Welcome Center Training Conference a Big Success!
The Oregon Travel Information Council recently held its fourth annual Welcome Center Training Conference. Hosted by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Oregon Visitor Association, over 60 front-line visitor center staff from all over Oregon were treated to great hospitality, great networking, and great opportunity for learning.

The purpose of the annual Welcome Center Training Conference is to provide visitor center managers and front line staff with an opportunity to sharpen their customer service skills and expand their knowledge about visitor services. Each year, the conference is held in a different region of the state, giving conference delegates a chance to learn about a new area. In addition, the conference provides information from experts in tourism and travel. This year's panel of expert presenters included speakers from Travel Oregon, State Parks, Oregon Department of Transportation, Army Corp of Engineers, US Forest Service, BLM and the National Parks Service. Each presented information about the year ahead for their respective agencies and how visitors could be impacted. In addition, each of Oregon's seven Tourism Regions presented updates on new events and developments in the coming year.

Attendees were treated to some of the best food and wine in Southern Oregon, where taken on guided tours to wineries, the Grants Pass Bear Barns, Ashland’s Art Galleries, and a fantastic dinner at Harry and David’s. Evaluations revealed the 2007 Welcome Center Training Conference was a total success! TIC extends a big THANK YOU to SOVA, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, our conference sponsors, and attendees for making this Training Conference so successful.

TIC is already working to plan the 2008 conference, and many communities around the state have expressed an interest in hosting the event. If you would like more information about the 2007 or 2008 Welcome Center Training Conference, please contact Craig Tutor, TIC Development & Marketing Manager at craig@oregontic.com.