Rotary Club of Newberg Zoom Meeting

Wednesday, July 01, 2020

~ Call to Order ~

President Shannon Buckmaster welcomed Rotarians and Friends of Rotary to the Zoom meeting at 12:06 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

~ Rotarians and Friends of Rotary ~

Zoom meeting participants: Mike, Paula, Laura, Shannon B., Lynn, Dan, Julie, Walter, Joe, Gene, Paul, Michelle, Tony, Lisa, Auggie, Judy, Kathie, Ann, Sean, Corey, Shannon K., Curt, Ralph, Todd, and Judy.

~ Guests ~

Leslie Caldwell, Executive Director, Taste Newberg

Larry Strober, Rotary Club of McMinnville Sunrise

~ Flag Salute ~

Shannon lead participants in the flag salute.

~ Welcome Incoming Officers and Directors! ~

Shannon officially welcomed 2020-2021 Directors and Officers:

Corey Zielsdorf, Immediate Past President

Tony Lelack, President-Elect

Joe Morelock, Vice-President

Shannon Knight, Secretary

Michelle Colvin, Treasurer

Paul Jellum and Kathie Byers, Community Service Co-Directors

Laura Tilrico, International Director

Lisa Salmons, Public Relations Director

Jim McMaster, Vocational Services Director

Brandy Penner, Youth Services Director

Mike Caruso and Dan Keuler, The Rotary Foundation Co-Directors

Kim Abraham, Membership Director

~ Rotary Moments ~

Laura: Our club is working on two Global Grants: (1) Prevention of Violence Against Women—Nepal and, (2) EMS Emergency Dispatch Center and Response—Nepal.

Joe: recognized yesterday as a Rotary moment for everyone participating in the Installation Celebration. Joe thanked Corey for his success as 2019-2020 Rotary Club President and welcomed incoming Rotary President, Shannon.

Judy: “We have unbelievable members serving on our Scholarship Committee!” Judy was inspired by: Lynn’s excellent coordination of the scholarship program; the quality of applicants; the maturity of students responding to interview questions and the number of Interact students competing for scholarships. Scholarship recipients will be announced within a few days.

~ Congratulations! ~

Congratulations to Walter and Julie Want who celebrate 54 years of marriage July 2nd. Julie was recognized for 30 years as a Rotarian during this year’s Installation Celebration. Walter will celebrate 20 years as a Rotarian January 2021. In recognition of their anniversary, Walter and Julie will make a contribution to Rotary.

~ Program – Taste Newberg/Leslie Caldwell/Executive Director ~

~ Leslie’s Background ~

Leslie started out in tourism management in California then moved on to world-wide tourism for Hyatt Hotels and boutique style hotels. She’s worked in Chicago, Orlando, Colorado Springs and promoted resort properties in Seaside and Bend. Her last position in Portland was marketing the Benson Hotel. After living in Yamhill County and commuting to downtown Portland for seven years, Leslie decided to focus on tourism in Yamhill County.

~ Transient Lodging Tax ~

When guests stay in lodging, guests are assessed 9% for the Transient Lodging Tax. The tax is used as follows:

  • Advertising, publicizing or distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists.

  • Conducting strategic planning and research necessary to stimulate future development.

  • Operating tourism promotion agencies, and

  • Marketing special events and festivals designed to attract tourists.

Revenue from the tax is distributed to: General Services, Tourism Promotion, Events, and the Chambers of Commerce

Tourism is one of three largest industries in Newberg. Tourism includes hotels, tasting rooms, etc. During a “normal” year $120 million in direct travel is spent in Yamhill County.

~ What is Taste Newberg? ~

Taste Newberg is a nonprofit destination marketing organization chartered by the Newberg City Council in 2018 and formerly called Visit Newberg.

Taste Newberg partnered with Travel Oregon sharing a database of area attractions, businesses and events. People who wish can learn about Newberg from their phone, tablet or laptop. They can explore what they want, select favorites and share them with friends.

The name of the organization morphed from Visit Newberg to Taste Newberg. Leslie and her Board challenged the brand team with the task of elevating their naming protocols–based on the visitor experience most often occurring in Newberg, and what visitor attractions bring people to the area.

In addition to the Travel Oregon database, the website features blog articles, an event planning guide and highlights what makes Newberg unique, such as the Old Fashioned Festival and numerous events at the area’s wineries, Champoeg State Heritage Area and George Fox University.

Taste Newberg measures success by examining: (1) transient lodging traffic, (2) website traffic, (3) digital marketing analytics and media, public relations, and, (4) articles sent to travel writers about our area.

 ~ Operating During COVID ~

The organization wasn’t thwarted in launching the website amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

  • They spent their first year building out infrastructure—launched the website on March 24, 2020.
  • With guidance from Governor’s office, they are careful not to push “in person” visitor stays.
  • Taste Newberg supports the local business community by emphasizing and promoting how visitors can be safe and which business are open.

Taste Newberg is focused on a responsible reopening program. There is a valley-wide safety commitment to adhere to guidelines of unity, responsibility and safety. Taste Newberg promotes country drives, take-out food, and how to handle responsible distancing at the Newberg Wednesday Market.

~ Thanks, Leslie! ~

~ New Club President Shannon’s first meeting adjourned! ~

~  Respectfully submitted, Rick Kaufman Newsletter Editor ~