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Travel Portland Names Megan Conway President, CEO

Longtime champion of Portland tourism takes reins from retiring President and CEO Jeff Miller
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Travel Portland, the official destination marketing and management organization for the city of Portland, has named current Chief Strategy Officer Megan Conway as the organization’s next president and chief executive officer. Conway officially began in the new role on January 1, 2025.

"We searched the country to find the top talent for this position, and Megan was the hiring committee’s clear choice,” said Katen Patel, chair of the Travel Portland board of directors. “In her work and throughout the interview process, Megan distinguished herself with a consistent track record of delivering results, driving innovative strategy, and demonstrating deep knowledge of the industry and organization. We are confident she will lead our destination toward a vibrant future.”

Conway follows Jeff Miller, who announced his intention to retire in June after nearly 19 years in the role. A nationwide candidate search began in August for an executive to lead Travel Portland and the region’s hospitality industry. Among a robust field of qualified candidates, Conway stood out for her ability to generate results, bring innovative and strategic thinking to life, and draw on deep expertise in the hospitality industry — all while remaining steadfastly confident in the appeal of Portland as a world-class destination.

“Megan has been an integral member of the Travel Portland executive team since 2020, helping guide our region’s vital hospitality industry during the most challenging period in its history,” said Miller. “Her unmatched leadership, insight and expertise — combined with her complete faith in Portland as a compelling destination — leave no doubt that she is the right individual to champion economic growth for Portland and the surrounding region through tourism.”

The tourism industry is essential to the city economy. In 2023, visitors to Portland spent $5.4 billion, which generated $260 million in state and local tax revenue while supporting 34,300 jobs and providing $1.7 billion in employment earnings.

Conway has steadily progressed through the leadership ranks at Travel Portland. Since 2020, she has served alongside Miller on the executive team as the organization’s chief strategy officer. Her work has encompassed collaboration with Miller, the executive team and the board of directors to ensure that Travel Portland’s structure and priorities are geared toward the economic success of Portland’s hospitality industry. Alongside this work, Conway has directed communications and public relations, international tourism, the Regional Cooperative Tourism Program (RCTP), policy and research, events and visitor-facing staff, while also managing agency partnerships. Conway joined Travel Portland in 2010 as vice president, communications and public relations, before being promoted to the executive leadership team as senior vice president, communications and regional strategy, in 2017.

“Being trusted to lead Travel Portland into our next chapter is an honor, and I look forward to continuing the good work of Jeff Miller, our amazing staff and all our partners as we build momentum and return Portland to its rightful place among can’t-miss destinations in the U.S.,” said Conway. “As president and CEO, I will continue to prioritize innovative and inspirational initiatives that build up not only our tourism community, but our city as a whole.”

Although Conway’s current period with Travel Portland commenced in 2010, she originally came to the organization in 2003, serving nearly five years as a communications and public relations manager. She left for a role with adidas, where she oversaw public relations work in the U.S. for prime-time sporting events, including the 2008 Summer Olympics, the 2008 Olympic Track & Field Trials and the 2010 World Cup. Her involvement in local, regional and national associations and initiatives provides Travel Portland with an influential ambassador near and far. Conway is a member of the U.S. Travel Association Communications Council and was a member of its first class of Emerging Travel Leaders program. She is a member and former chair of Oregon Destination Association, an executive committee member of Sport Oregon, co-chair of the Sports and Facility Committee for Expo Futures Project (Metro/MERC), and an advisor and founding member of the Portland chapter of Women in Sports and Events (WISE). Additionally, she is an active participant of the Portland Lodging Alliance and of U.S. Travel Destination Capitol Hill.

About Travel Portland

Travel Portland is the official destination marketing and management organization for the city of Portland, Oregon. Its mission is to strengthen the local economy by marketing the Portland region as a preferred destination for meetings, conventions and leisure travel.

For more information, visit www.TravelPortland.com.