Press Play Salem Founder and Elsinore Theatre Marketing Director Carlee Wright will receive a 2026 Distinguished Service Award at the 75th Annual First Citizen Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 18.
On Tuesday, March 17, we surprised Carlee at the Elsinore Theatre board meeting with the news of her recognition. Join us at the 75th Annual First Citizen Awards Banquet to see the surprise on video!
For more than two decades, Carlee Wright has played a central role in shaping Salem’s creative identity, building connections across the community through arts, culture, and storytelling. Through both her professional work and extensive volunteer leadership, Carlee has helped make Salem a more vibrant, inclusive, and engaged place to live.
Carlee is perhaps best known as the founder and driving force behind Press Play Salem, a publication and platform that has become a trusted and widely used guide to the city’s arts, entertainment, and cultural scene. More than a simple events listing, Press Play Salem serves as an entry point for residents and visitors alike — highlighting local artists, food and drink destinations, events, and experiences while helping people feel more connected to the community around them.
In her professional roles, Carlee continues to support and elevate Salem’s creative economy. As the Marketing Director for the Elsinore Theatre, she helps promote one of the city’s most iconic cultural venues. She also shares her expertise as an adjunct instructor in the Visual Communications program at Chemeketa Community College, mentoring and preparing the next generation of creative professionals.
But Carlee’s impact extends well beyond her professional work. Her leadership in volunteer roles has helped shape many of Salem’s cultural initiatives and organizations. She currently serves as Chair of the City of Salem’s Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board, where she helps guide decisions on how the city invests in and promotes arts and tourism. Her work reflects a balance of creativity and stewardship, ensuring resources are used thoughtfully to benefit the broader community.
Over the years, Carlee has contributed to a wide range of organizations and initiatives. She is a Cultural Ambassador for the Oregon Cultural Trust and a co-founder of The Moxie Initiative, a nonprofit focused on community-based creative projects. Earlier in her career, she helped establish organizations such as Cherry City Roller Derby and Forge X Northwest — efforts that continue to influence Salem’s cultural landscape today. She has also been an active participant in the Salem Multicultural Institute, supporting cultural education and celebration through events like the World Beat Festival.
Colleagues and friends describe Carlee as a connector — someone who brings people together, amplifies voices, and helps ideas take shape. Her work consistently centers on uplifting artists, small businesses, and community organizations, often behind the scenes.
Although Carlee is not one to seek recognition, her contributions have been noticed. She has received multiple honors, including the City of Salem’s Outstanding City Advisory Group Volunteer Award (2024), the Maps Community Award (2023), and Travel Salem’s Most Culturally Connected Award (2023) for Press Play Salem.
Through her steady leadership and creative vision, Carlee Wright has helped define what makes Salem unique. Her work continues to strengthen the city’s cultural fabric — creating opportunities for connection, expression, and shared experience that benefit the entire community.
We cannot wait to honor Carlee and for you to join us at the 75th Annual First Citizen Awards Banquet!
See below for event details and make sure to get your tickets!
75th First Citizen Awards Banquet
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Salem Convention Center
GET TICKETS: https://salemchamber.org/events/first-citizen/
Join us at the banquet to celebrate Carlee, the rest of our esteemed honorees, and our incredible community.
We thank our First Citizen Awards sponsors, including Presenting Sponsors Mountain West Center for Community Excellence and Pioneer Trust Bank, for making this premier Salem event possible.
