Central Oregon Launches Initiative to Attract Business Conventions

Central Oregon is taking significant steps to position itself as a prime destination for business conventions. Local tourism promotion organizations have united to create a new initiative called “Meet in Central Oregon,” which aims to attract businesses looking for suitable venues for meetings and conventions. This collaborative effort is designed to provide essential support to industries and companies in finding the right locations for their gatherings.

Conventions can significantly boost local economies, thereby benefiting hotels and associated businesses. Business travelers typically pay premium rates for accommodations and are more likely to return with their families for leisure visits. As Scott Larson, CEO of Visit Central Oregon, noted, “It’s an important market for the business. A good rule of thumb is for properties to have about 30-40% of their bookings in groups.”

At Sunriver Resort, meetings and conventions represent around one-third of its overall bookings, according to Lindsay Borkowski, director of sales and marketing. The resort boasts 44,000 square feet of flexible event space, including both indoor and outdoor options. Borkowski emphasized that conventions play a crucial role in stabilizing the seasonal fluctuations in travel, contributing to off-peak revenue for the region.

As the economic landscape evolves, traditional leisure travelers often delay booking trips, complicating staffing and resource planning for hotels. In contrast, meetings and conventions are typically booked well in advance and are often scheduled during off-peak months, allowing attendees to explore the local community.

Collaboration to Enhance Visibility

The establishment of Meet in Central Oregon marks a strategic move to ensure that the region remains a top choice for meeting planners. JoAnna Eisler, executive director of the initiative, stated, “By uniting five destination marketing organizations, we’re able to show up in the national meetings and event space with one strong, clear voice. Central Oregon has always offered memorable experiences and now we’re pairing that with intentional sales efforts.”

In the past, Bend was known for attracting national and international sporting events, but as its popularity increased, concerns over congestion prompted a pullback in convention marketing. Nate Wyeth from Visit Bend highlighted this shift, noting that efforts to promote the city for meetings have recently been revitalized. He remarked, “Bend is well positioned for that kind of travel and we provide the unexpected corporate retreat experience. We now are hearing from meeting planners looking for opportunities to host events in Bend.”

Funding for this initiative comes from a consortium of local destination marketing organizations, including Visit Bend, Visit Central Oregon, Destination Redmond, Explore Sisters, and Explore Prineville. Each organization is contributing resources to staff the initiative and respond to inquiries from meeting planners.

Wyeth emphasized the importance of a balanced investment strategy, stating, “The visitor economy powers the city. If we can draw people in throughout the year, not just in the summer months, that helps provide stability for the economy overall.”

The launch of Meet in Central Oregon represents a proactive approach to enhancing the region’s appeal as a business destination. By fostering collaboration among various marketing organizations and leveraging the area’s unique attractions, Central Oregon aims to secure its place in the competitive meetings and conventions market.