About Vancouver
Vancouver is situated in southwestern Washington state, about ten miles from the bustling city of Portland, Oregon. Vancouver offers small-town life with a close proximity to the city (it is also within a short driving distance to Seattle). Those who enjoy the outdoors will feel right at home in Vancouver, with multiple hiking trails nearby and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest only a couple of hours to the north.
Vancouver is centrally located to the Pacific Northwest, so visitors and residents have access to both the great outdoors and city life. Vancouver itself is home to a hopping nightlife scene as well as a plethora of restaurants, coffee shops, and theaters. If you’re looking for a place that is warm and friendly but also accessible to a faster pace, Vancouver is the right place for you.
Meeting Options in Vancouver
Once you’ve chosen your Vancouver meeting venue, you’ll need some assistance putting the finishing details in place. Whether you need tables and chairs for your attendees, lunch catered in, or an event coordinator to help you put everything in place, Vancouver offers many knowledgeable folks with years of experience to help you host the perfect function.
- Event Coordinators
Planning a corporate meeting can be an overwhelming task, and often little details get overlooked. However, Vancouver is home to many event planners and coordinators who can assist in planning, booking vendors, and even on-site assistance the day of the meeting.
- Private Car Service
Perhaps you have VIP guests flying into Portland to attend your meeting. Maybe some of your attendees don’t utilize a personal vehicle. Vancouver is home to many private car services that can assist your attendees who will not be driving to the event.
- Catering
No meeting is complete without refreshments! Whether you intend to serve a light brunch or want a sit-down meal on-site, the caterers around Vancouver will work to fulfill your needs. From meal planning to delivery and set-up, you’ll find a caterer that will add flavor to your meeting breaks.
Meeting Companies in Vancouver
Ready to book your Vancouver meeting space? Once that is done, confirm a list of vendors to work alongside you.
- LGS Events
Once you secure your meeting venue, you’ll need some event equipment, such as tables and chairs, audio/visual equipment, or even linens. The professional staff at LGS Events is happy to assist you in procuring these items, plus they deliver and set up. Furthermore, the pros at LGS Events make sure all equipment is working properly before turning the event over to you. Afterward, they will pick up the equipment leaving you with no worries.
- The Mad Hatter
Looking for a bit of Pacific Northwest flavor at your party? Call Matt at the Mad Hatter to secure one-of-a-kind flavor and service. You’ll enjoy organic ingredients from local sources; Riley, head of food styling, will present the tasty menu in a memorable way.
- Blacklane Private Car Service
Whether you need a private car service to pick up attendees at the airport in Portland or to drive individuals to and from the meeting, Blackland Private Car Service provides an alternative to taxi service in the Vancouver area. Scheduling with Blacklane is flexible and easy, and the drivers are always professional.
Pros and Cons of Meetings in Vancouver
Vancouver has so much to offer visitors and out-of-town visitors, but, like any other place, Vancouver has its ups and downs. Here are some things to consider when planning a meeting in Vancouver.
Advantages
- A green city, in more ways than one
Vancouver is home to many public parks as well as some beautiful natural sites. There are many quiet places where one could enjoy a picnic lunch. Vancouver also promotes living “green”. Littering can get a person into major trouble, and residents are encouraged to recycle and to compost.
- Vancouver is both safe and quiet
Vancouver is considered the fourteenth safest city in the United States, according to a November 2020 report. Crime is relatively nonexistent, and people generally keep to themselves. Meeting attendees will feel comfortable coming to town.
- You won’t need an air conditioner in Vancouver
Only 33 percent of homes in Vancouver have an air conditioner. Residents report that there are only about two weeks out of the entire year that it might get hot enough to warrant use of the AC. This translates to a comfortable meeting space in Vancouver.
Disadvantages
- The weather
Like other cities in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver sees a lot of rain all year long. In fact, it rains 163 days of the year in Vancouver. Adding insult to injury is the fact that the clouds seem to be permanent fixtures in the fall, winter and spring. The dreary weather can lead to SAD, or seasonal affective depression.
- High cost of living
Although Vancouver is not as expensive as other Pacific Northwest cities, the cost of living in the city is higher than other US cities of similar size and demographics. Homelessness is becoming a problem in Vancouver, and the cost of “small” items such as one’s daily coffee or even lunch is higher here than in similar locations.
- Traffic
While Portland has an effective public transportation system, Vancouver itself does not. Most people live here and commute to work in Portland, and although the distance in miles between the two cities is less than ten miles, some drivers report sitting in traffic – one way – for at least an hour just to get to work. Keep this in mind as you plan the meeting time and agenda.
Famous Locations in Vancouver
- Esther Short Park
Esther Short Park offers something for everyone in Vancouver; it is the oldest public square in Washington State. Strolling through the park, one will see street performers and hear chimes from the Salmon Run Bell Tower. Weekends in the summer see patrons at the Vancouver Farmers Market, and the Recycled Arts Festival is a celebration of re-purposed items.
- Columbia River Waterfront Renaissance Trail
After leaving Esther Short Park, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy five miles of paved paths that allow for beautiful views of the city while jogging, rollerblading, or biking. The Columbia River, with postcard-quality views of the I-5 and the I-205 bridges (artwork in themselves), is a popular place to just relax and enjoy the beauty of Vancouver.
- The Kiggins Theatre
Yes, you can take in a movie anywhere, but it isn’t every day you can enjoy a film in a theater that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Kiggins Theatre was originally opened in 1937, and it has survived both numerous fires and unruly crowds that prompted sudden closures. Today, there are live performances on the theater’s stage as well as showings of independent and classic films.
