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The twin green glass spires of the Oregon Convention Center against a blue sky, with Lloyd District office towers behind

Exhibitor guide · Portland, OR · Updated

Oregon Convention Center Exhibitor Guide

Also known as OCC

The building with the two glass spires across the river from downtown Portland has 255,000 sq ft of column-free halls with 30 ft ceilings. Metro, the regional government, runs the dock, the power, the internet, the rigging and the catering itself, so half your service orders go to the building, not to your show's decorator.

Get a Portland booth quote Who do I order from?
  • 3,000+ exhibitors served
  • 10,000+ booths built
  • 2 days to a design brief

Photo: the twin glass spires over the convention center roof. “Oregon Convention Center” by Me in ME, CC BY 2.0. Source

  • 255,000sq ft of column-free exhibit space
  • 1,39310×10 booths with all halls open
  • 30 ftceiling in every exhibit hall
  • 18dock bays, all with load levelers
  • 800spaces in the underground garage
  • 600rooms at the connected Hyatt Regency

Quick answers

What exhibitors ask about the Oregon Convention Center

Is the Oregon Convention Center union?Yes, for show labor.

Oregon is not a right-to-work state. GES kits at OCC supply exhibit labor through the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, and OCC itself is exclusive for utilities, rigging and the dock.

Can my own staff set up our booth?Only small tasks.

The GES kit for a March 2026 OCC show allowed a full-time employee to set up only what one person can do in under 30 minutes, without tools or ladders. Your own kit has the final word.

Can I unload my own vehicle?Yes, briefly.

Personal vehicles may stop at the NE First Avenue dock only to load or unload, then must move to the OCC garage or lot. Hand-carry goes through the show's hand-carry entrance.

What is the ceiling height?30 ft in every hall.

Rigging steel sits higher, at 32–34 ft. The Portland Ballroom is about 28–29 ft and the Oregon Ballroom 23–25 ft. Your show sets its own booth height rules.

Rows of blue chairs lit in purple filling the Oregon Ballroom before a general session, with a stage at the far end
The Oregon Ballroom set theater-style for the 2013 OpenStack Summit. “Oregon Ballroom, Oregon Convention Center” by ahockley, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source
Only at the Oregon Convention Center

Oregon Convention Center exclusive services: who you order from

At most big halls the decorator handles almost everything. At OCC, Metro keeps a long list of services in-house, and some of them run through named partners. Order from the wrong desk and you pay the late rate. Use this table with your show kit.

ServiceWho provides itWhat to know
Electrical, air, water, gasOCC exclusive, through EdlenAdvance rate if ordered 21+ days out; late rate under 7 days. A 120V 5-amp outlet is $132 advance, $198 late (FY26–27). Resale of power is not allowed.
Internet and phoneOCC exclusiveBasic wired internet is $200 per day at the advance rate.
RiggingON Site Audio Visual, exclusiveMain hall beams sit at 32–34 ft. Points take 4,000 lb in Halls A–C, 2,000 lb in D–E.
Loading dockOCC exclusive dock agents and marshalsDock staff work every move-in and move-out. Cars may stop only to unload.
Booth cleaningOCC exclusiveBooth and aisle cleaning is not sold by the decorator.
Food and drinkLevy, exclusiveAll food and beverage, including samples, goes through Levy.
Labor, carpet, freightYour show's decorator (often GES)OCC does not take freight for shows with an official contractor. Ship to the decorator's warehouse.

Sources: OCC Client Services Guide and Exhibitor Services Ordering Guide, July 2026–June 2027; OCC Terms of Service (rigging). Prices change each fiscal year; check the current ordering guide.

The building

Twin spires, a pendulum and a solar roof

The Oregon Convention Center opened in 1990 and doubled in size in 2003. Its two glass spires light up in programmable colors, and its roof carries thousands of solar panels.

The two green glass spires of the Oregon Convention Center rising above trees and a flagpole at the main entrance
“Oregon Convention Center” by 4nitsirk, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source
One glass spire above the long tan facade and glass entry canopy of the Oregon Convention Center on a cloudy day
Arriving for OSCON in 2007. “Oregon Convention Center” by Rex Roof, CC BY 2.0. Source
Stone spheres on a lawn and paved walkway in the Oregon Convention Center plaza
The plaza, opened in 2012. “Oregon Convention Center Plaza” by brx0, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source
Both glass spires of the Oregon Convention Center seen over a concrete wall from a nearby road under a cloudy sky
“Portland's Oregon Convention Center” by iwona_kellie, CC BY 2.0. Source
  1. 1990The center opens, designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca. The Foucault pendulum artwork "Principia" is installed the same year.
  2. 2003An expansion doubles the building and adds 105,000 sq ft of column-free exhibit space under trusses up to 240 ft long.
  3. 2012A new plaza opens and the Portland Streetcar reaches the center.
  4. 2014OCC earns LEED Platinum, renewed in 2019 and 2023.
  5. 2016The center hosts the IAAF World Indoor Championships in athletics.
  6. 2017New LED lights let the twin spires glow in programmable colors.
  7. 2019A $40 million renovation, the first large one in about 30 years, rebuilds lobbies, entries and the Oregon Ballroom. The 600-room Hyatt Regency opens next door.
  8. 2025OCC earns Platinum under the Events Industry Council's Sustainable Event Standards.
Dozens of bicycles locked together at a crowded bike rack at the Oregon Convention Center during the 2008 North American Handmade Bicycle ShowHandmade Bicycle ShowBike racks full by mid-morningThe Oregon Convention Center sign on NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd welcoming OSCON, July 21 to 25MLK Blvd marqueeYour show's name on the signDowntown Portland's lit towers and the Hawthorne Bridge reflected in the Willamette River at duskAcross the WillametteDowntown after the show closes

Photos: "Bike parking at the Oregon Convention Center." by Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious, CC BY-SA 2.0 Source · "Oregon Convention Center" by Channy Yun, CC BY 2.0 Source · "Portland Skyline" by Jonathan Miske, CC BY-SA 2.0 Source

Floor plan & exhibit halls

Oregon Convention Center floor plan: Exhibit Halls A to E

The halls run in one line, about 800 ft long and 320 ft deep when all are open, with 30 ft ceilings and no columns. Halls C and D are the big ones, built in the 2003 expansion under trusses up to 240 ft long. The diagram shows the five halls in a row, their rigging limits and what each loading entrance offers.

Oregon Convention Center exhibit halls A to E (schematic, not to scale)Schematic of the five Oregon Convention Center exhibit halls, A to E, in one line: about 800 ft long and 320 ft deep with all halls open, 255,000 sq ft of column-free space in all, 30 ft ceilings, rigging steel at 32 to 34 ft and a floor load of 350 lbs per sq ft. Hall A: 30,000 sq ft, about 170 ft by 170 ft, 154 ten-by-ten booths, rigging up to 4,000 lb per point on the main beams. Hall B: 30,000 sq ft, about 170 ft by 170 ft, 135 ten-by-ten booths, rigging up to 4,000 lb per point on the main beams. Hall C: 61,000 sq ft, about 180 ft by 340 ft, 328 ten-by-ten booths, rigging up to 4,000 lb per point on the main beams. Hall D: 61,000 sq ft, about 180 ft by 340 ft, 327 ten-by-ten booths, rigging up to 2,000 lb per point on the main beams. Hall E: 30,000 sq ft, about 170 ft by 170 ft, 147 ten-by-ten booths, rigging up to 2,000 lb per point on the main beams. Hall A1, next to Hall A, is listed only in combination with other halls. Loading: the NE First Avenue dock with 18 bays, all with load levelers and door openings up to 20 ft high and 18 ft wide; drive-in ramps to three roll-up doors onto the hall floors, 20 to 22 ft tall and 18 to 20 ft wide; a 20,000 lb garage freight elevator with a 10 by 10 ft door. Portland Ballroom 34,200 sq ft, 176 by 198 ft, about 28 to 29 ft ceiling, up to 110 booths, 5,000 lb elevator. Oregon Ballroom 25,200 sq ft, 110 by 232 ft, 23 to 25 ft ceiling, up to 126 booths, 11,500 lb elevators. 52 meeting rooms. Hyatt Regency Portland, 600 rooms, connected to the center.SIDE VIEW · CEILING AND RIGGING STEELSCHEMATIC, NOT TO SCALE30 ftHall A30 ftHall B30 ftHall C30 ftHall D30 ftHall ERigging steel 32–34 ftPLAN · EXHIBIT HALLS A TO E IN ONE LINE · WIDTHS BY FLOOR AREAA30,000 sq ftabout 170′ × 170′154 booths4,000 lb/pointB30,000 sq ftabout 170′ × 170′135 booths4,000 lb/pointC61,000 sq ftabout 180′ × 340′328 booths4,000 lb/pointD61,000 sq ftabout 180′ × 340′327 booths2,000 lb/pointE30,000 sq ftabout 170′ × 170′147 booths2,000 lb/pointabout 800 ft × 320 ft with all halls open · no columnsLOADING · 18 DOCK BAYS · 3 DRIVE-IN DOORS · POSITIONS NOT DRAWNTruck dock · 18 baysNE First Ave · load levelersDoors up to 20′ H × 18′ WDrive-in · 3 doorsRamps to roll-ups onto the floor20–22′ H × 18–20′ WGarage freight elevator20,000 lb · 10′ × 10′ doorCar about 24′ longCars and vansLoad or unload at the dock only,then move to the garage or lotALSO IN THE BUILDINGPortland Ballroom34,200 sq ft · 176′ × 198′About 28–29 ft ceilingUp to 110 boothsElevator 5,000 lbOregon Ballroom25,200 sq ft · 110′ × 232′Disc ceiling at 23–25 ftUp to 126 boothsElevators 11,500 lbHall A1 · meeting roomsA1 is next to Hall A, listedonly in combination52 meeting rooms, most 18 ftHyatt Regency Portland600 rooms · headquarters hotelConnected to the center Oregon Convention Center exhibit halls A to E (schematic, not to scale)Schematic of the five Oregon Convention Center exhibit halls, A to E, in one line: about 800 ft long and 320 ft deep with all halls open, 255,000 sq ft of column-free space in all, 30 ft ceilings, rigging steel at 32 to 34 ft and a floor load of 350 lbs per sq ft. Hall A: 30,000 sq ft, about 170 ft by 170 ft, 154 ten-by-ten booths, rigging up to 4,000 lb per point on the main beams. Hall B: 30,000 sq ft, about 170 ft by 170 ft, 135 ten-by-ten booths, rigging up to 4,000 lb per point on the main beams. Hall C: 61,000 sq ft, about 180 ft by 340 ft, 328 ten-by-ten booths, rigging up to 4,000 lb per point on the main beams. Hall D: 61,000 sq ft, about 180 ft by 340 ft, 327 ten-by-ten booths, rigging up to 2,000 lb per point on the main beams. Hall E: 30,000 sq ft, about 170 ft by 170 ft, 147 ten-by-ten booths, rigging up to 2,000 lb per point on the main beams. Hall A1, next to Hall A, is listed only in combination with other halls. Loading: the NE First Avenue dock with 18 bays, all with load levelers and door openings up to 20 ft high and 18 ft wide; drive-in ramps to three roll-up doors onto the hall floors, 20 to 22 ft tall and 18 to 20 ft wide; a 20,000 lb garage freight elevator with a 10 by 10 ft door. Portland Ballroom 34,200 sq ft, 176 by 198 ft, about 28 to 29 ft ceiling, up to 110 booths, 5,000 lb elevator. Oregon Ballroom 25,200 sq ft, 110 by 232 ft, 23 to 25 ft ceiling, up to 126 booths, 11,500 lb elevators. 52 meeting rooms. Hyatt Regency Portland, 600 rooms, connected to the center.PLAN · HALLS A TO ESCHEMATIC, NOT TO SCALEA30,000 sq ftabout 170′ × 170′154 booths4,000 lb/point30 ftceilingB30,000 sq ftabout 170′ × 170′135 booths4,000 lb/point30 ftceilingC61,000 sq ftabout 180′ × 340′328 booths4,000 lb/point30 ftceilingD61,000 sq ftabout 180′ × 340′327 booths2,000 lb/point30 ftceilingE30,000 sq ftabout 170′ × 170′147 booths2,000 lb/point30 ftceilingabout 800 × 320 ft with all halls openRigging steel 32–34 ft · 350 lb/sq ft floorLOADING · POSITIONS NOT DRAWNDock · 18 bayslevelers · 20′ H × 18′ WDrive-in · 3 doors20–22′ H × 18–20′ WFreight elevator20,000 lb in the garage10′ × 10′ doorCars and vansUnload at the dock,then park in the garageALSO IN THE BUILDINGPortland Ballroom · 34,200 sq ft176′ × 198′ · about 28–29 ft · 110 boothsElevator 5,000 lbOregon Ballroom · 25,200 sq ft110′ × 232′ · 23–25 ft · 126 boothsElevators 11,500 lbHall A1Next to Hall A, listedonly in combination52 meeting roomsMost with 18 ftceilingsHyatt Regency Portland · 600 roomsHeadquarters hotel, connected to the center
  • Hall divider
  • Lighter rigging, 2,000 lb per point

Schematic, not to scale: hall widths follow the venue's listed floor areas, and the docks, ramps, elevator, ballrooms and hotel are not drawn where they really sit. Official floor plans are on oregoncc.org.

Exhibit Halls A to E, hall by hall
HallFloor areaSize, aboutCeiling10×10 boothsRigging per point
A30,000 sq ft170′ × 170′30 ft1544,000 lb
B30,000 sq ft170′ × 170′30 ft1354,000 lb
C61,000 sq ft180′ × 340′30 ft3284,000 lb
D61,000 sq ft180′ × 340′30 ft3272,000 lb
E30,000 sq ft170′ × 170′30 ft1472,000 lb

All halls together: 255,000 sq ft and about 1,393 booths, at 350 lbs per sq ft floor load. Hall A1, next to Hall A, is listed only in combination with other halls, so the five halls above add up to less than the total. Rigging figures are for the main beams, with rigging steel at 32–34 ft; trusses over 16 ft need a tie-in or a stamped drawing.

255,000sq ft of column-free exhibit space when all halls are open · about 1,393 10×10 booths · 350 lbs per sq ft floor load
34,200sq ft Portland Ballroom · 176′ × 198′ · about 28 ft ceiling · up to 110 booths
25,200sq ft Oregon Ballroom · 110′ × 232′ · ceiling of floating discs at 23–25 ft · up to 126 booths
52meeting rooms, most with 18 ft ceilings, plus three VIP suites
800spaces in the underground garage, which also holds the 20,000 lb freight elevator

Loading dock & move-in

Oregon Convention Center loading dock and freight

Get directions to Oregon Convention Center →

  • WhereThe main dock is off NE First Avenue. From southbound MLK, turn right on NE Lloyd Blvd, then take the first right onto NE First Ave.
  • Bays and doors18 loading bays, all with load levelers, with door openings up to 20 ft high and 18 ft wide. Drive-in ramps lead to three roll-up doors straight onto the hall floors, 20–22 ft tall and 18–20 ft wide.
  • Freight elevatorThe garage freight elevator takes 20,000 lb, with a 10 × 10 ft door and a car about 24 ft long. The Oregon Ballroom elevators take 11,500 lb; the Portland Ballroom elevator only 5,000 lb.
  • Personal vehiclesCars and vans may use the dock only to load or unload, then must move to the OCC garage or lot. No RVs or overnight parking, and no children 16 or under on the dock.
  • Freight and storageOCC does not receive freight for shows with an official service contractor. Empty crates are not stored on site without approval.
  1. Day −60Hanging sign or truss over 16 ft? Send drawings to ON Site AV for rigging. Hanging signs need a mesh, not solid, underside.
  2. Day −35Booth crew and EAC names to show management. Decorator labor and carpet ordered.
  3. Day −21Last day for OCC's advance rate on power and internet. Purple ships to Portland through our carrier network.
  4. Day −7From here, OCC utility orders are billed at the late rate.
  5. Day 0Trucks to the NE First Avenue dock. Cars unload, then park in the garage.
  6. Show +1Move-out. Take non-recyclable packing with you, or your show can lose its waste deposit.

Labor & union rules

Oregon Convention Center union rules: what your team can do itself

Oregon is not a right-to-work state. Exhibit labor comes from your show's general contractor and its union agreement, and OCC adds its own list of exclusive services. Below: the GES work rules for a March 2026 show at OCC, plus OCC's venue rules for July 2026 to June 2027. Your show kit is the final rulebook.

✓Your full-time staff

  • Set up your own exhibit only if one person can do it in under 30 minutes, without tools or ladders (GES, March 2026)
  • One full-time employee may supervise the contractor's carpenters
  • Hand-carry your own materials through the hand-carry entrance
  • Unload a personal vehicle at the dock, then move it to the garage
  • Hire your own I&D company, if your show allows it

●Union labor and the venue

  • Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters: booth install and dismantle through GES
  • OCC exclusive: electrical, air, water and gas (through Edlen)
  • OCC exclusive: internet, phone, booth cleaning, dock agents
  • ON Site Audio Visual: exclusive rigging
  • Levy: exclusive food and beverage
  • Electrical labor: $149 per hour from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (FY26–27)

!Never allowed

  • Mechanical equipment run by exhibitors (GES); some kits ban dollies too
  • Foam core signs
  • Floor tape other than the approved Shur Tape or Bron Tape
  • Hanging signs with a solid fabric underside
  • Car or portable batteries to power booth displays
  • Canopies over 10×10 without fire marshal approval
  • Children 16 or under on the loading dock

Background photo: "Oregon Convention Center" by Kris Krug, CC BY-SA 2.0 Source

Free tool · plan your Portland budget

Oregon Convention Center drayage and show budget estimator

Pick a booth size and type to get planning numbers for shipping weight, drayage at about $150 per hundredweight, and installation and dismantling (I&D) labor. Every number is a Purple planning estimate, not a quote: OCC publishes no drayage or I&D labor rate, and your show contractor's kit carries the actual tariff. See all venues on the drayage rates page.

Booth size
Booth type

The fields below fill in from size and type. Change any of them.

Packaging

Purple planning estimate · not a quote

Drayage + I&D labor, Portland

$4,910 – $8,500
Shipping weight planning estimate
1,800 lbs
Drayage planning estimate
$2,700
I&D labor hours planning estimate
16 – 28 hrs
I&D labor planning estimate
$2,210 – $5,800

18 cwt at $150 per 100 lbs. Labor at $138–$207 per hour, straight time.

Get a real Portland quote

How these planning numbers work

  • Shipping weight: about 6 lbs per sq ft for a rental booth, 9 for custom or hybrid, 12 for fully custom, crated, with graphics and furniture.
  • Drayage: $150 per 100 lbs (cwt), Purple's Portland planning rate, with a 200 lb minimum. Loose or pad-wrapped freight adds 30%.
  • I&D labor hours: install plus dismantle, 0.06–0.10 person-hours per sq ft for rental, 0.08–0.14 for custom or hybrid, 0.12–0.20 for fully custom.
  • Labor rate: $138–$207 per person-hour, straight time, a planning range from published 2026 show labor rates elsewhere. No Portland rate is published, and overtime costs more.
  • Own staff: only if this venue's rules and your show kit let your own full-time staff set up (see the labor section above). Then, I&D labor drops to $0 here.
  • Not included: booth space, the exhibit itself, freight to Portland, power and internet orders, rigging, travel and tax.

Portland notes: Oregon is not a right-to-work state; GES kits at OCC supply booth labor through the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters. OCC publishes its electrical labor rate ($149 per hour, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., FY26–27) but no booth I&D or drayage rate. The only public OCC drayage rate we found, a 2025 kit from a smaller contractor, was $135 crated and $148 uncrated per cwt. A 2026 GES kit at OCC let a full-time employee set up only what one person can do in under 30 minutes, without tools or ladders. Oregon has no sales tax.

A dense crowd of families and fans moving between display tables in an Oregon Convention Center exhibit hall during BrickFest 2009

On the floor at BrickFest 2009

Exhibit hall crowds at OCC, with the food court open along the back wall.

See 2026–27 showsEstimate drayageGet a booth quote

Photo: "Crowds 4" by Bill Ward's Brickpile, CC BY 2.0 Source

The calendar

Oregon Convention Center events 2026–2027: trade and consumer shows

Portland's calendar leans to Northwest industries: wine, timber, nurseries, safety and health care. Confirm dates, halls and contractor with each organizer.

Oregon Wine Symposium

Wine industry trade show and sessions · Halls D–E · 2027

Oregon GOSH

Governor's Occupational Safety & Health Conference · exhibit hall · Halls D–E · 2027

ACA Conference & Expo

American Counseling Association annual conference · Halls C–D · 2027

International Mass Timber Conference

Mass timber building · 200+ exhibitors · Halls A–E · 2027

Oregon Dental Conference

Oregon Dental Association · exhibit hall · Halls A–A1 · tentative dates · 2027

Farwest Show

Nursery and greenhouse trade show · 300+ exhibitors · Halls A–D · 2027

Rose City Comic Con

Comics and pop culture · all halls · 2027

Dates from each organizer and the OCC event calendar. The OCC calendar lists Mass Timber as March 17–20 and ACA as March 11–14; we show the organizers' dates. The Oregon Dental Association calls its 2027 dates tentative. Consumer shows such as Kumoricon (November 13–15, 2026) and the Oregon International Auto Show (February 18–21, 2027) also use the halls.

Where to stay & getting there

Hotels near Oregon Convention Center

One hotel connects to the center: the 600-room Hyatt Regency Portland, the headquarters hotel. Hotel Eastlund is directly across the street, and more Lloyd District hotels are a short walk away. OCC does not publish walking times, so ask your hotel for its route.

Connected · headquarters

Hyatt Regency Portland at the OCC

600 rooms, the headquarters hotel. Opened in late 2019 and linked to the center by the 2019 renovation.

Across the street

Hotel Eastlund

A Lloyd District hotel directly across from the center.

Short walk

Courtyard Portland Downtown/Convention Center

202 rooms in the Lloyd District, a short walk away.

Short walk

Crowne Plaza Downtown Convention Center

Another Lloyd District option within walking distance.

About 30 min

PDX by MAX

The MAX Red Line runs from the airport terminal to the Convention Center stop beside the building. By car it is about 9 miles.

Insider tips

Oregon Convention Center exhibitor tips: what experienced teams do

Services

Order power three weeks out

OCC's utility prices step up twice: the advance rate ends 21 days before the event and the late rate starts 7 days before move-in. A 5-amp outlet goes from $132 to $198.

Rigging

Check the hall before you hang

Rigging points in Halls A to C take 4,000 lb on the main beams, but only 2,000 lb in Halls D and E. A big hanging sign that works in Hall C may need a rethink in Hall E.

Signs

Mesh, not solid, on hanging signs

OCC does not allow a solid fabric underside on hanging signs, and truss over 16 ft needs a tie-in or a stamped drawing. Spec mesh bottoms from the start.

Rules

Leave the foam core at home

Foam core signs are banned, and only Shur Tape or Bron Tape may touch the floor. Print signs on another substrate and pack the approved tape.

Travel

Fly in and ride the MAX

The Red Line runs from the PDX terminal to the Convention Center stop beside the building in about 30 minutes. Staff can skip rental cars and garage fees.

Budget

Budget without sales tax

Oregon has no sales tax. A 2025 material handling form for a show at OCC listed tax at 0.0%, and Travel Portland says groups can save up to 10% against other West Coast cities.

FAQ

Oregon Convention Center FAQ for exhibitors

How big is the Oregon Convention Center?

OCC has 255,000 sq ft of column-free exhibit space in Halls A to E, two ballrooms of 34,200 and 25,200 sq ft, and 52 meeting rooms. Halls C and D are the largest at 61,000 sq ft each.

Is the Oregon Convention Center union?

Yes, for show labor. Oregon is not a right-to-work state. GES kits at OCC supply exhibit labor through the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, and OCC is exclusive for utilities, internet, rigging, cleaning and dock management.

Can I set up my own booth at the Oregon Convention Center?

Only within your show kit's limit. The GES kit for a March 2026 OCC show allowed a full-time employee to do only what one person can finish in under 30 minutes, without tools or ladders. Larger builds need the contractor's carpenters or your own approved I&D company.

Where is the Oregon Convention Center loading dock?

Off NE First Avenue. From southbound Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, turn right on NE Lloyd Blvd and take the first right onto NE First Ave. There are 18 bays with levelers and three drive-in doors to the hall floors.

Can I unload from my own car or van?

Yes. Personal vehicles may stop at the dock only to load or unload, then must move to the OCC garage or lot. Your show kit may set a time limit and ban dollies or carts.

How much is drayage at the Oregon Convention Center?

Plan about $150 per hundredweight for crated freight. One public 2025 kit at OCC charged $135 crated and $148 uncrated at the show site. OCC does not set drayage; your show's contractor does.

What is the ceiling height in the exhibit halls?

30 ft in all halls, with rigging steel at 32–34 ft. The Portland Ballroom is about 28–29 ft and the Oregon Ballroom 23–25 ft. Your show may set lower booth height limits.

Who supplies power and internet?

OCC is exclusive for both. Electrical is ordered through Edlen at the OCC exhibitor services desk. Order 21 or more days ahead for the advance rate.

Can we serve food samples in our booth?

All food and beverage at OCC goes through Levy, the exclusive caterer. Ask Levy and your show management about sampling before you plan it.

How do I get from PDX airport?

Take the MAX Red Line from the terminal to the Convention Center stop, about 30 minutes. By car the trip is about 9 miles.

Exhibiting in Portland?

Send your hall letter and your rigging plan.

Tell us your show, hall and booth size, and whether you plan to hang a sign. Within two business days you get a design brief built for OCC's 30 ft halls and rigging limits, a drayage estimate at Portland rates, and a list of what to order from OCC and what from your decorator.

Request a quoteSee booth rentals

Background photo: "Oregon Convention Center" by GrannyFranny2009, CC BY 2.0 Source

Compare venues

Oregon Convention Center vs other major U.S. convention centers

How the Oregon Convention Center stacks up against other big-city halls we have guides for. Drayage figures are Purple planning rates, not published tariffs.

VenueTypeLargest spaceCeilingLaborDrayage (plan)Airport
Oregon Convention CenterThis guideConvention center255,000 sq ft Halls A–E30 ftUnion · check kit≈ $150/cwtPDX · MAX ~30 min
America's Center Convention ComplexSt. LouisConvention center574,000 sq ft contiguous, with Dome floor40 ftUnion · 300 sq ft rule≈ $150/cwtSTL · 14 mi
Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheimConvention center221,284 sq ft Hall D25 ft Hall D · 13 ft 8 in Hall EUnion · check kit≈ $172/cwtSNA · 13 mi
Boston Convention & Exhibition CenterBostonConvention center516,000 sq ft contiguous (Halls A–C)35 ft low · up to 100 ftUnion · staff setup OK≈ $324/cwtBOS · 3 mi
Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention CenterSalt Lake CityConvention center515,000 sq ft contiguous, 10 halls30 ftRight-to-work≈ $120/cwtSLC · ~6 mi
Charlotte Convention CenterCharlotteConvention center280,000 sq ft contiguous, Halls A–C30 ft listed maxRight-to-work≈ $115/cwtCLT · 7 mi
Fontainebleau Las VegasLas VegasResort ballrooms105,264 sq ft Royal Ballroom28 ft 10 inUnion · check kit≈ $185/cwtLAS · 4.3 mi
Georgia World Congress CenterAtlantaConvention center1M+ sq ft contiguous (Halls B, BC, C)30 ft to gridRight-to-work≈ $150/cwtATL · 15–20 min
Huntington PlaceDetroitConvention center623,000 sq ft contiguous, Halls A–D30 ft (A–D) · 18 ft 8 in (E)Union · 400 sq ft rule≈ $155/cwtDTW · 20 mi
Iowa Events CenterDes MoinesConvention center150,000 sq ft contiguous, EMC Expo Center Halls A–C35 ft (Halls B–C)Right-to-work≈ $100/cwtDSM · ~10 min
Javits CenterNew YorkConvention center~500,000 sq ft contiguous (Level 3)Varies by hall · check planUnion · 250 sq ft rule≈ $195/cwtEWR / LGA / JFK · 45–70 min
Kansas City Convention CenterKansas CityConvention center388,800 sq ft column-free, Bartle Hall A–E33 ft A–C · 42 ft D–EIATSE 31 · check kit≈ $145/cwtMCI · ~19 mi
McCormick PlaceChicagoConvention center840,000 sq ft Hall A (South) · 1.2M+ on one levelVaries by hall · check planUnion · staff setup any size≈ $210/cwtMDW · ~20 min
Minneapolis Convention CenterMinneapolisConvention center376,200 sq ft contiguous, Halls B–E30 ft 6 in to truss · 85 ft domesUnion · open dock≈ $150/cwtMSP · ~20 min
Moscone CenterSan FranciscoConvention center502,440 sq ft contiguous, Halls A–F37 ft Halls A–C · 28 ft Hall FUnion · check kit≈ $180/cwtSFO · 25–40 min
Oklahoma City Convention CenterOklahoma CityConvention center200,730 sq ft continuous, up to 4 halls30 ftRight-to-work≈ $105/cwtOKC · ~9–10 mi
Orange County Convention CenterOrlandoConvention center1,103,538 sq ft West Building30–40 ftRight-to-work≈ $155/cwtMCO · 12 mi
San Diego Convention CenterSan DiegoConvention center525,701 sq ft contiguous, Halls A–H27 ft 4 in A–E · up to 64 ft F–HUnion · check kit≈ $176/cwtSAN · 3 mi
San Jose McEnery Convention CenterSan JoseConvention center143,000 sq ft Halls 1–332 ftUnion · 30 min / 10 ft rule≈ $160/cwtSJC · 4 mi
Santa Clara Convention CenterSanta ClaraConvention center90,014 sq ft Halls A–D28 ft 6 inUnion · check kit≈ $160/cwtSJC · 5–6 mi
Seattle Convention CenterSeattleConvention center205,700 sq ft Arch Halls 4A–4F25 ft Arch · 30 ft SummitUnion · check kit≈ $165/cwtSEA · Link ~40 min

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Other major U.S. convention centers near Portland

Seattle Convention CenterSeattle, WA Sacramento Convention CenterSacramento, CA Moscone CenterSan Francisco, CA San Jose McEnery Convention CenterSan Jose, CA Salt Palace Convention CenterSalt Lake City, UT

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Written by the Purple Exhibits team. Reviewed for the 2026–2027 season. Figures marked for verification are being confirmed with the venue. Sources: Oregon Convention Center Venue Guide (June 2025), Client Services Guide, Terms of Service, Venue Rules and Regulations and Exhibitor Services Ordering Guide (July 2026–June 2027), OCC move-in, floor plan, sustainability and public art pages, GES work rules for shows at OCC (2026), FB International material handling form (Functional Fabric Fair 2025), Hoffman Construction, Hyatt, Travel Portland, Exhibit City News, Wikipedia, and organizer sites for the Oregon Wine Symposium, the American Counseling Association, the International Mass Timber Conference, the Oregon Dental Association and the Farwest Show.

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