OTLA Experiential Learning Overview

The following themes and program content will be covered each year (regardless of program locations) to provide continuity and consistency across program years as each new academy class embraces their academy experience.

Oregon’s regional destination management executives will be invited to provide a comprehensive overview on the state of the tourism industry in their region as academy program locations rotate across the state year to year. During the year 2020, regional executives in Greater Portland, Eastern Oregon, and the Columbia Gorge will be invited to participate as part of the academy program curriculum. In the year 2021, regional executives in Central Oregon, Southern Oregon, and the Willamette Valley will be invited to do the same. The Oregon Coast will be featured each academy year with a commitment to rotate exposure between the southern, central, and northern coastal economies. 

The following outlines Learning Objectives for OTLA 2020:
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SUMMER 2020 - CENTRAL OREGON EXPERIENCE
Wednesday, July 22 starting at 1pm through Friday, July 24 ending at 11:30am
 
Central Theme: Supporting and Empowering Oregon’s Tourism Industry
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Experiential Learning Objectives Covered in Central Oregon:

• Program Participant Self-Assessment Completion
• The History of Oregon Tourism – Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going
• The Oregon Tourism Industry Ecosystem – a Comprehensive Overview of Local and State Resources and Organizations that fuel Oregon’s Tourism Industry
• Oregon’s Federally Recognized Tribes and Their Contributions to Oregon’s Tourism Economy
• Completion of a Community Service Project during Program Hours

FALL 2020 - SOUTHERN OREGON EXPERIENCE 
Wednesday, October 7 starting at 1pm through Friday, October 9 ending at 11:30am

Central Theme: Optimizing Statewide Economic Impact

Experiential Learning Objectives Covered in Southern Oregon:

• The Economic Impact of Culinary Tourism
• Guiding Principles for Tourism Related Facilities 
• The State of Oregon Wildfires
• Tourism Promotion Investments and Optimizing Return on Investment
• The State of Oregon Agri-Tourism
• Unconscious Bias Training – Ensuring Equal Access for All Who Visit Here
• Expanding Access – Domestic and International Travel to Oregon by the Numbers

WINTER 2020 - NORTH OREGON COAST EXPERIENCE
Wednesday, December 9 starting at 1pm – Friday, December 11 ending at 1:30pm

Central Theme: Running an Effective Tourism Oriented Organization and Business

Experiential Learning Objectives Covered on the North Oregon Coast:

• Oregon Tourism Sustainability – Conservation & Stewardship
• Trail Development & Connectivity
• Monetizing Destination Development Initiatives
• Tourism as an Export Economy – Creating Multipliers
• Leveraging Limited Tourism Promotional Dollars
• Accessing Grant Dollars – Best Practices & Success Stories

 
SPRING 2021 - WILLAMETTE VALLEY EXPERIENCE
Wednesday, March 3 starting at 1pm - Friday, March 5 ending at 1:30pm

Central Theme: Championing the Value of Tourism

Experiential Learning Objectives Covered in the Willamette Valley:

• Mock Public Hearing Presentations on Tourism Related Issues in Front of Elected Leaders
• Best Practices for Preparing Oral and Written Testimony for Elected Leaders and Government Staff
• The State of Agri-Tourism in Oregon
• The Value of Downtown Districts Across Oregon
• Regional and State Park Infrastructure
• Media Relations and Cultivating Effective Working Relationships

QUICK LINKS

​- Before You Apply 
- Learning Overview
​- 2021 OTLA Application
​- Employer Commitment Form
- OTLA Home
​- OTLA Sponsorship Opportunities
- ​OTLA Participant Groupsite (login)

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