Longtime champion of Portland tourism takes reins from retiring President and CEO Jeff Miller
PORTLAND, Ore. – Dec. 9, 2024 – Travel Portland, the official destination marketing and management organization for Portland, has named current Chief Strategy Officer Megan Conway as the organization’s next president and chief executive officer. Conway officially begins 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. In August, a nationwide candidate search began 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 Portland’s appeal 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’s 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 managing agency partnerships. Conway joined Travel Portland in 2010 as vice president of communications and public relations before being promoted to the executive leadership team as senior vice president of 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.”
Portland is expected to see continued growth in tourism under Conway’s leadership. The promising return of visitors to the city made it the best summer tourism season since before the pandemic. Both occupancy and foot traffic were the highest numbers since 2019, with 2.4 million visitors in June and July. The substantial numbers extend to meetings and conventions with the Travel Portland Convention Sales Team, which has booked approximately 300,000 future room nights for upcoming conventions. This is second only to 2018 bookings, totaling an estimated 317,000 future room nights. The city is on pace for another successful year and sees a powerful performance in the education and life-sciences sectors. Notably, the National Education Association (NEA) is bringing the largest event Portland has ever hosted! The NEA’s annual week-long conference will be held at the Oregon Convention Center in July 2025, with an estimated 12,000 attendees nationwide. Another exciting development was by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACHNAS), who made a multiyear commitment to return to Portland. The group convened its National Diversity in STEM Conference in Portland in 2023 and will return in 2028 and 2034!
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, overseeing 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 the Emerging Travel Leaders program. She is a member and former chair of the 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 actively participates in the Portland Lodging Alliance and U.S. Travel Destination Capitol Hill.
About Travel Portland
Travel Portland is the official destination marketing and management organization for 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.
