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Travel Lane County operates as the official destination marketing organization for Lane County, Oregon, serving the Eugene, Springfield, and Oregon Coast regions. Founded in 1980 and structured as a private nonprofit 501(c)(6) corporation, the organization works to increase overnight visitors and drive economic development through hospitality and tourism.

The organization is guided by a 30-member voting board plus appointed ex-officio members representing diverse sectors across Lane County:

•Hotel & Lodging: InnCline Hotels, Merete Hotel Management, Graduate Eugene, ALKO Hotels, and Valley River Inn representatives
•Food & Beverage: Restaurant owners and university dining directors
•Transportation: Lane Transit District leadership
•Arts & Culture: Eugene Ballet, Cascades Raptor Center, and cultural venue directors
•Government & Public Service: Eugene City Council, County Commissioners, City Managers
•Recreation & Outdoor Businesses: River outfitters, event organizers
•Community Development: Economic development managers and business leaders

Travel Lane County receives approximately $4 million annually from Lane County's 2.1 points of transient room tax, providing sustainable funding for regional marketing and tourism development.

The board operates at the policy level, with responsibilities including:

•Approving annual marketing plans and budgets
•Reviewing and adopting strategic plans
•Evaluating personnel policies and bylaws
•Hiring and evaluating the President/CEO (currently Samara Phelps)
•Providing input on issues affecting the hospitality and visitor industries
•Representing member interests to local and state government

All staff members report to the President/CEO, who implements board-approved strategies and policies.

Board members are expected to:

•Attend monthly board meetings
•Participate in Travel Lane County partner events
•Attend the Spring Visitor Industry Celebration
•Participate in the December holiday mixer

Per bylaws, three consecutive unexcused absences from board meetings constitute resignation from the board.

Travel Lane County's member businesses operate throughout Lane County, including:

•Eugene: Hotels, restaurants, arts organizations, transit, city services
•Springfield: Chamber of Commerce, economic development, county services
•Cottage Grove: Area chamber, local businesses, event venues
•Florence: Chamber, city services, coastal attractions
•Cascades Region: Recreation and outdoor tourism businesses

Board members bring extensive experience:

Member	Organization	Experience
Sarah Smith (Chair)	InnCline Hotels	Hotel operations, hospitality management
John Barofsky (Vice Chair)	Beppe & Gianni's Trattoria	30+ years restaurant industry
Pam Whyte (Treasurer)	EMGE & Whyte, CPA	Tax, accounting, financial planning
Richard Boyles	Merete Hotel Management	Hotel development, real estate
Jonnie Helfrich	A. Helfrich Outfitter	McKenzie River rafting and fishing
Kaarin Knudson	City of Eugene	Architecture, sustainability, housing policy
Vonnie Mikkelsen	Springfield Chamber	Chamber management, economic development
Randy Groves	Eugene City Council	Public service, emergency management
Steve Mokrohisky	Lane County	County administration, government leadership

The organization's mission directly supports Lane County's economy by:

•Marketing the region as a visitor destination
•Increasing overnight visitors and travel spending
•Supporting hospitality businesses and employment
•Coordinating tourism infrastructure and events
•Advocating for visitor industry interests

Board members represent a cross-section of Lane County's economy and communities, including:

•Hotel and lodging management
•Food service and restaurants
•Arts and cultural organizations
•Government administration
•Transportation and infrastructure
•Recreation and outdoor recreation
•Professional services
•Business development and real estate
•Non-profit leadership

The board actively welcomes interest from Travel Lane County member businesses in the hospitality industry. Those interested in applying should contact President/CEO Samara Phelps at [email protected].

Travel Lane County President/CEO: Samara Phelps Email: [email protected] Service Area: Lane County, Oregon (Eugene, Springfield, Florence, Cottage Grove, Cascades regions)