As an internationally-focused event planning company, EJP Events has extensive knowledge about destinations worldwide. But we have even deeper expertise in our hometown: Portland, Oregon. This Pacific Northwestern metropolis, located about 70 miles/115 km from the Pacific Ocean and 180 miles/300 km south of Seattle, offers abundant natural beauty, decent weather year-round (if you don’t mind a little rain), and exceptional venues for association and corporate events, conferences, and meetings. Here’s your primer on what The Rose City has to offer.
Top Portland Event Venues: Hotels & Meeting Spaces
Oregon Convention Center: Where Sustainability Meets Scale
The Oregon Convention Center isn’t just LEED Platinum certified—it’s a sustainability pioneer. As the first convention center in the world to earn LEED certification (2004) and one of only two in the U.S. with Platinum status, OCC proves that large-scale events can be environmentally responsible. Solar panels generate over 25% of the building’s electricity, waste diversion programs keep materials out of landfills, and the recent Platinum certification from the Events Industry Council for Sustainable Event Standards confirms OCC’s position as a global leader. With 255,000 square feet of exhibit space, 52 meeting rooms, and direct MAX light rail access, this venue makes it easy for purpose-driven organizations to practice what they preach. EJP Events has planned many events at the OCC, and it’s one of our favorite large-scale venues that brings sustainability, affordability, and active transportation all together.
Ideal for: Sustainability conferences, mission-driven associations, environmental organizations, and nonprofits seeking venues that align with their values.
The Ritz-Carlton Portland: Luxury Downtown Event Space
Brand new to the scene and housed in the ultra-sleek Block 216 Building (Portland’s fifth-tallest building), the “Ritz” brings a touch of modern class to downtown Portland. This 251-room five-star hotel with spa features:
- 17,883 square feet (1,661.4 m²) of meeting space over nine rooms
- Ballroom that can hold 800 guests
- Bellpine restaurant and bar on the twentieth floor offering panoramic views of the city and lands beyond, including Mounts Hood and Saint Helens on clear days
Ideal for: Corporate conferences, galas, and upscale business meetings
The Hotel Zags. ©Evrim Icoz Photography
The Hotel Zags: Boutique Portland Meeting Venue
Located on the south side of downtown, The Zags has a hip vibe, billing itself “the perfect Portland portal.” The young and young-at-heart will appreciate The Zags’s loaner bicycles, skate boards and other gear available. This distinctive venue provides:
- The Colosseum Room with capacity for ninety attendees
- Two smaller board/breakout rooms
- Perfect spot for a smaller meeting, or a special “add-on” to another big event
Ideal for: Executive retreats, creative workshops, and intimate corporate gatherings
The Allison Inn: Oregon Wine Country Event Destination
Located approximately forty-five minutes from downtown, The Allison is snugly ensconced in Oregon’s Wine Country, a region rich with vineyards and tasting rooms. The Allison’s 77 guest rooms and 8 suites make a great “home base” for viticultural explorations. This premier venue bills itself as “Oregon’s premier event venue and meeting space” with:
- 25,000 square feet (2,323 m²) of overall space
- Private outdoor terraces for receptions
- On-site spa and restaurant
- Wine tasting experiences nearby
Ideal for: Multi-day conferences, executive offsites, social events, and incentive programs
Portland Team-Building Activities & Outdoor Experiences
The breadth of outdoor activities within a one-hour radius from Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse is staggering. Here’s a sample of what’s available:
Multnomah Falls: Columbia River Gorge Excursion
Nestled in the mighty Columbia River Gorge east of Portland, Oregon’s highest waterfall drops 620 ft (189 m) from plateau to valley floor. Multnomah Falls is a natural photo-op (many an engagement photo has been taken here). And it’s just one of many falls along the Historic Columbia River Highway, a road built over 100 years ago linking our city to the east and offering numerous vistas and scenes of beauty for the traveler willing to get off of busy I-84. And the Columbia Gorge Express allows easy car-free access to the Falls and other destinations in the Gorge.
Washington Park & Forest Park: Easily Accessible Urban Nature Escapes
There’s no need to even leave the city limits to enjoy spectacular scenery and connections to nature. Nestled in the Tualatin Mountains, aka “West Hills,” which rise sharply just west of downtown, these parks feature:
- Scenic vistas and miles of wooded, winding paths (including the famed Wildwood Trail)
- Hoyt Arboretum with diverse collections
- Pittock Mansion with historic charm and sweeping views
Why Choose Portland for Your Next Event
No Sales Tax in Oregon
Oregon is one of five states to have no sales tax, and no local sales tax either. (We do have lodging tax, though.) No need to pull out a calculator when figuring out the total of your purchase! And Portland has many great shopping districts, like Downtown, the Pearl, SE Hawthorne, Sellwood, NE Alberta, and N Mississippi.
Event benefit: Your event budget goes further with predictable costs for catering, equipment rentals, and attendee purchases.
Public Transit That Gets You Places
For a mid-sized American city, Portland’s public transportation is impressive—a mix of light rail, streetcar, aerial tram, and of course buses connecting to all corners of the Metro area (including the Airport). Many lines feature frequent service, meaning waiting no longer than 15 minutes for the next conveyance. Paying your fare is easy, whether via Tri-Met’s (our local transit agency) Hop card or phone app, or paying via phone pay or credit card—no need for an app!
Event benefit: Attendees can navigate Portland independently without rental cars, reducing your transportation coordination needs and impact on the environment.
Bicycles! Portland’s Bike-Friendly Infrastructure
Like transit, our bicycle infrastructure is great for a mid-sized American city. Many destinations in inner Portland are just a half-hour or less bike ride away, and you can often get places by bike faster than on the bus or in a car. Didn’t bring a bike with you? No problem! Biketown, our ride-share system, has hundreds of community e-bikes scattered throughout the city—use it when you need to, then dock when done.
Plan Your Portland Event with Local Experts
Ready to explore Portland venues for your next corporate or association event, conference, or meeting? EJP Events brings deep local knowledge and international event planning expertise to ensure your Rose City event succeeds.
Contact us today to start planning your event.
