Attendees of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) Annual Meeting & Expo pose for photos with llamas in lab coats.

Credit: Tom Cook

Meeting Planner Testimonials

See why planners rave about their experiences bringing meetings and events to the Rose City and the support they receive from Travel Portland along the way.

Travel Portland was an invaluable partner throughout our planning process. They truly helped “connect the dots” by coordinating site visits and communication for contracting our 14 different hotels and providing a robust foundation of trusted local vendors. Their team was consistently responsive, offering expert local insights and answering every question we had with ease. We couldn’t have navigated the city’s logistics as successfully without their support.
Sage Speak, Senior Event Manager, Launch, Inc.
Technology industry event • Winter 2026 • 3,500 attendees

in a big conference room, people listen to panel speakers seated on a stage — Speakers discuss modern topics at the International Mass Timber Conference 2024.

people in business casual clothes stand in a ballroom under an ornate ceiling — An event in a ballroom of the Oregon Convention Center.

people walk outside of a large building with two large glass towers — Conference attendees approach the Oregon Convention Center.

attendees at an event sit around conference tables with plates of food — Attendees enjoy the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Venue Connect 2024 event.

Two masked fencers on a mat compete in front of judges — Two athletes compete at the USA Fencing March North American Cup 2024.

Portland strikes a balance – it’s not as high-pressure as big cities, but it still has a smart, forward-thinking atmosphere. People come here to think clearly, collaborate creatively and get things done without the burnout vibe.
Alisha Santoyo, Director of Education and Events, Oregon Dental Association
Oregon Dental Conference • April 2025 • 3,000 attendees

Portland is a wonderful town. The friendliest people, world-class food and entertainment and the quirkiest (i.e., fun) culture of any place in the world. Yes, we would recommend Portland … It’s an affordable “big” city with awesome convention facilities, hotels and support.
Tom Waddell, VP of Marketing, International Mass Timber Conference
International Mass Timber Conference • March 2024 • 3,000 attendees

Portland had so much to offer, with affordable meals for students, easy transportation from the airport and then within the city. Not having tax on food made our budget go further, and the green initiatives at the center were important for our attendees.
Lori Strong, Sr. Meetings Director, Burk & Associates Meetings
The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) Annual Meeting • January 2026 • 2,000 attendees

If you’re seeking a city that values collaboration, innovation and unparalleled support, look no further than Portland. They truly go above and beyond to ensure your event is nothing short of exceptional.
Stacey Ogren, CMP, DES, Meeting Manager, dLPLAN
Technical education industry event • March 2024 • 1,500 attendees

people walk across a street near a light rail train — Conference attendees walk from the headquarter hotel across the street to the Oregon Convention Center.

people walk under a large floral sculpture in a conference building — Beautiful natural light at the Oregon Convention Center highlights "Ginkgoberry Gwa" by Ming Fay, two glass and bronze sculptures inspired by Oregon ecology and mythology.

a huge convention hall filled with display stands and visitors — At the Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2024, visitors play games, browse art and check out vintage and retro cartridges and discs.

the oregon convention center, a large city building with two spiked towers — Aerial view of the Oregon Convention Center at sunset.

a view over the portland downtown area showing mt. hood in the distance — In addition to the fascinating experience of exploring the mansion itself, Northwest Portland’s historic Pittock Mansion offers stunning views of the city skyline and Mount Hood beyond.

We were absolutely smitten with Portland. The Oregon Convention Center is lovely, especially with all the natural light, beautiful artwork, and wide-open spaces. The food is outstanding and may be the best I’ve ever had in more than 30 years of attending conferences. I hope to come back someday and will enthusiastically recommend Portland.
Robert Sinkovits, San Diego Supercomputer Center
PEARC23 conference • July 2023 • 800 attendees

The various neighborhoods throughout the city are walkable, clean, and safe. The locals are friendly, polite, and compassionate. The Oregon Convention Center’s recent renovation is gorgeous with an efficient layout and easily accessible via the MAX Light Rail.
Carly Raines, Account Manager, Sourcing, NHS Global Events

Travel Portland showcased the city from the very first site visit. They stayed engaged with us throughout the entire planning and preparation steps all the way through the event itself.
John Werner, President and COO, MAST Travel Network
MAST Annual Conference • Spring 2025 • 300 attendees

Working with Travel Portland, The Oregon Convention Center and the hotels was top notch! 10/10, would recommend!
Natalie Perry, Meeting & Events Manager, Advocacy & Management Group, Inc.
American Mosquito Control Association Annual Meeting • Spring 2026 • 1,000 attendees

What Portland is Known For

From the best U.S. airport to a nationally recognized food scene, Portland stands out in all the right ways. See what puts the Rose City at the top of the list.

a colorful tablescape of delicious Singaporean and Malaysian dishes

Connect With Our Experts

Our Sales & Services team members are your on-the-ground experts. We can do everything from connecting you with the local hospitality community to conducting site visits.