Visit Central Oregon, a regional tourism management organization dedicated to managing tourism programs and driving economic development in Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook and South Wasco counties, has announced the hiring of Scott Larson as the organization’s new president and CEO.
Larson will officially take over on July 15 after serving as executive director of the Albany County, Wyoming Tourism Bureau, known as Visit Laramie, for five years.
“Scott’s experience leading destination management and stewardship organizations makes him the ideal choice to be the next leader of Central Oregon Tourism and the person who will take our thoughtfully constructed programs and community engagement to the next level,” said Dana Whitelaw, board chair of Central Oregon Tourism and executive director of the High Desert Museum. “We are excited that Scott will be joining VCO’s strong team and contributing to the economic revitalization of communities across the region.”
Prior to his role as Executive Director of Visit Laramie, Larson served as Digital Communications Manager at Visit Steamboat Springs in Colorado for over three years and as Operations Supervisor at Steamboat Springs Ski & Resort Corporation for over three years. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Larson holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from the University of Denver and is in the process of relocating to Central Oregon with his wife, Annalise, and their dogs, Ollie and Zuri. In his free time, Larson enjoys ultramarathons, skiing, camping and traveling.
“I’ve been in the travel marketing industry for over 10 years and have had the opportunity to see many different sides of what organizations like Visit Central Oregon do,” said Larson. “I view organizations like Visit Central Oregon as community development organizations established to serve the regions and communities we represent. Central Oregon is an amazingly beautiful place, and I couldn’t be more excited to lead the next chapter of the region’s destination management organization, leveraging travel and tourism promotion as an economic driver to support thriving businesses, communities and quality of life for everyone.”
About Central Oregon Tourism:
Visit Central Oregon is a 501c6 that serves as the region’s tourism marketing organization. We help attract overnight guests to the region and stimulate the tourism economy. We encourage travel to the region through integrated marketing campaigns that celebrate the region’s unique culture, people and landscapes. As the Regional Tourism Management Organization (RDMO) appointed by the Oregon Tourism Commission, we manage the Regional Collaborative Tourism Program (RCTP) which utilizes Deschutes County’s budget to optimize tourism’s economic impact on the region. We collaborate with industry partners toward a shared vision for a healthy tourism future for the region. For more information, visit www.visitcentraloregon.com.
