Hotel Hubs
Eugene has a healthy reservoir of lodging choices for planners to ponder, but two stand out when it comes to hosting medium-to-large events.
The Hilton Eugene provides 30,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space right downtown, with a focus on sustainability that includes charging stations for electronic vehicles, bike rentals and substantial food composting. Its location is another boon to groups, neighboring the Hult Center for the Performing Arts and within easy proximity to the Fifth Street Public Market, the Saturday Market, Amtrak and many boutique shops and top restaurants.
Meanwhile, the Valley River Inn shows off 15,000 square feet of meeting space that includes a trio of ballrooms. The property is also home to the popular Sweet Waters restaurant, where groups can enjoy farm-fresh flavors in an elegant dining room or on the al fresco patio with its invigorating views of the Willamette River.
Sophisticated groups will savor a stay at the boutique Inn at the 5th, an upscale oasis that is Eugene’s only AAA Four Diamond hotel. The property recently created several new meeting packages that run the gamut from an Oregon Wine Class with an acclaimed local sommelier to a group jog with general manager J.B. Carney, an avid runner who loves sharing personal insights on the city with guests.
“The property has an ever-growing menu of these experiences, another favorite being cocktail classes using local spirits with a seasonal flair, and we have plans for several new additions in 2018,” Carney said.
For on-site functions, Inn at the 5th offers the Maple Room, with 1,400 square feet that can be set to accommodate events of up to 80 people, as well as the intimate Back Room, with space for up to eight to meet privately.
Inspiring Off-Sites
Eugene is also home to numerous off-site options for hosting memorable meetings and receptions away from the host hotel or conference room. The range of possibilities includes classy, casual and culturally stimulating, giving planners the chance to find the right match for their group.
Regal and remarkable, the sprawling King Estate covers 1,033 acres surrounding a stunning European-style winery with panoramic vistas of the countryside. An award-winning restaurant showcases fine dining daily, indoors and out, with chef de cuisine Andrew Francisco’s menu, which emphasizes estate and locally grown organic ingredients that seamlessly pair with King Estate wines. One of Oregon’s leading wineries, the estate is especially well regarded for pinot gris and pinot noir.
For a less-formal affair, consider the Hop Valley Brewing Company, a production brewery with a spacious tasting room and patio. Its private spaces can accommodate 10 to 100 guests and more than two dozen brews are on tap for thirsty attendees. Hop Valley also operates a restaurant in nearby Springfield, with elevated pub grub taking old standbys like mozzarella sticks and hot wings to new heights.
The Hult Center for the Performing Arts, in the heart of downtown, is home to a wide range of performances, from stupendous Broadway shows to intimate dance recitals. Groups can come for a show or to host a function of their own, with snazzy settings that include a high-ceilinged lobby that can host up to 400 for a standing reception.
For some additional compelling culture, planners can consider the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon, with several tasteful spaces for special events and meetings.
“We love to do events there,” said Visit Lane County’s Metzler. “There are ever-changing exhibits, great catering from campus with wine and cocktails, and some superb spaces for a small dance or party.”
Elsewhere on campus, Metzler highly recommends the Ford Alumni Center for off-sites, particularly its high-ceilinged glass ballroom with generous views of the University of Oregon’s lush foliage and rolling knolls. The ballroom can host up to 300 theater-style or up to about 225 for a seated banquet.
