Portland, Oregon

"GREENEST CITY IN AMERICA"



Why Portland?

Money-Saving Advantages
• Low hotel occupancy tax of 12.5 percent.
• No food and beverage tax.
• No sales tax in general.

Convenient Transportation
• Portland International Airport (PDX) is served by more than 250 flights daily on 15 carriers, and is nine miles from downtown --  25 minutes by car.
• The MAX light rail runs from the airport and arrives within blocks of our conference hotel. The MAX runs regularly from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• Amtrak brings train passengers to within a mile of our conference hotel.
• Members of ZipCar car sharing will find numerous Zipcars close to our convention hotel.
• Sleek, European-style streetcars connect downtown with popular shopping and dining districts.
• Portland’s compact downtown has walker-friendly blocks. 

Plentiful Attractions
• Tax-free shopping is available at designer boutiques, local markets and the world's largest independent bookstore, Powell's Books. Read more here.
• Food carts and nationally recognized restaurants emphasize fresh, local ingredients and innovative cuisine. Diverse neighborhoods offer vibrant coffee shops, brewpubs and sidewalk dining. Read more here.
• Acclaimed parks and gardens abound: Lan Su Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the International Rose Test Garden, Eastbank Esplanade, and Forest Park – the latter including the 30-mile Wildwood Trail, a National Recreation Trail within Portland’s city limits. Read more here.
• Family-friendly favorites include the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, Oregon Zoo and the Children's Museum. Read more here.

Nearby Activities (within a two-hour drive)
• Year-round skiing on majestic Mount Hood. Read more here.
• Timberline Lodge, an historic Arts and Crafts structure, built in the 1930s (just like SPSSI!) Read more here.
• Awe-inspiring vistas, waterfalls,and hiking opportunities in the Columbia River Gorge. Read more here.
• Willamette Valley's world-class wine country and bountiful farmer’s markets. Read more here.
• Scenic towns and beaches on the rugged Oregon Coast. Read more here.


QUICK LINKS

Top sights in Portland
Portland activities and attractions
Food carts (always popular) 
Portland Restaurant Round up 
Portland Breweries
Downtown Portland
Pearl District (this is a short walk from Downtown)
 

Day trips from Portland
Columbia River Gorge
Mt. Hood
Oregon Coast
Wine Country