Sunday, April 8, 2018

1:00--3:30 pm  Symposium Registration – Lobby of Conference Center

1:00--3:30 pm  Exhibitor Set up in Conference Center

1:00--3:30 pm  Board Meeting

4:45 pm and 5:15 pm  All Aboard Trolley departs Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites for Grizzly Peak Winery

5:00 to 7:00 pm Opening Night Reception at Grizzly Peak Winery – Sponsored by Travel Ashland

Network with peers, speakers, exhibitors, and top tourism officials. Each guest will receive a complimentary glass of wine or beer and will have chance to sample award-winning wines from local Ashland Wineries and from members of the Bear Creek Wine Trail. Hors d'oeuvres catered by Smithfields Restaurant & Bar and Live Music by Not Too Shabby. Participating Vendors: Belle Fiore Winery, Caldera Brewing Company, Dana Campbell Vineyards, Grizzly Peak Winery, Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Ledger David Cellars, Platt Anderson Cellars, RoxyAnn Winery, Simple Machine and Weisinger Family Winery.  

6:30 pm and 7:00 pm Trolley returns to Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites

Monday, April 9, 2018

7:30 – 8:20 a.m. Continental Breakfast, Registration, and Exhibitors in Conference Center.

8:30 a.m.  -- Welcome and Introductions by Travel Southern Oregon

8:45 to 9:45 a.m. -- Change Management with Lou Radja

Inspirational speaker Lou Radja shares insights into living a life of success and significance and principles and practices for thriving in challenging times and managing uncertainty.

9:45 – 10:15 a.m.  Todd Davidson, CEO Travel Oregon

Learn about the newest Travel Oregon Marketing Strategies and what Travel Oregon has in store for the coming year. What new travel trends does Travel Oregon see? What new Travel Oregon marketing campaigns will be running in 2018?   Learn how tourism partners in rural Oregon can can earn about and engage in Travel Oregon’s rural Oregon initiatives.

10:15 – 10:40 a.m.  Exhibitor Break

10:40 to 11:20 a.m.    Hospitality Industry Labor Shortage with Todd Montgomery

A strong hospitality industry is fundamental to global economic prosperity. The industry accounts for 1 out of      every 10 jobs worldwide. Currently, the hospitality industry is facing a labor shortage, which is impacting business operations and impeding investment and growth. The authors conducted a mixed-methods study to      answer two questions: Why is there is a labor shortage in the hospitality industry? And, what are some possible solutions to this labor shortage?

11:20 to 11:55 a.m.   Ben Powers and The Inside Scoop on Modern Marketing Trends: What matters most to   today's consumers? 

Ben Powers will explore today’s modern media trends and illustrate what you need to know about your consumer’s quest for digital perfection. See how others have leveraged new immersive media types like 360       video, aerial photography, virtual reality, and 3D-modeling to turn their existing websites, social feeds, review     forums, and referral partner sites into sources of incremental traffic and revenue without presenting huge         costs or time burden.

12:00 p.m.--1:00 p.m.  – Networking Lunch and 2018 TSO’s Marketing Plans

1:00--1:30 p.m. –  Oregon Wine Experience, Sarahanne Driggs

The Oregon Wine Experience is a quinessential Oregon event that is growing in prominence and attracting an   affluent demographic from across the country. What promotional techniques are being used   to position and   establish it as a unique destination wine and culinary event.