Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/79688
AREA GUIDES PORTLAND CITY OF ROSES HAS THE RIGHT STUFF FOR TOP FLIGHT MEETINGS BY BRYSON MCDANIEL Set against the backdrop of majestic Mount Hood, Portland combines a sophisticated, cosmopolitan atmosphere with refreshingly friendly, small-town warmth that makes it a natural for busi- ness meetings and leisure tours of all types. You want a unique place for a meeting and affordable accommodations to match. You want great culture, memo- rable meals and delicious microbrews with no side order of sales tax. You want delegates to be zipped easily from the air- port to the convention center while being easy on the environment, too. With some of the finest hospitality a city can offer, Portland provides conference attendees all this plus more. Located in the heart of Portland, the Oregon Convention Center (OCC) is the largest convention center in the Pacific Northwest, making it an ideal venue for conventions, industry tradeshows, meet- ings, and banquets. The center's two grand ballrooms, 50 meeting rooms, 255,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, full-service catering and experi- enced staff can handle events of any size, from 10 to 10,000. The Oregon Convention Center offers one of the best in-house audio/visual crews in the industry. This experienced and creative "A/V Super Team" can help to make your event look spectacular – and save you time and money! OCC A/V offers a complete line of inventory and highly customizable systems, all built in- house, to assure you amazing control and flexibility. Portland boasts a wide array of hotels and lodging in the downtown and con- vention center area for conference atten- dees' convenience. The full-service Courtyard by Marriott is a fine option for planners to choose from when booking a conference in Portland. All within walk- ing distance of the Oregon Convention Center, this Marriott property offers 58 View of Downtown Portland from across the Willamette River. 3,111 sq. ft. of meeting space as well as 202 guest rooms. The Crowne Plaza Downtown/- Convention Center is Portland's new place to meet. Loaded with 9,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 240 guest rooms, this upscale hotel is an ideal option for small- to medium-sized business meetings. For planners that want to keep the conference close to the living quarters of the attendees for convenience, The 447- room Doubletree by Hilton Portland is an excellent choice. Portland's premier convention headquarter hotel offers more than 44,000 sq. ft. of flexible meet- ing space, including the 8,500-sq. ft. Executive Meeting Center, the only facil- ity of its kind in Portland. While in Portland don't forget to encourage conference attendees to explore the city's vast list of outdoor activities as well as some of the cultural museums and art galleries. African-Americans have made a size- able contribution to Portland's develop- ment since the time of the pioneers. They literally kept the city — and the nation — running with their invaluable work in the railway industry and the World War II shipyards. Today, the heart of Portland's African- American community is the Albina dis- trict, where vibrant green, yellow and red banners celebrate the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. along the boule- vard named in his honor. In the Pearl District, Black Portlanders like jazz drummer Mel Brown and blues vocalist Linda Hornbuckle regularly take the stage at Jimmy Mak's, considered one of the world's top jazz venues. Photo Credit: Portland CVB When planning a meeting or conven- tion in the area, be sure to contact Roy Jay, president/CEO of the Oregon Convention & Visitor Services Network. Jay, who is also president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon, will help you make your meeting there a smashing success. Getting to the city and getting around in the city is a piece of cake. Portland Inter- national Airport (PDX) is located nine miles north of downtown and is conveniently connected to the city center via MAX light rail train. HOTEL ROY JAY • • • STATS • • • Courtyard by Marriott Portland Crowne Plaza Downtown/Convention Center Doubletree by Hilton Portland EXHIBITION FACILITIES Oregon Convention Center Total Exhibit Space 255,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 50 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Oregon Convention & Visitor Services Network (503) 244-5794 www.oregoncvb.com/ African American Chamber of Commerce (503) 796-8667 Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com ROOMS 202 240 447