News - Page 30 of 32 - Oregon Travel Information Council

What is the average cost of a highway business sign and how long is the contract?

Posted on: January 18th, 2012 in Sign Programs |

In the last post about Oregon highway business signs, we explored what types of businesses can have their logo placed on a blue highway sign. In today’s blog, we’ll take a peek at the cost structure and how long the contract lasts.

How much will it cost?
Sign fees are determined by several factors, including highway location and traffic density:
Highway business signs located on I-5, cost between $360 and $480 per year …

What types of businesses can be on a highway sign?

Posted on: January 13th, 2012 in Sign Programs |

Have you ever been on a trip along I-5 or another Oregon freeway and looked up to see a blue highway sign? You know the ones—they have an official looking blue background and display logos for businesses like gas stations or restaurants near freeway exits.
Maybe you’re even a business owner yourself, looking for better exposure and a way to capture a steady stream (pardon the pun) of traffic. Do you …

Kiosks never sleep and neither do we

Posted on: January 9th, 2012 in News & Press, Roadways and Waysides |

What exactly is a rest area kiosk?

Installing and maintaining Oregon highway business signs are only a fraction of what OTE’s Field Operations Division has a hand in. OTE maintains and stocks kiosk information centers within 12 highway rest areas across the state. Motorists use kiosks both night and day, looking for unique places to eat, sleep, or shop.
Over the last year, OTE noted significant deterioration to almost every kiosk—many had …

Coffee: good for the soul

Posted on: January 6th, 2012 in News & Press, Roadways and Waysides |

OTE Free Coffee Program volunteers create community

The Grants Pass region is one of Oregon’s most scenic stretches of Interstate 5. Throughout numerous mountain passes from California to the Willamette Valley, craggy canyon walls and old growth trees welcome motorists to our state’s famous wild beauty.
Oregon Travel Experience supervises Manzanita rest area, located slightly north of Grants Pass. As part of OTE’s campaign to encourage drivers to rest and refresh at …

Customer service 101: Inside and outside OTE

Posted on: December 28th, 2011 in News & Press, Roadways and Waysides |

A conversation about highway business signs

If you’ve ever worn a reversible jacket, you may have preferred one side over the other. Sue VanHandel, our business and sign assistant, carries the reversible jacket analogy one step further—wearing her personal mantra of excellence for both internal and external customers
Sue helps Oregon businesses obtain space on Interstate and off-Interstate logo signs. She is unabashedly enthusiastic about fostering small business visibility.
“A lot of people don’t …

Council to hold quarterly meeting

Posted on: November 22nd, 2011 in Meetings & Reports, News & Press |

The regular quarterly meeting of Oregon Travel Experience’s governing council is slated for Friday, December 9, 2011. The meeting will be held via teleconference. Public comment may be submitted in writing, email, or by attending the conference at OTE’s 1500 Liberty St SE, Salem offices during the time allotted.
The following is a tentative agenda:
Meeting time: 10:00 a.m until noon (may end earlier if discussion is abbreviated).

Introductions

Public comment

Executive reports:

CEO’s report
Approval of …

August 2011 Historical Marker Commitee meeting minutes

Posted on: November 2nd, 2011 in Meetings & Reports |

The following is an excerpt from the August 22, 2011 Historical Marker Committee meeting minutes: The OTE sign crew brought back the Meacham marker to the Salemtowne workshop. The Salemtowne volunteers report that the sign is not salvageable due to wood deterioration. The committee will need to decide if the marker should be replaced or allowed to be retired. The committee decided to table this discussion until the next meeting. …

June 2011 Historical Marker Committee meeting minutes

Posted on: November 2nd, 2011 in Meetings & Reports |

The following is an excerpt from the June 7, 2011 Historical Marker Committee meeting minutes: The second application came from the southern coast meeting held in August 2010 which stimulated interest in a marker celebrating the Hollering Place outside of Coos Bay. This is an excellent partnership with the Tribe. The committee felt the concept should move forward. George Forbes and Eliza Canty-Jones will serve on a subcommittee to move …

February 2011 Historical Marker Committee meeting minutes

Posted on: November 2nd, 2011 in Meetings & Reports |

The following is an excerpt from the February 1, 2011 Historical Marker Committee meeting minutes: OTE Council member George Forbes reported that OTE celebrated their first year managing rest areas on a positive note. Collaboration with other agencies, organizations, and law enforcement made it possible to accomplish major goals. Forbes stated that the 2011 Legislative Session has begun and that there are bills that will affect OTE if passed. (Link …

Welcome to Oregon

Posted on: November 1st, 2011 in News & Press |

Are you on the highway looking for that perfect fall photo op? Oregon Travel Experience would like to post your photo in our “Welcome to Oregon” blog post for December.
Here’s what to do:
Stop at the I-84 rest area outside of Ontario, Oregon (MP 377, west) and snap a photo of yourself or friends and family by the side of the “Welcome to Oregon” sign. Write a little blurb about where …