More than 100 business, community and elected leaders will travel from Austin to Portland, Oregon on October 22-24 as Chamber Chair-Elect Roger Mitchell, President of Texas Gas Service, guides the Central Texas delegation in the Chamber’s annual InterCity visit. This visit is aimed at observing “best practices” being implemented in other cities that are facing similar issues as those we face in our region.

With numerous similarities between Portland and the Central Texas region, there is a great deal to be learned on this trip to Oregon. The delegation will hear and discuss issues that Portland has addressed on both local and regional levels. Similar to Central Texas, Portland is very proud of its commitment to the environment and is heralded as one of the best places to live. Portland has already begun addressing issues that are just now gaining awareness in the Austin area including operating a modern streetcar, high-density development, constraints on urban sprawl and regional funding for the arts. The city is also dealing with concerns over high school redesign and enrolling more students in higher education.

This is the Chamber’s third consecutive InterCity visit. Past delegations have traveled to Seattle and Denver.

The delegation will depart from ABIA 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 22, on Southwest Flight #277. The group will meet at the Southwest Airlines counter at 8:30 a.m. The group will return at 11:10 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, on Southwest Flight #1520. If you wish to interview delegates, please notify Nan Matthews so arrangements can be made.

Elected officials who are participating in the InterCity visit include State Rep. Mike Krusee, Austin Mayor Will Wynn, Pflugerville Mayor Cat Callen, Leander Mayor John Cowman, Austin City Council Members Betty Dunkerley, Sheryl Cole and Jennifer Kim, as well as Austin City Manager Toby Futrell.