Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board

Fiscal year 2025-2026 Culture and Tourism Grant applications will become available online October 10, 2024, and will close November 18, 2024.

Attendance at one of two pre-application meetings is required to apply:

Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Via Zoom meeting. Organizations must submit email request for the link to cneider@cityofsalem.net or kskelly@cityofsalem.net.

Thursday, October 10, 2024, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Via Zoom meeting. Organizations must submit email request for the link to cneider@cityofsalem.net or kskelly@cityofsalem.net.

Details: Grants for Promotion of Culture and Tourism


The Salem Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board advises the City Council on matters pertaining to the use of the transient occupancy tax, cultural activities, and convention and tourism business in Salem. The Salem Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board encourages development of a unified approach to promoting Salem; recommending an annual budget to implement such activities; and reviewing and making recommendations on the performance of contractors funded by the transient occupancy tax.

The board advises the City Council on programs and issues affecting the promotion of Salem, particularly in the area of cultural amenities and tourism. The board’s functions shall include advice and/or recommendations on:

  • Allocation of the transient occupancy tax (TOT)
  • Request for proposals for services necessary for the development and promotion of conventions and tourism
  • Coordination of activities with other public and private organizations including all TOT recipients involved in the promotion and/or the enhancement of the quality of life in Salem
  • Review and comment on all quarterly/mid-year/annual reports filed with the City by TOT recipients
  • Conduct other related functions deemed as necessary or beneficial to promote convention and tourism business in Salem

The Salem Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board meets at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Agendas and meeting packet materials are available no later than 6 p.m. on the Friday prior to the Tuesday meeting.

Authority: SRC Chapter 16
Number of members:
9
Type of appointment:
Mayoral recommendation with City Council approval
Length of term:
3 years

Agendas and minutes

Special membership requirements

  • The members shall be residents of or have their places of business in the City of Salem
  • One member shall be a representative of the for-profit tourism industry

Rules and bylaws

Grant reporting forms

Grant recipients must complete the appropriate reporting form at the end of the grant year.

Board members

Member Position Appointment Term Term Expires
Betsy Vega
 5/14/24  1st 06/30/2026
James Franklin
 11/12/24  1st 06/30/2027
 Anthony Pisicoli
 11/12/24  1st 06/30/2026
Roger Williams
 1/9/23  2nd 06/30/2027
Erin Zysett
 10/01/2023  1st 06/30/2026
Carlee Wright Vice-Chair  09/26/2022  1st 06/30/2025
Omar I Alvarado
 03/11/2019  2nd 06/30/2025
Ryan N Gail Chair  07/01/2019  2nd 06/30/2025
Vacant For-profit tourism industry representative

06/30/2024