Newport Chooses New Destination Marketing Agency

In a landmark decision that signals a significant transformation in the city's tourism promotion strategy, the Newport City Council has selected Greenhouse Collaboratives of Dundee to lead its destination marketing efforts. The decision to choose a new organization to promote the city of Newport was difficult as The Newport Chamber of Commerce has been doing this long-standing role in promoting tourism for Newport for many years.

City Manager Nina Vetter explained to the council that the city did an extensive and rigorous Request for Proposal (RFP) process that drew 17 different organizations vying for the coveted destination marketing organization (DMO) contract. The competitive selection process revealed Greenhouse Collaboratives as the top-scoring firm, securing 83 points, while the incumbent Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce ranked fourth with 57 points. City staff emphasized the critical importance of maintaining a transparent, competitive procurement process that not only mitigates potential legal challenges but also ensures the city continually explores innovative marketing approaches.

Vetter explained that the room tax dollar-funded contract represents more than just a change in service providers. "This is an opportunity to develop a more strategic approach to destination marketing," she stated during the council meeting. The selection process involved detailed scoring criteria, including presentations that explored scenarios like addressing year-over-year tourism decline and strategic budget allocation. Greenhouse Collaboratives stood out not just for their technical scoring, but for their commitment to community engagement.

The firm pledged weekly presence in Newport and emphasized a strong focus on inclusivity, promising to amplify diverse voices and represent various community demographics in their marketing strategy. Chamber of Commerce representatives Lauren Pahl and Maggie Conrad expressed mixed emotions about the transition. Paul highlighted the significant progress made in recent years, including innovative marketing strategies and expanded media placements, while Conrad emphasized the chamber's deep-rooted local connections and relationships with tourism businesses.

City staff, including John Fuller and Mike Cavanaugh, who were integral to the selection process, noted that the new contract represents an opportunity to establish clear performance metrics and develop a comprehensive destination marketing plan that goes beyond traditional approaches. Key differentiators for Greenhouse Collaboratives included:

• A woman-owned business with distributed Oregon-based staff

• Commitment to weekly on-site presence in Newport

• Strong emphasis on community outreach and stakeholder engagement

• Innovative approach to destination marketing and strategic planning

The first major task for the new DMO will be creating a destination marketing plan that involves extensive community and stakeholder outreach, ensuring that the strategy reflects Newport's unique character and tourism potential. Councilors raised important questions during the discussion, including concerns about local vendor involvement, strategic marketing plan development, and ensuring clear return on investment for the significant annual budget. The two-year contract, pending final negotiations, represents a potential turning point in Newport's tourism promotion efforts.

With an annual budget of up to $850,000, Greenhouse Collaboratives will be tasked with not just marketing the destination, but telling Newport's story in a more comprehensive and inclusive manner. As the city moves forward, all parties—the city council, chamber of commerce, and the new DMO—will be watching closely to see how this strategic shift translates into tangible tourism growth and community benefit. After over an hour of discussion, Councilor Roumagoux made the motion to offer a two-year contract to Greenhouse Collaboratives, not to exceed $850,000 per year, which was approved unanimously.