Oregon Coast Visitors Association

We're always exploring ways to inspire visitors to support our local economy by eating local food, and our partners are integral to spreading this message. In their latest podcast, Dirty Freehub shares about local seafood to their audience of gravel cyclists, who come here to explore sights and nature off the beaten trail. In the episode, Kevin and Linda English, creators of the Oregon Coast Gravel Guide, chat with Tony Bixler, President of Local Ocean Seafoods, beloved restaurant & fish market in Newport, Oregon. Tony shares the inspiring story of how Local Ocean was founded in 2005 with a focus on sustainable, local seafood from the Oregon coast.   "Not only does buying local seafood reduce environmental impact, but it also supports ethical fishing practices and strengthens the local economy! When cyclists visit an area, they can help support the local economy by buying local products." — Dirty Freehub Listen to the podcast here: https://lnkd.in/g2486_ii

🌊 Locals know the Oregon Coast is as beautiful as it is unpredictable. Last week’s tsunami warning and this weekend’s King Tides are great reminders to respect the ocean’s power, and always be prepared for the unexpected. This week, we launched a winter beach safety ad campaign to equip visitors and locals with tips to enjoy the coast safely. From checking tide schedules to navigating terrain cautiously, we’re helping everyone “Coast Like a Local” year-round.  Key Tips to Share: ✅ Know before you go. Check tide schedules! ✅ Review tsunami evacuation routes in your area.  ✅ Avoid standing near cliffs and don’t climb on driftwood. ✅ Never turn your back on the ocean. ✅ Respect the waves, stay safe, and enjoy the coast like a local. Thanks to our contributing parters for the winter campaign— Oregon Parks And Recreation Department, Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition and  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)—for helping us share this important message, so we all can enjoy our beaches safely. Let’s spread the message! Share our social posts or use our tips to help visitors navigate the coast responsibly.

Riding into the Holidays on the Oregon Coast! The WILD RIVERS COAST MOUNTAIN BICYCLING ASSOCIATION hosted their annual holiday ride at Pine Grove Trail, bringing out a group stoked riders for a wet, technical, and exciting day on the trails. Thanks to community partnerships and shuttle support, this 6.5-mile downhill singletrack adventure brought together new and old friends for an epic kickoff to the holidays. We’re proud to support events like this, which fuel local economies, strengthen community connections, and promote sustainable tourism. 🛠️ Trails like Pine Grove are an investment in outdoor recreation that benefits both locals and visitors. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gnYuefGu

The Oregon Coast Visitors Association team had a blast in Bend for the 2024 Outdoor Recreation Summit! A huge thanks to Oregon Trails Coalition for putting on this event full of timely keynotes and workshops, and lots of great opportunities to network with other folks invested in stewarding the sustainable and accessible future of our outdoor spaces. Shoutout to Finn Johnson and the DIRTY FREEHUB team for their presentation on all things gravel cycling— just one method of expanding the availability of diverse outdoor recreation opportunities here on the coast! 

The Oregon Coast hospitality industry is set to benefit from a $446,786 Critical Sectors Job Quality Grant from the Department of Labor. Over the next 18 months, this funding will support efforts to strengthen the hospitality workforce, improve job quality, and build a more resilient industry projected to create nearly 40,000 jobs by 2031. Lane Workforce Partnership (LWP), along with partners SOWIB -Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB), Northwest Oregon Works (NOW), Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA), Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF), Collaborative EDO, and the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA), is proud to lead this initiative. Special thanks to our interview speakers Jesse Quinn, Director of Community Engagement, Lane Workforce Partnership Samara Phelps, CEO of Travel Lane County Rebecca Donley, ORLA Strategist for the Oregon Hospitality Foundation Tony Bixler, President of Local Ocean Seafoods Dave Price, Vice President of Oregon Coast Community College Jeremy Strober, Manager of HEARTFELT HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT LLC Through collaboration with local businesses, industry leaders, and community members, we’re working toward a future where the hospitality sector thrives at all levels—from entry-level positions to seasoned professional pathways. Stay tuned for more updates as this work progresses! 🌟 https://lnkd.in/gd622ehC Thank you to the team at Richardson Media/Jennifer Richardson and Elevation 0m for capturing the project and sharing our impact! #HospitalityUpdate #OregonCoast #EconomicDevelopment #WorkforceInitiatives #LWP

Curious about the deep connections between culture, history, and the sea? This is for you: Take Me to the Water: Histories of the Black Pacific, a new exhibit at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of the Black mariners, whalers, and coastal workers who helped shape the Pacific region’s rich maritime history. We're proud to be a sponsor of this powerful exhibition, which runs through January 12, 2025—don’t miss this opportunity to explore a fascinating and essential chapter of the Pacific’s story! https://lnkd.in/gEsHnAjb

New merch drops November 29! Made in collaboration with Oregon Black Pioneers , this unique project honors the legacy of Black-owned businesses that shaped the Oregon Coast between the 1880s and 1960s. Stay tuned for the launch and visit OBP's Merch! Store to support this initiative! https://lnkd.in/gTdzMVDH

Yesterday we wrapped up our own #Travelabilty call with over 30 coastal partners who are dedicated to accessibility on the Oregon Coast. This work never stops, and we are always learning! Interested in joining the conversation? Get in touch with us so you can join the next meeting and help us make the coast accessible for all. 🌊

Last Friday evening, we hosted a Central Coast Food Trail Social to re-energize conversation and connections around our coastal food network by bringing together farmers, fishermen, restaurants, stores, and supporters of this important work! In the Pacific Heritage Museum Theater overlooking Newport’s working bayfront, guests heard from industry leaders who are hard at work connecting local food resources. They also enjoyed an incredible meal full of locally-sources ingredients (thank you Local Ocean) as well as drinks (Wildcraft Cider and Stillwagon Distillery), desert (Pacific Sourdough), edible flowers and microgreens (Lil Swiss Farm), flower arrangements (Forks Farm) and local art (Tom Ettel and Jeremy Burke). A huge thanks to all who showed up and continue to do the important work of bringing high-quality, locally sourced food to our plates here on the coast. Learn more about the event and food trails here! https://lnkd.in/gHzCN8MJ

New merch alert! The Oregon Coast Visitors Association is thrilled to partner with Oregon Black Pioneers on a unique project honoring the legacy of Black-owned businesses that shaped the Oregon Coast between the 1880s and 1960s. On November 29 (Black Friday), Oregon Black Pioneers will launch a special collection of merch inspired by four real Black-owned businesses from this era. Hats, stickers, and mugs featuring imaginative logos pay tribute to these trailblazing entrepreneurs and their contributions to our coastal history. Join us in celebrating this meaningful collaboration and preserving these stories of resilience and innovation. Stay tuned for the launch and visit OBP's Merch! Store to support this initiative! https://lnkd.in/gTdzMVDH #ThePeoplesCoast #OregonBlackPioneers #HistoricLegacy #Partnerships #OregonCoastHistory #BlackFridayLaunch