Welcome

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

Welcome 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.

The theme for RMSPEC 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.

Daily Updates

Friday

No meal service Friday
All shuttles to the EUG airport will depart from the Hallmark Breezeway (please arrive promptly for on-time departures)
Lost and found items will be held in the Officer’s Mess conference room in the lobby.
Exhibitors planning to dismantle booths Friday, tear down is from 7 a.m. to noon.
Don't forgot to share your photos here!
Thank You for an amazing conference!!!

April 3 Note: New! Final agenda

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

Monday

Agenda

Tuesday

Agenda
Park fact sheets: Fogarty, Devil's Punchbowl, Beverly Beach
Full presentations

Wednesday

Agenda
Park fact sheets: Whale Watching Center, Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, Otter Crest
Full presentations

Thursday

Agenda
Park fact sheets: Heceta Head
Full presentations
Dr. Craig Shinn's bibliography

The conference block expired on March 31, 2023. Rooms at the Hallmark Resort Newport are subject to availability and best rate available. Call (855) 391-2484 to reserve your room at the Hallmark Resort Newport.

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 closed on April 3, 2023. Please contact organizers at rmspec.2023@oprd.oregon.gov regarding availability.

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.

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. Reservations are required for this service. Fill out the Shuttle Reservation Form to make your reservation.
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 April 3.) Printed copies of the agenda will be available on site.

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

To help you prepare, here are some important event details, useful tips and planning considerations.

Weather
It is April on the Oregon Coast so anything goes weather-wise and usually all in the same day. Temperatures are trending toward the high 50s – low 60s and there is usually some wind and you should plan for rain at least part of the time.

The fieldtrips will be rain or shine and we have taken measures to plan for the weather scenarios. For your comfort, we do recommend that you bring plenty of breathable layers, a rain jacket, and waterproof footwear.

Travel
Our amazing transportation team members are ready to transport you from and to the Eugene airport (EUG). Reservations are required for this service however, so if you have not already done so, please complete a shuttle reservation form ASAP. Those without a reservation will be added to trips as space is available and you could experience a long delay. Please let us know if your travel plans change.

Driving/Parking
If you choose to drive yourself to the conference, there is plenty of parking at the Hallmark Resort Newport. However, parking at fieldtrip locations is extremely limited. We are asking for your cooperation by traveling in your assigned van to all fieldtrips. Please let registration staff know if you need an exception to this request.

We’re happy to answer any of your questions at oprd.rmspec2023@oprd.oregon.gov or call Tammy Baumann, Conference Chair at 503-385-5825.

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.