Dotting western Oregon are 12 cities that make up the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region, which encompasses Lane County. At the heart of the area is Eugene, home to the University of Oregon, as well as a lively arts scene, abundant outdoor recreation, and plenty of space for groups to gather. Beyond Eugene, small-town charm is evident, from the coastal panoramas in Florence to Junction City’s wine-country ambience.
Vibe: “The vibe in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region is welcoming, creative, and laid-back, [making it an] ideal setting for exploration, inspiration, and connection,” says Heidi Albertson, convention sales manager at Travel Lane County. “The region offers a rare blend of urban culture and breathtaking natural beauty.”
Transportation: Attendees traveling to the area from out of state can fly into Eugene Airport, which provides direct flights from 18 cities in the U.S. The larger Portland International Airport is just under a two-hour drive from Eugene, and Amtrak’s Coast Starlight and Cascades routes serve Eugene’s downtown station. Once eventgoers arrive in the area, both the Lane Transit District (public transportation) and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft can take them to destinations throughout the region.
Hotels: Albertson notes several meeting-friendly hotels in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region. Eugene’s Valley River Inn reopened last fall after a major renovation and provides 15,000 square feet of event space. Also in Eugene, both the Graduate by Hilton Eugene and The Gordon Hotel offer ample gathering options—the former embraces the city’s university ties, while the latter promotes an art-centric atmosphere. The Driftwood Shores Resort in coastal Florence features event rooms with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean.
Venues: “The experienced staff at Travel Lane County helps event planners determine the venues best suited for their event and helps build itineraries that attendees will always remember,” says Albertson. The Lane Events Center in Eugene is one of the largest venues in the region with a 75,000-square-foot convention center and a 37,000-square-foot exhibit hall, plus several smaller meeting rooms. Eugene’s University of Oregon campus has dozens of indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, while Venue 252, also in Eugene, has a modern design and accommodates up to 1,285 people.
Restaurants: “Ambrosia Restaurant & Bar has a sizable interior with an unmatched ambience [for events],” says Albertson. “Additionally, the 6th Street Restaurant & Sports Bar is a quintessential sports bar and restaurant suited for large groups, while McMenamins North Bank is one of the few places to dine on the water in Eugene [and has a] beautiful patio along the Willamette River.” Ambrosia and 6th Street Restaurant are located in Eugene’s downtown.
Must-Sees & -Dos: With college football season in full swing during fall, Albertson says catching a game in Eugene to cheer on the University of Oregon Ducks is attractive to planners. The wine enthusiasts in your group will appreciate the region’s location at the base of the Willamette Valley, which many consider to be the heart of Oregon’s wine country. Attendees can get outside between meetings by visiting the sand dunes in Florence—which are within Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area—or explore community and artisan markets in Springfield.
