More than 600 Oregon tourism industry professionals gathered at Portland’s Oregon Convention Center in mid-April for the 2025 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism, hosted by Travel Oregon in partnership with Travel Portland. The event’s theme was “Then, Now, Forever” to celebrate the growing tourism economy in the Beaver State. Additionally, the event agenda included honoring standout industry professionals and companies with the 2024 Oregon Travel & Tourism Industry Achievement Awards (given for their efforts throughout last year).
The Governor’s Award highlights the accomplishments of individuals who enhanced the visitor experience in Oregon and elevated the overall tourism industry in the state. Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson announced the winner during the conference, PDX Next, which is an ongoing series of projects at Portland International Airport to spotlight area shops and restaurants and incorporate sustainable materials into its infrastructure through partnerships with regional Indigenous tribes and eco-friendly forestry professionals.
“PDX Next is an extraordinary example of what Oregonians can achieve when they work together,” says Davidson in a prepared statement. “From innovations such as the sustainable, mass timber roof that wasn’t thought possible, to the energy-efficient, sustainable, and resilient design and the focus on local vendors, Portland International Airport welcomes visitors the Oregon way.”
Additional award winners include the following:
- Leadership Award: Ana DeVincentis, office manager and executive assistant, John Day/Canyon City Parks and Recreation District
- Partnership Award: Wanderlust Tours and AdvenChair
- Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Award: Remy Drabkin, founder and winemaker, Remy Wines in Dayton
- Hospitality Award: Jason Coleman, senior general manager, The Coho Oceanfront Lodge in Lincoln City
- Stewardship Award: Alanna Kieffer, owner and operator, Shifting Tides
- The Gene Landsman Gemütlichkeit Award: Dan Schindler, competitive skier and former host of the “Portland Ski Show”
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Oregon Tourism Rising Star Awards:
- Central Oregon: Sasha Bosco, Visit Central Oregon
- Oregon Coast: Stacey Gunderson, Oregon Coast Visitors Association
- Eastern Oregon: Josiah Barron, Umatilla Chamber of Commerce
- Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge: Amber Johnson, Mount Hood Territory
- Portland Region: Andrew Moore, Travel Portland
- Southern Oregon: Carole Skeeters-Stevens, Travel Medford
- Willamette Valley: Emily Iverson, North Marion Tourism Collaborative
