The Eugene, Cascades & Coast region of Oregon is a geographic jackpot. Head west from the largest city, Eugene, and it’s an hour to the sands of the Pacific Coast. An hour east, the Cascade Mountains rise. Between those breathtaking bookends are refreshing waterfalls and wineries.
So naturally, Eugene attracts lots of meetings, and that’s likely to become more the case as planners increasingly seek cities like it — small and safe with plenty to see and do outdoors.
In July, Juanita Metzler, senior director, conventions, at Travel Lane County – Eugene, Cascades & Coast, picked up the phone more in a month than she had in a year, as meeting planners called for dates as far forward as 2027. “Everybody’s looking for that new place where they can explore and get people outdoors for a different experience,” she said.
Downtown hotel cheers Oregon Ducks
Eugene is a college town, home to the University of Oregon. Downtown, the Graduate Hotel has plenty of school spirit, its décor a mix of the Pacific Northwest, school colors and Oregon Ducks’ traditions. With 275 guest rooms and 30,000 square feet of meeting space, it is the city’s largest hotel.
Across the Willamette River, the 257-room Valley River Inn has 15,000 square feet of meeting space, with riverfront balconies on a fourth of its rooms.
Smaller meetings often land a few blocks away at the 72-room Gordon Hotel and its sister property, the 69-room Inn at the 5th, adjacent to the Hult Center for the Performing Arts and tax-free shopping at 5th Street Public Market.
Eugene, Cascades & Coast’s liquid assets
A winery, a waterfall or both easily fit into itineraries. The Willamette Valley, one of the world’s top wine regions, has more than 500 wineries, including King Estate, 25 minutes from Eugene. A European-style tasting room and restaurant overlook vast vineyards at this family winery, widely admired for its sustainable practices.
Waterfalls are a short drive as well, with many located right off the highways, making it easy to see several in a few hours along a single route. Rafting trips on the McKenzie River are an option for those who want more action.
On the coast, groups can opt for a wide range of hotels and resorts as well as the Florence Events Center. Dune buggy rides on the largest coastal sand dunes in the country are an exhilarating way to spend an afternoon.
Eugene, Cascades & Coast will arrange these and other off-site events, and its planning services are complimentary.
Access increases; rebate for new business
At a time when many airports have lost service, Eugene Airport has gained flights, with nonstop service to 16 cities provided by seven airlines. Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines recently entered the market.
And, there may be no better time to explore the area thanks to a rebate offer. New business of 200 room nights or more, held now through June 30, 2022, can receive rebates of up to $2,000 depending on number of room nights.
For more information:
Juanita Metzler
Travel Lane County – Eugene, Cascades & Coast
541-743-8758 or 800-547-5445
Juanita@EugeneCascadesCoast.org
www.EugeneCascadesCoast.org/meetings
