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Oregon City commission hears plan for new tourism organization; item to return for approval
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Summary
City leaders heard a presentation from Destination Oregon City, Inc.'s new executive director on a coordination and marketing plan focused on community‑based tourism. Commissioners praised early partnerships and staff said the contract will be brought to a regular meeting for formal approval.
Destination Oregon City, Inc.’s new executive director outlined a community‑focused plan for coordinating tourism, workforce training and marketing at a City Commission work session on Tuesday evening.
Salisha Johnston, introduced as the DMO executive director, told the commission the organization’s work will prioritize aligning local stakeholders, sharing data and building programs that benefit both visitors and residents. “If Oregon City stakeholders are given clear opportunities to collaborate, positive shared messaging … and structured visioning spaces, then they will gradually shift from fragmented, competitive behaviors towards collective action,” Johnston said.
Why it matters: The presentation lays out how the newly formed nonprofit will manage marketing and destination stewardship for Oregon City and how it plans to use partnerships and committees to distribute work and dollars. City staff said they intend to place the DMO’s contract and agreement with the city on the regular commission agenda for formal consideration.
What the plan proposes: Johnston described a six‑part coordination strategy that includes data sharing and reporting, workforce and frontline training, two‑way storytelling and public engagement through quarterly stakeholder mixers. She announced the inaugural stakeholder mixer for Friday, Nov. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Oregon City Welcome Center at the end of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.
The presentation also recommends forming a marketing and events committee by the end of the fiscal year and suggested optional committees for visitor experience, sustainability and finance. Community programs under consideration include ambassador/frontline training, internship and student engagement, cooperative advertising with regional partners and resident outreach to build local support for tourism.
Branding and marketing: Johnston reviewed brand work that traces to a 2017 strategic plan and proposed a condensed unique selling proposition to guide messaging. She read a draft line of brand copy: “Oregon’s hometown, the first city with the next story, a gathering grounds where rivers, cultures, and histories converge to welcome new experiences.” Commissioners suggested wording changes—one urged using “authentic history” rather than the industry phrase “living history.”
Commission response: Commissioners and members of the new DMO board praised the presentation and early progress. Commissioner Rocky Smith and others said they saw the work as a needed step to reduce duplicated efforts among local organizations. “This is a great starting place,” one commissioner said, expressing support to monitor results.
Next steps and city oversight: City staff told the commission the DMO’s bylaws and the organization’s agreement with the city will be brought back for formal approval at an upcoming regular commission meeting. No formal vote took place at the work session. Commissioners also noted the DMO may not be able to immediately assume management of the city’s community‑sponsored special events program and that staff will need to decide how events are handled in the coming season.
Board and staff: City staff introduced the initial board of directors, including Holly Soule (board chair, general manager of Best Western Rivershore Hotel), Lee Belewowski (vice president), Daria Laurie (treasurer), Trieste Andrews (secretary), Corinne Laurenthal (Oregon Trail Interpretive Center), Jessica Land (Oregon City Farmers Market) and Bryce Morrow (Oregon City Brewing Company). Johnston said the DMO will operate as a destination management and marketing organization that combines marketing with stewardship and management functions.
What was not decided: The commission did not vote on the DMO agreement at the work session; the item was described as headed to the regular meeting for formal action. The city did not present a final budget figure during the work session; a budget outline was noted as part of the DMO’s materials but amount specifics were not discussed in detail.
The work session concluded after a short administrative discussion about seating for people attending a separate agenda item and the mayor adjourned the meeting.
