The Meeting Place

Mar 14, 2009

Salbasgeon Suite and Conference Center in Corvallis, Ore. is a hidden gem of a meeting place in the Pacific Northwest.

The next time your clients ask for a Pacific Northwest meeting place for their clients, consider Corvallis. Eighty-five miles south of Portland in central western Oregon and the home of Oregon State University, it’s far from a sleepy college town. On the contrary, Corvallis lays claim to such visitor draws as a symphony and community theater; more than a dozen wineries; an appealing new spa; Northwest-inspired restaurants; and, for lodgings and meeting space, the Salbasgeon Suites and Conference Center. The Salbasgeon’s conference space has been earning praise among planners in the Northwest.

"Groups that we’ve booked into the Salbasgeon Suites have found it to be well-run, and the meeting facilities have been excellent for groups from 60 up to 120 people," said Corvallis Tourism spokesperson Melinda Stewart. "The pool, hot tub and exercise room are generous in size. Attendees often comment on the hotel’s touches of artwork and woodwork."

One of the largest conference facilities in Corvallis, the Salbasgeon is also a AAA Three-Diamond accommodation. It provides complimentary hot breakfast buffet, free high-speed Internet access and a 24-hour coffee and tea station as well as an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, fitness center, gift shop, business center, guest laundry service and an on-site restaurant and bar.

The centerpiece of the Salbasgeon’s conference center is the McKenzie Conference Center, a space that is large enough to hold up to 200 people for a reception while maintaining a sense of warmth and intimacy. Considered by many to be the premier meeting facility in Corvallis, the McKenzie is a modern and sophisticated space that offers 3,500 square feet of versatility and elegance, with thoughtful design elements such as indirect lighting, crown moldings, marble fixtures, rich colors and artwork. The building has a high-tech LCD projection system as well as multiple phone lines and data ports. The entry lobby provides a comfortable greeting area, while the hand-built mahogany bar is a natural gathering place. A kitchen tucked into the back corner of the building provides unobtrusive access for catering. It’s an efficient facility for a large training session, lecture or presentation and an inviting place to hold a banquet, wedding reception or family reunion.

For smaller get-togethers in the Salbasgeon’s main hotel building, clients should consider the 808-square-foot Columbia conference room for up to 50 guests. Its generous windows let in lots of natural light during breakfasts, luncheons and afternoon meetings, and the tasteful colors and traditional wood accents provide a welcoming setting for formal dinners or receptions. The room features a built-in screen, two phone lines, a data port, two high-speed Ethernet ports and a wet bar nook for food and beverage service.

When clients need a quiet space for meetings and work groups, suggest the Salbasgeon’s second-floor Umpqua Room, with a handsome wood conference table seating 12 in plush, rolling armchairs. The room has a built-in screen, two phone lines, a data port, a high-speed Ethernet port and a food and beverage service area. A well-positioned window brings in natural light if desired.

Planners can customize comprehensive packages combining sleeping rooms, meeting space, catering, audio-visual equipment and just about anything else the group needs. Coordinating all these components with just one facility means clients can get the best package prices as well as seamless service throughout their event.

With its proximity to downtown Corvallis as well as hiking trails through the scenic countryside, the Salbasgeon also makes a great location for both a productive event and rest and relaxation.