☰ Site menu Search
Oregon Convention Center
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr

Universal Links

  • Calendar
  • Parking
  • Accessibility
  • Eat now
  • 503-235-7575
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Attend
  • Plan
  • Exhibit
  • About
  • In the news

WE WELCOME EVERYONE

As hosts to the world, we deeply respect our guests and our community. We’re here to make sure everyone feels safe bringing their ideas, their passions and their hearts to the table. Because positive change can begin anytime, anyplace, with anyone. Like you. Right here. Right now.

  • Attend
  • Events
  • Know Before You Go
  • Parking & Directions
  • Guest Services & Amenities
  • Maps

GO

WE LIVE FOR MAGIC

We live for the lights, the music, the food, the learning, the inspiration, and the togetherness. We live for positive change and transformative experiences that blaze a path toward endless possibilities. The awesome potential of every event keeps us on our toes and, sometimes, knee-deep in caffeine. But the magic of pulling it all off? Totally worth it.

  • Plan
  • Book An Event
  • Floor Plans & Rates
  • Event Services
  • Catering Services
  • Client Services Guide

GO

WE GET IT DONE

Last minute request? Done. Idea about how to do something better? Done. Guest who wants something we’ve never heard of—now, if possible? Done. And done. YES is the answer. Determination, creativity and teamwork are how we deliver on it.

  • Exhibit
  • Order services
  • Load-In & Load-Out

GO

 

WE ARE FORWARD THINKING

Sustainability is in our DNA. It’s who we are and why we do what we do. We’re passionate about cultivating diversity, advancing equity and practicing inclusion in all of the work we do. People. Planet. Progress. It’s how we work toward a better tomorrow.

  • About
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Sustainability
  • Staff Directory
  • Jobs
  • Public Art Collection
  • OCC Neighborhood

GO

 

In the news

  • Recent Stories
  • Sustainability News
  • Press
  • Our Community Stories

GO

  1. Home
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
×Close

Esta página no tiene una traducción al español. Visite el centro de la lengua española para obtener información en español.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

OCC furthers racially equitable outcomes for our region so that all people thrive. We prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in all of our decision making and create inclusive spaces for both internal and external stakeholders.

Michelle Hedegard

Equity & Belonging Manager
503-731-7924
michellehedegard@oregoncc.org

OCC Staff 2019

OCC Staff 2019

Why We Lead with Race

At its inception in 1990, the Oregon Convention Center was tasked with making a positive economic impact for our region. For the entirety of its existence, the OCC has maintained its focus on that goal.

And while the mission of the convention center has broadened over time, economic prosperity is still top priority. It is known, however, that not all of the region’s 1.6 million residents experience that prosperity in the same way. Most communities of color in the Portland Metropolitan region currently experience the worst economic and social outcomes of any demographic group. The many decades of discriminatory and exclusionary practices that have resulted in this reality were worsened, if not directly caused, by policies created by government. So as a part of Metro Regional Government, the Oregon Convention Center identifies its influence as a key opportunity to help drive equitable change.

The OCC has outlined in this Racial Equity Action Plan its prioritized work to help eliminate the disparities that communities of color experience. And while it is certainly true that people of color is not the only demographic group that experience barriers, solutions that help to remove barriers for people of color will likely dismantle barriers for other marginalized groups. These other groups, such as LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, the elderly community and those with low income will enjoy better outcomes alongside communities of color when we focus on achieving racial equity. This concept of targeted universalism is widely supported in research and has been embraced by Metro.

OCC Racial Equity Action Plan.pdf

OCC Racial Equity Action Plan.pdfAdobe PDF, 915.05 KB

FY19-21 OCC Racial Equity Report.pdf

FY19-21 OCC Racial Equity Report.pdfAdobe PDF, 7.55 MB

Plan for Implementation

The eight Objective Statements in the Racial Equity Action Plan above help support the five Equity Goals outlined in Metro’s Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Progress toward these objectives will be achieved advancing 18 strategies that have been identified as critical in the next five year. 43 supporting actions are the projects and tasks that ultimately compose “the work”. Most of these actions will require project plans of their own, as well as the oversight of a project manager. Identified in this plan is the kickoff year proposed for each action.

These 43 actions represent the next five years of racial equity work for the OCC. While it is notable that some progress has already been made, it is more important to call out the vast amount of progress yet to be made. The publication of this Racial Equity Action Plan marks the embarkation of a transformational journey for the venue; the first phase of a new consideration of the work done at the Oregon Convention Center.

JEK_0430.jpg

From the Executive Director

The Oregon Convention Center is a premier event facility that leads sustainability practices for the meetings and conventions industry in the United States; now we are called to lead in ways that create better outcomes for people, especially systemically oppressed communities in our region.

As the largest convention center in the Pacific Northwest, we know that to achieve greater equity in our region—and the mission of the Oregon Convention Center —we must first address the barriers faced by communities of color that were created through a long history of discriminatory policies.

Many of you have invested your time to help OCC create an equity action plan, developed by assessing all aspects of our work through a racial equity lens. Now it is time to put that plan into action. No matter what our role and connection to OCC, each of us has an important job to do to create conditions that allow everyone to flourish and participate in delivering world-class events.

Over the next five years, we will learn, act, measure and adapt on the path to creating a better future. Thank you for joining me on this journey and advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion at the Oregon Convention Center and in our communities. 

Get In Touch

Our knowledgeable staff is ready to help. Chat with one of our experts now to find out why OCC is the perfect venue for your next event.

  • Give us a call
    503-235-7575
  • Chat with
    an expert
  • Drop us a line
    ask@oregoncc.org

Current events

  • Mar 25—Mar 29Mass Timber Conference 2023
  • Mar 29—Apr 2SAA 2023 Annual (Society for American Archaeology)
  • Mar 31—Apr 1Jump 2023 Dance Convention
See Full Calendar

Latest news

  • May. 19, 2021Oregon Convention Center proudly supports All4Oregon’s 500,000 vaccination milestone
  • Apr. 28, 2021Oregon’s Largest Vaccination Site is a Logistical Masterpiece. We Take You Inside.
  • Feb. 11, 2021Oregon Convention Center to Serve as Regional Severe Weather Shelter
See All News

Partners

  • TP-Logo.jpg

    TP-Logo.jpg

  • levy.png

    levy.png

  • edlen.png

    edlen.png

Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Portland, OR 97232

Footer Menu

  • 503-235-7575
  • Jobs
  • News
  • Contact
  • Privacy policy
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr

Terms of Service Menu

    Hello, we're Metro.

     
    Metro logo
    • Arts and event centers
    • Oregon Zoo
    • Parks and nature
    • Garbage and recycling
    • Land and transportation

    Oregon Convention Center

    Close menu
    Home Close
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr

    Main menu

    • Exhibit
    • News
    Top