Travel Portland Joins Growing Roster of Women-Led Destination Management Companies

Megan Conway will be Travel Portland’s new president and CEO, replacing Jeff Miller, who served as CEO for 19 years.

Conway joins a growing group of women in top roles at destination management organizations (DMOs). Notably, Kathy Haley was named the first female president and CEO of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre at the end of November.

Julie Coker now leads NYC Tourism + Convention as its new president and CEO. She joins from the San Diego Tourism Authority where she was president and CEO.

Anna Marie Presutti recently assumed the role of president and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association.

These women join other CEOs who head up DMOs. They include Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of Meet Boston. In addition, Casandra Matej is the president and CEO of Visit Orlando; Julie Calvert, president and CEO of Visit Cincy; Tammy Canavan, president and CEO of Visit Seattle, Deana Ivey is the CEO and president of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., and Kristen Adamo is president and CEO of Providence Warwick CVB.

“Some of the first people in the industry to reach out to me and congratulate me were these women. They are champions in our industry in their own right, be it male or female,” said Conway. ”They are doing a lot of work to make sure that women feel welcome at the executive level, and are encouraged to achieve success.”

In 2026, Portland will get a WNBA team, an addition Conway welcomes. “The same family that owns that organization owns our women's soccer team. They’re committed to defining Portland as a hub for women’s leadership in athletics and sports,” she notes.

Conway has a Long History with Travel Portland

Since 2020, Conway has served as chief strategy officer. “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.”

Tourism is essential to Portland’s economy. Last year, visitors spent $5.4 billion. This generated $260 million in state and local tax revenue.

Conway joined Travel Portland for her second stint in 2010 as VP of communications and PR. Promoted to the executive leadership team, she became senior VP, communications and regional strategy in 2017. 

In 2003, she joined Travel Portland for the first time serving as a communications and public relations manager. She left for a role with Adidas. There, she oversaw PR in the U.S. for the Olympics and World Cup.

Convention Business is Up

“Being trusted to lead Travel Portland into our next chapter is an honor. 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.

The Travel Portland convention sales team has booked approximately 300,000 future room nights for upcoming conventions. This is second only to 2018 bookings that totaled an estimated 317,000 future room nights.

Meetings in the education and life sciences sectors are popular in Portland. The National Education Association (NEA) is bringing the largest event Portland has ever hosted. Its week-long conference will be held at the Oregon Convention Center in July 2025. It is on track to attract 12,000 attendees from across the country.

In addition, the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACHNAS) has made a multiyear commitment to return to Portland. The group convened their National Diversity in STEM Conference in Portland in 2023 and will return in 2028 and 2034.