Vancouver, Washington at a Glance
Location: Western Maryland, at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers
Access: Portland International Airport, Amtrak, Interstate 5
Major Meeting Spaces: Vancouver Convention Center and Clark County Event Center
Hotel Rooms: 3,769
Off-Site Venues: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Pearson Air Museum, Vancouver Waterfront
Contact Info:
Visit Vancouver WA
877-600-0800
visitvancouverwa.com
Just across the Columbia River from Oregon’s largest city, the city of Vancouver, Washington, is Portland’s pretty little sister and an ideal choice for meeting planners. With a lively waterfront, rich history and flexible spaces for meetings and conferences, it has all the ingredients for successful events. Best of all, it’s only 15 minutes from Portland International Airport and 150 scenic miles from Seattle.
“Washington’s Vancouver is still somewhat undiscovered in the Pacific Northwest, with a perfect blend of big city amenities and small-town charm that you can’t find anywhere else,” said Erica Lindemann, director of marketing for Visit Vancouver WA. “We like to say we’re ‘close to everything, far from typical’ since we have the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. St. Helens and Pacific Coast basically in our backyard. These Pacific Northwest wonders worth the day trip, while staying in a lively and relaxing city.”
Destination Highlights
Not to be confused with the city of the same name in Canada, the “other” Vancouver is Washington’s fourth-largest city and affectionately referred to as “the Couve” (rhymes with “move”) by locals. With dramatic Mount St. Helens in the distance and surrounded by the lush peaks of the Cascade Mountains, Vancouver is delightful for outdoor enthusiasts — whether hiking and kayaking or just admiring sailboats and sea lions from a patio on the city’s downtown waterfront, which recently underwent a $1.5 billion makeover. Stretching across 30-plus acres of former paper mill land, the development’s centerpiece is a 90-foot pier reaching out into the Columbia River. Above it, a towering metal beam and cable suspensions rise, echoing the graceful lines of a sail.
Visit Vancouver Washington offers an array of services to help make meetings of all sizes a success. Downtown walking maps encourage exploration, and the popular Show Your Badge Pass offers discounts at local restaurants and retailers to engage attendees. The destinations services team is happy to arrange a variety of experiences tailored to your group.
Major Meeting Spaces
The first hotel in the world to attain both LEED and Green Seal certification, the 226-room Hilton Vancouver Washington and Vancouver Convention Center offers contemporary design of customizable space, with 16 meeting rooms and 30,000 square feet that can accommodate up to 1,300 attendees.
A tribute to Pacific Northwest history, the distinctive (and dog-friendly) Heathman Lodge has 10,000 square feet of event and venue space for up to 400 attendees, along with 182 charmingly appointed guest rooms and suites.
Operated by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, the gleaming 14-story Ilani Resort has nearly 300 guest rooms, along with a casino, world-class entertainment and more than 22,000 square feet of meeting space for up to 2,200 attendees.
On the waterfront, the Hotel Indigo Vancouver and AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront are ideal for corporate gatherings, including board meetings and retreats. Great views, fitness facilities and a spa are among the amenities attendees will enjoy.
Distinctive Venues
At Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, the Red Cross House can host up to 150 guests in a unique setting surrounded by rich history and scenic views. Known as the birthplace of West Coast aviation, Pearson Air Museum is a working airport that is also part of the historic site. Permits can be arranged to hold events in the Historic Hangar, an indoor/outdoor venue that can accommodate up to 500 attendees, as well as at the 1870s bandstand and other locations within the park.
After the Meeting
One of the first permanent settlements west of the Rocky Mountains, Fort Vancouver was where the state’s first grape vines were planted in 1825. Today, the city is home to many tasting rooms, and a self-guided wine-tasting tour is an ideal way to explore some of Southwest Washington’s finest vintages. For beer aficionados, Vancouver is also a hotbed of craft brewing.
Dating to 1853, the five-acre Esther Short Park is the oldest public park in the Northwest. The 69-foot Salmon Run Bell Tower tells the story of the Chinook Indians by means of a glockenspiel diorama. The urban plaza also boasts a Victorian rose garden, an interactive fountain and a performance pavilion. It hosts festivals and events throughout the year.
