Celebrate Our Stars


2007 Oregon Tourism Industry Achievement Awards

(to be presented at the 2008 Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism)

People and organizations all across Oregon are doing fantastic things to benefit tourism in our beautiful state. But there's always a few that rise above and exemplify the Oregon Dreamer. The Oregon Tourism Commission would like to recognize those people for their amazing contributions.

Below is a list of the 2007 Awards Recipients who will be recognized at a special Celebrate Our Stars ceremony at the Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism, Sunday, April 6, 2008 at the Red Lion Hotel on the River in Portland.

CONGRATULATIONS!
Click Here To Read The Official Press Release

Award Categories and Recipients:
CREATIVE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Recognizes innovative programs, promotions or products created by a business, person, group or region in Oregon that demonstrate a new way of thinking about the visitor industry.

Recipient:
Katherine Hoppe
Coos Bay - North Bend Visitor and Convention Bureau

_____________________________________________________________________________

VOLUNTEER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Recognizes a volunteer or volunteer program that gives their time freely and exemplifies how volunteerism contributes to the development of tourism and hospitality in Oregon.

Recipient:
The High Desert Museum Volunteers
The High Desert Museum
_____________________________________________________________________________


COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP AWARD

Recognizes the efforts of a group of tourism industry organizations that partner together to create and promote a successful tourism program or product which is greater than the sum of its parts.

Recipients:
Michael Donovan
Southern Oregon Winery Association
&
Carolyn Hill
Southern Oregon Visitors Association

_____________________________________________________________________________

TOURISM INDUSTRY AWARENESS AWARD

Recognizes a business, community or organization which has demonstrated that "what's good for the tourism and hospitality industry is good for Oregon."

Recipient:
Angie Morris
Salem Convention and Visitors Association

_____________________________________________________________________________

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD - New This Year!

Recognizes an individual, business, organization, program, community or region which has demonstrated a strong commitment to conserving Oregon's natural and cultural resources by leading in environmental stewardship and socially responsible practices in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Recipients:
Dan Yates
Portland Spirit/Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler
&
Cary Bryant and David Gremmels
Rogue Creamery

_____________________________________________________________________________

GENE LEO MEMORIAL AWARD

Established in 1994 to honor the late Gene Leo, known for his Oregon tourism contributions as Director of the Oregon Zoo, Portland Rose Festival and Director of Tourism at what was then the Portland Oregon Visitors Association. Gene was an enthusiastic man who revered Oregon's natural beauty, loved her people, and enjoyed the outdoors with gusto. This award recognizes outstanding contributions and efforts for a tourism-related activity or attraction in Oregon that specifically focuses on the state's natural beauty or outdoor recreation.

Recipients:
Chuck Fleser
Minam Motel & Market
&
Gordon Jones and Jeffrey Jones
Lake Creek Lodge


_____________________________________________________________________________

-2006 Award Recipients -
Presented at the 2007 Governor's Conference on Tourism

CREATIVE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AWARD

OREGON CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL, Karolina Wyszynska Ashland Springs Hotel
and
OREGON CRAFTED, Oregon Council for Business Education


VOLUNTEER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

MARIAN and MIKE SODERBERG,
Astoria Cruise Hosts Program


COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP AWARD


HELLS CANYON SCENIC BYWAY COOPERATIVE


TOURISM INDUSTRY AWARENESS AWARD

THE ANCHOR PIER,
Fran and Don Mathews
and WILDHORSE RESORT & CASINO TAMASTSLIKT CULTURAL INSTITUTE


GENE LEO MEMORIAL AWARD

TILLAMOOK FOREST CENTER


OREGON GOVERNOR'S TOURISM AWARD

JONATHAN NICHOLAS
In honor of his vision, inspiration and leadership in guiding the success of Cycle Oregon the last 20 years.