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Meet Your Friendly Neighborhood DMO
Explore Sisters is a 501(c)6 non-membership, nonprofit Destination Management Organization (DMO). We inspire travel through authentic storytelling, integrated marketing, and unique visitor experiences, which embody our place and community values. Our vision, mission and values focus on balancing the positive economic impacts of tourism with a commitment to local livability and stewardship of our natural resources. We operate with an organizational strategy that considers economic, social, inclusive and environmental lenses to carry out the work that supports the mission.
Our Staff & Board
Staff
Board of Directors
- Chair - Greg Willitts, FivePine Lodge
- Vice Chair - Crista Munro, SFF Presents
- Treasurer - Casey Meudt, Blazin’ Saddles
- Secretary - Jesse Durham, Sisters Coffee Co
- Nancy Connolly, Resident
- Victoria Graves, Three Creeks Brewing
- Brady Rhodes, Ski Inn & Taphouse
- Michael Preedin, Sisters City Council
- Kerry Prosser, City of Sisters
Explore Sisters: Vision, Mission & Values
Vision
- A thriving community through a robust tourism industry balanced with local livability.
Mission
- Guide intentional stewardship of the unique character of the Sisters area to enhance economic, social and environmental vitality.
Values
- Stewardship of our community and natural places
- Nurture collaborative partnerships
- Celebrate equity and inclusion
- Embrace innovation and progress
- Operate with honesty, integrity and transparency
Strategic Marketing
One of Explore Sisters’ primary functions is to lead destination marketing efforts for the greater Sisters area. Our integrated approach includes brand stewardship, partnerships, paid advertising, social media, email communications, website management, content development and public relations. If you have a story to tell, new photography or products to share, or are interested in partnering with Explore Sisters, please email us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some of the most common questions about Explore Sisters and its functions.
Traditionally, DMO has stood for Destination Marketing Organization where marketing and promotions were the primary functions. In recent years this has transitioned to Destination Management Organization. DMOs have embraced a broader role within communities identifying the right balance between the economic benefits of tourism and the impact on local services, amenities, quality of life, and natural and cultural resources in addition to marketing and promotions.
Explore Sisters was incorporated midway through 2022 by five founding members of the board of directors. The organization hired its first executive director in December 2022.
Explore Sisters is exclusively funded through a portion of the local Transient Lodging Tax (TLT). A tax of 8.99% is collected by the City of Sisters through short-term lodging operators such as hotels/motels, vacation rental homes, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds located within the city limits. This tax is paid by visitors staying in overnight accommodations. Explore Sisters receives approximately 1/3 ($350,000) of this tax to reinvest in tourism-related efforts to support the community.
The remaining 2/3 of the local Transient Lodging Tax goes into the city’s general fund, which can be distributed to support such programs as public safety, parks, streets, and other local infrastructure and services.
No, Explore Sisters is not a City entity. Explore Sisters is an independent 501(c)6 nonprofit organization with its own staff and board of directors. Explore Sisters is contracted through the City of Sisters to invest Transient Lodging Tax dollars back into the community through tourism as required by state statute.
No, Explore Sisters does not collect membership fees. Explore Sisters serves the greater Sisters area through tourism relying on support through the Transient Lodging Tax and additional funding sources such as grants to carry out its mission.
Currently, Explore Sisters has one paid staff member and a six-member voting volunteer board of directors representing interests including lodging, food and beverage, retail, outdoor recreation, and residents. There are also two non-voting advisory positions on board, one of which is a City staff liaison and the other an appointed city council representative.
At its simplest, Explore Sisters’ mission, values, and objectives focus on the balance of the economic impacts of tourism and local livability. Organizational strategy uses economic, social and environmental lenses to carry out the work that supports the mission.
