When tourists come calling

Oregon communities, from Portland to Coos Bay, are preparing to lay out the welcome mat for the thousands of visitors making their way to Eugene next month for the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials.

Eugene is the epicenter of the 10-day event, from June 27 to July 6, but other communities are hoping for an economic boost.

“I think the impact embraces really the entire state,” starting with Portland, where many of the visitors will fly in, said Drew Mahalic, CEO of Oregon Sports Authority, a nonprofit sports economic development group based in Portland.

– Excerpt from The Register-Guard, May 16, 2008