Mission
Promote, educate, support, and grow North Marion County's tourism assets and overall local economic vitality through collaboration and stewardship.
Vision
Growing visitation and awareness of North Marion County while maintaining both a unique visitor experience and a sense of place for locals.
The North Marion Tourism Collaborative is the Destination Management Organization (D.M.O.) for North Marion County. NMTC represents the communities and areas of Donald, St. Paul, Aurora, Hubbard, Woodburn, Gervais, Brooks, Mount Angel, Silverton, and Scotts Mills. The Collaborative began meeting in 2019 to discuss cooperative marketing efforts for the region, as a need was identified by the leadership of the cities. NMTC became an established DMO in 2020. The leadership of NTMC represents a partnership between city leadership, economic development professionals, chambers of commerce leaders, and private-sector business owners. NMTC has received tremendous support from Travel Oregon and Marion County in the form of multiple grants for operational development and destination development. NMTC has many partners which assist in promoting North Marion County as a premier destination, including the regional DMO, the Willamette Valley Visitors Association, local DMOs such as Discover Mt. Angel and Travel Salem, and numerous private sector businesses involved as members of the Collaborative. NMTC is currently working towards achieving nonprofit status.
Sam Bauman - Kaluf is the current NMTC Chair and the Marketing/Branding manager at Bauman’s Farm & Garden located in Gervais, OR. Sam holds an MBA degree from Emory University and is an experienced professional in the tourism and hospitality industry with a career spanning over 30+ years working in or with tourism boards, airlines and hotels in managerial/executive capacities. He enjoys inspiring teamwork, thinking outside the box and, ensuring that the work the NMTC does for its members achieves a high degree of relevancy. Sam loves interacting with customers when not behind his desk. You can find him bartending and chatting it up on most Saturdays at the cider bar at Bauman’s.
Shawn Waite is the City Administrator for the City of Hubbard. She has dedicated her 20+ year career to public service and her passion is improving the social, economic, and environmental well-being of the community. Shawn serves as a Program Director for the North Marin Tourism Collaborative and is a Board member. She understands the importance of collaborating with other communities to capitalize on economies of scale and building sustainable tourism. In her free time she enjoys traveling, playing golf, and spending time with family and friends.
John has a deep passion for travel, community development, and improving the North Marion region. As Director of the Woodburn Area Chamber of Commerce he is responsible for promoting visitation and tourism and has a strong belief in the positive effect it has on our local economy and quality of life. With a passion for construction and remodeling, he enjoys seeing projects come to life, whether it's a new building or a community initiative. A past president of the Woodburn Rotary and 8-year member of the Woodburn Budget Committee, John has dedicated much of his career to supporting the growth and vibrancy of the region. He finds great fulfillment in his work with tourism and economic development, helping to shape Woodburn’s future while fostering connections between local businesses and visitors. When he's not leading the Chamber, John stays active in the real estate world, bringing his expertise and commitment to the community to all his endeavors.
Colby is the Administrative Services Director for the City of Mt. Angel. Colby has been an active part of the North Marion community since he moved here in 2007 from the Oregon City/Clackamas area. As a former small business owner of Willamette Valley Log Furniture Colby understands the challenges of operating a business and hopes that his involvement with NMTC can assist our region in producing a sustainable economic environment where businesses can thrive by showcasing all the wonderful opportunities for those that live here and those that are visiting.
Stacy is a member of the NMTC Program Development team and comes to the board with over 20 years as a tourism and business development professional. Her role as the Executive Director of the Silverton Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center gives here ample opportunities to connect with visitors and businesses and promote our region as the best place to visit, live and do business. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, especially her grandkids and taking in a baseball game whenever she gets the chance - Silverton is after all home to the Silverton Red Sox!
Emily is a third-generation farmer on her family’s farm outside of Woodburn. She helps manage one of Oregon’s top spring-time events, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. Offering 40 acres of tulips and activities in the spring, along with estate-grown wines, a sunflower summer flower event, and events all throughout the year. Emily is an Oregon State graduate and has a passion for agritourism. She has worked at four different tulip farms and flower farms across the United States and internationally. In her spare time, she is visiting other flower farms in the area or exploring the PNW.
Leo Fischer is founder and owner of Tree Climbing at Silver Falls an adventure-based tourism company that specializes in guided tree climbing, overnight tree camping, and outdoor education experiences. Based inside Silver Falls State Park, his business draws in visitors to climb up into Oregon’s iconic old-growth Douglas firs for unforgettable experiences and hands-on adventures. Leo also has his Master’s degree in Nutrition and a background in both health education and outdoor leadership. Leo blends wellness, stewardship, and community into everything he builds. As a business owner deeply rooted in tourism, Leo is excited to work with North Marion Tourism Collaborative to expand adventure-based and event tourism offerings in the region, create unique destination experiences, and support sustainable growth for local communities. He is especially passionate about reinvestment in visitor facilities, new recreation programs, and trails.
Eric Underwood, City Manager of Donald, has spent more than 20 years helping communities thrive through tourism and economic development. From leading the creation of Oregon City’s first tourism plan to serving on the board of the Willamette Falls & Landings Heritage Area Coalition, Eric is passionate about showcasing the stories and heritage that make Oregon unique. He believes tourism is not only a vital economic driver but also a powerful way for communities to connect with visitors, and he is excited to support the unified efforts of the North Marion Tourism Collaborative to bring lasting benefits to the region.
Chris is a 2nd generation hot air balloon pilot and runs Portland Rose Balloons. Based out of Aurora, Oregon, Portland Rose Balloons helps people experience the magic of balloon flight. With 4-5 balloons flying every morning, passengers can check off their bucket list and see amazing views of the Willamette Valley like never before. Chris has a passion for flying and gets to fly and compete all over the world in hot air balloons. Chris has lived in the PNW his entire life, and always wants to help showcase what makes the Willamette Valley such a special place.
Selwyn and his wife Deidre moved to North Marion in 1988, inspired by a love of the land and a vision to build something lasting. Over the years, their property has grown from a humble homestead into the Five Oaks Farm—a vibrant gathering place for weddings, workshops, and seasonal celebrations. Together, they’ve created a space that reflects their shared values of sustainability, hospitality, and connection. With Deidre, a certified Master Gardener, they’ve transformed the farm into both a thriving business and a hub for community engagement. As a board member of the North Marion Tourism Collaborative, Selwyn is passionate about promoting agri-tourism, supporting local businesses, and helping visitors experience the authentic charm and abundance of North Marion.
Along with her husband David, Ann Shultz is co-owner of Le Petit Bistro in Hubbard. Le Petit is the culmination of a desire and passion that began 40+ years ago when Ann worked at her mother’s small delicatessen and catering business in Woodburn during the 80’s. After graduating from college with a business degree, Ann went on to work in marketing and advertising for 30+ years. Her work ranged from managing multi-million-dollar ad budgets for large corporations to developing strategic marketing plans and initiatives for small businesses and non-profits. Returning to her roots, Ann and her husband opened Le Petit in 2021 where they focus on quality, fresh foods and specialty coffee and espresso. Operating in a small town, Ann understands the impact of tourism on small business and the local economy, and she looks forward to promoting all that the North Willamette Valley has to offer. In her free time, you can find her enjoying the great outdoors exploring new trails or wine tasting.
Jamie Zamrin is an Economic Development Specialist with Woodburn, having recently joined the North Marion region. A proud Viking, she holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Portland State University and is eager to bring fresh energy and new perspectives to her role. Passionate about fostering vibrant, inclusive communities where everyone can thrive, Jamie is excited to contribute to the mission of the North Marion Tourism Collaborative. Outside of work, she enjoys discovering local cafés, exploring nature, traveling, and spending time with those she cares about.
For Kaylah, some of the best memories are made right here in the North Marion region—stopping at farm stands with my family to pick up fresh fruit, getting out to the flower fields in the spring, and finding the perfect pumpkin each fall. I love the simple joy of grabbing ice cream on a warm afternoon in Woodburn or heading over to Silverton to browse the shops and support local businesses. Summer is always a highlight, with local events that bring people together and remind me why tourism in the region is so special. These experiences aren’t just fun, they’re part of what makes life here meaningful, and I’m passionate about sharing them with others and helping more people discover everything this region has to offer.
