Laramie, Wyoming tourism director chosen as Visit Central Oregon’s new president and CEO

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 the executive director of Wyoming’s Albany County Tourism Board dba Visit Laramie, will officially step into the role on July 15.

"We are confident that Scott’s experience leading destination management and stewardship organizations make him ideally suited to be the next leader of Visit Central Oregon, and taking the thoughtfully built programs and commitment to community to the next level,” said Dana Whitelaw, chair of the Visit Central Oregon board and executive director of the High Desert Museum. “We are thrilled to have Scott join VCO’s strong team and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities in the region."

Before serving as the executive director of Visit Laramie, Larson spent more than three years as the Digital Communications Manager for Visit Steamboat Springs (Colo.), and more than three years as the operations supervisor for Steamboat Springs Ski & Resort Corp. Originally from Nashville, Tenn., 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, he enjoys ultrarunning, skiing, camping, and traveling.

“I have been in the travel marketing industry for more than a decade, which has allowed me to see many different sides of what an organization like Visit Central Oregon does,” Larson said. “So often I view organizations like Visit Central Oregon as community development organizations, created to serve the areas and communities we represent. Central Oregon is a remarkably beautiful place. I couldn't be more excited to be leading the next chapter of this regional destination management organization, and to use travel and tourism promotion as an economic driver to support thriving businesses, communities, and quality of life for all.”

ABOUT VISIT CENTRAL OREGON:

Visit Central Oregon is a 501c6 that serves as the regional destination marketing organization. We drive overnight visitation to the region to support a thriving tourism economy. We inspire travel to the region through an integrated marketing campaign that celebrates our unique culture, people, and landscapes. As the Regional Destination Management Organization (RDMO) appointed by the Oregon Tourism Commission, we manage the Regional Cooperative Tourism Program (RCTP) which is leveraged by the Deschutes County budget to optimize the economic impact from tourism to the region. We collaborate with industry partners towards a shared healthy vision of tourism for the region. For more information, visit www.visitcentraloregon.com.