Join the Conversation - Sessions Begin March 6 & 7

Junction City, Ore. - Culinary and agricultural tourism have great potential to strengthen the economic impact across regions with agricultural roots. Experiential tourism — anything from visiting working farms, to learning to cook with locally grown ingredients, to attending a salmon bake — is booming, particularly in rural communities.

This two-day workshop is designed for those interested in developing unique visitor experiences like farm stands, tasting rooms, guided fishing trips, or hands-on culinary and agricultural tours in the South Willamette Valley. Get inspired and discover how to expand this market, navigate regulations and permitting, and make the most of your marketing dollars and efforts.

Anyone in the South Willamette Valley communities interested in this increasingly popular travel trend is invited to participate. 

A small fee of $5 per session covers your participation and you may sign-up online here.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & WORKSHOPS:

Workshop Part 1
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 | 9 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.
Junction City Grange | Junction City, OR

Get inspired and discover how to develop new and enticing visitor experiences, navigate regulations and permitting, and develop compelling content to market your experience to visitors. In this workshop, we will address:

• Asset Mapping the South Willamette Valley’s Culinary & Agritourism Industry
• How to Effectively & Legally Navigate Land Use Policy (with a County-By-County Focus)
• Culinary & Agritourism Market Trends, Development, and World Class Case Studies
• Leveraging with Statewide & Regional Resources in Tourism Marketing & Business Development
• Destination Development Strategies to Appeal to Visitor Markets to Increase Your Bottom Line

Evening Networking Social
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 | 5:00 p.m. — 8 p.m.
UPDATED VENUE: Hayworth Estate Wines | Eugene, OR

Spend the evening connecting with your peers in the local culinary, agriculture and tourism industries. During this networking event, participants will travel to visitor-ready sites to hear from owners about local projects happening in the South Willamette Valley area. This local tour includes light refreshments & endless connections.

PLEASE NOTE: We will have a tour bus departing Junction City Grange at 4:30 p.m. and will be returning to the Grange at approximately 7:45 p.m.

Workshop Part 2
March 7, 2018 | 9 a.m. — 3 p.m.
Junction City Grange | Junction City, OR

Discover resources and existing networks that can be leveraged to develop the South Willamette Valley as a culinary and agritourism destination. Brainstorm with your peers to put ideas into action and catalyze this tourism niche regionally. This workshop will cover:

• Case Studies on Innovative & Unique Culinary + Agritourism Products
• Product Development & Funding Resources
• Panel on Successful Local Operators from the South Willamette Valley
• Product Development Brainstorm & Project Selection
• Addressing Next Steps & Opportunities in Your Region

Contacts: 
Kayla Dunn, Community-Based Services Coordinator, kayla@TravelOregon.com 971.717.6221
Bri Matthews, Visitor Services Assistant Manager, Briana@EugeneCascadesCoast.org, 541.484.5307