Hood River Chamber, Commissioners receive state "Tourism Industry Awareness Award"

The Hood River County Chamber of Commerce's Visitors
Council and the Hood River County Board of Commissioners
were awarded the Tourism Industry Awareness Award on Tuesday, April 12th, at the Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism, which took place in Pendleton.

The Oregon Tourism Industry Awareness Award recognizes a business, community or organization that has, through promotions or programs, increased awareness of the tourism industry's contributions to Oregon's economy and quality of life.

Holly Macfee, Director of Consumer Marketing at Travel Oregon, gave the following speech as she announced the award:

"Throughout most of 2004, this group of people worked diligently and
cooperatively to draft a zoning ordinance which would allow farms, wineries and Bed & Breakfasts to include the hosting of weddings and related events to their business operations ­ thereby incorporating a tourism element into their agriculture-based business.

The economic impact of the weddings sector on the local tourism economy is tremendous. One study illustrated that 14 weddings held at one location brought in 1,800 out-of-town attendees, who utilized 876 hotel rooms and directly impacted 76 companies (hotels, wineries, caterers, photographers, florists, and rental companies). The total direct cash infusion to the community was over $600,000, with over $10,000 in room tax revenue.

But wait ­ there's more! These wedding visitors secondarily impacted
restaurants and recreation providers throughout the region. The full
economic impact of these 14 events to Hood River County is estimated to be over 1.5 million dollars.

The Hood River County Board of Commissioners and the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce are to be commended for recognizing the impact of a segment of tourism (weddings) and how it can be leveraged. Now farmers can supplement their farm revenue by hosting weddings and related events ­ a great example of how tourism works for Oregon!

So, in recognition of a community that has increased awareness of the
tourism industry's contributions to Oregon¹s economy and quality of life, we present this award to the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce and the Hood River County Board of Commissioners."

Accepting the award were Hood River County Board Commissioner Carol York, and Hood River County Chamber Marketing Director Genevieve Scholl-Erdmann.

This award represents fulfillment on all four of the Chamber's stated 2005 Goals in one project and helps implement our mission: To Promote Economic Prosperity and Livability of Hood River County.

Contact Genevieve Scholl-Erdmann, Marketing Director
Hood River County Chamber of Commerce
(541) 386-2000 1-800-366-3530
gscholl@hoodriver.org

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