A Note From Travel Portland

Like you, Travel Portland is acutely aware of the media attention on our city amid the current demonstrations and law enforcement response. We have posted contextual information about the demonstrations on travelportland.com to keep users of our website informed. Travel Portland has silenced our social media channels during this time of high negative sentiment, when our attempts to share positive information about the city would not be productive. We’re monitoring the situation and strategizing how we can best support the tourism industry, foster local spending and encourage future visits to Portland.

Read on for the latest industry news and COVID-19-related resources, and find more in the roundup of resources on our website.

Takeout & A Movie Fundraiser – July 26

The Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) is hosting its second Takeout & A Movie fundraiser, a chance for you to experience adventure films from all over the world via an interactive YouTube livestream featuring a chat window and live Q&A. This month’s film is the Adventure Shorts program from Oregon’s Filmed by Bike film festival and the event is a benefit for the Cycle Oregon Fund and Oregon Tourism.

​Enjoy takeout from your favorite local restaurant while watching an engaging film together, virtually, with friends and family. A live Q&A is included in the ticket price and is also available as a recorded link. If you are unable to attend the designated virtual watch time, no worries, the film will be available to you for several days.

ORLA and Travel Oregon Webinar: Inclusion and Equity Initiatives for Long-Term Sustainable Growth – July 22

Social justice is not achieved alone. Taking on systemic challenges require collaboration and partnership. During this webinar, hosted by Travel Oregon and Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA), hear from those who have successfully made an impact through strategic partnerships. They will share their stories of how they have created beneficial change for themselves and their communities, and why these initiatives have become a business imperative for those looking for long-term sustainable growth. 

Participants can expect to learn:  

• Ways an individual can take action and make an impact
• The good and bad when it comes to tourism and community outcomes
• Why sustainable growth is dependent on DEI initiatives
• Importance of self-awareness, self-education, and understanding privilege

Bricks Need Mortar Webinar: Selling Online Successfully – July 23

Many retailers counted on in-person interactions and people walking by their stores as a main form of sales and marketing. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically upended that reality. Join Bricks Need Mortar on Thursday, July 23, at 9 a.m. for an information-rich panel discussion on how to get the most from your online store and innovative virtual sales strategies.

Watch the Recording From Travel Portland's Lunch & Learn: Recovery Planning

In case you missed the Lunch & Learn on July 15, the session was recorded so you can catch up on Travel Portland's plans for a recovery campaign, along with the gating events which must first occur.

Google Tip of the Week: Updating Regular Business Hours

To help support Portland businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Travel Portland has partnered with Locl to develop some quick tips for conveying accurate information to your customers via Google My Business (GMB). Owners of restaurants, attractions and other businesses should update their listings using the new tools now available, including the option to update your regular business hours as featured in this video. If you haven’t yet claimed your GMB listing, contact richard@travelportland.com and we can fast-track your verification with Google.

Small Business Program for Utility Relief (SPUR)

The Portland Water Bureau and the Bureau of Environmental Services have allocated $1 million dollars to provide financial support to Portland’s small businesses. The bureaus will provide one-time credits on qualifying businesses’ sewer/stormwater/water bills.

• Credits will range from $1,000–$10,000 per business.

• Between 200–300 businesses will receive credits depending on need and application volume.

• Applications will close on Wednesday, July 22.

Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) Application Support Grants

PCEF’s Application Support Grants are designed to help small organizations build their capacity and get a grant application ready to submit. Organizations can request up to $5,000 total of funding, which can be spent on eligible expenses such as training and workshop participation, grant writing, community engagement and organizational technology. The application window is open now, and submissions are due on July 31.

The Oregonian Offers Matching Marketing Grants

With the goal to help local businesses regain their footing and create economic opportunity as the state reopens, The Oregonian | OregonLive has pledged up to $2.5 million in matching marketing services grants to support the marketing and advertising needs of local businesses. Individual grants will range from $500 to $15,000 per month.