Carter Gudell
Email: rps@visitcentraloregon.com
Title: Regional Programs Specialist
Organization: Visit Central Oregon
Community: Central Oregon
Population: 284,815 (3.9 million [including overnight visitors])
County Served: Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, and South Wasco
Meet Carter Gudell:
Carter earned a B.S. in Sustainable Community Development with a concentration in Climate Change and Green Infrastructure from UMass Amherst as well as two associate degrees from Greenfield Community College. Ever since a 23rd birthday spent on the Pacific Coast’s Hobbit’s Beach in Florence, OR, he began to hear whispers from Oregon beckoning. With experience in urban tree monitoring, group facilitation, customer service, personal care, and manual labor, Carter entertained the West’s whispers by accepting a position with RARE. He has not formed a clear path on how to play career, but evidently he is developing an interest in the land and people and the future thereof. He has other interests too, such as talking to strangers, gallivanting, staying hydrated, reading, hiking, playing cello, smelling the flowers, etc. The only things he knows he wants in this life are chickens, a quiet freehold, and loved ones near.
Community and Organization:
People come from all around to see Central Oregon. Tourism in Central Oregon, however, is a hot topic. Despite it contributing substantially to the local economies, some locals have negative views of tourism for a variety of reasons. Some of this has to do with education on the nature and benefits of tourism. For instance, Kim Molnar, the Director of the Crook County Chamber of Commerce, in an interview with Carter, shared stories of great opposition to mountain bike trail development at a Prineville town meeting. In it, there were claims that mountain biking generates sparks on trails, leading to wildfires. Molnar asserts this claim is false, and points out that misinformation is a factor in resident sentiment on tourism. More general anti-tourism movements exist, including bumper stickers that say “Defund Visit Bend,” which refers to the City’s Destination Management Organization, a happening that multiple sources have mentioned to Carter.
Projects:
Carter has a full plate in front of him. In addition to his administrative duties with RARE and navigating the high prices of Bend, he has been tasked with several projects that highlight Visit Central Oregon’s mission and vision. Carter will make a substantial amount of visual materials that will explain the highlights of tourism in the area. Also, he will survey low/high traffic areas, meet with various community members, livestream workshops, and more.