Seattle’s walkable downtown, acres of parks and plentiful meeting spaces make it a favorable destination. Photo courtesy of AdobeStock/Tommy

From state-of-the-art convention centers to vibrant, eclectic smaller cities, the Pacific Northwest is quickly becoming celebrated as the ideal region to host association meetings and events. While destinations like Seattle and Portland have long been favorites for large conferences and trade shows, quieter locations like Boise and Spokane are gaining attention thanks to their relaxed, creative and sustainability-focused vibes — something many attendees are seeking in their association meeting and event experiences.

Washington State

Seattle has significantly transformed in recent years, with the opening of billion-dollar projects to improve the city — all of which have captured the attention of association meeting and event planners.

Nikki Williams Dietrich, global director of meetings and events at the International Women’s Forum (IWF) in Washington D.C., is one of those planners.

The International Women’s Forum held its World Leadership Conference in Seattle last year at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. It was attended by over 800 people. The IWF is a nonprofit association that connects over 8,000 accomplished women leaders worldwide, providing a platform for professional and personal support, relationship building and advancing women’s leadership.

“Seattle is home to a strong and engaged IWF membership, making it a natural choice for our conference,” Williams Dietrich says. “We aimed to highlight the power of collaboration between our international organization and planning team. Seattle’s unique combination of professional appeal and exceptional event and activity options helped elevate our conference, transforming it from a standard gathering into a truly inspiring experience. Thoughtfully curated by our leadership and enriched by the city’s warm hospitality, the event featured unforgettable moments that resonated with all who attended.”

When organizing events in Seattle, meeting planners should be sure to take advantage of the city’s vibrant offerings. Encourage your delegates to explore, dine and celebrate together, while enjoying the beauty and culture Seattle has to offer.

To make travel easier for visitors to the region, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is undergoing capital improvements to expand concourses and add more lounges.

In the city, association event attendees can enjoy the recently opened Waterfront Park, a 20-acre park connecting the iconic Pike Place Market and historic Pioneer Square neighborhood to the city’s sprawling waterfront. Park amenities include the Overlook Walk, which offers never-before-seen views of the skyline, Puget Sound and Mount Rainier, in addition to a new all-ages park and the Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion, an exciting new venue for off-site meetings.

With more than 7,000 hotel rooms within an 11-block radius of Seattle Convention Center campus, Seattle also boasts the recent opening of two sustainability-minded hotels, Populus Seattle in Pioneer Square and 1 Hotel Seattle in the South Lake Union neighborhood.

Of course, the Seattle Convention Center is also a must-consider venue for association events, especially considering the size of the center, which includes approximately 573,770 sf of event space in its Summit building, with additional space in the original Arch building. The combined Summit and Arch campus offers a total of about 1.5 million sf of space.

Event planners gravitate toward the Seattle Convention Center campus for the unique variety and flexibility of its meeting spaces in addition to the welcoming, light-filled common areas that provide unparalleled views of downtown Seattle and beyond. What keeps them coming back is the attention to detail.

Located in the heart of the city, several hotels offer an array of meeting options for groups of all sizes. The Hyatt Regency Seattle features a total of 103,000 sf of function space, including 45 meeting rooms and an eighth floor lounge with a wrap-around deck and fire pit, allowing planners a range of options for an all-encompassing event. Close to both the Seattle Convention Center and iconic top attractions, Hyatt Regency Seattle is the perfect home base for association events.

Hyatt at Olive 8 is another preeminent space to consider for flexible meeting spaces in Seattle. As one of the area’s most eco-conscious venues, Hyatt at Olive 8 is the cutting-edge destination for smart meetings. When it’s break time, attendees can enjoy the expansive health club complete with a saline pool, Peloton bikes, yoga classes and spa treatments.

Offering more than 25,000 sf of flexible meeting space, Grand Hyatt Seattle is also adjacent to the Seattle Convention Center, allowing planners to select from an array of conference venues, including breakout rooms, executive boardrooms and an ideal amphitheater for presentations.

North of Seattle, Tulalip Resort Casino, in Marysville, WA, offers 30,000 sf of flexible meeting and event space, ideal for association gatherings.

When attendees come to this venue for association meetings, they know it’s not “all work and no play” as Tulalip Resort Casino offers plenty of onsite diversions, including the luxurious T Spa, an award-winning casino, a DraftKings Sportsbook, multiple dining options, live entertainment, plus nearby shopping and excursions for whale-watching, hiking, golfing and more. For added convenience, attendees can enjoy the state-of-the-art 24/7 fitness center, the Oasis indoor pool and a tech center for business productivity needs. The resort also recently opened a 70,250 sf expansion of the casino.

Another Washington State gem is the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport, in Renton, WA, which boasts a large team of experts to assist association meeting and event planners and ensure attendees have a memorable experience, whether it be at the event’s check-in process, making sure the meeting space is functional and comfortable, or while enjoying a post-event cocktail on the dock.

Hosting a meeting at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington offers association planners the perfect balance of productivity and inspiration. With the hotel’s flexible meeting spaces, modern amenities and the added benefit of scenic views and nearby outdoor experiences, planners can elevate their programs and leave a lasting impression on their attendees. From half-day meetings to multi-day conferences, the hotel blends business with the rejuvenating atmosphere of Lake Washington.

With 60,000 sf of meeting space, association events can be held on a series of different terraces, also providing beautiful waterfront environs. The hotel’s interior event space features boardrooms and ballrooms.

Less than 10 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the hotel offers an array of “on-the-water” team-building activities and modern accommodations. Partnering with Northwest Seaplanes and Argosy Cruises, guests can depart directly from the dock outside the hotel. Tours showcase the region’s dramatic landscape while providing a unique and relaxing experience for attendees. Groups can also embark on the TREK Ferry, a retired Alaskan Ferry which is available for private tours and charters.

The Spokane Convention Center offers 300,000 sf of meeting and event space.

Spokane is another destination sought out by planners when thinking about meeting in the Pacific Northwest. The state-of-the-art Spokane Convention Center offers 300,000 sf of flexible meeting and event space. It is connected via skywalk to The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection and there are plenty of other hotels nearby. It is in a convenient location, located in a very walkable downtown and only eight miles from the airport.

Attendees will find plenty to do, including fine dining, craft beer, entertainment and more. For those who want to take in nature, there is a 100-acre Riverfront Park, which includes Spokane Falls, the largest urban waterfall in the United States, or they can hike the 40-mile paved Centennial Trail. The city has several districts to explore, each with its own personality.

Idaho’s Boise Convention Center will soon have more than 1,900 hotel rooms within walking distance.

Idaho

Boise, ID offers what association meeting attendees are looking for: unique gathering spaces, opportunities to get outside and additional activities beyond typical happy hour socials. There’s also a trend toward Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities for fresh experiences and budget-friendly options. Boise fits the bill on all counts.

Key differentiators for Boise are its clean, safe, walkable downtown and that it has a campus feel so groups are not stuck in one place, as well as convenient airport access (10 minutes from downtown), rich cultural/culinary options and unparalleled outdoor access for individual or group activities. Boise is also a university town, which makes for a lively, vibrant city scene. In addition, there are currently over 1,600 downtown Boise hotel rooms walkable to the Boise Centre convention space. This will grow to over 1,900 with the new addition of a Marriott AC/Element hotel opening soon.

Looking for unique venue options in Boise? Barber Park Education and Event Center is one of Boise’s unique meeting and event venues. Designed with nature in mind, this facility includes gorgeous outdoor event spaces, as well as indoor areas complete with an idyllic fireplace amidst beautiful natural surroundings. Barber Park is also the put-in location for Boise River floats. During summer months, groups could hold morning meetings and then float the river back downtown.

As Idaho’s premier convention facility, Boise Centre offers 86,000 sf of meeting space, including 31 versatile meeting rooms and full-service amenities, and is adjacent to The Grove Hotel, which is undergoing renovations to be completed this fall, for easy meeting access.

Located in a picturesque setting along the Boise River, The Riverside Hotel features over 21,000 sf of flexible meeting space and more than 1,000 sf of outdoor event space. Each year, the venue “plays host” to more than 500 meetings, conferences, special events and celebrations each year.

Recently opened, Hotel Renegade blends rugged mountain and refined city aesthetics. Featuring more than 5,100 sf of versatile meeting and event space, Hotel Renegade also features Boise’s first supper club, a rooftop bar with stunning city and foothill views, a street-level coffee shop and a Drybar salon.

Exciting developments have been underway at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, in Coeur d’Alene, ID with the upcoming addition of Sherman Tower next spring. This addition will boast all-lakeview guestrooms designed to elevate the attendee experience.

“Hosting an event at The Coeur d’Alene Resort is a no-brainer,” says Jim Addis, executive vice president at the Idaho Automobile Dealers Association, who also is involved in planning events for the association. “The town itself blends small-town charm with an unmistakable level of sophistication, and the resort perfectly embodies that unique combination. From world-class accommodations and both casual and fine dining options to exceptional meeting spaces, activities and a stunning lakefront location — the experience is unmatched. It is a quick car or boat ride to the resort golf course, which features the iconic floating green, which adds an unforgettable touch.

Addis says The Coeur d’Alene Resort team makes his job of planning association events incredibly easy.

“I never have to worry about a thing — whether it’s timing, signage, receptions, meals, entertainment or even a fully catered lake cruise. Everything is handled seamlessly and without issue,” Addis says. “Most recently, I hosted 50 professionals from the western auto industry, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. I also brought 220 attendees to last year’s IADA Convention at the resort, and I’ve already committed to returning in 2026.”

The Coeur d’Alene Resort specializes in creating unforgettable moments for groups through immersive culinary experiences and one-of-a-kind lake adventures. Planners can “wow” attendees with interactive catering options like flaming tomahawk carving stations, live salmon smoking or a whimsical potato martini bar offering gourmet toppings.

For off-the-agenda fun, the resort’s exclusive lake escape at the Boardwalk Marina invites attendees to cruise the lake aboard one of the Resort Boat Rentals’ vessels, where they can swim, snack and sip refreshments on the water. For high-energy team building, the Blu Infinity Pool Bar & Beach Club delivers a perfect blend of leisure and activity, complete with stand-up paddleboards, jet skis and stunning lake views.

The Coeur d’Alene Resort also offers a stunning array of outdoor venues designed to impress and inspire. The Lakeview Terrace, perched just above the lobby, provides panoramic lake views and cozy firepits. Just steps away, the Resort Front Lawn offers a beautifully manicured space where planners can incorporate games, local artisan vendors or interactive group activities.

For an unforgettable evening, Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises offers a fleet of cruise boats that board from The Boardwalk, where planners can reserve a private cruise for 10 to 125 guests with a gourmet buffet or casual hors d’ oeuvres, complemented by music, entertainment or special touches like floral arrangements or a custom fireworks show.

The Oregon Convention Center in Portland is centrally located.

Oregon

Portland, Oregon has quickly become a favorite Pacific Northwest locale among meeting and event planners and rightfully so. It has a variety of hotel and venue options — from boutique inns to large chain hotels. In addition, the city boasts notable event locations, including the Portland Expo Center, World Trade Center Portland and the Oregon Convention Center.

As the major event venue in Portland, the Oregon Convention Center hosts a wide range of association events each years — from national conventions to trade shows to executive meetings. Centrally located near hotels, shops and public transportation, the convention center boasts 478,000 sf of meeting and event space, including 255,000 sf of contiguous exhibit space, 52 meeting rooms, and two divisible ballrooms.

In addition, there are a wealth of gardens, parks, bookstores and markets for attendees to explore during their free time.

Elsewhere in Oregon, there are a series of favorite venues that have proven to be ideal for meetings and events of all sizes. Located on the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon, Riverhouse Lodge has been hosting meetings and events throughout its more than 50-year-history. Having recently undergone extensive renovations, Riverhouse Lodge offers association attendees direct access to an array of year-round outdoor activities. What started as a cozy gathering space has expanded into Central Oregon’s largest convention center, offering over 41,000 sf of meeting and event space.

Riverhouse Lodge has embraced experience-driven meetings with dynamic indoor and outdoor spaces, including a scenic biergarten along the Deschutes River, allowing attendees to connect in ways that feel natural and inspiring. On a sustainability front, the property’s conference and events center has earned the distinguished LEED Silver certification. | AC&F |