: Melanie Ryan Griffin
Annual Conference on Neighborhood Concerns
Neighborhoods, USA
Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA) is a national, non-profit organization committed to building and strengthening neighborhood organizations. Created in 1975 to share information and experiences used to build stronger communities, NUSA continues to encourage networking and information-sharing to facilitate the development of partnerships among neighborhood organizations, government and the private sector for the ultimate goal of strengthening every neighborhood.
"Travel Lane County was an invaluable partner in hosting the Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA) conference in Eugene. From our initial application to host the conference, through more than two years of planning, and in hosting over 600 attendees from across the US, Japan and The Netherlands, Travel Lane County was integral to a wildly successful NUSA conference." Rene Kane, Office of Human Rights & Neighborhood Involvement, City of Eugene
Market: Association
Number of Room Nights: 1,600 (432 peak)
Event Type: National, Citywide
Host Hotel/Venue: The Graduate Eugene (formerly Hilton Eugene)
Overflow Hotels: Best Western Grand Manor Inn, Hayward Inn, Best Western New Oregon, Campus Inn & Suites, Comfort Suites, Comfort Suites Eugene, Courtyard by Marriott, Holiday Inn Express - Eugene-Springfield, La Quinta Inn & Suites – Springfield, La Quinta Inn and Suites Eugene - On the Waterfront, Phoenix Inn Suites, Quality Inn & Suites, Residence Inn by Marriott, Valley River Inn
Assistance Provided/Activities:
- Collaborated with the City of Eugene and formed the Local Organizing Planning Committee and created multiple sub-committees consisting of volunteers to plan and organize the conference and all activities
- Assisted in creating the graphics for the event logo
- Coordinated hotel pricing and room blocks
- Helped source and vet keynote speakers
- Worked with neighborhood associations to create neighborhood tours and events
- Worked with neighborhood representatives from around the nation that wanted to present or offer workshops during the conference
- Coordinated all transportation for activities including scheduling and sourcing funding
- Helped source bulk foods for meals for several hundred people and sourced venues for meals
- Produced and distributed all signage, post cards, flyers, etc., for around the city and at the conference
- Created an event microsite to help promote the event, the region, and local attractions
- Posted digital signage at the airport to welcome arriving attendees
- Recruited and coordinated the entire volunteer fleet
- Offered the Show Your Badge program that provided discounts for attendees at local businesses and restaurants
- Sourced the locally handmade conference bag