Volunteer & Staff Motivation

Chris Breshears, Best Western Premier Boulder Falls Inn

Volunteers and staff are the heartbeat of every event. In this session, we’ll explore practical ways to motivate, appreciate, and retain your team so they stay energized and engaged from planning to wrap-up.

OLCC Jeopardy

Emily Zajac, Oregon Beverage Services

Think you know the ins and outs of Oregon’s liquor laws? Test your knowledge in this interactive, Jeopardy-style session designed to make OLCC rules easy to understand (and maybe even a little fun). You’ll walk away with practical know-how to keep your event compliant and your attendees happy.

Parade Planning & Logistics

Cindy Kerby, Lebanon Strawberry Festival

Parades are a highlight of many festivals, but behind the fun and floats is a lot of detailed planning. This session will walk through key logistics including staging, traffic flow, safety, communication, permits, and post-parade wrap-up. Learn strategies to keep everything running smoothly, from organizing participants and volunteers to keeping the community engaged.

Vendor Revenue Panel: Auditing and Fees

moderated by Brandi Ebner, Deschutes County Fair

Vendors and attractions are a vital part of any event’s success and a key revenue stream. This panel will explore best practices for setting and auditing vendor fees, managing pay-to-play attractions, and ensuring systems that support both your event’s bottom line and your vendor partners. Hear insights from experienced organizers and suppliers on balancing transparency, compliance, and profitability while keeping vendors eager to return year after year.

Asking the Right Questions: Supplier Panel

moderated by Haley Hamilton, HBA of Marion/Polk Counties

When it comes to working with suppliers, you don’t always know what you don’t know. This panel brings together experienced suppliers to share what information they need from you, what questions you should be asking when requesting bids, and how to avoid costly miscommunications. Learn how to build stronger vendor relationships and get the most value for your event.

When Things Go Sideways: Open Forum

moderated by TBA

Dorothy isn't the only one who can survive a tornado! Every event producer has a story… a power outage, downpour, porta-potty fiasco, or a missing main stage act. In this open forum, we invite you to share your own disaster stories that tested you, taught you, and shaped how you plan today. Expect a mix of laughs, lessons, and commiseration with fellow event pros who have also survived the storm.