Portland, OR — Metro and the Metropolitan Exposition-Recreation Commission (MERC) are pleased to announce that Cindy Wallace, who has been serving as interim executive director of both the Oregon Convention Center (OCC) and the Portland Expo Center, has accepted the permanent role of Executive Director for the two venues. Wallace becomes the first woman to lead both OCC and Expo in their combined history.
Wallace brings more than two decades of diverse experience in the meetings, events, hospitality, and venue-management sectors. She joined the Oregon Convention Center staff in 2005 and has held multiple leadership roles—ranging from Sales Manager to Director of Sales and Marketing, to Senior Director of Strategy and Business Development. Prior to joining Metro, Wallace held key roles with organizations including OHSU, Educational Travel Services, Portland Spirit, Aramark, and Opus Events Agency.
During her tenure at OCC, Wallace has been instrumental in advancing strategic partnerships, producing record-breaking sales results, and implementing operational improvements that elevated the center’s regional and national competitiveness.
Since stepping into interim leadership at both OCC and Expo, Wallace has provided steady and strategic direction through a period of significant organizational transition. She has overseen all operational departments while facilitating alignment across teams, unifying processes, and strengthening collaborative structures between the two venues.
“Cindy’s leadership has been critical to OCC over the years,” said Craig Stroud, General Manager of Visitor Venues. “She was instrumental in the work to combine resources and staffing across the convention center and Expo to help support more sustainable operating models for both venues, a process that required creativity, strategic leadership, a deep understanding of operations, and a commitment to continuous improvement. These qualities – plus her care for both venues, their employees, and the clients they serve – will be important as we continue to respond to a changing and sometimes challenging meetings and events environment.”
As the first female executive director to lead both venues, Wallace’s appointment marks an important milestone in the continued evolution of OCC and Expo. Her leadership reflects Metro’s ongoing commitment to advancing equity, expanding representation, and ensuring that the region’s premier public venues reflect the communities they serve.
In her expanded role as Executive Director, Wallace will continue guiding the long-term strategic direction of the Oregon Convention Center and Portland Expo Center, focusing on operational excellence, industry partnerships, venue modernization, financial sustainability, and service to the region’s residents, businesses, and visitors.
About Metro
Metro serves more than 1.6 million people in the greater Portland area. In addition to managing the Oregon Convention Center, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Portland Expo Center and Oregon Zoo, Metro manages the region’s garbage and recycling system, protects clean water and air at more than 18,000 acres of parks and natural areas, oversees long- range planning across 24 cities and 3 counties, and is supporting construction of more than 5,300 affordable homes region-wide with more on the way.
About Oregon Convention Center
The Oregon Convention Center serves as a catalyst for Oregon’s economy. In addition to the thousands of jobs supported by the facility, consumer spending totals more than $330 million each year as a result of the convention center’s business. The Oregon Convention Center is owned and operated by Metro and managed through the Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission.
About Portland Expo Center
The Portland Expo Center is Oregon’s largest multi-purpose facility, spurring economic growth and offering opportunities for people to connect through sports, events, trade shows and more. Last year, Expo welcomed over 260,000 attendees across 91 events, generated nearly $31 million in economic impact, and saw a 38% increase in sports bookings. It’s a member of the family of visitor venues owned and operated by Metro, the Portland Expo Center is managed by the Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission.
submitted by Michelle Hedegard, Oregon Convention Center (OCC)
