Day One – Tuesday, May 12th: Summit Discovery Night

Connect & Explore: Summit Discovery Night (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM)

Knife River Training Center - Albany, OR

35973 Kennel Rd SE, Albany, OR 97322

Designed to spark conversation, ideas, and collaboration, the Summit Reception offers a dynamic start to the Oregon Collaboration Summit — where innovation meets connection. A prestigious evening event including chef-curated hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and a complimentary beverage. The Summit Reception serves as a key networking opportunity and immersive educational experience for attendees, featuring Knife River’s on-site instructors and facility developers.

Day Two – Wednesday, May 13th: Engaging Sessions, Dining, Networking, and Tour Experiences

Linn Benton Community College - Albany Campus | 6500 Pacific Blvd SW, Albany, OR 97321

Opening Ceremonies & Breakfast (8:00 am - 9:15 am)

Welcome remarks from OEDA Leadership and the Summit's Title Sponsor, alongside featured guests;

• Ben Cannon, Executive Director, Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC)
• Kim Parker Llerenas, Executive Director, Willamette Workforce Partnership
• Dr. Lisa Avery, President, Linn Benton Community College

The Power of Partnership: Connecting Workforce, Economic, and Business Development (9:30 am - 10:30 am)

Exploring the impact of partnerships and youth education programming, featuring;

• Erik Andersson, President, SEDCOR
• Kim Parker Llerenas, Executive Director, Willamette Workforce Partnership
• Abisha Romano, Economic Development Manager - Yamhill County, SEDCOR
• Dean Craig, Business Services Director, Willamette Workforce Partnership
• Mayor Linda Watkins, City of Carlton

Building Oregon's Talent Pipeline: CTE Pathways from High School to Career (10:45 am - 11:45 am)

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is Oregon's strategic approach to developing skilled workers, closing regional workforce gaps, and creating economic opportunity. This 40-minute panel explores how Oregon's CTE State Plan, adopted in 2024 under federal Perkins V, coordinates Programs of Study that span secondary and postsecondary education, connecting students to high-demand careers through aligned curriculum, dual credit, adult learner supports, work-based learning, and employer partnerships.

Panelists will provide an overview of CTE in Oregon, explain how programs are developed and sustained, and share real-world examples including Linn-Benton Community College's CTE Signing Day and applied bachelor's degrees (BAS/BSN) at community colleges. Discussion will focus on how CTE helps fill workforce gaps, lessons learned from K–12 and college partnerships, strategies for recruiting diverse candidates, and practical ways economic development professionals and employers can engage, from serving on advisory committees to sponsoring work-based learning and apprenticeships. Attendees will leave with regional insights, actionable next steps, and a clear understanding of CTE as a proven economic development tool.

• Donna Lewelling, Director, HECC - Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development
• Jenni Newby, Director of Secondary/Post-Secondary Transitions, Office of Education, Innovation and Improvement, Oregon Department of Education
• Nikki McFarland, CTE Coordinator, Corvallis School District
• Heather DeSart, Director, Northwest Oregon Works
• Jenny Strooband, Dean of Advanced Manufacturing and Transportation Technology, Linn Benton Community College
• INDUSTRY PARTNER: ATI Materials

Networking Luncheon (12:00 pm - 1:30 pm)

Enjoy a delicious meal while networking and forging new connections with cross-sector partners. The Networking Luncheon provides the perfect opportunity to learn and collaborate in-between Summit sessions.

Exclusive Facility Tours of LBCC's Innovative Programs & Local 701 Union Specialty Mobile Training Unit (1:45 pm - 3:15 pm)

Attendees will experience a variety of program and facility tours on-site at LBCC, including;

• Machine Tool
• Welding and Industrial Pipe Welding
• Mechatronics
• Non-Destructive Testing
• CAD
• Local 701 Union's Virtual Crane Operator - Mobile Training Unit, visiting LBCC campus exclusively for Oregon Collaboration Summit attendees!

The State of Workforce in Oregon: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities (3:15 pm - 4:25 pm)

This session brings together state-level workforce leaders, policymakers, educators, and industry partners to explore innovative strategies and strengthen cross-sector collaboration across Oregon. Participants will share best practices, highlight successful statewide initiatives, and identify opportunities to align workforce development with industry needs. The discussion will balance real-world insights from practitioners with high-level perspectives to drive actionable solutions that support resilient local economies and strong talent pipelines.

• OPENING PRESENTATION: Anna Johnson, Senior Economic Analyst, Oregon Employment Department
• Sarah Foster, Chief of Staff, Oregon Employment Department
• Kyle Ritchey-Noll, Education & Workforce Policy Director, Oregon Business Council
• Sarah Means, Workforce, Higher Education, and Economic Development Advisor, Office of Governor Tina Kotek
• Chris Cummings, Deputy Director, Business Oregon

Closing Thoughts (4:25 pm - 4:50 pm)

Closing thoughts for the Oregon Collaboration Summit, provided by Summit Co-Chairs Scott Salazar & Kelsey Haskett, along with Summit Partner, Donna Lewelling, Director, HECC - Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development.

Additional Event Highlights:

• Breakfast and lunch included
• Networking opportunities with key decision-makers and influencers from various sectors
• Engage in meaningful discussions about Oregon’s future in workforce, education, industry, community and economic development

REFUND POLICY

Registration cancellations must be communicated directly to OEDA's Admin Team via email. Refunds are available for cancellations that are formally requested at least two (2) weeks prior to the start of event (on or before 04/29/2026).

Email info@oeda.biz for assistance with your registration.

The Phoenix Inn Suites | 3410 Spicer Drive SE, Albany, OR 97321

OEDA Room Block at the Phoenix Inn Suites

King Suites: $139 per night (plus tax)

Double Queen Suites: $149 per night (plus tax)

Room Block closes April 30th, so hurry to book your stay!

ROOM RESERVATIONS:

To reserve your room at The Phoenix Inn Suites, please follow the instructions below:

Call (541) 926-5696 and identify yourself as a participant of the 2026 OEDA Oregon Collaboration Summit to receive the special rates.

Sponsoring and Attending the Oregon Collaboration Summit offers an invaluable opportunity to:

Gain Insight: Stay ahead of the curve with the latest tools, programs, and best practices that are essential for driving economic development in your community.

Network: Connect with hundreds of like-minded professionals across various sectors, including business, workforce development, public policy, and community planning.

Collaborate: Forge new partnerships and strengthen existing ones to tackle shared challenges and advance collective goals.

Celebrate Success: Recognize and celebrate Oregon’s most impactful economic development initiatives and the leaders behind them.

CONTACT US



Ready to submit your sponsorship?

Email us at info@oeda.biz with your selection, or to request more information about our available sponsorship options.

We look forward to seeing you in Albany!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

THANK YOU TO OUR GROWING LIST OF SPONSORS!

PAST SPONSORS

Business Oregon | PGE | Avista Utilities | Coraggio Group | NW Natural | Travel Salem | Site Selection Magazine | Oregon CCB | KCEDA | SEDCOR | BNSF Railway | United Pacific | Travel Lane County | Marion County | Travel Oregon | OCVA | Washington County | League of Oregon Cities | Lane Community College | City of Salem | Salem Electric | Cascade Natural Gas | Oregon Department of Energy | Wells Fargo | Hubspot | Oregon Community Foundation | Willamette University | Umpqua Bank | Chemeketa Community College | Oregon DLCD | Blue Ridge Strategies | NorthPoint Development | Sierra Pacific Industries | Connected Lane County | Pacific Power | Costar | University of Oregon | Oregon State University | Western Oregon University | Oregon Institute of Technology | Willamette Workforce Partnership | US Small Business Administration | Oregon SBDC Network | CCD Business Development Corp. | SCDC, Inc. | City of North Bend | Association of Oregon Counties | City of Hillsboro | Wild Rivers Coast Alliance | Comcast | Chmura