Convention center is busy in 2023

By on Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON โ€“ Pendleton Convention Center General Manager Pat Beard is pleased with how busy things are at the facility. Among the events this year are the Oregon Republican Partyโ€™s state convention, two corporate conventions, and a return of the Oregon Cattlemenโ€™s Association.

Beard said it was about 15 years ago when OCA left the Round-Up City, promising that it would not return. He says heโ€™s not exactly sure why that happened, but he is sure itโ€™s not happening now. This is the fourth year OCA has booked its state meeting in Pendleton.

โ€œThat talks a lot about the changes at the convention center, the changes in customer service and food service, and also that theyโ€™ve found a community that welcomes them,โ€ he said.

Beard says that after the cattlemen depart, the Oregon Sheep Growers Association will hold its annual meeting at the convention center. Also, there will be the district tournament for 2-A basketball teams in this area this month. Thatโ€™s followed by the Oregon School Activities Association 2-A State Basketball Tournament in March, which has been held in Pendleton since 1957.