2024
OREGON GUIDE
2024 SPORTS ETA SYMPOSIUM IS COMING TO PORTLAND The City of Roses is set to host the country’s only nonprofit trade association for the sports and events tourism industry
www.SportsPlanningGuide.com
We have it all here in Oregon. There’s an intense spirit of sport that flows through our entire state, from the bright lights of Portland to the windswept shores of Bandon Dunes; from the stunning Columbia River Gorge – home to the world’s best windsurfing and kiteboarding – to the high desert adventure oasis of Bend; from the world-famous Pendleton RoundUp in rugged Eastern Oregon to the nation’s undisputed epicenter of track and field in Eugene. On top of that, we have a broad coalition of experienced tourism partners across the state – ready and eager to serve events of all shapes and sizes. We are genuinely unique when it comes to activity and recreation. After all, where else can you go surfing in the Pacific Ocean, skiing on Mt. Hood and tax-free shopping at the Nike, adidas and Columbia Sportswear stores – all in the same day? Where else can you run a half marathon through the lush vineyards of Oregon wine country in the morning and be inspired by jaw-dropping scenic wonders like Crater Lake and the Painted Hills in the afternoon? For world-class events, we are equally unique and successful. Together with our hospitality and business partners across the state, we’ve broken attendance records, and ushered in new, lucrative events to our state. We are a consistent stop for both Men’s and Women’s Division 1 Basketball Tournaments, we’ve anchored the awardwinning IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon into our region, and have experienced unparalleled success for the IAAF World Track & Field Championships in 2022 at Hayward Field. We also host the world’s most famous relay – the 196-mile Hood to Coast – as well as three separate world-class auto racing events (NASCAR, IndyCar, and Formula E). And Oregon will play host to the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Final Four in 2030. But we’re not stopping there. We’re looking for every possible opportunity to bring the best in sport to our state. So, give us a shot. If you’d like to explore options for bringing your next event to Oregon, e-mail me at jim@sportoregon.org, and we’ll quickly figure out if we can make it happen. Please join us as we celebrate the magnificent spirit of sport in the state that we are so fortunate to call home.
Jim Etzel CEO Sport Oregon
Scan to discover more of what Oregon offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com
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@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG
We are the epicenter of track and field, the birthplace of Nike, the Running Capital of the World, the host of the first World Athletics Championships in the United States and a community of sports fans. RUN your event here and COMPETE and EXPLORE! EugeneCascadesCoastSports.com
COMPETE
EXPLORE
2024 Sports ETA Symposium is Coming to Portland
SITE INSPECTIONS 8
Salem
10 Eugene, Cascades & Coast 12
Portland
13
Tualatin Valley
14
Medford
4
OREGON
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Sports Planning Guide
Oregon is a great state to get active. Photo courtesy of Tyler Roemer Travel
@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG
2024 SPORTS ETA SYMPOSIUM IS COMING TO PORTLAND The City of Roses is set to host the country’s only nonprofit trade association for the sports and events tourism industry
T
he vibrant city of Portland has established a reputation as one of the most sports-crazed destinations in the country. In addition to earning the monicker “Soccer City, U.S.A.” because of its vibrant fandom regarding Major
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By Jason Paha League Soccer’s Timbers and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Thorns, Portland boasts a diverse range of sports teams and facilities, headed up by the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. Next year, the City of Roses will add another feather to its sporting
cap when it hosts the Sports ETA Symposium, the annual meeting of the Sports Events & Tourism Association, a nonprofit trade association for the sports events and tourism industry. “The Sports ETA Symposium will bring our entire sports tourism industry to Portland, and to a larger sense, @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG
The Portland Timbers are one of the city’s most popular attractions.
Oregon in general,” said Matt Reed, chief operating officer for Sport Oregon. “It’s a massive opportunity for us because we know there’s a large percentage of folks who have never been to our area of the country. We have to take advantage of that.” The symposium will take place April 22-25, 2024. Throughout the week, sports destinations will meet with hundreds of decision-makers responsible for organizing sports events. The event helps attendees grow professionally, exchange ideas and drive more business at one of the largest gatherings of top executives in the sports events and tourism industry. The event is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees including more than 100 sports event planners. The 2023 symposium featured more than 13,000 scheduled appointments and the 2024 event figures to be even larger. Travel Portland and Sport Oregon are the host partners. Important dates to remember regarding the symposium are: SportsPlanningGuide.com
The Moda Center is home to the Portland Trail Blazers and is considered one of the best arenas in the NBA.
• Registration is open but appointments cannot be guaranteed if not registered by March 31, 2024 • One-on-one appointment portal opens February 26, 2024 • One-on-one appointment portal closes April 1, 2024 • Schedules distributed April 15, 2024 “Hosting this event is truly a collaborative effort in our community,” Reed said. “We at Sport Oregon will be partnership with our friends at Travel
Portland to host, but the team doesn’t stop there. We have an unbelievable team at the Oregon Convention Center, which will be hosting the majority of everyday conference activities. “The Hyatt Regency Portland is right next door to OCC and will serve as our HQ hotel, so they’re very involved in the planning as well. And then our overall sports and hospitality community will play a major role too. We are a sports and recreation town, and we’ll show that off.” Nestled along the picturesque Willamette River, Portland stands as Oregon’s largest city, housing nearly half of the state’s population. With its vibrant yet relaxed ambiance, flourishing cultural offerings and abundance of enchanting gardens, it comes as no surprise that Portland attracts an evergrowing number of visitors seeking to experience its charm and attractions. “Come early. Stay late. Portland itself provides endless fun, culture, worldclass dining, breweries, distilleries, and parks, but we’re also 30 minutes from one of the best wine regions in the world,” Reed said. “We’re just over an hour from the Oregon Coast. Another hour over to Mt. Hood. The adventures are endless in our region, and we can’t wait to show that off to our industry colleagues and clients next April.” As the only nonprofit 501(c)3 trade association for the sports and events tourism industry in the United States, Sports ETA is an essential resource for sports commissions, sports destinations, sports event owners and industry partners. As the sports events and tourism industry’s association, Sports ETA emphasizes business development and networking opportunities year-round that help make our members more effective in the business of bidding on, booking, and managing sporting events. Sports ETA produces a variety of in-person and virtual events for serious-minded sports events and tourism executives. To register for the event, visit sportseta.org/events/symposium. Sports Planning Guide
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SALEM, OR
Scan to discover more of what Travel Salem offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com
LOCATED ALONG THE TWISTING TURNS OF THE WILLAMETTE RIVER, OREGON’S CAPITAL CITY HAS PLENTY OF TRICKS UP ITS SLEEVE, REVEALING A TOURNAMENT-READY DESTINATION
Wallace Marine Park Softball Complex
The Salem region has a mild climate and is a beautiful blend of vineyards, waterfalls, brilliant gardens, historic museums, rich culture, and culinary delights. The scenic beauty, amenities and hospitality of the region is the “cherry on the top” when holding an event in the Most Oregon Part of Oregon! Known as the Sports Capital of Oregon, Salem has numerous state–of–the–art sports venues that live up to the name. 164 8
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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT
Oregon State Fair and Expo Center
Multipurpose indoor, multipurpose outdoor Spread across 185 acres, the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center presents a tremendous wealth of options for tournament planners. The Jackman– Long Building offers 48,000 square feet of indoor space, ideal for hosting indoor sporting events as well as boat or RV shows. The Pavilion is a 5,000–seat arena with 30,504 square feet of floor space, while the L.B. Day Amphitheater is the go–to spot in town for outdoor concerts, with seating for 8,900.
Wallace Marine Park Softball Complex
Softball, baseball, soccer, running, fishing, kayaking, boating Dubbed ”Softball City, USA,” Salem’s crowning softball jewel is located within Wallace Marine Park. The softball complex features 5 natural surface, lit fields surrounded by shaded and grassy areas. Spectator seating for more than 7,000 includes an elevated grand stand and portable bleachers. A boat ramp and fishing docks give visitors access to the Willamette River. As one of the best @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG
sports facilities in the entire Northwest, this complex is home to large regional and national tournaments annually, including the USA Softball National Girls Fastpitch tournament and the Senior Softball USA Jim Sherman Memorial NW Championships.
Pioneer Sports Park
Soccer, lacrosse, rugby, ultimate frisbee, multipurpose outdoor Home of the Capital Futbol Club, Pioneer Sports Park comprises 8 full–size fields ideal for hosting large tournaments bolstered by a suitable climate. This complex showcases 2 of only 11 FIFA Quality PRO-rated fields in North America with 3 turf fields and hosts the Capital Cup Soccer Tournament annually in June. PSP was the host site for the Unites States Australian Football League tournament in 2019.
Capital Fieldhouse
Basketball, volleyball, pickleball, futsal, multipurpose indoor The Capital Fieldhouse is the ultimate health, fitness, and indoor sports experience in the Willamette Valley. With more than 57,000 square feet of indoor space, this complex features 6 basketball courts, and six volleyball courts, making it one of the largest in the region.
POPULAR ACTIVITIES
NPJ Sports Complex
Volleyball, basketball, multipurpose indoor This multi–sport indoor complex (25,000 sf) houses 6 volleyball courts, 2 basketball courts, as well as multiple training & meeting room space. NPJ Sports Complex holds multiple tournaments year–round and is a premier sports venue in the Pacific Northwest!
▶ The Gilbert House Children’s Museum is an interactive
museum where kids have plenty of space to play and learn while engaging in STEAMfocused activities.
▶ Salem’s Riverfront Park is the city’s premier urban event park, located near numerous
Volcanoes Stadium
businesses, restaurants,
Baseball Home to the Salem–Keizer Volcanoes minor league baseball team, Volcanoes Stadium is a fabulous baseball park in the Salem region. Nicknamed “Oregon’s Field of Dreams,” the Salem–Keizer Volcanoes Stadium opened in 1997 and has seating capacity for 4,254.
entertainment and other trails and parks.
▶ The Salvation Army Ray and
Joan Kroc Crops Community Center features a waterpark with a junior Olympic competition pool, water slide, lazy river, hot tub and a splash pad.
TRAVEL SALEM Luke Zak Sports & Events Sales Manager luke@travelsalem.com 763-568-5180 www.travelsalem.com
PLANNER PERSPECTIVE
“We’re so lucky to work with a community like Salem. Everybody from the city staff to the team at Travel Salem, to the local community – they’ve all been welcoming and eager to make this event successful. We wouldn’t have had the success we’ve had without this high–level of cooperation and collaboration. Our athletes have noticed, and IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon has quickly become a favorite.” —Joel Gaff, Jr. Race Director of IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon Pioneer Sports Park
Capital Fieldhouse
SportsPlanningGuide.com
NPJ Sports Complex
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Eugene, Cascades & Coast, OR
Scan to discover more of what Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com
EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST SPORTS COMMISSION DEMONSTRATES LANE COUNTY’S POTENTIAL FOR CUTTING-EDGE SPORTING EVENTS
Jake Willard, TrackTown USA
Hayward Field
Beyond track and field, other traditional sports like football, baseball, swimming and volleyball flourish in Eugene’s facilities and venues. Triathlons, trail runs and mountain biking abound in the miles and miles of natural courses. BMX, cycling and disc golf events are growing in size and number. The region is also host to water sports, including speedboat racing and world-class rowing. 166 10
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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Hayward Field Track and field
Hayward Field at the University of Oregon is a purpose-built theater for track and field. In the inaugural year after a transformational renovation, the venue hosted the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field, the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Track & Field Championships, and the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic. The venue also hosted the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in 2022 and the Wanda Diamond
League Final in 2023—both being hosted in the U.S. for the first time. The world-class facility offers permanent seating for 12,650 and is expandable to nearly 25,000. Fans enjoy an unobstructed view of the nine-lane track and the first row of seating is at track level.
Autzen Stadium Football
Featured in the 1978 film National Lampoon’s Animal House, Autzen Stadium in Eugene seats 54,000 spectators and is regularly ranked amongst the nation’s top-10 venues @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG
POPULAR ACTIVITIES
▶ The Oregon coast has the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes
to watch a college football game. With consistent renovations since 1969, Autzen Stadium now features a FieldTurf surface with polyethylene and polypropylene fibers designed to resist extreme temperatures and weather conditions. With the 1981 addition of Barker Stadium Club, the facility offers supplementary meeting space and functional surroundings for pre-game activities.
Matthew Knight Arena
Basketball, volleyball, gymnastics Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene opened in 2011 and is one of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified arenas in the NCAA. This 12,364-seat multi-purpose arena is home to the University of Oregon Ducks basketball team. The venue features a 65,000-pound center-hung scoreboard and four 20-by-12foot high definition LED monitors.
in North America, making it
Bob Keefer Center for Sports
the perfect place for some
Basketball, tennis, volleyball
sandboarding.
Located in Springfield, Bob Keefer Center for Sports is a planner’s dream when it comes to utility. The center features a 97,000-square-foot venue with three regulation-sized basketball courts, four indoor tennis courts, three roller derby rinks, 11 volleyball courts, eight pickleball courts, a 33-foot high climbing wall and a fitness center. One of the largest sports and recreation facilities in the Northwest, the center can accommodate any type of event, from small games to large scale tournaments.
EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST SPORTS COMMISSION
▶ McKenzie River features crystal clear waters and river rafting along one of the Pacific Northwest’s most heralded treasures.
▶ Explore an abundance of
waterfalls in the area, including Proxy Falls, Sweet Creek Falls and Salt Creek Falls.
▶ Visit Cascades Raptor Center, one of the largest collections of native birds of prey species in the Pacific Northwest.
J. B. Carney Senior Director
▶ Skip the sunscreen at Splash! at
541-743-8757 JB@EugeneCascadesCoast.org
Lively Park, a year-round indoor
www.eugenecascadescoastsports.org
water park with plenty of options
Autzen Stadium
Peter Callero
for all ages.
PLANNER PERSPECTIVE
“We could not ask for a better partner in delivering world-class events than the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission. Whether we have hosted a regional, national, or international event, they have been integral to our strategic planning and the overall experience for numerous clients. When collaborating with the Sports Commission, our events enjoy tremendous success.”
Gregory Burns
Bob Keefer Center
Stafford Photography
— Michael Reilly, President of TrackTown USA
Matthew Knight Arena
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Portland, OR EXPERIENCE THE CONFLUENCE OF SCENIC BEAUTY AND A VIBRANT CITY IN PORTLAND
Scan to discover more of what Travel Portland offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com
PLANNER PERSPECTIVE
“We were absolutely smitten with Portland. The Oregon Convention Center is lovely, especially with all the natural light, beautiful artwork, and wide-open spaces. The food is outstanding and may be the best I’ve ever had in more than 30 years of attending conferences. I hope to come back someday and will enthusiastically recommend Portland.” — Robert Sinkovits, San Diego Supercomputer Center
Providence Park
Moda Center
Portland punches above our weight when it comes to sports cities. We’ve got the Trail Blazers, Timbers, Thorns, Hops, Winterhawks, and spacious venues at the Rose Quarter and Providence Park. Oh, yeah–we also have Nike, adidas, and Columbia which have transformed this city into a sports mecca.
FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Moda Center
Basketball, Hockey With a capacity of nearly 20,000, the Moda Center is the home to the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers and junior ice hockey Portland Winterhawks, as well as concerts, conventions, and more. The state-of-the-art multipurpose arena can also be transformed into an intimate, 6,000-seat venue with its Theater of the Clouds and features six banquet rooms.
Providence Park Soccer
POPULAR ACTIVITIES
▶ The Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) is located on the
east bank of the Willamette River in the heart of Portland and features five enormous halls that bring science to life with hundreds of hands-on exhibits. 168 12
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Located near downtown Portland with easy access to the MAX light rail line sits Providence Park, home of the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns professional soccer teams. Since first being used for spectator sports in 1893, the stadium has undergone several major renovations, most recently in 2019, and offers world-class views, private meeting spaces, and amazing local
food and drink while hosting numerous events all year long.
Veterans Memorial Coliseum Hockey, Events
Opened in 1960 as a memorial to veterans of all wars, Veterans Memorial Coliseum features a 12,000-seat arena, a 40,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, and seven meeting rooms, and can be configured for a more intimate setting of 1,000. The original home of the Portland Trail Blazers now hosts more than 150 events each year including Portland Winterhawks hockey games.
TRAVEL PORTLAND Cathy Kretz, CMP (503) 936-2171 cathy@travelportland.com www.travelportland.com/meetings
@SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG
Tualatin Valley, Or
Scan to discover more of what Tualatin Valley offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com
FOR GREAT SPORTS OUTINGS, BOTH INDOORS AND OUTDOORS, EXPLORE TUALATIN VALLEY
Wingspan Event & Conference Center
Tualatin Valley, Oregon, located minutes from downtown Portland, spans 727 square miles and is home to world-class golf courses, award-winning wineries, scenic parks, wetlands and wildlife preserves and a variety of restaurants and shops. Family activities are abundant, from sports, educational opportunities and annual events and festivals.
POPULAR ACTIVITIES
▶ The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals exists to educate on the wonder and complexity of Earth. The Rice is home to galleries and displays that showcase the beauty and variety of geologic wonders, such as Northwest thundereggs, agate, jasper, sunstones, and a vast collection of rocks, minerals, and gems. from around the world. SportsPlanningGuide.com
Gordon Faber Recreation Complex
FACILITY SPOTLIGHT Wingspan Event and Conference Center (Hillsboro, OR)
Hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking This new, high-tech meeting and event facility offers renowned quality of service, state-of-the-art technology and dedicated technical support and exceptional interior design finishes. Wingspan features a variety of room configurations, including expo space, conference rooms and break-out meeting spaces and offices, all of which are fullyequipped with advanced connectivity and audiovisual support.
Howard M. Terpenning Complex (Beaverton, OR)
Swimming, tennis, baseball, softball, lacrosse, hockey, basketball This 92-acre complex receives an estimated 650,000 visitors per year. This complex includes a 50-meter pool, 15 tennis courts, five
multipurpose fields for soccer, football and lacrosse, five softball fields, two baseball fields, a roller hockey rink, two skate parks, four outdoor and six indoor basketball courts.
Gordon Faber Recreation Complex (Hillsboro, OR) Football, women’s soccer, softball, baseball, lacrosse
The 90+ acre Gordon Faber Recreation Complex began development in 1999 and today includes a 7,000-seat Hillsboro Stadium home to Portland State University Football and Women’s Soccer; six premier natural softball baseball fields, and two artificial turf softball/baseball fields.
EXPLORE TUALATIN VALLEY Wendy Popkin (971) 245-2631 wendy@wcva.org tualatinvalley.org
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Medford, OR
Scan to discover more of what Travel Medford offers sports planners at SportsPlanningGuide.com
SITTING NEAR OREGON’S SOUTHERN BORDER, MEDFORD, (AKA “YOUR SPORTGROUND ”) IS WHERE FIRST-RATE FACILITIES MEET INCREDIBLE ATTRACTIONS TM
PLANNER PERSPECTIVE
“Our relationship with Travel Medford has been invaluable to the operation of our event. They have walked sideby-side with us from year one through year eight and have helped us roll-out the red carpet for our participants. The Rogue Valley Timbers and Rogue Memorial Challenge are thankful to have a strong working relationship with Travel Medford and The Chamber of Medford/Jackson County.” — Kevin Primerano, Director of the the Rogue Memorial Challenge (West Coast Youth Soccer Tournament)
Rogue X
Lithia & Driveway Fields
Located within the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon, Medford is accessible by air through Medford Airport, where flights are available from Alaska, Allegiant and Skywest through Delta and United Express. The airport is located just three miles northeast of downtown Medford and is accessible from I-5, which connects Medford along the road from Portland to San Francisco.
POPULAR ACTIVITIES
▶ Explore the remnants of a destroyed volcano and swim in the deepest lake in the country when you trek along Crater Lake National Park. 170 14
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FACILITY SPOTLIGHT
Lithia & Driveway Fields
Baseball, softball, soccer, flat fields Since opening in May of 2008, Lithia & Driveway Fields has hosted more than 47,000 youth and adult games and has generated more than $120 million in economic impact. It spans 132 acres, boasts 15 fields and accommodates several different sports. If it’s not already clear that this complex is a tourney planner’s fantasy facility, some other amenities to take notice of: FieldTurf synthetic grass, Musco lighting systems and Daktronics scoreboards. There are three full-sized baseball fields, seven fields for both softball and baseball, and five fields for soccer and football.
Rogue X
Indoor courts, events & aquatic center This new indoor 140,000-square-foot center for sports, aquatic and meetings boasts competition and recreation pools, meeting space, and room for eight basketball courts
and any variation for volleyball, pickleball, wrestling, cheer and dance competitions, and more. The site also features food trucks, concessions and an information center to accommodate visitors and locals, alike.
Gold Hill Whitewater Center
Rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding An Olympic hopeful when the 2028 Games come to Los Angeles, Gold Hill excels in length, water flow and drop, rivaling any natural or artificial course in the country. It is perfect for rafting, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and it is used to host races and events.
TRAVEL MEDFORD Brad King, Director of Sports Development 541-608-8535 bradk@travelmedford.org yoursportground.com @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG