Letter from our CEO, Dave Parulo
Dear Partners:
Your ETV team has a “lot of balls in the air.” Firstly, I’d be off base if I didn’t start by congratulating the Hillsboro Hops and The City of Hillsboro on the groundbreaking for the new Hillsboro Hops Ballpark. Explore Tualatin Valley is a proud promoter and investor in this destination development project.
Our player lineup is growing! I am excited to welcome Claire Fisher to our team as our new Chief Marketing Officer. Claire brings extensive experience in agency marketing and is stepping into a key leadership role to help us grow the impact of our new brand and our marketing efforts.
In other news, our ETV home team recently hosted a Meeting Professionals International summer social at the Cedartree Hotel and took in a Hillsboro Hops game. Daniel Gering, digital marketing manager hit a home run by earning his Professional in Destination Management Certificate. And more congratulations are in order to our partner and destination recognitions.
As always, Keep Exploring,
Dave Parulo
President & CEO
PARTNER OPPORTUNITY
Strategic Investment Opportunities Available
Apply for ETV Strategic Investment Grants Before They Close on August 31, 2024
- Foundation Award – This competitive award may fund up to $20,000 per tourism-related project. Explore Tualatin Valley (ETV) will be investing a total of $100,000 for FY 2024-25, which may include small capital projects, marketing collateral and promotional materials.
- Inspiration Award – This is a competitive award of paid sponsorships or support up to $5,000 (up to $25,000 total per application cycle).
Eligible organizations must be based in Washington County, Oregon, and includes non-profit 501(c) organizations, confederated tribes and government agencies.
These are not an open-cycle application periods. Apply today!
Questions? Email engage@wcva.org.
STAFF UPDATES
Explore Tualatin Valley Announces Claire Fisher as Chief Marketing Officer
Explore Tualatin Valley (ETV) welcomes Claire Fisher as its chief marketing officer. Prior to joining ETV, the Beaverton native was a senior account director for Sparkloft Media where she spent a large portion of her career working with DMOs, as well as travel and tourism clients, helping them through campaign development and launches and providing ongoing support for their social and creative needs.
“After working on the agency side for nearly 20 years, I’m excited for this change,” Fisher shared about her decision to transition to ETV. “Having partnered with Explore Tualatin Valley while at Sparkloft and supporting the team through their recent rebrand and campaign launch, it feels natural to join the ETV team and expand my understanding of the gorgeous region.”
Proficient in producing and executing marketing plans and strategies, as well as her extensive experience with various channels, verticals, and cross-functional teams, Fisher’s versatility and strategic mindset are a valuable asset to any project.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Claire Fisher to Explore Tualatin Valley. Her expertise in destination marketing, combined with her local roots in the region will make her an invaluable member of the team,” said Dave Parulo, CEO and president of Explore Tualatin Valley.
ETV Hosts Event Planners at “Hop to It & Saké It to Me” Evening
On Tuesday 7/23 we hosted 40 members of Oregon’s chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) for an event designed to showcase the diversity of opportunities that Tualatin Valley offers groups.
Wendy Popkin, Vice President of Sales, worked with partners from the Cedartree Hotel and the Hillsboro Hops to create a unique experience that began with a delicious Sake tasting and appetizer pairing at the Cedartree, and tours of the new facility. Attendees enjoyed the ease of transportation from the property to the Hops Ballpark via new partner, The Good Vibes Tour.
The Hops Garden, a tented facility at the field line, provided a fun backdrop for the rest of the evening. Attendees indulged in a dinner buffet, rooted on a fellow member who threw out the first pitch, and enthusiastically cheered for the crowd when MPI/ETV was featured on the scoreboard as “the Hops Group of the Night.” During the game, additional ETV partners had the opportunity to share their group amenities as part of a trivia quiz.
Wrote one planner, afterwards, “Goodness, what a wonderful event! It was well planned well executed and… I appreciate the opportunity.” Wendy is already working on two new group leads as a direct result of this familiarization event.
Daniel Gering Achieves Professional In Destination Management (PDM) Certification
Congratulations to Daniel Gering, digital marketing manager, who recently completed and earned his “Professional in Destination Management Certification.”
Destination International’s Professional in Destination Management (PDM) certificate program is a rigorous educational opportunity for those new to the destination organization industry, or those who are looking to deepen their understanding of the fundamentals of destination marketing, management and sales. The program also provides valuable critical skills and knowledge necessary to start or further their careers in the travel and tourism industry.
PLAY BALL: ETV NIGHT AT THE HOPS
Thank you to all of our tourism partners who attended Explore Tualatin Valley night at the Hillsboro Hops. It was a great game, with the Hops winning 7-3 over the Everett AquaSox. We received 110 RSVPs prior to the event, and we had a great turnout.
The first 600 fans who walked into the ballpark received our branded fan giveaway, a clear stadium bag; and it was a great hit! ETV’s chair of the Board of the Directors, Laurine Apolloni, threw out the ceremonial first pitch, as two young friends from the Tualatin Riverkeepers called “Play Ball!” to start the game.
We also want to give a heartfelt thanks to the team at the Hillsboro Hops for making our partner night out a success!
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Welcome to Tualatin Valley’s New Winery Concept: Winery Lane Collective
Born from the idea of ‘homecoming’–a return to the historic Ponzi Family Estate—Winery Lane Collective is a rebirth of sorts, a return to the roots of the family (and friends!). As the Willamette Valley becomes more exclusive and ‘by appointment’, the collective is leaning into an alternative, family (and dog!)-friendly space for all to enjoy exceptional wine, delicious food and to recreate simple and memorable moments.
Located in Beaverton, at the original Ponzi estate with vines that are more than 55 years old and was one of the first wineries in the Willamette Valley, it is now the home to Hamacher Wines, Sosta House and Suzor Wines.
Together, they are recreating the concept of an old-world winery cooperative to remind everyone of what Oregon wine country was all about at its inception: a relaxed environment honoring the beauty of this place, centered around great wine and community, where neighbors and tourists alike are welcome.
Welcome Karta Wines: New Tualatin Valley Tasting Room
ETV welcomes Karta Wines to our growing list of Tualatin Valley tasting rooms. Visit their new tasting room in Old Town Sherwood, where you will experience Karta Wines at a casual seated tasting. Their five wine flight is highlighted by a special tasting of their first produced wine, the 2018 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir.