ORLA Launches Fourth Year of Leadership Program for Tourism Professionals

Contact:
Jason Brandt, ORLA, 503.302.5060

[Wilsonville, OR] – The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) proudly announces the fourth-year launch of the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy (OTLA), developed in partnership with the Oregon Destination Association and Travel Oregon, and led by the industry’s top experts. The annual experiential learning program is targeted to public and private sector tourism professionals who are seeking to polish their leadership and professional skills, continue to grow their career accomplishments, and make positive and lasting contributions to the state’s tourism economy and its success. 

“We’re excited to see the ongoing success of the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy move into its fourth year,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “The academy experience is enriching the value of working in the tourism industry for those who participate in the program and it’s an honor for ORLA to be a part of it.” 

The fourth-year class will launch April 5 and conclude in the Winter of 2023. Participants include representatives from many sectors of the hospitality and tourism industry including destination management organizations, foodservice distributors, a museum, chamber of commerce, lodging properties, and travel publications. View a roster for the fourth-year class.

Curriculum, field visits, and hands-on experiences are strategically designed to support and align with the state’s tourism goals and objectives which include four Strategic Imperatives:

1. Optimizing the Statewide Economic Impact of Tourism in Oregon
2. Supporting and Empowering Oregon’s Tourism Industry
3. Championing the Value of Tourism
4. Running Effective Tourism Oriented Organizations and Businesses

The OTLA experience is designed for professionals currently serving Oregon’s tourism and hospitality industries. Applications from industry professionals who will soon be responsible for similar levels of responsibility are also encouraged to apply for the academy program.
 
The strategic imperatives outlined above will serve as the program’s core themes each year. Each theme will receive focus as a part of four multi-day experiential learning programs designed to provide academy participants with comprehensive educational experiences. Each year, approximately 20 participants will immerse themselves in the academy’s professional development curriculum alongside industry experts and facilitators.

For more information on the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy, visit OregonRLA.org/otla.

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ORLA is the leading business association for the foodservice and lodging industry in Oregon. A not-for-profit trade organization, ORLA represents over 3,000 member units and advocates for over 10,000 foodservice locations and over 2,400 lodging establishments in Oregon.

The hospitality industry is the second largest business sector behind healthcare. In 2021, our industry provided over 153,700 jobs to working Oregonians and brought in over $10.9 billion in annual sales for Oregon.