If you are looking to throw a memorable corporate event, you’ve come to the right place. Portland welcomes your organization with open arms. Unique venues to host your product launch, team off-site, or company conference are abundant in Portland, Oregon, thanks to this city’s commitment to remain distinct. A place that celebrates diversity and supports the protection of the environment, Portland has proved time and time again it’s ready and willing to host all types of corporate affairs.
Whether your company is based in Portland, is in town for a convention, or is simply searching for a location to host your next off-site meeting, this city is bursting with unique venues and event spaces. No ordinary place will do – if you are looking to impress clients, customers, or co-workers, check out The Vendry’s list of 12 unique venues in the Portland area.
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland
Capacity: 180 seated
A wooden, peaceful haven reminiscent of a forest in Norway, Nordia House - on the grounds of Nordic Northwest - delivers an unexpected backdrop to your corporate training retreat or meeting. Contemporary Nordic design dominates The Great Hall, a space that can fit 180 seats, and is filled with natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the lush protected wetlands on the ground. Need a boardroom for a private leadership meeting or breakout session? The MLC Conference Room is available with audio/visual capabilities, versatile seating, and patio access, creating the perfect space for your team to workshop ideas. When it comes to truly unique spaces in Portland, this one is up there.
Neighborhood: Buckman
Capacity: 120 standing, 70 seated
If you are looking for a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere to hold your team meeting or company off-site, then look no further than ENSO Winery. Featuring wines specific to the northwest, ENSO has become a beloved local spot. Hold a presentation for 60 seated guests in the Barrel Room, which has its private entrance. Or rent out the entire Winery, which can accommodate 120 people standing, giving access to the Tasting Lounge. Once your business for the day is concluded, invite your clients or coworkers to a private tasting, conducted by one of the winemakers on staff. If you need more items than what is available on-site, ENSO has a trusted partner for every type of rental.
Neighborhood: Downtown Portland
Capacity: 1000 standing, 900 seated
As one of the oldest museums in the country, the Portland Art Museum (locally referred to as PAM) is a standout for unique venues in the city. There are a whopping seven different spaces within the PAM to hold your corporate event. Two large ballrooms can be combined to accommodate up to 900 seated guests, but the real standout is the Evan H. Roberts Sculpture Mall. A rare outdoor option in Portland, the Sculpture Mall is a genuine urban oasis between the PAM’s two buildings, offering views of the tranquil gardens and a clear, overhead tent should the weather turn.
Neighborhood: Buckman
Capacity: 400 standing
Time to get down to business. A premier space in the vast Portland landscape of choices, The Get Down knows how to put on a corporate event and then some. For your product roll-out or training presentation, there’s a 16 x 20-foot stage complete with microphones, monitors, full lighting, and robust sound systems. The space itself has a rock ‘n roll vibe and can accommodate 400 standing in a 6,900 square-foot space. They have two Greenrooms for breakout sessions, a VIP Lounge, as well as a full kitchen. Partner with their preferred caterer or bring in your own. The Get Down is centrally located, easy to access, and sets a great tone for whatever corporate event you happen to be planning.
Neighborhood: Buckman
Capacity: 225 standing, 200 seated
Housed in a Quonset hut from the mid-20th century in Portland’s Central Eastside, Coopers Hall is an urban winery perfect for your next company off-site. There’s tons of natural light in this 10,000-square-foot structure, so daytime events here are commonplace. Plan your event with the experienced Coopers Hall team, who will guide you through the space’s many choices. Select the Mezzanine that overlooks the winery for a private luncheon or breakout session, or utilize the entire space for a presentation or training, offering the ability to seat 200. Of course, their regional wine is dynamite, but the food – under the direction of Executive Chefs Tyler Weeks and Jeremy Pratt – is all locally sourced and divine.
Neighborhood: Hosford-Abernethy
Capacity: 2500 standing, 750 seated
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) not only is bursting with options for your next corporate gathering in Portland, but it also provides a one-of-a-kind backdrop on the water sure to wow all of your team. With its herringbone floors and large center stage, The Auditorium is a multi-functional space perfect for panel discussions, lectures, and meetings. If you need something larger in scale, book a private large-screen viewing or lecture in OMSI’s state-of-the-art Empirical Theater, a space that can seat 300 people. Believe it or not, the food is truly a standout at the OMSI. Secure Theory Restaurant, with its open floor plan and toasty fireplace, for an after-hours team dinner. And how about that view!
Neighborhood: Downtown
Capacity: 1000 seated
If your corporate event needs are big – both in scale and in grandeur – consider the historic McMenamins Crystal Ballroom downtown, a space that has hosted the likes of Tina Turner and James Brown. This space is a full-on theater, so presentations and product launches are more than welcome. The Crystal Ballroom has all the production amenities you can dream up in its 7,500-square-foot space, including stage lighting, sound, and video projectors. If you love the venue but don’t need the main ballroom, fit your party in Lola’s Room, their second-story space that can fit 200 people. Bonus: the venue provides security if you need it!
Neighborhood: Goose Hollow/Foothills League
Capacity: 560 seated
Housed in a captivating Art Deco building, The Tiffany Center boasts two large ballrooms and a conference space perfect for your organization’s next meeting. Your guests will be impressed with the remarkable entrance, which is a local artist’s reproduction of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. If you need to feed your crowd, allow local favorite and in-house partner Rafati’s Catering to execute all your corporate event’s needs and wants, from food to rentals.
Neighborhood: Cascade Locks, Oregon
Capacity: 400 standing, 200 seated
One hour outside of Portland is The Gorge Pavilion, a retreat for your team in the truest sense. This hexagon-shaped structure is completely enclosed with vaulted ceilings, a concrete floor, and windows along five sides. This space lends itself for presentations or trainings, as there are microphones, speakers, and a projector screen all in-house. The grounds will seal the deal for you at The Gorge Pavilion – there’s panoramic views of the forested Gorge Cliffs, Columbia River, and Washington mountain peaks. Take a break between meetings to lounge in the outside picnic areas and tents.
Neighborhood: Northwest
Capacity: 900 standing, 400 seated
Nestled on the edge of the Pearl District is Castaway Portland, a former 1929 warehouse-turned-event-venue, restored in 2014. There’s a whole 10,000 square feet of wide open space here, perfect for your conference or corporate meeting. The exposed wood beams keep the space cozy, and the shiny concrete floors look polished. There’s an executive office area perfect for a breakout leadership meeting, a full catering kitchen, and even outdoor green spaces for when the team needs a break. Your meeting will be in excellent hands – Castaway is a Cast + Co organization, a family-owned hospitality group operating in Portland since 2012.
Neighborhood: Hosford-Abernethy
Capacity: 30 seated
Spark some creativity in the Parisian-inspired, swoon-worthy space of Tendue. There’s only room for 30 people here, so it makes for a perfect location for a mid-size team meeting, leadership off-site, or workshop. Tendue is a fully furnished space to spend the morning, evening, or all day. This space has two large dining tables, a round-top table, and a lounge area with a 49” TV. If presentations are on your to-do list, there’s Wifi, a Bluetooth speaker, and a whiteboard. Tendue is here to help you curate an individualized experience for your team.
Neighborhood: Hosford-Abernethy
Capacity: 680 standing, 430 seated
Need a sprawling spot to showcase your goods? Then The Loft at 8th Avenue is your answer. Originally built as a warehouse in 1965, this 16,690 square-foot warehouse is now managed by the experienced Vibrant Table Catering & Events group since 2015. The Annex is the largest area at The Loft at 8th Avenue, and is an industrial space with clean neutral walls, natural wood, polished cement floors, and built-in audio/visual capabilities. Pair the Warehouse with the Annex for full electrical capabilities. Open the retractable doors to reveal the Outdoor Patio, which is a welcomed oasis during a day of back-to-back meetings. The Loft will provide you with a long list of preferred audio/visual and lighting vendors with whom to work.
Need help planning your Portland Event? Find the top agencies and vendors for your next event!
You’ve landed in Portland to host your corporate event. Excellent! Now it’s time to put together a checklist of everything you need to host your inspired off-site, product launch, team meeting, or leadership conference in this fair city.
Portland Event Checklist:
· Unique venue. See above.
· Rentals. From furniture to forks, be sure to ask what your venue has available.
· Tech Equipment. Double check with your space to see what they can offer, or partner with a trusted local vendor.
· Catering. No matter the agenda, you will likely be feeding your guests, so plan for meals and snacks.
· Private Dining. Will you need a private dining space after your day of meetings?
· Weather preparation. While it's typically mild Portland, be sure to plan for inclement weather should any portion of your event bring guests outside.
· Transport. Be certain to have your guests stay close to your venue, or plan for their transportation to get there.· Go green. Gratefully, Portland has many city-wide initiatives to follow when it comes to earth-friendly actions, so make sure your event complies.
Portland is bursting with the best unique event spaces and The Vendry is here to help you find them. Search by neighborhood, capacity, and venue type to narrow down your choices. Find out your venue’s stats and offerings, and even search for nearby hotels.
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