It’s a big month for Portland, Oregon: Last week, its Oregon Convention Center officially completed a momentous $40 million renovation. It marked the first large-scale renovation to take place at the facility since it was built three decades ago, and also took place during OCC’s busiest year to date — a feat in itself.

The renovation included updates to public spaces throughout the venue to improve accessibility, creating a new plaza to serve as a flexible outdoor space option for events, and elevated design touches that reflect the building’s surroundings.

“We made sure to keep our local community and setting top-of-mind throughout the planning and implementation process of this project,” said Craig Stroud, OCC’s executive director. “Subsequently, we concentrated on aspects that are important and unique to Oregon.”

He continued, “I think the results of this focus are evident, both in the impact and originality of the Pacific Northwest-inspired design elements, but also in the level of care that was taken to improve the accessibility, sustainability and flexibility aspects and capabilities we offer our guests, building-wide.”

Combined with the planned December 2019 opening of the 600-room Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, located adjacent to OCC, this convention center renovation will provide a shiny new meetings offering to planners who may not have considered Portland before. Both facilities will also be a boon to the surrounding Lloyd neighborhood.

“When we began planning this comprehensive renovation project, all the way back in 2013, we saw a need for Portland to level up its meetings and convention offerings,” said Scott Cruickshank, general manager of visitor venues for Metro (which owns and operates OCC) and former OCC executive director. “This renovation has done that and more. Portland now has a top-tier conventions venue, paired with a sizeable convention hotel, that has national and international appeal.”

He continued, “Many community organizations, firms and stakeholders have been involved in this project over the years, and so its completion is also exciting to the local residents and partners.”

Another notable aspect of the OCC’s renovation: The project was completed on time and on budget, according to officials.

Oregon Convention Center is the largest and one of the most sustainable convention centers in the Pacific Northwest, with a total 1 million square feet of event space. It hosts an average of 500 events and 600,000 guests annually across two grand ballrooms and 52 meeting rooms. To learn more, go here.

Photo Credit: Sheepscot Creative, courtesy of OCC

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