to help make Lane County an even more welcoming region! 

Color Blindness Awareness Month

Many people don’t realize that hidden disabilities—such as hearing loss, color blindness, and many neurological disorders—can significantly affect a visitor’s experience. At Travel Lane County, we are committed to ensuring that all visitors can fully enjoy their time in our region. In recognition of September as Color Blindness Awareness Month, we’re highlighting one of the ways we’re making a difference: EnChroma glasses are designed to help correct color deficiency and enhance the way many guests see and experience our destination and everyday life. EnChroma glasses are engineered with special optical filters that help color-blind individuals see a wider range of colors more vividly, clearly, and distinctly. 

Travel Lane County has two pairs of Enchroma glasses to give away. If you, a coworker, or a family member has red-green color blindness (Protanomaly and Deuteranomaly), please send your name and contact information to Andy@EugeneCascadesCoast.org. We will select the recipients of these glasses on September 22.