Smart Meetings

The declaration well summarizes the phenomenon of a city that has kept far under the radar for most of its existence, only to emerge in the last five years as a shining example of what a city can be with a little patience and plenty of foresight. Back in the 1970s, when gas and land were cheap and cities were more concerned with economic development than congestion and sprawl, Portland had an urban growth boundary in place and a commitment to responsible planning.

Today, the ideology has paid off. It’s hard to pick up a magazine without finding Portland in some sort of “Top 10” list. Outdoor recreation magazines champion the easy access to snow-capped mountains, roaring rivers and pristine forest. Culinary magazines regularly cite the city’s surprising claim to a number of top-tier restaurants and chefs. And almost all publications seem to agree that Portland is one of the most eco-friendly cities in the world, as well as one of the best places to live in America.

On the meetings side, the chorus of praise is no different. With the largest convention center in the Northwest, an eclectic array of downtown hotels and an award-winning transit system, the city has the ability to accommodate groups large and small. In fact, association planners reach some of their highest turnout numbers in Portland, thanks to national interest and a wealth of attractions that include museums, innovative restaurants, bountiful outdoor recreation opportunities and a booming wine country, all only minutes away.

“Portland as a city certainly has its hustle-bustle,” explains Michael Smith, vice president of sales for the Portland Oregon Visitors Association. “But, because of the urban growth boundary, there is farmland just outside of it. You can get out in 10 minutes.”

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Portland’s origins were that of a port town. Set at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers near the Pacific Ocean, at the border of what is now Washington, it was a primary headquarters for trade during most of the 19th century. However, after Seattle’s deep-water harbor was established, providing a safer alternative to the more treacherous mouth of the Columbia, Portland’s growth slowed, and Seattle overtook it as the principal Northwest city.

Experiencing a more measured development than other boom cities on the West Coast, like San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle, Portland was able to evolve at its own comfortable pace. In addition to the growth boundary, it now has one of the best public transit systems of any major city, one of the highest parks-per-capita ratios in the country and a pedestrian-friendly downtown.

The city was a perfect match for Lee Ashwill, co-general chairman for the National Square Dance Convention. He brought 8,100 dancers to Portland for four days in 2005, occupying a majority of the hotels downtown. “For many [of the attendees] this was a chance to see a country that they had very little knowledge of,” he says. “Their vision of Oregon was very different from the reality.”

In addition to having a marathon of dancing options from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday, the attendees also took advantage of several off-site excursions, including trips to nearby Mount Saint Helens in Washington, the Columbia River Gorge and local tours of the city.

Aside from the attractions, Ashwill says the convention members’ response to Portland was particularly positive because of the friendliness of the entire community, from the hotel employees to the CVB to the residents. “It is a very friendly walking city, so many of us walked through the downtown,” he says. “The locals were great; they waved and hollered when they recognized us.”

With the word-of-mouth buzz about Portland so loud and so positive, it’s surprising that one of the city’s top advantages is its affordability. Room rates and services are well below other major West Coast cities and the free transit and zero state sales tax further decrease the overall sticker price.

It’s difficult to say what the city will be like 10 years from now but, if history gives any precedent, city officials are well prepared. One thing is clear—Portland is white-hot in both the leisure and the meetings market, and it doesn’t show any signs of cooling off.

Meeting Venues
At nearly a million square feet, the Oregon Convention Center is the largest in the Pacific Northwest. With 255,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, the center also offers two grand ballrooms at 35,000 and 25,000 square feet, 50 meeting rooms and an 800-space enclosed garage. These parking spots are not always needed, however, as the convention center is easily accessed from downtown via the highly praised MAX light rail system, which is free within the downtown core (including the convention center). In fact, it is the overwhelming success of the MAX system and its connection to the convention center that has assuaged one concern that planners may have—the fact that there is only one hotel in close proximity to the convention center. “Some meeting planners are a little wary of that, but when they go on [MAX] for site tours they just love it,” explains Michael Smith of POVA. “Light rail has been a godsend—it works very easily and it really helps with the cost factor.”

Complementing Portland’s exemplary eco-friendliness, the convention center boasts the coveted LEED certification, one of only a few convention centers in the U.S. to pass the stringent environmental stewardship standards required under the national certification process. Showcasing this achievement is the Rain Garden, an intricate central waterway that takes collected rainwater and strips it of pollutants before emptying it out into the Willamette River.

Business needs are well-handled with Wi-Fi Internet throughout and an on-site FedEx/Kinko’s. With $2 million in artwork and plenty of natural light, the Oregon Convention Center is an impressive facility and mirrors the city’s natural beauty as well as its strong artistic culture.

Beyond the convention center, another option for larger meetings in the Portland area is the Portland Expo Center, with five interconnected exhibit halls totaling 330,000 sq. ft. and 11 meeting rooms. Attached to the MAX light rail system, the expo center also includes 2,200 parking spaces.

Downtown, a few dozen hotels provide every kind of accommodation and meeting space, from classy and historic to state-of-the-art modern. Built in 1912, The Benson Hotel is a historic landmark as well as a favorite downtown destination. Recently renovated, the 287-room, Four-Diamond hotel features beautiful European décor, with Italian marble floors, antique chandeliers and Axminster carpets. The elegant Mayfair Ballroom can host a banquet for nearly 400 guests, while several smaller rooms can handle breakout sessions. Another historic property, the Governor Hotel (governorhotel.com) is ideally located in the heart of the city and offers 100 guest rooms and 24,000 sq. ft. of meeting space with several unique rooms.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower (portland.hilton.com) is the largest hotel in the city, with 782 guest rooms and 45,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, making it the primary meetings hotel downtown. Another heavyweight is the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront (portlandmarriott.com), with 503 guest rooms and more than 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The only hotel near the Oregon Convention Center, the Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center (portlandlloydcenter.doubletree.com) supports conventions with 476 guest rooms and its 8,500-square-foot IACC-approved Executive Meeting Center.

Smaller meetings are also well-served in Portland, with a number of stylish boutique hotels, such as the 84-room River Place Hotel, with several meeting rooms of various sizes and a quiet, out-of-the-way location by the river.

Unique Venues
While Portland certainly has the convention center and hotel collection to host just about any size or type of meeting, it excels at providing options for truly unique and memorable gatherings.

Fans of either submarines or Sean Connery will be thrilled at the chance to board the USS Blueback, the submarine used in the film The Hunt for Red October. Located on the Willamette River as part of the Museum of Science and Industry, the entire sub can be rented out for the ultimate themed meeting. The museum itself is one of the best in the nation and has an abundance of different meeting space options to choose from.

If you require a more tranquil ambience for your group, the exquisite Portland Classical Chinese Garden is one of the most peaceful places imaginable. The grounds feature ornate bridges, garden walkways and detailed architecture, while indoor space can handle about 250 attendees.

For a very hip experience, consider a meeting at one of the seven McMenamins Historic Properties. Six of the venues are old historic hotels that have been transformed into quirky, fun and inspiring destinations, all with a diverse range of meeting options. Most include their own restaurant, bar and theater, and all have Wi-Fi.

See It to Believe It
It would be difficult to quell the curiosity most attendees have for exploring Portland, so be sure to consider the myriad options for off-site excursions, city tours and team-building experiences that the city and the outlying outdoors have in store.

While Portland itself is a red-hot destination, likewise Oregon wine has become trendy, particularly the wonderful pinot noirs that come from the Willamette Valley. A great number of vineyards can be found just outside the city limits, and several operations can bus groups from downtown for tours and tastings. The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club blends wine-tasting and fine Northwest cuisine with some of the best golf in the state, featuring two 18-hole courses and resort-like amenities. Several chateau-style meeting rooms in the club house allow for business between holes and tastings.

On a beautiful day, the city’s International Rose Test Garden, set into the hills above the city, offers beautiful views as well as a chance to walk through more than 500 varieties of roses.

Adjacent to the rose garden, both the Oregon Zoo and the Japanese Garden offer a variety of meeting options as well as an inspiring environment.

Despite Portland’s numerous tranquil settings, the city is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Virtually every environment that appeals to nature lovers and sports buffs—mountains, forests, rivers and the ocean—are within an hour’s drive. The Columbia River Gorge, regularly barraged with high winds, is one of the most exciting places in the world to watch windsurfers launch their craft skyward off the lips of cresting waves. Mount Hood, to the east, is world-class for skiing, mountaineering and hiking. And the many rivers that wind throughout Oregon are a playground for white-water rafting and fishing.

If you have bookworms in your group, be sure to mention Powell’s Books, the largest independent bookstore in the U.S. and a stimulating location for smaller meetings. Distinguished authors regularly visit for well-attended readings.

Whatever your passion, Portland generally has your fix, which is one of the reasons attendees leave the city satisfied. The only hard part is getting them on the plane back home. Back to Top

Getting There

Portland International Airport (flypdx.com) offers nonstop service to several dozen U.S. and international cities. The MAX light rail system connects the airport to the Oregon Convention Center as well as to downtown. Back to Top