February 13th, 2019

5 Unique Spots to Host Your Small Meeting or Event

We’ve all been there, you’re going on hour four of a full-day meeting and the combination of glaring fluorescent lights and gaudy hotel ballroom carpet is seriously getting to you.  Not even an influx of caffeine and buzz words can bring you back to life in this environment.  Not to worry, Historic Downtown McMinnville is here to help make sure your next meeting’s location is as stimulating as the conversation.  Annual Board Retreat in a vibrant urban tasting room?  Yes, please.  Networking over drinks in a below-ground cellar bar?  You’ve got it.  Here are our picks for the 5 most unique McMinnville locations for your next small meeting or event.

Photo courtesy Elizabeth Chambers Cellar

Elizabeth Chambers Cellar

This historic building was once home to the McMinnville Power Plant, but you’d never know it now that Elizabeth Chambers Cellar has restored and polished its gorgeous interior while still preserving its roots.  The perfect place to hold your next meeting, retreat, or networking event, the Tasting Room is available for complete buy-outs and rentals 7 days a week.  Host your event on a Thursday or Friday and take advantage of their weekly wood-fired pizza night, a collaboration with local pie hero Pizza Capo.  To learn more, check out https://elizabethchamberscellar.com/

 

Photo courtesy The Bindery

The Bindery

Another historic McMinnville building with a fresh new face, The Bindery Event Space was once home to the community’s newspaper press but now houses the modern and completely customizable meeting space of your dreams.  Across the street from the Atticus Hotel, the crown jewel of McMinnville’s boutique hotel scene, The Bindery is the perfect location for those looking to provide guests with modern, understated elegance, or for the ambitious planner in search of a space that can flex to execute even your wildest venue design.  https://www.mcminnvillebindery.com/

 

Photo courtesy McMenamins Hotel Oregon

McMenamins Hotel Oregon

Operating as a hotel since 1905, the McMenamins crew worked their magic on this historic beauty in 1998, re-opening as Hotel Oregon (it’s moniker since the 30s), with their signature artistic, funky, vintage vibe.  Now home to 42 guest rooms, each entirely unique from the next, and an entire floor of meeting and event space, Hotel Oregon is the ideal location for groups looking to sleep and meet in the same location.  Caution, you may be late to your meeting as you wander the intricate and elaborate features of this site including the sunken Cellar Bar below 3rd Street, the hotel’s hidden courtyards, and the secret outdoor dining room available for intimate lunches and dinners when you don’t want to be overheard.  https://www.mcmenamins.com/hotel-oregon

Photo courtesy McMinnville Grand Ballroom

McMinnville Grand Ballroom

Built in 1892 and completely restored in 2002, the McMinnville Grand Ballroom offers 5,600 square feet of vintage charm for meetings and events year-round.  Overlooking historic 3rd Street, the Ballroom’s gorgeous Douglas Fir floors and grand windows provide a lovely backdrop for larger meetings in town, able to accommodate up to 100 attendees.  https://www.mcminnvillegrandballroom.com/

 

 

Photo by Andrea Johnson; courtesy International Pinot Noir Celebration

Linfield College

The center of McMinnville, Linfield College offers 189 park-like acres of academic and event spaces perfect for large gatherings and meetings requiring multi-use spaces and break out venues.  The setting for the famous International Pinot Noir Celebration each July, Linfield provides a gorgeous backdrop and top-notch facilities for conferences, family reunions, and sports camps each summer when students aren’t in session.  Those wanting to relive their college days can even book dorm rooms on campus for overnight accommodations – Go Cats!  https://www.linfield.edu/

 

To explore meeting and event venues, or to get trip planning advice, reach out to Rachel Adams at rachel@visitmcminnville.com for a personalized itinerary.