March 11, 2021
OREGON SOUTH COAST REGIONAL TOURISM NETWORK
ORLA CYBERSECURITY & RISK MANAGEMENT WEBINAR

The sudden shift to remote working in 2020 and the overall disruption caused by the global pandemic undoubtedly created a new playground for cybercriminals. As we look forward to 2021, fraudulent wire transfers, ransomware attacks, and many other types of cyber threats are anticipated to increase. Every size company in every industry category is at risk. 

Join ORLA for a comprehensive webinar to discuss not only trends but the emergence of tools and risk mitigation products that can help drastically reduce your exposure to cyber risk.  

March 16 at 10am
Key takeaways: 
• Understand the current cybersecurity threat landscape facing your business in 2021
• Receive an overview and update of current privacy laws and regulations
• Learn the top 5 security measures you can implement to improve your security posture
• Get an update on the cyber insurance marketplace and risk management products that are essential to the safeguarding of your business
TOURISM ENGAGEMENT SESSION WITH TRAVEL OREGON

As work begins on developing strategic plans that are responsive to Oregon’s ever-dynamic tourism economy, Travel Oregon and the state’s seven official regional destination management organizations (RDMOs), are hosting virtual engagement sessions to seek input from communities, local businesses, and individuals that drive the state’s tourism economy.
 
Anyone who is involved in the tourism industry, including business owners, staff, destination marketing organizations, public land managers, policymakers, and tribal representatives are strongly encouraged to attend their region's engagement session.
 
Participants will have the opportunity to review draft regional strategic plans as well as high-level statewide strategic priorities and share their insights and perspectives. The information collected from participants during these sessions will help inform strategies, tactics, and key programmatic and funding decisions in 2021-23 Strategic Plans.

The Oregon Coast Engagement Session is on March 30 from 3:30-5pm.
FREE BUSINESS COURSES

Are you a business owner or aspiring entrepreneur? Would you like free business training?

A new program being offered by CCD Business Development Corporation provides free access to select courses offered through Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) across the state. The program is targeted at low to moderate-income business owners or aspiring entrepreneurs and will pay for up to $2,500 in course costs per person.

This program, the Microenterprise Assistance Grant Program, is made possible by the City of Roseburg through a Community Development Block Grant.

The best thing about this program is it's EASY to sign up and did we mention FREE?

Please share this opportunity!
BUSINESS OREGON ANNOUNCES COMMERCIAL RENT RELIEF GRANTS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES BEHIND ON LEASE PAYMENTS

The Oregon Legislative Emergency Board on January 8, 2021, allocated $100 million to fund a new Commercial Rent Relief Program to provide financial assistance to small businesses and landlords adversely affected by economic conditions as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program targets landlords with tenant businesses with 100 or fewer employees who are behind on lease payments or any forgiven base rent amounts that have been negotiated due to COVID-19. The program will require both business tenant and property owner participation. The program includes additional protections for tenants, such as non-eviction clauses, and a waiver of penalties and interest.
TRAVEL OREGON PRESENTS
DRIVE ONLINE BUSINESS WEBINAR WITH LOCL, INC

March 11, 2021
12-1PM

Did you know that more than 90% of internet searches happen on Google? Most of us rely on Google to help make decisions about nearly everything – from planning to purchases. This behavior has only been exacerbated by the pandemic. Now more than ever, people are relying on the internet to help them stay safe, healthy and plan outings.

As Oregon emerges from the economic fallout of COVID-19, we need to drive visitors and customers to tourism businesses across the state. And how your tourism business appears online, specifically Google, matters.
Up-to-date listings in Google are:
  • 2.7 times more likely to be considered reputable.
  • 70% more likely to attract location visits.
  • 50% more likely to lead to a purchase.

Join Cecilia Suvagian of Travel Oregon, along with Joel Siedenburg and Alexa Darrow of Locl to learn how you can take advantage of Google My Business and Locl’s optimization suite (for free!) to drive business.
Session Outcomes:
  • Understand what Google My Business (GMB) is and why it is important.
  • Learn how and where to claim your free GMB profile.
  • Understand what Locl is and why it is important.
  • Learn how to use your GMB profile to access Locl for free.
  • Learn how to take advantage of Locl’s optimization suite to improve GMB listings, monitor business performance, and act on insights.
2021 OREGON GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON TOURISM

June 15-16, 2021

Travel Oregon is pleased to announce the dates for the 2021 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism.

We look forward to the travel and tourism industry gathering June 15-16, in a virtual setting, to celebrate past work, find new inspiration, deep-dive educational topics, and look ahead as we rebuild and recover the tourism economy after a tumultuous year.

Registration is now live for this virtual conference and is free of charge.
OREGON INNOVATION PLAN

An innovation-driven economy is a foundation for forming new companies, creating high-wage jobs, attracting talent and capital, and new businesses moving to the state.

Oregon has developed a stakeholder-driven statewide plan to set the direction for innovation policy as part of the overall economic development recovery strategy in Oregon. Oregon's ability to recover from the economic crisis caused by COVID-19 will depend in large part upon its capacity to foster the formation of new, innovation-based, entrepreneurial-led businesses and sustain their growth as they scale-up and generate new, high-paying jobs.

The Innovation Plan was developed by the Futures Commission, a public-private thought leadership group comprised of 31 members representing leaders from industry, academia, philanthropy, and the public sector, along with successful entrepreneurs. The commission reviewed Oregon’s existing innovation ecosystem and engaged with more than 125 diverse stakeholders across the state.

Oregon’s 10-year Innovation Vision
In 10 years, Oregon is globally known as a model for a diverse, inclusive, and resilient economy: a place where innovative people solve the greatest challenges of our times to create novel, sustainable products, processes, and companies that drive economic growth. To achieve this Vision, Oregon, serving as a steward for all its citizens, will support investments and policies through public-private-philanthropic partnerships that:
  • Create and promote a diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem that cultivates inventors, entrepreneurs, and leaders of innovation-driven enterprises.
  • Intentionally ensure that historically under-served groups are fully integrated into the innovation ecosystem and have an equal opportunity to lead and prosper.
  • Strengthen Oregon’s unique industrial and natural resources.
  • Create an unparalleled quality of life by supporting citizens and businesses striving for economic, societal, and environmental resilience.
Oregon South Coast Regional Tourism Network
Pressing Sand!
541-347-5653
PHOTO CREDITS: Cyber Security image via Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association; Travel Oregon logo via Travel Oregon; Lightbulb image by Riccardo Annandale; Old Town Bandon by Manuela Durson; Portland Shopping image via Travel Oregon; Downtown Portland image via Travel Oregon; Sunset and flowers at the sea by Sebastian Goldberg