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President Hughes shares his thoughts on convention center, Lloyd District projects

May 20, 2011 2:57 p.m.

Recently, a story on this newsfeed recapped a May 17 conversation between the Metro Council and members of the Metro Exposition Recreation Commission regarding ideas to support the long-term financial viability of our Oregon Convention Center.

Metro Council wants collaboration, more analysis on convention center hotel project

May 18, 2011 5:18 p.m.

With Portland Mayor Sam Adams apparently pushing for renovations of smaller hotels in the vicinity, Metro Council, MERC commissioners want a fresher look at the potential finances of a "headquarters hotel" near the Oregon Convention Center.

Set Packy free? Activists ask Metro Council to release zoo's famed elephant

By Nick Christensen

May 13, 2011 5:12 p.m.

Five activists testify before Metro Council at Thursday meeting. In an interview, Oregon Zoo Director Kim Smith says Packy is comfortable and healthy at his current location.

Join Councilor Burkholder and pledge to help save endangered leopards

May 11, 2011 3:56 p.m.

Using the very successful Bowling for Rhinos fundraiser as a model, the Portland Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers is raising money for the Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance in an effort to save the critically endangered Amur leopard.

Venue executives measure 'triple bottom line' indicators to determine business success

April 26, 2011 8:38 a.m.

Balancing profits against losses is no longer the sole primary objective for managers of large convention and exhibition halls. This is especially true for the Portland Expo Center (Expo) and Oregon Convention Center (OCC), which are owned and operated by Metro under its visitor venues umbrella. Thanks, in part, to the leadership of the Metro venues, the convention and exhibition industry has experienced a paradigm shift in the way it views business success. For industry stand-outs like the OCC and Expo, evaluating the venue's impact on the 'triple bottom line' – the benefits to people and planet in addition to profits - now defines business success.

Oregon Zoo Bond Citizen's Oversight Committee makes first report to Metro

April 8, 2011 1:03 p.m.

The Metro-appointed Oregon Zoo Bond Citizens’ Oversight Committee provided its first assessment of the plans and improvements funded by the 2008 voter-approved, $125 million Oregon Zoo Infrastructure and Animal Welfare Bond Measure.

Pedal Nation Bike Show will help families get ready to bike this spring

March 28, 2011 8:32 a.m.

Bicycles are taking over the Oregon Convention Center for the Pedal Nation Bicycle Show on Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10. Check out fun, interactive activities that focus on safety, test ride bicycles and see Portland’s largest display of bicycles, gear and apparel all under one roof.

Oregon Convention Center: Collaboration toward zero waste

March 24, 2011 1:36 p.m.

Persistence as the industry leader in sustainability continues to pay off in dividends for the Oregon Convention Center. Since the OCC began its pursuit and achievement of LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - Existing Buildings category) certification nearly ten years ago, diverting waste generated from conventions and events became a high priority for facility staff. Each year the OCC’s diversion rates have increased considerably, keeping garbage out of area landfills and cutting waste disposal costs by roughly half. Some clients of note have fully embraced it. Consider the Food Services of America (FSA) corporation. At its recent Universal Food Show held at OCC earlier this month, FSA event planners established a laudable waste diversion goal rarely seen in the convention and meeting industry: achieve zero waste.

Portland Center for the Performing Arts cleans up its act

March 18, 2011 3:33 p.m.

PCPA recently finished a two-year process of kicking some toxic characters off of its stages. All of the toxic items were taken to Metro’s hazardous waste facilities where they were either recycled or safely disposed of, while the latex paint was reprocessed into MetroPaint, a recycled interior/exterior latex product.

Oregon Zoo invites community to preview master plan

March 15, 2011 3:32 p.m.

The Oregon Zoo is developing a new 20-year master plan and is inviting the public to an early preview. Members of the public are encouraged to drop in at one of two open houses and view conceptual drawings and initial designs, chat with designers and animal experts and provide feedback.

Home & Garden Show at Expo produces inspiration, reduces landfill waste

March 11, 2011 2:15 p.m.

This year's Spring Home & Garden Show at the Portland Expo Center once again provided a wealth of sustainable home improvement and landscaping ideas – as well as a record level of material reuse and recycling once the show was over.

Hughes: Time to restart convention center hotel discussion

By Nick Christensen

Feb. 23, 2011 10 a.m.

Metro Council President says a headquarters hotel could bring more conventions, increasing tourism throughout the region. But a lobbyist who's represented headquarters hotel opponents says the conversation is like "the middle of a vampire movie."

Metro visitor venues generate $680 million in spending, sustain nearly 7,000 local jobs

Feb. 9, 2011 6:21 p.m.

A new analysis of the fiscal and economic impacts generated by the venues under Metro’s management – the Oregon Convention Center, Portland Expo Center, Portland Center for the Performing Arts and Oregon Zoo – was released yesterday revealing good news for the Portland metropolitan region’s economy.

Beaverton opens its first year-round homeless shelter