Portland Timbers fans are among the most passionate in sports.
Photo courtesy of Sport Oregon
SPORT OREGON
ATTRACTS BIG EVENTS Nonprofit group generates sizable revenue for the Beaver State through sports
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By Jason Paha
regon’s reputation as a must-visit destination is well deserved as it is home to a diverse array of mountain ranges, dense forests and a myriad of immaculate lakes. With so much scenery across the state, Oregon has become a popular stop for tournaments, be they indoor or outdoor. In order to harness the burgeoning interest of tournament planners and the growing importance of sports tourism, Sport Oregon, a nonprofit group promoting athletics across the state, has expanded its staff in recent years. “We’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth in the last three years alone,” said Matt Reed, director of sports tourism for Sport Oregon. “We’ve got a new brand, a new office, a
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Sports Planning Guide
new CEO and we just hired an eight-person staff. We had two-and-a-half people on staff for two decades prior to the new hires.” With upwards of 150 members, including premier partners like Nike, Adidas, Travel Portland, Travel Oregon, the City of Portland and PNC Bank, Sport Oregon, which has been in existence for almost 30 years, is thriving like never before. “Our CEO, Jim Etzel, has done a tremendous job of garnering support in the community,” Reed said. “There are people that are always curious about what Sport Oregon is about, but less and less people are asking now that it is being ingrained in their minds.” @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG
