January 15: Travel Lane County

Samara Phelps is the President and CEO of Travel Lane County, bringing over 15 years of leadership in destination marketing and tourism development. A Eugene native, Samara began her career in visitor services with Travel Lane County and most recently served as Executive Director of Clackamas County Tourism, where she championed regional efforts for Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. She holds a BA in General Science and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Oregon and is a graduate of the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy and the Chinook Institute for Civic Leadership. Samara is deeply committed to sustainability, inclusion, and community impact – she holds a VisitAble Disability Inclusion Certificate, serves as President of Nearby Nature, and currently chairs the Oregon Destination Association. She is passionate about the power of place and leads with a strong belief in tourism and Travel Lane County’s role in building vibrant, resilient communities.