Inspiring the Future Workforce

​Volunteer at the 2025 Oregon ProStart Championships

Happy New Year from the Oregon Hospitality Foundation! I encourage you to start off 2025 by taking the opportunity to mold our future workforce by impacting them with your knowledge of how fun our industry is to have a career in! 

Preparing and investing in the future workforce is essential in today's fast-changing hospitality landscape. With workforce shortages impacting the restaurant and hospitality industry, programs like ProStart are stepping up to bridge the gap by inspiring the next generation of professionals.

Supported by the Oregon Hospitality Foundation, ProStart offers career technical education (CTE) that empowers high school students with essential skills and hands-on experiences. With over 7,700 students across 48 Oregon schools participating, this program significantly changes their lives and the industry’s future.

Make an Impact: Volunteer or Contribute
Volunteering plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of hospitality leaders. Whether through time, expertise, or financial contributions, your support can have a lasting impact. The 2025 Oregon ProStart Championships on March 17 at the Salem Convention Center offers an incredible opportunity to witness this transformative program and support its mission.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Volunteer as an Industry Judge: Share your expertise to help students hone their skills.
• Participate in the Hospitality Showcase: Connect with students, highlight career paths, and build valuable relationships.
• Sponsor the Event: Show your support through sponsorships that help sustain this impactful program.
• Donate: Financial contributions, fuel training, resources, and student development.

Celebrate Success at the Awards Dinner
Following the intense competition, the Awards Dinner celebrates students’ achievements and recognizes the dedication of educators and mentors. Scholarships are awarded, and top winners advance to represent Oregon at the national competition in Baltimore, Maryland.

Why Your Involvement Matters
Volunteering goes beyond lending a helping hand—it's about inspiring future professionals, fostering a supportive community, and strengthening the hospitality sector. When you participate, you:

• Inspire: Motivate students by sharing your career journey.
• Connect: Build networks with passionate professionals.
• Invest in the Industry’s Future: Help ensure a pipeline of skilled, dedicated talent.

Join Us
Mark your calendar for March 17, 2025, and join us at the Salem Convention Center. Whether you volunteer as a judge, secure a showcase table, sponsor, or donate—every contribution matters. Let’s inspire, empower, and uplift the next generation of hospitality leaders together.

To learn more or sign up, visit the Oregon Hospitality Foundation's website or contact me via email. | Courtney Smith

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