Travel Oregon is pleased to announce that eight projects have been awarded a total of $184,200 in grant funding through the Oregon Wine Country Plates Matching Grants Program.
Funded through revenue generated by the sale of the Wine Country license plates, the matching grants program helps advance wine and culinary tourism projects that improve local economies and communities by enhancing, expanding and promoting Oregon’s travel and tourism industry.
These projects will enhance the story and experiences with Oregon’s wine and culinary bounty for Oregonians and visitors. Awarded projects will be completed by May 2019.
The grant awardees and their projects are:
Beaverton Downtown Association for marketing the Pacific NW Mac & Cheese Festival, the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The festival aims to increase visibility of downtown Beaverton and its locally-owned restaurants, showcasing downtown as a place for unique culinary experiences.
Visit Tillamook Coast to host six culinary and travel writers to tour Tillamook County’s farms, fisheries, restaurants, breweries, wineries and shellfish and salt harvesters as a way to discover the culinary riches of the region. Additionally, six Portland and regional chefs will be paired with local chefs for coast-to-table dinners and introduced to local farmers, fishers and growers.
Willamette Valley Wineries Association to conduct a Visitor Profile Study for the Willamette Valley Wineries Association and its key stakeholders. Upon completion, the Visitor Profile Study will be used to develop a strategic wine tourism marketing campaign for Willamette Valley Wine Country.
Oregon Coast Visitors Association to develop a passport to the Wild Rivers Coast’s Local Food Trail that will expand the scope and geographic range to represent more culinary businesses that grow, produce, harvest and serve local foods on the Southern Oregon Coast.
Central Oregon Visitors Association to host the “Taste of Oregon” Opening Reception during the International Association of Golf Tour Operators North American Convention (IAGTO NAC) at Sunriver Resort, June 24-27, 2018.
Oregon Wine Board to develop a four-season profile of winery visitors across Oregon’s wine landscape, with emphasis on wineries and tasting rooms located outside of the Willamette Valley. The Oregon Wine Board will use the information to assist local businesses, RDMOs, DMOs and their partners with developing marketing strategies.
Eastern Oregon Visitors Association to develop Oregon’s Rugged Country Wine & Farm Loop Project to engage visitors in exploration of the agriculture-related attractions and businesses along two recently created farm loops in Morrow and Umatilla Counties, emphasizing local wine and food producers.
Dallas Area Visitors Association for marketing Uncork Polk County and Tap Into Polk County; two week-long celebrations of farm-to-table harvest in the community. These events will highlight a full week of activities featuring local food and drink, hosted by businesses and organizations across the region.
The next funding cycle for the Oregon Wine Country Plates Matching Grants program will open in January 2019.
To learn more about Travel Oregon’s grant programs, please visit Industry.TravelOregon.com/Grants.
This post was originally published on industry.traveloregon.com.
