Meet in Central Oregon
Majestic mountain scenery with nearly 300 days of sunshine annually and unlimited recreational opportunities make Central Oregon a popular year-round destination. “Central Oregon has something for everyone,” says Ted Taylor, communications and content development director for the Central Oregon Visitors Association. He adds, “Whether you are planning a large conference or a small retreat, we have the facilities and activities to make it a successful experience.”
From modern hotels and first-class resorts to a rustic cabin retreat, the cities of Bend, Sunriver, Sisters and Redmond, and the surrounding landscape, are home to a wide range of meeting and event facilities. Unlimited options for team-building and post-conference activities will ensure a memorable experience for any group.
Meet and Stay
BEND
Overlooking the picturesque Deschutes River, Bend’s largest conference facility is Riverhouse on the Deschutes. The hotel is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Bend. The facility features 221 guest rooms, a new on-site restaurant and 41,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space with a LEED-silver certified convention center. The venue’s 23 meeting rooms provide maximum versatility and flexibility.
The 16,552 square-foot Cascade Ballroom accommodates as many as 1,600 in a theater-style arrangement and 1,000 in a classroom-style setup. The ballroom can be divided into as many as 10 smaller spaces of varying dimensions to meet the needs of any size group. From modern audiovisual equipment to catered culinary delights, the in-house convention services staff is available to provide the amenities planners require.
With urban chic décor and an eco-friendly design, the Oxford Hotel welcomes guests to the heart of historic downtown Bend. With a dedication to sustainable design and environmentally-friendly amenities, the Oxford has consistently been recognized by tripadvisor.com as one of the top ten Traveler’s Choice hotels in the United States. Whether it is a corporate meeting, a mid-size conference, an intimate retreat or a social gathering, the Oxford is an attractive option.
The Oxford has four flexible meeting rooms with a total of 3,000 square feet of space. The 2,034 square-foot Minnesota Ballroom offers theater seating for 150 and accommodates a reception for 175. The Ballroom can be divided into two smaller spaces for breakout sessions. The impressive Oregon Boardroom, accommodating up to 14 guests, offers a relaxed setting for a productive board retreat or corporate planning session. Meeting rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, and complimentary WiFi is available throughout the facility. Full-service on-site catering is provided by 10 Below, the hotel’s restaurant.
Grand views across the rolling foothills of the Cascades from Mount Bachelor to Mount Jefferson provide the backdrop for the new Event Pavilion at Tetherow. Located just seven minutes from downtown Bend, Tetherow is a 700-acre master-planned community featuring golf, overnight lodging and access to all of Central Oregon’s action.
The 14-foot-high glass doors of the 3,100-square-foot Event Pavilion afford dramatic views over the golf course to the snow-capped mountains. The doors open to a large patio providing the opportunity for groups to enjoy Central Oregon’s abundant sunshine. The patio’s fire pit is the perfect setting for a cozy evening under the stars.
The main room features a floor-to-ceiling natural stone fireplace. Wood paneling, futuristic light fixtures and high-tech audiovisual equipment give the room a rustic, yet modern ambience. The room can accommodate 250 for a seated dinner and as many as 350 for a reception, or it can be divided into thirds for smaller groups and breakout sessions. Smaller conference rooms provide space for groups from six to eight in the Board Room or up to 25 in the Smith Rock conference room. Large lobby spaces with comfortable furniture are perfect for small group huddles. “We want to make it as multi-functional as possible,” says Carrie Ramoz, Tetherow’s director of marketing.
Only minutes from Bend, on the way to the Mount Bachelor ski area, the Mount Bachelor Village Resort offers more than 5,400 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate as many as 180 guests. The flexible spaces in the Convention Center cater to group meetings, corporate retreats and small conferences. Audiovisual equipment, complimentary WiFi and on-site catering are available to ensure a successful event.
SUNRIVER
Sunriver Resort offers year-round recreational activities and family fun in a serene, natural setting. The resort offers a wide array of leisurely and active pursuits throughout the year. A family and kid’s recreation program provides activities for guests of all ages.
With more than 44,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, Sunriver Resort can handle events from intimate retreats to 600-person conventions. The resort’s 21 meeting rooms of varying sizes offer the flexibility event planners need. Technology services include high speed internet connections, WiFi throughout the resort, complete audiovisual support and video conferencing capabilities. The catering team can customize a menu to meet the group’s needs and professional photography services are available to document the event.
SHARC, the Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic and Recreation Center is the centerpiece of family-friendly fun in Sunriver and provides a variety of meeting and event spaces. SHARC’s Benham Hall offers more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate up to 352 theater-style. It is ideally suited as the home of a small trade show, a corporate conference, a business seminar or retreat. The hall can be divided into two equally-sized rooms for additional flexibility. The Crescent Room is a smaller space, holding 44 for a workshop or breakout session. For outdoor functions, SHARC’s John Gray Amphitheater is a grass performance space ideal for team building activities or a sunset dinner.
The SHARC staff will provide a list of local caterers who can customize a menu to meet the group’s needs, and audiovisual equipment is available. Sunriver offers a variety of lodging options from vacation rentals to a full-service resort hotel.
REDMOND
Views of seven snowcapped Cascade Mountain peaks provide the background for the Deschutes Fair and Expo Center in Redmond. The modern facility has a variety of venues for planners to consider.
Indoor facilities include the 279,000 square-foot Bank of the Cascades Center that holds as many as 7,800 for a performance or presentation. The Three Sisters Conference Center can accommodate groups from 10 to 1,500 for meetings, conferences and seminars. With three large halls and 10 smaller rooms, the complex makes it easy to conduct a large group meeting and then move into smaller breakout sessions. The catering department can provide meals, snacks or refreshments for up to 2,000 guests. The indoor conference centers are climate-controlled and all have high speed WiFi and built-in sound systems.
The High Desert Challenge Course, a guided ropes course, operated by the Oregon State University Extension Service, is located at the fairgrounds. The course can be a good teambuilding experience, enabling participants to set goals, focus on solutions and learn new strategies to solve problems.
With lush green fairways surrounded by the remnants of a 1,000-year-old juniper forest and the Cascade Mountains anchored in the distance, Pronghorn Resort is located midway between Bend and Redmond. Pronghorn offers sophisticated relaxation and inspiration. The 55,000-square-foot clubhouse, designed to evoke the style of the grand lodges of the West, is the centerpiece of the resort.
The lodge, with its refined grace complementing the rustic Central Oregon landscape, offers several sophisticated meeting spaces. At the same time, Pronghorn provides an abundance of fun activities for team building and post-conference action.
Modern meeting rooms, with state-of-the-art audiovisual capability and locally-inspired catering, allow a customized experience for any group. The 528-square-foot Fireside Boardroom is perfect for a planning meeting or executive retreat of up to 16. Larger groups can take advantage of the 6,900-square-foot Event Island for a 300-guest event or ceremony. The Pronghorn Clubhouse and its surrounding lawn provide 13,000 square feet of space for up to 500 guests. Several smaller rooms can serve as breakout rooms and the 2,146 square-foot Chanterelle Dining Room offers a rustic, yet superior, culinary experience.
Two golf courses, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and the Tom Fazio Championship Course, provide 36 holes that will challenge any golfer. Two restaurants, tennis courts, a spa, pool and miles of hiking and biking trails offer a variety of activities for a post-conference afternoon.
SISTERS
Nestled in a forest of tall ponderosa pine trees, FivePine Lodge & Conference Center features rustic architecture with all the modern amenities. The classic craftsman-style lodge is built in the style of a forest ranger station. The guest rooms and private cabins feature hand-crafted hardwood furnishings and hand-painted tile work.
The lodge provides 4,800 square feet of flexible indoor meeting space. The 2,100 square-foot South Sister Room has large windows filling the room with natural light. The room can accommodate 175 guests in a theater-style arrangement and 230 for a reception. The adjoining Middle Sister Room features built-in audiovisual equipment and holds 112 guests. The South Sister and Middle Sister Rooms can be combined into a space that accommodates 275 for a conference or presentation.
Additional rooms meet the needs of smaller groups or breakout sessions. The North Sister Cozy Room holds up to 50 while the 10-person Executive Boardroom works well for a corporate planning session or retreat. During the warmer months, the 4,600 square-foot Creekside Patio is ideal for an outdoor banquet or reception. FivePine Catering will work with your group to design a menu to complement your event.
With the Cascade Mountains towering above and more than 1,800 acres of pristine mountain landscape, Black Butte Ranch is located about 15 minutes from Sisters. Black Butte Ranch is particularly suitable for small to medium size conferences, workshops or retreats. With a total of 2,500 square feet of event space, the resort can accommodate up to 120 attendees in a variety of arrangements. The North and South Sister rooms can be used separately or they can be combined to offer 1,800 square feet of meeting space. Additional meeting and board rooms can hold small groups or breakout sessions. Throughout the modern facility, rich wood paneling and tall windows with spectacular views provide an inspiring backdrop for your event. An assortment of outdoor gathering spaces offers the opportunity for groups to expand into the open mountain air.
Black Butte Ranch offers a variety of outdoor activities year-round. Two 18-hole championship golf courses, Big Meadow and Glaze Meadow, wind across mountain meadows through aspen groves and ponderosa pine forests, framing views of Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters Mountains. Golfers of all ages and skill levels will find the courses playable.
Whether it is fly fishing on Phalarope Lake, located on the property, horseback riding through the meadows or cycling on the 18 miles of paved trails, an abundance of group pursuits is available to unwind after a day of meetings. The “Tour de Ranch” team cycling activity, complete with jerseys your team has designed, and an aquatics relay are among the fun team-building activities that can be arranged on-site.
Out and About
So many activities await visitors to central Oregon that meeting planners will want to make sure they schedule time for attendees to get out and experience what the area has to offer. Whether it is a leisurely evening in town or a full day of outdoor exhilaration, groups will find activities to fit their needs.
The cosmopolitan atmosphere of downtown Bend and the historic vibe of the city’s Old Mill District offer a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options. A downtown mainstay for decades, Bend’s Art Deco Tower Theatre has a regular lineup of films, concerts, performing arts and lectures. Groups can rent the 466-seat theater for meetings, social events or conference presentations.
The charming town of Sisters attracts visitors to explore its Western-themed storefronts. The boutiques and art galleries offer one-of-a-kind creations, while the day spas provide an opportunity to relax and unwind. Sisters is the gateway to a wonderland of lakes, mountains and rivers that offer a wide array of group activities.
For an entertaining adventure, visitors can pick up a map at the Bend Visitor Center and follow the Bend Ale Trail to sample products from a variety of breweries. As a change of pace, you can follow the Ale Trail on an electric bike or on a horse-drawn carriage. Groups can also book a private guided tour of the production facilities at Deschutes Brewery or hold a private reception in one of the brewery’s multi-function rooms.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the region any time of the year. Winter brings skiing and snowboarding on Mount Bachelor’s world-famous slopes or cross-country skiing along miles of trails in the Deschutes National Forest. Wilderness sled dog tours offer a less strenuous winter activity. In the summer, groups will find the possibilities range from rock climbing and mountain biking to whitewater rafting and canoeing. The Central Oregon Visitor Association and the Bend Visitor Center can recommend a variety of local team building or recreational activities to suit the needs of any group.
Central Oregon’s 30 golf courses offer fun and challenging recreation for all levels of players. Your meeting spot is never very far away from a course and many courses can arrange special team-building tournaments for your group. At venues such as Tetherow, Pronghorn Resort and Black Butte Resort, the fairways are only steps from your meeting room.
Central Oregon is easily accessible from anywhere in the Northwest. From Portland and the Willamette Valley, it is a little over three-hour drive through the scenic mountain landscape. The region’s airport, Redmond Municipal Airport – Roberts Field is served by major air carriers offering several daily direct flights to Portland and Seattle.
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CONNECT Central Oregon Visitors Association Visit Bend Riverhouse on the Deschutes Tetherow
Deschutes Fair and Expo Center The Oxford Hotel Sunriver Resort |
SHARC • 5,000 square feet of meeting space • Three meeting rooms • 352 seated capacity in largest room Melanie Saunders, events manager 541-585-3144 melanies@srowners.org sunriversharc.com Pronghorn Resort FivePine Lodge and Conference Center Black Butte Ranch Mount Bachelor Village Resort Tower Theatre Deschutes Brewery |
