Oregon State University - Cascades Campus' annnual "It's in the Bag" lecture series continues on Wednesday, December 2 with a presentation titled "Biking and Quilting for Joe the Plumber." The lunchtime lecture will be given by Kreg Lindberg of OSU-Cascades’ tourism and outdoor leadership program, who gave the popular “Play Without Outlets” lecture in 2009.  

Recreational events have become an important part of Central Oregon life, both for residents and for visitors.  Events can generate significant revenue for hotels, restaurants, and other tourism businesses.  They also provide the initial exposure that may lead event participants to return to the region as return visitors or in-migrants.  

Using research gathered during the locally hosted Road Racing National Championships and Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, Lindberg will explore how their economic benefits go well beyond the tourism sector.  Demonstrating the links between tourism and other local sectors, he’ll explain how visitor spending also benefits accountants, farmers, and the proverbial Joe the Plumber.  

Lindberg teaches and conducts research in tourism and outdoor recreation, with a particular focus on economics and ecotourism.  His research provides data to facilitate decision-making within the tourism and recreation management fields. His projects have been funded by organizations such as Oregon State Parks, the Bureau of Land Management, the World Bank, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (Australia), Tourism Queensland, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Norwegian Research Council, and Visit Bend.

Lindberg has a Ph.D. in forest social science with a minor in economics from OSU and a master’s from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
 
“It’s in the Bag” lectures are held the first Wednesday of each month, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.  in Cascades Hall, Room 118.  The public is invited to bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy an in-depth look at faculty research projects, and understand how they relate to the everyday world.   

Lectures are free and no reservation is needed. Complimentary beverages will be available. Audience members are asked to pick-up a free parking pass from the main office before parking. For more information visit www.OSUcascades.edu or contact 541-322-3100 or info@osucascades.edu.