​This May, the Oregon Hospitality Foundation was very busy on the coast inspiring students to start a career in our industry. Over the past month, we traveled to Neah-kah-nie, Tillamook, and Nestucca High Schools, speaking to student groups about all that the industry has to offer.

Though each school had a wonderful audience, Nestucca’s group belonged to the very first cohort of their new High School Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP). This pilot course combines in-class instruction with hands-on learning at local businesses in a unique and effective way. The Schooner, one of the participating businesses, not only gave the students a stellar in-class presentation about the restaurant industry on the Oregon coast but also allowed them to work in their restaurant. Serving as employees for the day, they got a real taste of the business by greeting guests, serving tables, and washing dishes on-site. Over the term, the class was filled with experiences like this one spanning many different branches of the tourism industry.

As we speak to different schools across the state, we hope to teach students about the hospitality industry in the same incredible way that Nestucca is. After seeing all that HTMP has to offer at Nestucca High School it is clear why continued support of this program is important. We at OHF hope to see and support the establishment of more courses just like this one all over Oregon.

Want to learn more about how to get involved with our workforce development initiatives? Shoot me an email. | Ella Sturdevant, Oregon Hospitality Foundation 

​On Monday May 12, 2025, a group of industry members took a journey to Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis for an engaging visit to the ProStart Advanced Culinary Program class. Accompanied by Courtney Smith, ProStart Manager for the Oregon Hospitality Foundation, Paul Paz, owner of WaitersWorld, and Heidi Lewis, the innovative Creative Operations Director for American Dream Pizza. The mission was clear: to inspire the next generation of hospitality talent.

Upon arrival at Crescent Valley High, a warm welcome from Chef-Instructor Emily Sass set the tone for the day. Her dedication to nurturing young chefs and fostering a love for the culinary arts is evident in every corner of the classroom. As the group settled in, excitement filled the air as students prepared to learn about the vast opportunities available in Oregon's hospitality industries.

The discussion centered around the diverse career paths that await these students within the realms of restaurants, lodging, travel, tourism, and events. With Oregon being a culinary hotspot, the students were eager to hear about the potential for growth and innovation in these fields. From farm-to-table dining experiences, being creative behind a desk designing menus and more, all the way to the bustling tourism scene, the possibilities are endless for aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals.

Adding to the wealth of knowledge shared during the visit was Paul Paz with WaitersWorld, an inspiring consultant who successfully turned waiting tables into a thriving career. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a "game face" and how it is possible to have a sustainable and successful life in the hospitality industry. His insights resonated deeply with the students, highlighting that every role within the industry, no matter how humble, can lead to significant opportunities and career advancement.

Courtney, Heidi, and Paul shared invaluable insights from their respective careers, emphasizing the importance of creativity, adaptability, and hard work in the culinary world. They spoke about their own journeys, highlighting how passion and dedication can lead to fulfilling careers in hospitality. The students listened intently, asking thoughtful questions and expressing their own aspirations.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the visit was witnessing the students’ enthusiasm for learning. Their eagerness to engage and explore different career options was palpable. Some even approached Courtney saying they were already coming up with ideas for the 2026 Oregon ProStart Championships! It was clear that Chef Sass has not only equipped them with culinary skills but has also instilled a strong sense of professionalism and ambition.

A special thank you goes to Heidi and American Dream Pizza for generously donating pizzas for the students to taste and experience. This delicious addition not only delighted the students but also provided a practical connection to the culinary discussions taking place.

As the session wrapped up, it was heartening to see the students energized and inspired. They left with a renewed sense of purpose, eager to explore the hospitality industry and all its offerings. The visit to Crescent Valley High School was not just about sharing knowledge but also about igniting passion and opening doors to new possibilities.

In conclusion, the day in Corvallis left a feeling of hope and inspiration for the future of Oregon's hospitality industry. With dedicated educators like Chef Emily Sass, inspiring figures like Paul Paz, and enthusiastic students ready to take on the hospitality world, the future is bright. The opportunity to contribute to their journey was a rewarding experience, and there is great anticipation for where their passions will lead them in the years to come. | Courtney Smith

​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

Over the last year, a task force of ORLA members has been collaborating with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to develop a curriculum guideline and resource designed to prepare Oregon students statewide for careers in our industry. As the focus on Career & Technical Education (CTE) in our schools has expanded, the large numbers of high-wage, high-demand jobs that the Hospitality & Tourism industry generates has drawn attention from education leaders responsible for developing Oregon's future workforce. 

Many of this Blog's readers are familiar with ProStart, the culinary arts program, which is an example of a CTE program of study. In this new project, we have widened the lens to include career pathways in lodging, foodservice, travel/tourism, and event management to more fully represent the broad range of opportunity that our industry provides. The hope is to expand the future pipeline of Hospitality & Tourism managerial candidates as the industry will need to maximize its growth potential.

The next phase involves rolling out these new guidelines and resources to Oregon's K-12 school districts and the State's College and University system. This will begin with the Oregon Association of Career & Technical Educators (OACTE) conference this April in Portland. The Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) is working closely with ODE and OACTE to make sure that ORLA member involvement in the design process is driving effective classroom instruction and the adoption of these additional career pathway courses by school districts statewide.

Let us know if you want to see more hospitality and tourism industry classes in your local schools. Please contact the Oregon Hospitality Foundation if you want to participate, get involved, and stay informed. | Eric Aebi MBA, CHBA, Chemeketa Community College Hospitality & Tourism Management Dept.

When I decided to go to the ORLA Hospitality Conference just over a month ago, I knew that I wanted to work in this industry. My journey through hospitality began with my love of cooking. This love eventually turned into a degree in food management, a subsequent job in catering, and my decision to attend the conference. I went to this event with no expectations other than the goal of kickstarting my career. While I did achieve what I set out to do, I did not expect to get such a warm welcome from the industry, and an opportunity to become the new Workforce Development Coordinator for the organization that made it all possible. 
 
For a bit of background, I graduated from Oregon State University with a major in Food Systems Management this past June. In addition to being a student, I was a full-time catering manager for OSU’s Global Community Kitchen program in my final year of undergrad. I often call myself a catering manager because it was the easiest way to describe my work, however, what made my program unique is the integral role that the university students played in the catering process. We worked almost exclusively with student-planned events and included them in nearly every step of the food service process. This meant that in addition to running a full-service catering kitchen, I was often teaching students from scratch how to do things such as planning for a 1500-person dinner service. I learned many valuable lessons about building an effective team in my previous role that will help as I step into this new one.
 
Outside of my professional life, I am an avid distance runner, salsa dancer, and home chef. One of my favorite things to do is learn how to cook dishes from different cultures in addition to my own. I am half Cambodian, so I enjoy making food from that culture.
 
As I begin my career in workforce development for ORLA, I am looking forward to helping those who are trying to break into the hospitality space, just like I was only a couple of months ago. I also look forward to making an impact on both the industry and those who don't yet know just how great it is to work in it. | Ella Sturdevant

Five years ago, I started developing a Hospitality & Tourism Management pathway at Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA). ORCA serves students across Oregon through a virtual public charter school model. I was seeking a competitive advantage in an underserved Career & Technical Education (CTE) category. I quickly understood two issues: the industry was demanding work-ready employees, and we had limited training programs in the Secondary Hospitality, Tourism, & Recreation (HTR) sector.  

These gaps are fed by a need for more understanding of industry demand on the academic side and a lack of instructors endorsed in the HTR category. In theory, programs are created around industry demand, but the reality is that programs are often built around teacher endorsement, school resources, and connections. Requirements on CTE educators and the expectations beyond teaching create a silo that limits workforce development in HTR. The limits are self-imposed, but with the breaking down of barriers, we are finding momentum in awareness and opportunity for a prepared workforce. 

For the past five years, I've positioned myself to intricately understand the HTR workforce demand and the challenges faced in academics. I was privileged to be given a scholarship by the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) to be a part of the '22 Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy cohort. This provided a front seat to the work and challenges of this industry and a chance to dive deep into the industry knowledge I needed to spark change. I firmly believe that workforce development has missed an essential category: student career awareness. This is not an overnight fix. However, with the strategic integration of attention in our secondary programs, I am confident that students will understand the diversity of the HTR industry sector and the value of pursuing a career in this industry.  

We have partners in the secondary and post-secondary space that are innovating and strategically removing barriers to increase opportunity and awareness for students. Frequently, these educational paths are Career & Technical Education pathways that drive interest in entering this industry. A high school has to map to a post-secondary partner. ORCA serves as a model of possibility for workforce development. The first Hospitality & Tourism Management virtual program that articulates directly to Chemeketa Community College (also a virtual program) has been a partnership of promise. Eric Aebi, with Chemeketa’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program, has been instrumental in removing critical barriers to educators, including removing the MBA requirement to provide College Credit Now to students (a CTE requirement). We need more of these innovative partnerships to drive workforce development. I share this example because it's essential to understand that breaking down barriers and supporting innovation is not always common in academics but vital to progress. We need you as our industry partners to run alongside with our educational communities in supporting workforce awareness and development. 

Here are four ways that you can immediately support the strategy of understanding across Oregon:

1. Career Connected Projects (Oregon Employability Skills)
2. Industry Videos (Oregon Employability Skills)
3. Guest Speakers (Pathful Connect / Oregon Connections)
4. Pathway Development 

Career Connected Projects (OES): 
If you haven’t heard about the Oregon Employability Skills Framework yet, visit www.oregonemployabilityskills.org for the details on this statewide program created out of necessity to meet industry demand for vital employees who exhibit consistent employability skills. The program has built-in career-connected learning tied to industry awareness and a badging system highlighting the badge holder's knowledge. This program is an open resource for education and industry partners. It provides relevant, real-life, valuable instruction to prepare our future students (and employees) for post-secondary education and career development. As part of the OES framework, there is an opportunity to secure space in career-connected learning projects that will support OES and awareness of your industry in the classroom.  

Industry Videos (OES): 
Oregon Employability Skills is in a Version 2 refinement. As part of this revision, companies are invited to be included in career journeys, career highlights, and skill development videos that showcase their industries. There are limited video opportunities, and this is a strategic way to help get your company in front of students across Oregon. It highlights how your company/industry supports the 10 OES skills and why they are essential for success.

Classroom Engagement / Guest Speakers:
In case you didn’t know, Oregon has a program for educators that simplifies the ability for professionals to get into the classroom, virtually. As educators are not always aware of how to connect with industry professionals, this program helps industry professionals engage with the school. Pathful Connect / Oregon Connections has a platform that has united education and industry professionals through a vetted network. This is a free service for industry professionals. You are invited to set up a profile to engage with students and classrooms across the state and beyond. You can participate via guest presentations, event days, or other career-connected programs on the platform. There is no easier way to share your industry experience and information.  

Pathway Development:
Oregon has two paths for CTE education in this career cluster. Students in these pathways typically work towards one of two certifications that Oregon Department of Ed recognizes for the Industry Recognized Credential component of a High Quality CTE program.  Those certifications include:  NRAEF’s ProStart Certification or AHLEI’s CHTMP. The most effective way to drive students into the HTR industry: culinary studies and Hospitality, Tourism & Recreation. We have limited programs across the state, and with teacher attrition and licensure in these categories, it is essential that you get your voice heard in your local school districts. Industry demand often drives CTE program development, and sharing your workforce needs may encourage pathway development in your local area. However, the reality is that CTE teachers are limited, especially in smaller districts or remote areas of Oregon, which are the regions that demand HTR jobs. Oregon Charter Academy has developed a solution. District programs bring the HTR educator and instruction directly to any classroom across Oregon. For districts needing help finding a teacher or more resources to develop a pathway, we have a plug-and-play solution mapped directly to Chemeketa's HTM certificates and degree programs, providing students with a direct path into your company. | Summer Highfill, Oregon Charter Academy

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Oregon Employability Skills / WESD

• Cherie Clark, Manager: Career and College, ODE Special Projects

Chemeketa Community College

• Eric Aebi, Program Chair

Pathful Connect / Oregon Connections

• Penny Jahraus, South Metro STEM Partnership, Director Career Connected Learning 

Oregon Charter Academy

• District Programs Contact: John Meyer, ORCA High School Success Administrator
• CTE Business Lead Teacher: Summer Highfill, CTE Master Teacher

Summer Y. Highfill, MBA, is a Master Teacher in CTE Business Pathways at Oregon Charter Academy. She is also a 2022 graduate of the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy.

Industry participation is a crucial steppingstone for students, providing them with opportunities to explore their interests, network with professionals, and discover potential career paths. In this blog post, we will delve into the remarkable achievements of these events, including the PWA Career Fair, Worksystems Youth Job Fair, and CTE Expo. We also highlight a dedicated workforce effort that successfully connected students with hospitality professionals participating in classroom speaking engagements.

PWA Career Fair: Empowering Over 6,000 Students
The PWA (Portland Workforce Alliance) Career Fair is an annual event that draws participation from over 75 high schools in Oregon and Southwest Washington. With an impressive attendance of approximately 6,000 students, this fair serves as a catalyst for career exploration and networking opportunities. By connecting students with professionals from a diverse range of industries, the PWA Career Fair paves the way for potential internships and job opportunities.

Worksystems Youth Job Fair: Impacting Over 2,000 Youths
Designed exclusively for young individuals in the Portland metro area, the Worksystems Youth Job Fair is a vital platform for connecting them with employment opportunities. With over 2,000 youth in attendance, this fair provides invaluable exposure to summer jobs, internships, and part-time positions. By engaging local employers, the fair not only facilitates the integration of young talent into the workforce it also connects individuals with resources to be successful.

CTE Expo at Oregon Coast Community College: Inspiring 350 Students
The CTE (Career and Technical Education) Expo celebrates the achievements of students involved in vocational training programs. This dynamic event offers a platform for 350 students to showcase their skills and projects. Through interactive exhibits and presentations, the CTE Expo highlights the multitude of career paths available through CTE programs, encouraging students to pursue their passions in technical and practical fields.

Reaching the Coast: Connecting Students with Hospitality Professions
Recognizing the potential of the Oregon Coast as a hub for hospitality professions, a focused workforce effort was undertaken to connect students with career opportunities. Through class speaking engagements, career fairs, and targeted events, this initiative successfully reached approximately 1,000 students. By providing insights into the range of hospitality professions available in coastal communities, students were encouraged to explore and consider these exciting career paths.

Oregon's career fairs and classroom speaking engagements have made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of students, opening doors to new possibilities and career exploration. The dedicated workforce effort by the Oregon Hospitality Foundation and workforce partners over the past year has resulted in Oregon’s hospitality industry reaching approximately 10,000 students, fostering connections between students and our sector. These achievements highlight the importance of industry engagement in empowering students and bridging the gap between education and industry workforce needs. By continuing to invest in these initiatives, we can shape a brighter future for the next generation, providing them with the tools they need to thrive in their chosen careers.

Posted by: Lupe Arellano, Workforce Development / Business Liaison, Oregon Hospitality Foundation

​This spring, the Oregon Hospitality Foundation participated in nine career fairs across Oregon. These events included the CTE Expo hosted at Oregon Coast Community College, Portland Workforce Alliance annual career fair, and various other career fairs at high schools on the coast, Portland metro, and the Willamette Valley. Our members, including McMenamins, Holiday Inn of Wilsonville, Adobe Resort, Pelican, Timberline Lodge, and the Hyatt Regency participated in these events and had the opportunity to connect with students as prospective employees for their businesses.

In addition to these career fairs, we organized two speaking engagements where our members shared their career journeys and experiences in the hospitality industry. Desaray Burnett from Edgewater Inn spoke to students from Winter Lake High School in Coquille, sharing how she started as a housekeeper and worked her way up to becoming a general manager. David Dreher with Northwest x Southern Hospitality representing Marriott Courtyard in Corvallis also shared his story with students, discussing the importance of customer service and how it has helped him throughout his career.

David also organized a field trip experience for four students from College Hill High School to give them a firsthand look at the hospitality industry. The students toured the hotel, spoke with staff members, and learned about the different roles within the industry.

It has been my privilege to coordinate these efforts and work with our members to create a pipeline of talented individuals interested in the hospitality industry. By showing up at these career fairs and speaking engagements and sharing their stories, our members are inspiring the next generation of hospitality professionals. It is heartening to see our members' commitment to creating a robust talent pipeline for the industry.

I’m excited to say, our workforce development efforts this spring have been successful in bringing the hospitality industry closer to high school students. With the right support and guidance, students interested in the hospitality industry can look forward to a bright future. As the Workforce Development and Business Liaison for ORLA, I am proud of our members' participation in these efforts and look forward to seeing the impact that they will have on the industry in the years to come.

Our work cannot be accomplished without our committed partners. I want to take a moment to thank Travel Oregon for serving on our Oregon Hospitality Foundation Board of Directors and financially investing in the importance of workforce development outcomes. If our bridge-building efforts intrigue you, please reach out to me. All industry members are welcome to join us in taking more intentional steps into our high school and community college classrooms. Take a step off the sidelines and join us on the field in making a meaningful difference for Oregon’s restaurant and lodging industries. You can reach me at [email protected].

Posted by: Lupe Arellano, Workforce Development / Business Liaison, Oregon Hospitality Foundation

Oregon’s second largest private sector industry has thousands of jobs available for interested applicants and we anticipate similar workforce trends to be commonplace for our industry and many others for years to come.

The Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) is laser focused on workforce development initiatives to do what we can to build bridges between hospitality industry employers and workers seeking employment opportunities. Currently the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association has two full time employees devoted to this work. This new workforce blog will be a joint effort to keep lines of communication open with all industry operators interested in connecting with future employees for their operations.

I want take a moment to thank Courtney Smith and Lupe Arellano on our professional staff for their work to highlight our ProStart Culinary and Management curriculum in high schools, job and career fairs organized by partner organizations, speaking opportunities for ORLA members in high schools, and amplifying leadership vacancies as they occur amongst Oregon’s 9 regional workforce development boards.

This is our moment as an industry to rise to the occasion and provide more leadership to showcase the vast opportunities available right now in Oregon’s hospitality industry. We hope our new workforce blog connects you with meaningful intelligence and insights that help you navigate our number one challenge in business – demand outpacing labor supply. For additional updates on the Oregon Hospitality Foundation and Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, follow the ORLA Update Blog​.

Cheers to you and your success in Oregon’s hospitality industry.

Sincerely,
 
Jason Brandt
President & CEO, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association

​Oregon Hospitality Foundation Workforce Blog

The Oregon Hospitality Foundation’s new workforce liaison role is focused on building relational capital between educators, workforce programs/boards, and ORLA members. We are hopeful these relationship building efforts will assist us in reducing the current workforce demands facing hospitality employers. 

So far, the newly launched position has assisted ORLA and the Hospitality Foundation in building relationships with the following stakeholders:

• 37 High Schools (13 on the Coast which is a primary area of focus in year one of the position)
• 5 School Districts (Willamette Education Service District, Portland Public Schools, Washington, Multnomah, and Clatsop)
• 4 CTE Regional Coordinators
• 9 Community Colleges (Central Oregon, Clatsop, Klamath, Blue Mountain, Southwest Oregon, Oregon Coast, Linn Benton, and Portland)
• 2 Universities (Oregon, OSU Cascades)
• 5 WorkSource Business Representatives
• 5 Workforce Boards (Northwest Oregon Works, Lane Workforce Partnership, WorkSystems, Clackamas Workforce Partnership, and Willamette Workforce Partnership)
• 5 Regional Destination Marketing Organizations (Oregon Coast Visitors Association, Travel Portland, Travel Southern Oregon, Willamette Valley Visitors Association, and Visit Central Oregon)
• 10 Workforce development programs 

Career Fairs
We had four members (The Nines, Kimpton, McMenamins, Elephants Delicatessen) participate at the Portland Youth Opportunity Fair hosted by WorkSystems. The job fair is targeted for 16 to 24 years old’s but open to all. We provided free food handler card training vouchers to youth participating in the event. In addition, we have a new partnership with the Portland Workforce Alliance, which held their 19th annual career fair recently. With over 5,000 students and 75 schools present, the event was a good connector for hospitality employers looking for prospect employees.

Speaking Engagements
In late 2022, we connected our members to four speaking engagements, three of them in high schools and one to the University of Oregon. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort went to speak at Winter Lake High School and North Bend High School. Zach Poole with Pig ‘N Pancake went to Seaside High School. Colby Phillips with Beergarden spoke with a business management class at the University of Oregon. In January there were three more speaking engagements for our members to participate in, two on the coast and one in Benton County.

Workforce Development Boards
The hospitality industry is currently a represented sector with two workforce regions (NW Oregon Works and Lane Workforce Partnership). In addition, we are working on partnerships with three other regions and their respective workforce boards (WorkSystems, Clackamas Workforce Partnership, Willamette Workforce Partnership). More to come as we work to make sure an industry voice exists at board tables for all 9 regional workforce boards.

Learn more about OHF's workforce efforts and resources available to industry members at OregonRLA.org/workforce.

Posted by: Lupe Arellano, Workforce Development / Business Liaison, Oregon Hospitality Foundation