Oregon may not be top of mind when considering aquatic escapes, but with iconic natural attractions such as its gorgeous coastline, the spectacular Crater Lake and the lush Multnomah Falls, it should be.
The Beaver State is fluid in other ways, as well. It is home to one of the country’s tastiest microbrew scenes, a growing wine industry and waterborne pursuits that will add excitement to any meeting itinerary.
Brewhaha
From Ashland-based Caldera Brewing Company, the first microbrewery on the West Coast to can its beer, to Oregon City-based Coin Toss Brewing Co., which just opened this past summer, Oregon is positively flowing with great beer.
Nearby Oregon City, in Portland, planners hosting events at the Oregon Convention Center can consider serving Widmer Brothers, Laurelwood or another local brew, according to Mike Smith, Travel Portland’s vice president of convention sales.
“We’ll help planners identify ways to plug into the city without adding bulk to the itinerary, like suggesting great local breweries that also have event spaces,” Smith says.
Newer options in this ever-growing lineup include Base Camp Brewing Company, The Commons Brewery and The Spruce, an event space above Loyal Legion, a beer hall that debuted in July.
For a fun beer-centric outing in Portland, the group can book a Brewvana bus tour, or a bicycling, watercraft or walking tour with BrewGroup.
Eugene’s beer scene is hopping as well, and includes Ninkasi, Sam Bond’s, Hop Valley, Falling Sky, Oakshire and Agrarian Ales.
“Agrarian is a one-of-a-kind brewery that grows its own organic hops on a delightful hop and chili pepper farm,” says Angie Riley, digital marketing manager for Travel Lane County. “They can accommodate large groups with their casual, outdoor picnic-style seating.”
In Salem, groups can enjoy an outing aboard “Gus the Beer Bus” via Ale Ways Brewery Tours, according to Debbie McCune, director of sales for Travel Salem.
“The brewery tour is a great way for groups to experience Oregon’s capital city and get an up-close-and-personal look at Salem’s growing craft beer scene,” she says.
The Astoria-Warrenton area offers transport to stops along Oregon’s North Coast Craft Beer Trail, including Astoria-based Rogue Ales and Seaside-based Seaside Brewing Company.
Wonderful Waters
Seaside and the Astoria-Warrenton area are only two of many possible meeting spots along the incredible Oregon Coast.
There is also Cannon Beach, home to the often-photographed Haystack Rock, and Newport, where groups can partake in activities ranging from crabbing and kayaking to visiting nearby Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Oregon’s tallest lighthouse.
Florence, which has a walkable town center with neat shops and some dining options, is nearby another of Oregon’s popular lighthouses, the Heceta Head Lighthouse.
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Just south of Lincoln City, where groups can take a whale-watching tour or simply stroll along the beach in search of agates and old glass fishing floats in the sand, is Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a great place for birding and guided paddle tours.
Moving away from the coast to the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge is the magnificent Multnomah Falls, located only about 30 minutes away from Portland.
According to Mike Glover, CEO of the Hood River County COC, Martin’s Gorge Tours offers guided scenic tours to other area waterfalls, including Bridal Veils and Punch Bowl falls.
“The walking time to the falls creates an incredible opportunity for groups to talk and bond,” he says. “The views are totally unique and will keep their cameras clicking.”
And in the south-central part of the state nearby Roseburg is Crater Lake National Park, a must-visit sight in Oregon that annually attracts thousands of people from all over the world.
Water to Wine
Oregon is also a proud purveyor of wine, as well as a great place for water-based activities, including stand-up paddleboarding on the Deschutes River in Bend or canoeing on the Cascade Lakes in Sunriver. Though wine and water don’t necessarily mix, sometimes the two can go hand-in-hand.
Jae Heidenreich, destination development lead for Clackamas County Tourism & Cultural Affairs, says groups can easily combine an excursion via eNRG Kayaking, which facilitates stand-up paddleboard or kayak trips, including views of Willamette Falls, with wine-tasting at nearby West Linn-based Pete’s Mountain Vineyard & Winery and/or Ribera Vineyards.
Groups meeting in Corvallis can have a similar experience, as Cascadia Expeditions facilitates kayaking and whitewater rafting tours that could include a wine break starring local vintages.
“Cascadia Expeditions or Visit Corvallis can plan every detail from lunches to dinners or unique experiences like wild honey-tasting or customized chocolates for the group as souvenirs,” says Jennifer Johnson, travel trade manager for Visit Corvallis. “Make it a wine kayak tour or a beer kayak tour.”
After a relaxing and scenic guided paddle trip down the Tualatin River in Washington County, also known as Oregon Wine Country, groups can toast over a glass of wine or sake.
“Wineries, including Ponzi Vineyards, represent the evolution of our wine country, while SakeOne provides a one-of-a-kind experience for those who are fans of the popular Japanese beverage,” says Sylke Neal-Finnegan, director of marketing and communications for the Washington County Visitors Association.
Among the many other wineries throughout Oregon are Turner-based Willamette Valley Vineyards, which has a private meeting room and patio space to accommodate small groups; Medford-based Dancin Vineyards and RoxyAnn Winery; and Lane County’s Pfeiffer Vineyards, which has event space for banquets and receptions.
River Views
Oregon’s rivers travel through some of the state’s meetings destinations and provide lovely backdrops for several group-friendly venues.
Central Oregon is replete with group dining and reception options with a river view, according to Ted Taylor, manager of communications and content development at the Central Oregon Visitors Association.
Popular with groups is Bend-based The Riverhouse Hotel & Conference Center, which is home to Crossings Restaurant.
“The restaurant features a large, beautiful patio overlooking some gentle rapids, the kind that create the sound of relaxation,” Taylor says, adding that just south of Bend is Sunriver Resort. “Its meeting spaces are situated on the grassy banks of the scenic Little Deschutes River with the Cascade Mountains in the distance.”
In Eugene at the meetings-friendly Valley River Inn, Sweet Waters on the River, a restaurant overlooking the Willamette River, features happy hour specials.
