Travel and Accommodations

The NEMA 2008 Annual Conference will be headquartered at the Hilton Portland and Executive Towers in lovely downtown Portland. The hotel complex has two separate buildings, the original hotel and a newer structure built as an expansion which is located across the street. The original structure houses guest rooms, meeting space, athletic club, restaurant and bar. The newer building located across the street features additional guest rooms, an athletic club, a restaurant and bar.

The Hilton is offering NEMA Conference attendees a rate of $139 per night plus tax and applicable fees. Please ask for the NEMA Conference block using the code "NMA" to receive this special discounted room rate. You can make your reservations online by using this direct link to the NEMA Conference page on the Hilton Portland & Executive Towers website. To make your reservations by phone, please call the hotel directly at (503) 226-1611. The state EM directors have a separate block of rooms so please consult your State Director Update for alternate instructions on making your reservations.

Hilton Portland & Executive Towers
921 Southwest Sixth Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 226-1611
Guest Fax: (503) 220-2565

Additional rooms have been blocked at The Portland Paramount Hotel also at a rate of $139 per night.

The Portland Paramount Hotel
808 SW Taylor Street
Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (503) 223-9900
Fax: (503) 276-1774

*Please reserve only the number of rooms to accommodate confirmed conference attendees. Past conferences have seen the room block fill very early, necessitating an overflow hotel be contracted, only to see large numbers of cancellations at the original hotel just prior to the conference. This makes NEMA vulnerable to fees for not meeting the room block and inconveniences other conference attendees who are forced to stay at different hotels. Your cooperation in this is appreciated.

Airline Transportation

The Portland area is serviced by the Portland International Airport (PDX) which is located approximately 9 miles from the Hilton. Most major carriers service the airport.

Getting Around and Area Attractions

The Hilton does not offer airport shuttle service, however, the hotel is very centrally located with ready access to public transportation.

Downtown Portland was recently voted one of America's "Best Walking Towns". There are abundant restaurants, shops and attractions within easy walking distance of the hotel. Once in the downtown area of Portland, all public transportation is free including the MAX light rail, buses and street cars.

For more information on the city of Portland, please visit Travel Portland's website.

Climate and Conference Attire

The dress code for NEMA Conference committee meetings and activities is business casual. Dress for the Conference General Sessions is business attire. The September climate in the Portland area averages 75 degrees fahrenheit during the day with lows in the 50's at night.

Security

The safety and security of all NEMA conference attendees is of the utmost importance. To this end, NEMA has implemented and will enforce the following measures at all NEMA Conferences:

All registered conference attendees will be required to present a state or federally issued, photo identification and sign in, in order to pick up a badge and conference materials at the Registration Booth.
Only those displaying a NEMA Conference badge will be admitted to NEMA Conference related functions.