Eugene, OR - Travel Lane County is seeking an experienced, approachable, and enthusiastic leader to serve as the new President/CEO. Current President/CEO, Kari Westlund announced her retirement following nearly 28 years of service to the organization and industry here in Lane County. Ms. Westlund will remain with the organization throughout the hiring process and will be available to the new President/CEO for orientation and training if necessary. 

Board Chair Dana Turell noted, “These are exciting times for Travel Lane County and our destination. Kari Westlund built a strong foundation over the past 28 years. Now, the organization is well-positioned for a new CEO to continue our growth and success."

Travel Lane County works to grow overnight visitors to the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region for a vibrant year-round and countywide economy. Leisure travelers, conventions and sports events are all target markets for our beautiful, large and varied destination. In addition to being responsible for all organizational outcomes, the President & CEO is a visible leader and collaborator in regional economic development, working with a variety of organizations, governmental units, and elected leaders to achieve prosperity. A full description of the organization and roles and responsibilities for the President/CEO are available on our careers page.

Ms. Westlund commented, "I want to express deep appreciation for our shared destination, the interest and support of so many stakeholders, and especially for the outstanding professional staff team and engaged board of directors at Travel Lane County. Close to three decades flew by in a flash. While we accomplished many successes, much remains to be done and the next CEO comes into a strong situation with a lot of opportunities to make a positive difference in meeting the mission of growing overnight visitors for a vibrant, year-round, countywide economy."

An initial review of candidates in May will protect applicants’ privacy. Successful candidates will move to the interview phase and the selection of a new CEO will be an inclusive process that will include board, staff, and stakeholder interview panels, likely in early June.

Contact

Board Chair Dana Turell, dana@turellgroup.com, 541.685.5000

Travel Lane County President/CEO Kari Westlund, Kari@EugeneCascadesCoast.org, 541.743.8750

About Travel Lane County

Travel Lane County was incorporated in 1979 and began operations in 1980 (as the Eugene-Springfield CVB), about the time the Lane Events Center opened. The Hult Center for the Performing Arts, the Hilton and the Eugene Conference Center were under development. 

Travel Lane County was created specifically as an investment tool for Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) to help grow the local visitor economy. The cities of Eugene and Springfield provided annual funding. In 1983, Lane County added a 1%TLT for tourism marketing countywide by Travel Lane County.  

In 1993, hotels asked Lane County to increase TLT 2% and dedicate a total of 3% to destination marketing through Travel Lane County. The cities were released from direct funding. The County committed 2.1% of TLT to Travel Lane County annually, about 23% of collections. Four cities and several County programs also receive TLT revenue each year.

In fiscal year 97, TLT collections countywide totaled $4.3 million In fiscal year 22, TLT collections countywide totaled $16.8 million Beginning January 1, 2023, TLT collections increased another 2% for investment tourism facilities that attract visitors

With a governing board of 30 voting directors and ten advisory directors, Travel Lane County is both broadly and deeply connected with both private industry and local government, working in service to both to build a vibrant, year-round countywide economy.

 

Over the years, Travel Lane County has been recognized for many innovative programs, including: 

  • Development and deployment of the first mobile visitor van information center, launched in 1995.
  • The first mobile visitor bike information center, a Haul-A-Day from Bike Friday, which was ridden over five State Scenic Bikeways from Eugene to Pendleton for the Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism in 2016
  • The first DMO in Oregon to map trails with Google Trekker  
  • Travel Lane County has been an early adopter of wayfinding games:
    • Development of a system of Geocaches throughout Lane County
    • Development of Pinot Bingo, a wayfinding guide to local wineries 
    • Development of the Eugene Ale Trail
  • Development of the immersive Gateway-based Adventure Center, which operated successfully for ten years until operation ceased during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 
  • Co-founding of the Arts & Business Alliance of Eugene with the City of Eugene, University of Oregon, Lane Community College and Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. 
  • Multiple multi-media campaigns have received awards and attention over the years.
  • Working closely with the Oregon Track Club, University of Oregon, and later TrackTown USA LLC to bid and host major track and field events, beginning with Eugene08, the initial return of the Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field  
  • Brought the FIMBA Pan American Maxibasketball Tournament to the USA in 2010 for the first time, to Springfield High School.
  • Formalized the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission in 2012,using the Intergovernmental Agreement formerly known as Lane Metro Sports.
  • Received the Governors Tourism Award from Governor Kotek for its work helping to bid and host Oregon22, the first World Athletics Track & Field Championships ever held in the United States. 
  • Work with Eugene Airport and local economic development organizations to successfully recruit airline service, and grow our destination reputation for business relocation and expansion. 
  • Helped lead Connect Lane efforts on road cycling connectivity between rural communities throughout Lane County, creating routes and signage. 
  • Received the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) 2024 Get in the Hearing Loop Award for  outstanding outreach efforts promoting the benefits of hearing loops for people with hearing loss.
  • Formed the Travel Lane County Charitable Fund in 2024, a separate 501(c)3 corporation focused on public benefit projects that engage both residents and visitors. 

Kari Westlund, President/CEO for the past 28 years served the industry in many capacities, including:

  • President of the Oregon Destinations Association/(OACVB at the time, 1998-2000)
  • President of DMA West (2001-02)
  • Chair of the Oregon Tourism Commission (2008-2010)
  • Chair of the Oregon Tourism & Hospitality Consortium
  • Founding President of the DMA West Foundation
  • President of the Oregon Track Club (2010-11)
  • Westlund was honored individually with the Governor’s Tourism Award in 2011
  • President of the Arts & Business Alliance of Eugene (2013-15)
  • Chair of the Cultural Services Advisory Committee Westlund also served on the boards of U.S. Travel, and Destinations International DMAP
  • Economic Enhancement Award of Merit from LCOG in 2016
  • Springfield Business Person of the Year 2018