About Us
The Willamette Valley Visitors Association (WVVA) is a Regional Destination Management Organization focused on promoting responsible tourism and regional economic well-being that benefits residents and visitors alike. Our mission is to enhance the region’s vitality by cultivating authentic experiences to support local communities, ensuring the Willamette Valley's long-term resilience. We are dedicated to fostering the prosperity of the Willamette Valley as a welcoming and inclusive year-round destination
Contact Us
Willamette Valley Visitors Association
866-548-5018
630 Center St NE Suite 100 Salem OR 97301
meet our staff
Destination Development Manager
Karen Olson has been a part of the Willamette Valley Visitors Association team since July 2025. In her role as Destination Development Manager, Karen manages accessibility and sustainable tourism projects, leads international sales efforts, facilitates community engagement, and fosters partnerships across the region. Outside of work, Karen enjoys hiking with her family and serves on the board of McMinnville's Gallery Theater.
Marketing Manager
Claire Harriman oversees WVVA’s regional marketing strategy, working with partners, contractors and local stakeholders to develop year-round campaigns that support tourism growth and community vitality. She also serves as lead for the regional public relations team and guides the organization’s social media efforts. Claire is a native Oregonian and proud OSU grad (Go Beavs!). She enjoys exploring Oregon’s great outdoors. She’s also an avid cook and gardener, and an enthusiastic supporter of Portland Timbers and Thorns soccer.
Social Media/Marketing Coordinator
Melissa Sanchez became part of the WVVA team in April 2024 as a PR and Marketing Intern and in 2025 became Social Media/Marketing Coordinator. In her role as Social Media/Marketing Coordinator she manages WVVA's social channels, works closely with our Marketing Manager on seasonal campaigns. Outside of work Melissa enjoys exploring Oregon's landscapes were you'll find her capturing the sites on film.
willamette valley visitors association board of directors
The entire Willamette Valley is represented through board membership: South Clackamas County (Clackamas County Tourism), Yamhill County Tourism Partnership, Marion and Polk Counties (Travel Salem), Linn County (Albany Visitors Association), Benton County (Visit Corvallis), and East Lane County (Travel Lane County).
The Willamette Valley Visitors Association Equity Statement
The Willamette Valley Visitors Association (WVVA) recognizes that specific communities have been excluded from feeling welcome, safe, and represented in the Willamette Valley region. We acknowledge this with humility and a responsibility to important and challenging work ahead. We are committed to upholding policies, ideals, and practices that hold our association accountable, and ask for persistent efforts toward making the Willamette Valley region accessible and enjoyable to all visitors and residents, regardless of their individual identity. WVVA is dedicated to building an organization that mirrors and honors the diversity within the Willamette Valley, by inviting, supporting, and sustaining a diverse workforce and partner base.
We at WVVA are committed to the following shared values:
● Acknowledging that not all people have the same story, needs, or point-of-view as our own.
● Pursuing new voices to share in, and at times guide, our conversations.
● Understanding that equity takes dedicated time, focus and resources.
● Seeking feedback and investing in repair work.
● Meeting all visitors and community members where they are and creating space to listen.
● Recognizing that Diversity Equity and Inclusion work is critical to the success of WVVA and the Willamette Valley.
● Aspiring to be a model for other organizations in what regional equity looks like.
The Willamette Valley Visitors Association commits to the demanding and necessary work of remaining inquisitive, focused, and fearless in the face of inequality. We believe through aligned efforts we can affect change in our region, our industry, and ourselves.
