Oregon Convention Center is a convention center in Portland , Oregon . Completed in 1989 , and opened in 1990 , it is located on the east side of the Willamette River in the Lloyd District neighborhood . It is best known for the twin spire towers , which provide light into the building 's interior and for housing the world 's largest Foucault Pendulum . The center is owned by Metro , the Portland area 's regional government , and operated by the Metropolitan Exposition and Recreation Commission . The building was designed by the architectural firm of Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects ( ZGF ) . It is the largest convention center in Oregon at nearly . The complex includes of exhibit space . It features the largest ballroom in the City of Portland at . The original building was built in the late 1980s , opened in 1990 , and was expanded in 2003 . ZGF was also involved in designing the expansion . More recently , the building has become known for upward illuminating the twin spires yearly on September 11 in memorial of the events of 9/11 . In 2008 , the OCC replaced its traditional Wi-Fi Hotspots with Wi-Fi Arrays to provide wireless internet services which are sold to exhibitors and attendees
events of 9/11
September 11 attacks
Oregon Convention Center