Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Welcome

 

April 17-20, 2023 | Hallmark Resort Newport | Oregon

Come to the Rocky Mountain State Park Executive Conference!

We're honored to host the Rocky Mountain State Park Executive Conference (RMSPEC) in Newport on the stunning Central Oregon Coast. Enjoy pristine beaches, rocky shorelines and coastal forests. The conference venue, Hallmark Resort Newport, faces the Pacific Ocean and is perfect for watching sunsets and walking along the beach.

Our event teams are busy planning field trips to showcase the beauty of Oregon's state parks, as well as the operational and maintenance challenges of parks buffeted by winds, rains and sometimes waves. Our theme for 2023 is resilience. It means facing our challenges with determination and emerging stronger for what comes next. It means adapting to changes in natural, cultural and recreational resource management while serving our visitors and planning for the future. 

We've reserved a block of rooms for this conference. See information below for calling the hotel to make your reservations.

RMSPEC guaranteed rooms expire soon! Make your reservations today. See below for all the details.

Wondering what you should see and do while you're visiting Newport? See a points of interest and shopping map for ideas.

We hope to see you in April!

Call (855) 391-2484 to reserve your room at the Hallmark Resort Newport.
  • Be sure to tell the operator that you're attending the RMSPEC conference to receive the per diem rate of $131 per night, plus lodging tax. Online reservations aren't available at this rate.
  • Feb. 28, 2023 is the cutoff for guaranteed RMSPEC reservations.  After this date, rooms are subject to availability and best available rate.
Visit Hallmark Resort Newport for more information about the location, rooms, and amenities.

View from Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site of the Yaquina Bay Bridge on U.S. 101. The park and the bridge are just south of the Hallmark Resort Newport.

Conference Registration is as easy as 1-2-3!

  1. Purchase your conference registration: The cost is $300 per person after a $50 discount provided through Nebraska State Parks. Register as a 
  2. Fill out your information form (link emailed after purchase)
  3. Sign up for a shuttle from and to the airport if needed. (Link emailed after submitting information form). 
  • If you purchased your conference registration and did not receive the links or someone purchased on your behalf, you can fill out the forms below:
  • ​Filling out the information and shuttle forms without purchasing your registration will not secure your spot at the conference. You must start with step 1. 

The tidepools at Seal Rock State Recreation Site south of Newport.


  • Conference shuttles will be provided from the Eugene Airport (EUG) to the Hallmark Resort Newport and back. Attendees will need to request shuttle service during step 2 of the registration process and then complete the shuttle service form emailed to you. If you have completed steps 1 and 2, you can fill out the shuttle reservation form

  • All field trip transportation during the conference will be provided by RMSPEC. Please let us know of any needed accommodations during registration.

  • ​Any additional travel arrangements must be secured by attendees. 

US 101, the Oregon Coast Highway, brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to coastal state parks. The Spencer Creek Bridge on US 101 is next to Beverly Beach State Park and the path beneath the bridge leads to a stunning beach.


The four-day conference will offer a mix of learning sessions on natural, cultural and recreational resource management followed by field trips to learn more on site at historical properties, beaches, forest trails and scenic areas. The event also includes a vendor expo, director's meeting, welcome reception and hospitality. ​​

Full conference agenda (updated March 21)

Monday: Conference Begins

  • ​Airport shuttles available all day
  • Registration open
  • Afternoon vendor expo and welcome reception
  • Evening hospitality

Tuesday: Natural Resources Day

  • Registration open
  • Natural resources learning sessions
  • ​Afternoon fieldtrips to Fogarty Creek, Devils Punchbowl and Beverly Beach
  • ​Dinner
  • Evening hospitality
Wednesday: Historic Resources Day
  • ​​Registration open
  • Historic resources learning sessions​
  • ​Afternoon fieldtrips to Whale Watching Center, Otter Crest, Cape Foulweather and Yaquina Bay
  • Dinner
  • Evening hospitality​

Thursday: Cultural Resources Day

  • Registration open
  • Cultural Resources learning sessions
  • Afternoon fieldtrips to Amanda's Trail and Suspension Bridge, Cape Perpetua National Scenic Area and Heceta Head
  • Closing banquet
  • Evening hospitality

We're excited to announce that Dr. Craig W. ​Shinn​ will be our keynote speaker for RMSPEC 2023. Dr. Shinn is an Emeritus Professor of Public Administration in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, faculty in the Center for Public Service and a Fellow in the Institute of Sustainable Solutions at Portland State University. 

From his bio: Dr. Shinn’s teaching includes substantive courses in environmental and natural resource policy and administration, public policy process, analysis and advocacy, organizational theory, development and change and collaborative governance.  His research stems from his interests in how policy agreement is created and sustained in society including administrative aspects of adaptive management, social aspects of sustainability, civic capacity building and inter-jurisdictional administration of natural resources.

Additional speakers

Thank you for choosing to support the RMSPEC 2023 event.  These opportunities would not be possible without you.

Exhibit space is very limited.  Exhibit opportunities are available as a sponsor benefit only and sponsorship opportunities will be issued on a first come basis in the order received, so we encourage you to apply early. 

You can download a copy of the RMSPEC Sponsor Guide for more information on packages, benefits, and costs.  Complete the Agreement Form online .



Explore the Oregon Coast

Newport is the perfect basecamp for an extended stay to explore the pristine beauty of the Oregon Coast. ​​​​

Enjoy rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, rolling dunes, historical lighthouses and coastal forests along Oregon's 362 miles of public oceanfront. Newport is near dozens of state parks and several landmarks including the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area and the Siuslaw National Forest. You can also try your luck at spotting a whale from our Whale Watching Center​ at Depoe Bay. 

Plan your coast adventure:

Surfers at Ecola State Park near Seaside, Oregon.


General Information Inquiries

Conference Chair and Sponsors
Tammy Baumann
503-385-5825

Accounting
Alan Freudenthal

Registration and Lodging
Allison Mangini

Speaker Concierge
Dani Padilla

Exhibitor Coordinator
Eric Timmons

Transportation
Preson Phillips

Sponsors

Platinum



Gold

Silver


Bronze



Green Flush Restrooms
Tailgate Talks

Tell your colleagues! Share the RMSPEC Save-The-Date

Gray whale tail photo taken at the Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center on the central Oregon Coast.