Why Choose Portland

The short answer: it’s amazing. The longer answer: Portland is a one-of-a-kind place with one-of-a-kind experiences. With tax-free shopping, a vast culinary landscape, nearby destinations (think wine country and Mount Hood, for starters), and the Oregon Convention Center (the largest convention facility in the Pacific Northwest), it’s easy to see why our city was named one of the best places to visit in the world. Top 5 Reasons to Meet in Portland 1. Hotel Package that Keeps Getting Better: With an enviable collection of boutique and big-name hotels, Portland’s hotel package is experiencing a big growth spurt. This summer we break ground for the new Hyatt Regency headquarters hotel, adding to our 7,000 central-city rooms for 2019. The Oregonian reports Portland will have 40% more hotel rooms by 2020. 2. Great Value—and Values: With no sales tax or food and beverage tax, Portland lets you stretch your budget while delegates indulge. We’re also big on saving the other kind of green, with a natural commitment to sustainability, inclusion and ethical practices. Portland is one of Lonely Planet’s Top Cities to Visit in 2017. 3. Spacious, Beautiful (and Sustainable!) Convention Center: The Oregon Convention Center (OCC) became the nation’s first LEED-certified meeting facility in 2004, then upped its game by going LEED Platinum in 2014. The OCC offers 255,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, 50 meeting rooms totaling 55,000 square feet and two ballrooms totaling 60,000 square feet. Portland is one of Smart Meetings’ Top 10 U.S. Conference Cities. 4. Happy Planner, Happy Delegates (and Lots of Them): You’re already a hero (or a heroine); meeting in Portland will catapult you to super status. The city’s welcoming culture and famous food scene delights delegates, and Travel Portland’s here-when-you need-us service keeps planners smiling. Portland is one of The New York Times’ best places to go in 2017 and one of Travel + Leisure’s best cities in the U.S. Travel Portland has earned the Meetings & Convention Gold Service Award 16 years in a row. 5. Award-winning Transportation: Portland has the nation’s best airport — and getting around gets even better when you step outside and experience our convenient, easy-to-navigate transit system that includes light rail, streetcars and the original mode of transport: walking. Portland International Airport (PDX) has been voted the nation’s best airport by Travel + Leisure readers for four years running.