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https://www.ucda.com/portland/

2019 UCDA Design Conference: Know Before You Go

Thank you for registering for the 49th Annual UCDA Design Conference. As we descend on Portland, Oregon, we hope this information enhances your conference experience and your time in the great northwest.

SPECIAL ALERT: Certain model 15" MacBooks are banned from travel. See the full story here.

Connect with others who are attending: download list of attendees or connect via the new conference app (see below).

Set against the backdrop of majestic Mount Hood, Portland combines a sophisticated, cosmopolitan atmosphere with a refreshingly friendly, small-town warmth that makes it a natural place for UCDA to host it's annual conference.

No matter what it is you’d like to be, do, eat or drink — even if you’ve never tried it before — You Can, in Portland. Visit Travel Portland to help plan your trip.

Portland is a great value! With no sales tax or food and beverage tax, Portland lets you stretch your budget while you indulge. Poprtland is also big on saving the other kind of green, with a natural commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and ethical practices.

Portland was one of Lonely Planet’s Top Cities to Visit in 2017. Here are their top ten reasons to visit Portland.

PORTLAND AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
Average October high temperature: 63° F
Average October low temperature: 48° F

You can expect it to rain 9 days in October on average. To ensure you’re comfortable both inside and out, dress in layers.

GETTING TO PORTLAND
Portland International Airport (PDX) is is located 9 miles northeast of downtown Portland and is connected to the city center via MAX light rail train.

SPECIAL ALERT: Certain model 15" MacBooks are banned from travel. See the full story here.

Union Station (Amtrak) with its elegant architecture, 50-foot clock tower, and cheerful “Go By Train” neon sign, is a Portland landmark located at the foot of the Broadway Bridge in Old Town Chinatown, just minutes from the center of downtown.

SHUTTLEFARE
ShuttleFare is offering a $5 discount off airport shuttle transportation to and from Airport and your Hotel.

To Book Reservation Click Airport Link:
ShuttleFare at Portland Airport

Coupon Code = UCDA2019
(enter code on bottom right of checkout page before submitting payment)

Once you complete your reservation an email confirmation will be sent to you and this will be your travel voucher for your airport transportation. It will also include instructions on where to meet your shuttle when you arrive at the airport as well as any important phone numbers for the day of travel.

SHUTTLEFARE CUSTOMER SERVICE
For reservation changes or questions contact customer service:
Phone: 800-851-4528, Email: customerservice@shuttlefare.com
Monday - Friday 8am ­- 8pm EST, Saturday and Sunday 9am - 8pm EST

TAXI AND RIDE-SHARING

Taxi and ride-sharing services are available from the airport and throughout Portland. Approximate taxi fare from airport to hotel is $45 USD.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTAION

To help you plan your travel and your stay, visit Travel Portland.

GETTING AROUND
If you are looking for something specific or want to explore while you are here in Portland, check out these maps available on the Travel Portland website: Portland City Center; Northwest Portland and Washington Park; Interactive Digital Bike Map of Portland and other great biking and walking maps at https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/39402.

GET YOUR DIGITAL COMPANION FOR THE UCDA DESIGN CONFERENCE
Download the official UCDA Events app for iPhone or Android by visiting www.ucda.com/app.

FEATURES
Schedule—Complete program at your fingertips with links to relevant information about sessions, speakers, and evaluations.

Attendees—Connect and chat with other attendees by using “shake” technology.

Sponsors—Learn more about and connect with our event sponsors.

Evaluations—Easy-to-use online evaluations for each session and overall event.

Floor Plans—Digital maps to help you locate where you need to be.

City Guide—Everything you need to know about Portland from exploring the city to enjoying a great meal.

Meet Ups—Post location and time to all attendees for informal get togethers.

Let your friends, colleagues, and family know you are going! Share your experiences and photos before and during the event.

Here is an image to help you get started (download [control-click and save image] and share!):

CONFERENCE LOCATION
The conference will be held at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront. This downtown hotel on the Willamette River is surrounded by Portland hot spots, and reflects the vibrancy of the city.

Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront
1401 SW Naito Parkway
Portland, Oregon 97201

REGISTRATION
Saturday, October 12, 1 p.m.
Be sure to pick up your name tag and conference registration materials at the registration desk located in the Ballroom Foyer on Lower Level 1 of the hotel. If you are registered for one of the pre-conference workshops, registration will be open between 8-9 a.m.

Name tags must be worn at all UCDA events.

SILENT AUCTION OPENING
Saturday, October 12, 1 p.m.
Each year we ask our members, speakers, sponsors, and anyone in our profession to submit items to be auctioned off at the annual conference. Proceeds from the UCDA Foundation Silent Auction at the UCDA Design Conference will directly benefit UCDA.

Objects made by our members including photographs, paintings, drawings, prints, posters, jewelry, ceramics, weavings, cards, books, etc., are especially well-received by conference attendees. Also, quirky and unusual items such as pop-up books, collectibles, and objects d'art do extremely well in the silent auction. And, donated items from the conference city will forever remind the winning bidder of the wonderful time they had while attending the UCDA Design Conference.

Bring an item or two to donate for the silent auction: drop items off at the registration desk.

Again this year, the auction is opening early so you will have more time to check out and bid on the array of items.

OPENING MIXER
Saturday, October 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Stop by after you register to mix and mingle with other conference goers. Partake in refreshments (first drink is on us), print your own photos, and meet old friends and new contacts with our Networking Game (for a chance to win a free 50th Anniversary UCDA Design Conference registration for 2020).

Don’t forget to check out our Conference Community board where you can include your business cards (bring plenty for the UCDA Resource Center, too!) and meet other attendees. You can also share ideas and ask questions throughout the conference.

Also, don’t forget those at home—send a postcard to loved ones, friends, or co-workers. The postage is on us!

BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday
When registering, you signed up for breakout sessions. We currently anticipate being able to accommodate flexibility for changes in your session choices, but some sessions are proving to be very popular. We recommend arriving early to guarantee your seat. If you signed up for sessions, they will appear in your personal agenda on our new UCDA Events app.

CITY WALK, COFFEE TALK, OR INSTAMEET

Sunday, October 13, 7-8 a.m.

Why not enjoy an early start with a walk around downtown Portland? Join UCDA leaders, colleagues, and friends for an invigorating beginning to your day. 

More interested in coffee at 7 a.m.? Come join colleagues, friends, and UCDA leaders for some down-to-earth coffee talk.

Are you an Instagrammer? Bring your camera for a stroll through Portland as you discover and share your photographs through Instagram. Tag your pics with #UCDA2019 and pick up your prints at the Conference Community Board near registration.

PUBLICATIONS SWAP SHOP
Sunday, October 13, 4-5 p.m.
Share your work and pick up some samples for inspiration in this limited-time event. Doors will open for one hour, and once the samples are gone, they’re gone! Bring or send ahead approximately 30-50 samples (or as many as you can spare). If sending, please ship them to yourself at the hotel and drop off at the UCDA Registration Desk.

The Swap Shop is a run and get ’em sample exchange. The doors open, and it’s a free-for-all. Sort of like a bride’s bargain basement sale, only with publications instead of dresses, designers instead of brides, and the publications are free.

Those bringing or sending materials for the swap will receive a “priority pass” to be at the head of the line!

Send them to:
Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront
Attn: Your Name (hotel guest)
1401 SW Naito Parkway
Portland, Oregon 97201

Or if you are staying at the overflow hotel:
The Zags Hotel Portland
Attn: Your Name (hotel guest)
515 SW Clay Street
Portland, OR 97201

UCDA RESOURCE CENTER
The UCDA Resource Center includes an exhibition by various companies. Visit with company representatives, get answers to your most pressing questions, and see the latest techniques, products, and services.

Special thanks to all our sponsors, exhibitors, and partners!

AARON DRAPLIN
Aaron Draplin LLC, Portland, OR
UCDA honorary member

 

Cool neighborhoods

  • Mississippi
  • Hawthorne
  • Clinton
  • Pearl District

Places to chow

  • Super Deluxe burger
  • Sizzle Pie pizza
  • La Buca italian
  • Chaba Thai thai food

Bars (I don’t drink, but here’s a couple cool ones...)

  • Sandy Hut
  • Reel ’M Inn
  • The Slammer
  • Kelly’s Olympian

Vintage Shopping Stuff

  • Real Good Stuff
  • Hawthorne Vintage
  • House of Vintage

JOYCE GABRIEL
Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR
UCDA member

  • The John Wilson Special Collections Library at the Multnomah County Library
  • Distillery Row
  • Departure for evening drinks indoor/outdoor and a view!
  • Max | No better way to travel to and from the PDX airport   
  • For an excursion, take the Portland Streetcar to the Portland Aerial Tram
  • Your TriMet trip planner and a Day pass will get you going
  • The infamous Portland Airport Carpet for your feet portrait | Link to Wikipedia detail here. And go to the airport early to shop and enjoy a taste of Oregon prior to departure.
  • Oblation Papers | A paper goods and gift shop with a wonderful array of all the things designer-loved—plus letterpresses and typewriters in the shop.
  • Powells Books | A three-story building that consumes an entire block. Wander through or spend hours.
  • Apple Store | An impressive Mac-lovers location in downtown central.
  • Others have suggested the Portland Art Museum though I’ll add an interesting tidbit: Portland Art Museum | $5 Fridays after 5 p.m. | Plan your visit to Portland early and visit the museum on Friday night.
  • Though so many more places to consider I’ll complete my list with Pioneer Courthouse Square — The Square PDX | Portland’s living room. An open space with food carts, a brass rain man statue and a great people-watching square.

PATRICIA McDONALD
University of Portland, Portland, OR
UCDA Member

ACTIVITIES / MUSEUMS / QUIRKY

FOOD

NEIGHBORHOODS

STORES

SUSAN BLETTEL
Retired, Salem, OR
UCDA Member

ALENNA FOUTS
Travel Portand

RETAIL SHOPS

GALLERIES / MUSEUMS / DESIGN ORGANIZATIONS

NEIGHBORHOODS

ARTICLES