Trade Show News

Dallas-based NewcrestImage has acquired The Hotel Zags, a 174-room luxury lifestyle boutique property in downtown Portland, for $10 million. The hotel features 2,700 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.

Zucchetti Hospitality hosted its 'Bridge to Innovation' event in Portland from October 5-7, 2026, bringing together hospitality consultants to discuss future trends, technologies, and AI-driven innovations in the industry. The event aimed to foster dialogue and strengthen connections within the hospitality sector.

Travel Portland continues to drive demand for conventions and meetings, influencing planners to choose Portland and directly impacting the growth of local businesses.

The HBA Housing Forecast, presented by PARR Lumber, is scheduled for November 6, 2026, at the Oregon Convention Center. This event will feature national and state housing market forecasts from NAHB Senior Economist Robert Dietz, alongside a local industry panel, offering practical insights for 2027 business planning.

Advance hotel-room bookings for 2026 conventions are down by a third from 2025, attributed to bookings made during years of civil unrest and homelessness concerns. However, Portland is set for about 260,000 convention visitors in 2025, ahead of pre-COVID marks.

Michael Anderson, PhD, departed from the Oklahoma City Museum of Art in mid-August 2026 to assume the role of Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Director of the Portland Art Museum. This leadership change marks a significant personnel move for a prominent cultural institution in Portland.

Diversified, a Portland-based trade show and media company, has promoted Oakley Dyer to the newly created role of chief corporate development officer. Dyer will continue to lead the company's strategy and corporate development team, focusing on identifying, evaluating, and integrating acquisitions and new product opportunities. He has led over 30 acquisitions since joining in 2013.

Diversified, a Portland-based trade show and media company, has promoted Oakley Dyer to the newly created role of Chief Corporate Development Officer. Dyer will continue to lead the company's strategy and corporate development team, focusing on identifying, evaluating, and integrating acquisitions and new product opportunities. This move supports Diversified's ongoing expansion into new markets and growth in existing ones.

Diversified, a Portland-based trade show and media company, has promoted Oakley Dyer to the newly created role of Chief Corporate Development Officer. Dyer will continue to lead the company's strategy and corporate development team, focusing on acquisitions and new product launches to expand into new markets.

Diversified, a Portland-based trade show and media company, has promoted Oakley Dyer to the new role of chief corporate development officer. Dyer will continue to lead the strategy and corporate development team, focusing on acquisitions and new product launches. This move reflects the company's ongoing expansion.

The deadline for nominations for the 2027 Oregon Governor's Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Awards has been extended to October 16, with the awards presentation and conference scheduled for March 1-4, 2027, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

Fan Expo Portland is scheduled for January 30, 2027, at the Oregon Convention Center. This event is expected to showcase a diverse range of experiences for fans, including pop culture, comics, sci-fi, and anime.

The Oddities and Curiosities Expo is set to take place at the Oregon Convention Center on November 7-8, 2026. The event offers a diverse range of experiences for fans, including unique vendors and attractions.

The GWCO Congress 2026, an event for the Optical & Ophthalmology sector, is scheduled from October 15 to 18, 2026, at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront. It will cover topics such as contact lenses, vision correction, and ophthalmic equipment.

CIEF Trades Day, an event focused on skills and vocational training, is scheduled for October 15, 2026, at the Portland Expo Center. It aims to connect industry professionals with opportunities in trade schools, apprenticeships, and skill development.

The Oregon Convention Center (OCC) will host NNS 2027, highlighting its LEED® Platinum certification and commitment to sustainability. The venue features over 6,500 solar panels, generating more than 25% of its electricity, and offers comprehensive accessibility features.

Portland State University is moving forward with plans for a 150-room hotel and conference center, which will replace the existing University Place Hotel and Conference Center. This development is intended to complement a new 3,000-seat performing arts venue, with construction expected to begin next winter.

The Metro Council approved $1.6 million in 2040 grants on October 2, 2026, including $750,000 for phase two of Portland's Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park Project. This redevelopment aims to create a vibrant space with public river access and an outdoor entertainment stage for regional events, impacting the city's event infrastructure.

Oregon Metro's "Expo Future" project outlines plans for the Portland Expo Center to expand opportunities for sports and community use. This includes infrastructure improvements for Halls D and E, with most equipment and flooring installations anticipated in summer 2027, while maintaining flexibility for consumer shows.