VENUE REVIEW
The Oregon Convention Center, situated across from the new Hyatt Regency Portland
OREGON CONVENTION CENTER
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n October, the Oregon Convention Center (OCC) completed a $40 million renovation that upgraded and reimagined the center’s public spaces and ballrooms. The project also included a reconstruction of the exterior plaza on the northeast corner, and improved the accessibility and sustainability of the venue. The overhaul reflects Portland’s rising star in the hospitality industry, according to Craig Stroud, Executive Director of the OCC. “Portland has changed since the OCC was originally built in 1990,” he observes. “As a growing city, and a dynamic place of interest for visitors and meeting attendees from around the globe, the need for a
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R EC ENT R ENO VAT I O N A ND NEW H EA D Q UA R T ER S H O T EL B R I NG MO R E G R O UP B USI NESS T O P O R T LA ND By George Seli
comprehensive venue refresh of Portland’s convention center became apparent several years ago. Official conversations between key Portland travel and tourism leaders and elected officials began in 2013, pointing to the need for a renovated convention center paired with a new convention center hotel. These discussions resulted in the 600-room Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, located directly across the street from OCC, as well as the completion of OCC’s momentous renovation.” More recently, Hyatt has debuted the 220-room Hyatt Centric Downtown Portland. The Hyatt Centric will help to accommodate overflow from the headquarters hotel, which FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2020 SPRING
