Visit Central Oregon, the regional destination management organization dedicated to managing tourism programs and driving economic development in Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook and South Wasco counties, announces the hiring of Scott Larson as the organization’s new president and CEO.
Larson, who previously spent five years as executive director of Wyoming‘s Albany County Tourism Board, dba Visit Laramie, will officially assume the role on July 15.
“We are confident that Scott’s experience leading destination management and stewardship organizations makes him the ideal candidate to be Visit Central Oregon’s next leader and take our carefully crafted programs and community engagement to the next level,” he said. Dana Whitelaw, president of the Visit Central Oregon Board of Directors and executive director of the High Desert Museum. “We are delighted to have Scott join VCO’s strong team and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities in the region.”
Prior to serving as CEO of Visit Laramie, Larson spent more than three years as Digital Communications Manager for Visit Steamboat Springs (Colorado) and more than three years as operations supervisor for Steamboat Springs Ski & Resort Corp. Originally from Nashville. , Tennessee, Larson has a bachelor’s degree in International Business from the University of Denver and is in the process of moving to Central Oregon with his wife, Annalize, and his dogs, Ollie and Zuri. In his free time, he enjoys ultrarunning, skiing, camping, and traveling.
“I have been in the travel marketing industry for over a decade, which has allowed me to see many different sides of what an organization like Visit Central Oregon does,” Larson said. “Very often I see organizations like Visit Central Oregon as community development organizations, created to serve the areas and communities we represent. Central Oregon is an extraordinarily beautiful place. “I couldn’t be more excited to lead the next chapter of this regional destination management organization and to use travel and tourism promotion as an economic engine to support thriving businesses, communities and quality of life for all.”
ABOUT VISITING CENTRAL OREGON:
Visit Central Oregon is a 501c6 that serves as a regional destination marketing organization. We promote overnight visits to the region to support a thriving tourism economy. We inspire travel to the region through an integrated marketing campaign that celebrates our culture, people and unique landscapes. As a Regional Destination Management Organization (RDMO) designated by the Oregon Tourism Commission, we manage the Regional Cooperative Tourism Program (RCTP), which leverages Deschutes County’s budget to optimize the economic impact of tourism in the region. We collaborate with industry partners towards a shared healthy vision of tourism for the region. For more information, visit www.visitcentraloregon.com.
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