Top 10 Reasons to Meet in Salem

Looking for the next great spot to host your event? Salem, OR has everything you need - with scenic views, a walkable downtown, and plenty of venues to fit your group's needs. Find all of the best parts of an Oregon experience, right here in the capital city. Partner with Travel Salem to host your event in the Most Oregon Part of Oregon (MOPO.)

Pictured: Silver Falls | ©Taylor Higgins
Oregon, All in One Place

Yes! Salem delivers the full Oregon experience. As the Most Oregon Part of Oregon (MOPO), the Salem area offers award-winning wineries, towering waterfalls, old-growth forests, bountiful farms and a buzzy arts scene — without the congestion of larger destinations. Add in the amenities convention delegates are looking for — walkable venues, easy navigation and minimal traffic — and you have a destination that is genuinely Oregon: welcoming and full of natural wonder.

Get More MOPO Inspo
Credit: Eola Hills Legacy Estate Vineyard

exceptional value: more experience for your meeting dollar

Stretch your meeting budget further with competitive hotel rates, affordable venues and experiences that leave a lasting impression without the premium price tag. TraveL Salem's robust planner incentive program is designed to support your meeting or convention where it matters most — putting more resources toward the moments that make your program memorable.

Credit: Don Froylan Creamery

hospitality that is genuinely oregon

In Salem, the hotels, venues, attractions and community partners don't just show up — they show up together. Our team is invested in making your event successful from RFP to farewell, working alongside you as a true planning partner every step of the way.

Credit: Silver Falls State Park | © Caleb Wallace

fresh air fuels fresh ideas

Salem makes it easy to blend productivity with wellness. Start the morning with a walk along the riverfront, fuel your group with farm-fresh meals sourced from Willamette Valley growers or host an evening reception at a local vineyard as the sun sets over the hills. In Salem, Oregon's natural beauty isn't a backdrop, it's part of the agenda.

Credit: © Vanessa Chang
easy to reach, hard to forget

Conveniently situated between Portland and Eugene along the I-5 corridor, Salem offers central, straightforward access for attendees arriving from across the West — whether they're driving in from Seattle, Boise, Northern California or anywhere along the Oregon Coast. Salem is an easy drive with minimal traffic and free or low-cost parking in most areas. Portland International Airport (PDX) is located about an hour north of Salem and serves as the primary gateway for those flying in.

Plan your travel and explore your options
flexible meeting space for every program

Salem offers a versatile mix of meeting and event spaces suited to a wide range of program sizes and styles. From full-service hotel ballrooms and boardrooms to unique historic venues and outdoor settings, planners have the flexibility to design an agenda that fits their group — without having to force it into a one-size-fits-all space. Explore our venues and see what's possible.

Take a peek at our event spaces.
Pictured: © Zak Stone Photography

availability when you need it

Salem's meetings calendar works in your favor. With less seasonal compression and greater date flexibility than larger markets, planners have more options and fewer obstacles when it comes to securing the right space at the right time.

Pictured: Hanson Vineyards | ©Sam Starns
a dedicated partner from first inquiry to final checkout

Travel Salem's team works as an extension of yours — connecting you with the right venues, local partners and resources to bring your program to life. From the moment you send your first RFP to the final goodbye, we invest in making your meeting a success. Planning in Salem means you're never doing it alone.

Take the First Step
Pictured: World Beat Festival | ©Edgar B. Peteros, Courtesy: K.Fish
history & culture that enriches every agenda

Salem's story runs deep — and its cultural landscape gives attendees plenty to explore beyond the meeting room. The landmark 1938 Oregon State Capitol, the Kalapuya heritage at Chachalu Tribal Museum and the living history of Willamette Heritage Center offer windows into Oregon's layered past. The historic Elsinore Theatre sets the stage for unforgettable evening events, while thriving local art galleries reflect the creative spirit of the region.

Explore the full depth of Salem's history and culture
Pictured: Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

more than a meeting destination

When attendees leave Salem, they don't just remember the conference — they remember discovering Oregon. Cherry blossoms at the State Capitol, sunset views from a hilltop vineyard, farm-to-table dinners and warm hospitality— these are the details that outlast any agenda. Salem creates experiences that stay with attendees long after the closing session.

Let's Get Started

Let's connect on how we can make your next meeting memorable in the Most Oregon Part of Oregon. Submit an RFP Today. Start Planning

Want More #MOPO Inspo?

TAKE A FALL HIKE AROUND THE SALEM REGION

The Mid-Willamette Valley is a hiker’s paradise year-round, but fall is particularly spectacular. Late September through November, bigleaf maple and Oregon ash trees turn golden and drop their leaves onto the trails…

Learn More