Over the past 15 years, the Salem Convention Center has been the site of more than 7000 events ranging from beautiful weddings, festive reunions, fundraisers, elegant galas, successful conventions and more! We've had celebrities, robots, exotic animals, drones, giant tractors, a lobby full of hot tubs- you name it, it's been here! View this post on Instagram This weekend a llama named Caesar reminded me just how much I ❤️ calling this community home. After a meaningful evening spent volunteering at Salem Art Association's Clay Ball, it was a treat to come across my old friend in the Convention Center lobby.🦙What Salem happenings are you involved in and excited about? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #salemoregon #ilovesalem #home #community #advocate #volunteer #getinvolved #bethechange #llama #grattitude #caesarthenodramallama #clayball #salemartassociation #ashleypnwrealtor #realtorlife #giveback #stayhumble A post shared by Ashley Contreras (@ashley_pnw_realtor) on Feb 24, 2020 at 2:18pm PST View this post on Instagram Who can say they held an alligator with a parrot on their shoulder. This gal! 😁 A post shared by Kara Campuzano (@kara_campuzano) on Jan 11, 2019 at 3:30pm PST Our Catering Manager Sarah Verheyden says her most memorable moments from the last 15 years at SCC are the weddings. 'We have had so many beautiful events at the Salem Convention Center, but our weddings are near and dear to my heart,” she writes. “I love seeing the unique setup that each couple envisions for their day - whether an intimate ceremony & reception for 50 or a large ballroom wedding for 350. They all reflect the couple so well. My favorite part of my job is getting to build relationships with each of our clients and see their dreams come to fruition. They work so hard determining each and every detail for their special day and when they walk in the day of their event and see that we were able to make their vision come to life, that is a rewarding feeling! I'm appreciative that they trust us with such an important, memorable day.' As we celebrate our 15th year in business this month, we'd like to take a look back at some of our favorite moments since we opened our doors in 2005. It's impossible to list all of our favorite events and special moments from the last 15 years, but here are a few highlights. #1- Winning the Annual Northwest Meetings + Events Best of Awards It was a proud moment when the Salem Convention Center was named 2015 Best Oregon Convention/Conference Venue in addition to Best Convention Center in Oregon 2016 and again in 2017 by Northwest Meetings & Events magazine readers. Our adjoining hotel, The Grand Hotel in Salem, also received “Best Hotel with Meeting/Event Space in Oregon (less than 200 rooms)” in the past! View this post on Instagram Team Photo Opp! Voted the 2017 Best of the Northwest - Convention Center in Oregon by @meetingseventsmags Three years in a row. Thank you to our amazing clients and team members. Without you this award would not be possible. 📷 @blogbagger A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Dec 11, 2017 at 8:47pm PST View this post on Instagram For a third year in a row the @salemconventioncenter was awarded the best Conference/Convention Center in Oregon by @meetingseventsmags 🏆 Photo by @alabastrophoto A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Oct 31, 2017 at 7:29pm PDT View this post on Instagram #SalemCC15 We were voted Best of the NW by @meetingseventsmags in 2015, 2016, and 2017! . . . . #insalemoregon #salemconventioncenter #salemoregon #salemor #salemismopo #salemisawesome #eventprofs #meetingprofs A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Feb 12, 2020 at 1:23pm PST #2- When Salem Convention Center's LEED Certification Was Established In January of 2011, The Salem Convention Center announced that it had been awarded LEED® Certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI)! LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The Salem Convention Center achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. The Salem Convention Center was also one of the first buildings in Salem to earn LEED-EB Silver Certification. View this post on Instagram #salemcc15 We are proud to be LEED Silver EB Certified from the @usgbc 🌎 A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Feb 6, 2020 at 9:42am PST #3- When We Hosted the Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism Events in 2013 & 2017 We were very honored to host the Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism in April of 2013 and again in 2017. This event is Oregon's premier gathering for tourism professionals and attracted more than 400 attendees for two and a half days of educational seminars and networking. Travel Salem, in partnership with the Salem Convention Center, responded to the Travel Oregon bid for a 2013 conference location. Before then, the Oregon Governor's Conference has been held in Salem one other time – in 2009. View this post on Instagram #flashbackfriday to when we hosted the 2017 Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism. Over 500 hospitality and tourism leaders came together in Salem to celebrate Oregon's tourism! 👏 A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on May 10, 2019 at 7:10am PDT View this post on Instagram Honored and inspired by @oregongovbrown's words about Oregon's tourism industry. Proud of the work we do. #ORGC17 A post shared by Sachie Yorck (@hisachie) on May 11, 2017 at 10:09am PDT View this post on Instagram #ORGC17 A post shared by Sachie Yorck (@hisachie) on May 11, 2017 at 12:55am PDT #4. Hosting World-Famous Athletes Throughout the Years The Statesman Journal Mid-Valley Sports Awards, an annual event celebrating the achievements of local high school athletes, have been hosted here on multiple occasions. The event has attracted special guests like Portland Trail Blazers player, Olympian and NBA Hall of Famer, Clyde “The Glide” Drexler (2018); three-time Super Bowl champion and San Francisco 49er, Jerry Rice (2016); and two-time Olympic gold medalist, and FIFA Women's World Cup champion Mia Hamm (2017). View this post on Instagram Statesman Journal sports reporter Gary Horowitz interviewing Clyde Drexler at the Mid-Valley Sports Awards. A post shared by Cherrill Crosby (@cherrill.crosby) on Jun 4, 2018 at 7:49pm PDT View this post on Instagram San Francisco 49ers great Jerry Rice holds up the Capitol Cup Tuesday at the Mid-Valley Sports Awards at the Salem Convention Center. (Photo by Danielle Peterson) #mvsa16 #salemoregon #highschoolsports #jerryrice #statesmanjournal See more photos at StatesmanJournal.com. A post shared by Statesman Journal (@statesmanjournal) on Jun 8, 2016 at 8:16am PDT #5. When We Were Recognized by Oregon Business Magazine as One of the 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon The Salem Convention Center was recognized by Oregon Business magazine's 100 Best Green Companies to Work For. This list recognizes companies and organizations where employees felt there was a strong commitment to green practices at their workplace. We were absolutely thrilled and honored it was announced that The Salem Convention Center was #7 on that prestigious list. #6- The Holidays- All of Them Every holiday season, the Salem Convention Center is transformed into a magical wonderland complete with wreath making, tree decorating, gingerbread house making and more. The twinkling lights at night time make this the perfect spot for holiday soirées and photo opps galore. View this post on Instagram Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Thank you @travelsalem for capturing our beautiful sculpture garden during this festive time of year. 🎄 📷 @travelsalem A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Dec 25, 2018 at 7:39pm PST View this post on Instagram Christmas! 🌲 A post shared by Amelia Hunt (@ameliahunt87) on Dec 11, 2018 at 8:47pm PST View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Oct 8, 2018 at 7:59pm PDT #7- When We Were Featured on Cover of Northwest Meetings + Events Northwest Meetings + Events is the premier magazine for meetings and events professionals working in the Northwest, so you can imagine our delight when the editors decided to feature The Salem Convention Center on the cover of the Winter 2012 edition! The magazine featured us, along with Salem Riverfront Park, in the story “What A Capital Idea” where state capitals such as Salem, Boise, Juneau, and Olympia were highlighted as ideal destinations to host a meeting or event. #8- When our Team Dominated the Great Salem Race Saturday August 17, 2013 was a day to remember in Salem Convention Center history. Not only did a record number of teams show up in our courtyard (nearly 100 total) for the Salem Young Professional's Great Salem Race, our team placed FIRST in the Costume Division for their very clever Scooby Doo themed attire AND placed 3rd overall in the Team Division! Placing 3rd out of 99 teams was no easy task! Team SCC raced around the city solving clues and completing challenges in less than 3 hours in this fast-paced race to solve clues, overcome obstacles, find hidden Salem experiences, complete challenges while wearing fun costumes! #9 When Our Courtyard Was Transformed into a Basketball Court The Annual Oregon National Guard Hoopla takes place in downtown Salem every summer and has historically attracted participants and fans in record numbers. The Oregon National Guard Hoopla presents a special 2-on-2 Tournament in the Salem Convention Center courtyard each year. View this post on Instagram Can you believe the @oregonhoopla 2x2 Tip-Off Tournament is next week? 🏀 🏀 A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Jul 28, 2017 at 3:09pm PDT #10 Hosting TEDxSalem “The TED experience represents the best of what we have to offer,” says Salem Convention Center General Manager Chrissie Bertsch. TEDx is an independently organized event that brings people together to share a TED-like experience in their community. The organizers of TEDxSalem believe that the people of Oregon also have brilliant ideas and deserve a platform to share their knowledge with our community, and we look forward to hosting this event each year. View this post on Instagram This. ^^^^ Another packed house for TEDx Salem! 😊 📷 @tedxsalem A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Jan 5, 2019 at 10:05am PST View this post on Instagram Looks like it's definitely recess time, and everyone needs to get refueled. #TEDxSalem #re A post shared by TEDxSalem | Jan. 4, 2020 (@tedxsalem) on Jan 5, 2019 at 12:30pm PST View this post on Instagram Hugs & pics are always free. Thanks for coming to my TEDx talk. #llamasofinstagram #llama #tedtalk #tedxtalk #salemtedtalk #nodramallama #imwiththellama A post shared by Caesar the No Drama Llama (@caesarthenodramallama) on Jan 6, 2020 at 4:00pm PST #11- When Colorful Pop Art Figures Roamed our Halls The Salem Art Association (SAA), has trusted the Salem Convention Center with one of their largest fundraisers of the year, the Annual Clay Ball. The organization has hosted this dazzling social event featuring art, wine, food, music and dancing with us every year since we opened our doors in 2005. The Clay Ball is known for it's fun, eclectic themes and creative costumes worn by guests. We've seen costume themes like “Silver Screen”, “Masquerade”, “Get Up & Gatsby” and “Over the Top” where guests were encouraged to top off their glamorous get-ups with a chapeau. One year, Clay Ball guests even donned costumes depicting their favorite work of art to celebrate the evening's theme, “Masterpieces”. However- it was 2019 “Pop of Color!” theme that brought about the most original, outrageous, over-the-top costumes we've seen yet! View this post on Instagram Oh what a night it was! @salem.art.association held their annual Clay Ball with us this past Saturday. Theme: Pop Art! 💥 🖼😍 📷 @salem.art.association A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Feb 25, 2019 at 6:01pm PST #12- When Travel Salem Honored Us with the “Most Oregon Part of Oregon” Award Each year Travel Salem honors exceptional businesses at their annual luncheon with the “Most Oregon Part of Oregon Awards” to recognize tourism industry partners who went above and beyond to increase the economic impact of visitors. We were thrilled to receive this distinguished award in 2018! “The Salem Convention Center is most deserving of the MOPO (Most Oregon Part of Oregon) Award,” said Angie Onyewuchi, CEO of Travel Salem. “Not only does the staff go above and beyond to provide impeccable customer service, their willingness to collaborate with partners on projects and initiatives that strengthen the local tourism industry and improve quality of life for Salem area residents is truly outstanding,” she added. #13 Every Cinco de Micro Brewfest The Salem Convention Center has been the site of the Cinco de Micro Brewfest since it began in 2011 and it's been an honor to watch it grow into one of Salem Oregon's premier fundraising events with up to 7000 guests, 65 breweries, local eateries, distilleries and fantastic musical entertainment. An enormous amount of planning and coordinating takes place on our end and with the amazing volunteers who donate their time and skills make this 2-day extravaganza possible! View this post on Instagram All of this rain has us reminiscing about the beautiful weather at the Brewfest last year and the amazing ambiance in the courtyard thanks to @greenacreslandscape 😍 #cincodemicro #brewfest #salemor #beer #drinksalembeer A post shared by Cinco de Micro Brewfest (@cincodemicro) on Apr 5, 2019 at 7:03pm PDT View this post on Instagram Cinco de Micro Brew Fest!! #cincodemayo #cincodemicro #salemismopo #salemoregon #goodtimes #imagineifinevermetthebroskis A post shared by Michael Wright (@michaelwright_re) on May 5, 2018 at 9:04pm PDT #13- Hosting the Amazing You Women's Conference The Amazing You Women's Conference, a full-day conference designed to empower women from all walks and stages of life, has been hosted at The Salem Convention Center when it launched in 2018 and again in 2019. Event founder, Bonnie Milletto designed the conference to promote the professional and personal growth of women by creating experiences that offer women support, motivation and resources needed to be successful. View this post on Instagram Be the girl who went for it! 💃 Join our tribe of amazing women at the 6th annual Amazing You Women's Conference and experience a day of connection, inspiration and empowerment. 💪❤️ Click on web link in bio and get your tickets now! 💃💃💃 #empoweringwomen #amazingyou #amazingwomen #amazingyoutribe #anazingyouwomensconference #empoweringwomen #empowerment #women #womenleaders #womensconference #salemoregon #salemdowntown #salemconventioncenter #salemgrandhotel #oregonevents #statesmanjournal #oregonevents #portlandbusinessjournal #oregonian #salemreporter A post shared by Amazing You Conference (@amazingyoutribe) on Jul 18, 2019 at 9:24am PDT View this post on Instagram Feel The Ahhh . . . Start your day calm and positive at the Amazing You Women's Conference. 🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️ Join Clarissa Evans, Owner of Revivewell Studio, Training and Yoga as she guides you through a wake up yoga practice. 🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️ Zohra Campbell, Director of Indigo Wellness Center will enhance your experience with a 10 - minute mindfulness mediation to set the tone for your entire day. • • • @revivewelltraining @indigowellnesscenter #yoga #positivemindset #mindfulness #intentionsetting #morningmeditation #flow #breathe #amazingwomen #amazingyouconference #tribe #women #womenleadership #salemconventioncenter #salemoregon #october2019 #grandhotelsalem A post shared by Amazing You Conference (@amazingyoutribe) on Jun 2, 2019 at 11:55pm PDT View this post on Instagram Feel The Ahhh . . . Start your day calm and positive at the Amazing You Women's Conference. 🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️ Join Clarissa Evans, Owner of Revivewell Studio, Training and Yoga as she guides you through a wake up yoga practice. 🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️ Zohra Campbell, Director of Indigo Wellness Center will enhance your experience with a 10 - minute mindfulness mediation to set the tone for your entire day. • • • @revivewelltraining @indigowellnesscenter #yoga #positivemindset #mindfulness #intentionsetting #morningmeditation #flow #breathe #amazingwomen #amazingyouconference #tribe #women #womenleadership #salemconventioncenter #salemoregon #october2019 #grandhotelsalem A post shared by Amazing You Conference (@amazingyoutribe) on Jun 2, 2019 at 11:55pm PDT #14- The Civil War Dinner & Auction The Civil War Dinner & Auction is a chance for University of Oregon Ducks and Oregon State University Beavers fans to wear their team colors and have some fun before the big “Civil War” match-up each year. The event, a fundraiser for Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion & Polk Counties, starts with a silent auction as guests mingle with the Duck and Beaver mascots and cheerleaders. The Silent Auction is followed by a gourmet dinner and live auction packed full with premiere vacations, experiences, and items. Here's a look back at some of the fun we've had here: View this post on Instagram Leslie and Rachel stunting at the Boys and Girls Club civil war auction. Only 1 more week till we take on the Beavers! #goducks A post shared by oregoncheer (@oregoncheer) on Nov 20, 2015 at 3:12pm PST #15- Our Crazy Costumes We work hard at The Salem Convention Center, but we have a lot of fun too! Whether it's for Halloween or for a themed fundraiser event, we love to play dress up! Here's a look back at some of our fun costumes through the years: View this post on Instagram Salem's Sweethearts are playing for Center For Hope & Safety at the AmeriTitle The Big LeBocce Tournament! A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Aug 16, 2017 at 4:00pm PDT View this post on Instagram Happy Halloween from your friendly butterflies 🦋 🎃 A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Oct 31, 2017 at 1:15pm PDT View this post on Instagram Our quarterly corporate meeting happened to fall on Halloween (we planned that). Tina from @salemconventioncenter and Soraida from @bentleygrill celebrated Dia de los Muertos together. A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Nov 1, 2018 at 6:59pm PDT View this post on Instagram Happy Halloween from the team at @salemconventioncenter 👻 A post shared by Salem Convention Center (@salemconventioncenter) on Oct 31, 2019 at 12:55pm PDT We're so grateful to the people who have helped make it special. We're also grateful for the opportunities we have had to help engage with and support the Salem, Oregon community. From all of us at The Salem Convention Center, thank you for making these past 15 years amazing!
