Oregon Convention Center Completes $40 Million Renovation
November 27, 2019
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 upcoming December 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 greenest convention center in the Pacific Northwest, totaling 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.
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HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
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MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
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From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
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MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
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MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
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