Over the past 10 years, the Salem Convention Center has hosted nearly 900,000 event attendees and garnered over $33 million in net revenue. Year after year, the convention center has found a steady growth in revenue, and has become a landmark in downtown Salem.
“Salem had a void for medium-sized conventions. Prior to the Convention Center opening, the largest group that could meet here in a convention setting was 300 people,” says Debbie McCune, director of sales/vice president of TravelSalem. “The SCC is perfectly sized for Salem.”
Each year, the Salem Convention Center hosts over 500 events, bringing in 90,000 attendees to the location annually.
“Established businesses are preserving and renovating their historic buildings. The Convention Center is a major player in downtown’s economic success and vibrancy,” says Sheri Wahrgren, downtown revitalization manager for the City of Salem.
The Convention Center is home to a multitude of events ranging from events and conferences to weddings, family and school reunions, and fundraisers. Located just off of I-5 between Portland and Eugene, the location is convenient for groups gathering from around the state.
“The outstanding staff, superior customer service, and excellent food are a huge part of our ongoing success,” says Chrissie Bertsch, SCC general manager. “We have dozens of repeat customers, and one group has already booked its annual conference through 2020.”
Designed by LMN Architects of Seattle, the Convention Center showcases 30,000 square feet of glass, concrete, steel, and wood. The contemporary building can accommodate 1,800 people, or be divided into smaller spaces for more intimate group sizes.
The Salem Convention Center is LEED and EarthWISE certified, deeming it environmentally friendly and energy efficient. To minimize its impact, the building utilizes radiant heat floors, an outdoor air ventilation and hear recovery unit, and 450 roof-top solar panels.
In support of local artists, the Convention Center showcases pieces from local and regional artists as well as an outdoor sculpture garden facing Trade Street. Pieces have been curated from the Hallie Ford Museum at Willamette University and the Center’s permanent collection. The art collection is open to the public during regular business hours.
