Convention center is busy in 2023
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – 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 Party’s state convention, two corporate conventions, and a return of the Oregon Cattlemen’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 he’s not exactly sure why that happened, but he is sure it’s not happening now. This is the fourth year OCA has booked its state meeting in Pendleton.
“That talks a lot about the changes at the convention center, the changes in customer service and food service, and also that they’ve found a community that welcomes them,” 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. That’s followed by the Oregon School Activities Association 2-A State Basketball Tournament in March, which has been held in Pendleton since 1957.
