The Oregon Poetry Association is proud to announce our 70th Anniversary Celebration, in-person on August 28-29, 2026 at the Salem Convention Center. 

Join us to experience Poetry of Endurance, Resilience, Strength, & Rarity. 

We’ll connect over workshops and open-mic sessions, hear from a keynote, and gather together in community.

Check out the Event Details!

Hotel

There are several places to stay in Salem, even perhaps with a friend or colleague. Salem may be drivable for many so perhaps you don't need a hotel room. Here's some Salem hotels to check, with estimated rates:

The Grand Hotel           503-540-7800     grandhotelslem.com      201 Liberty St SE           ~$190

Holman River Front       971-900-5560      thehotelholman.com     195 Commercial St SE  ~$220

Holiday Inn                     503-370-7888     ihg.com                           3301 Market St NE         ~$140

Best Western Plus Mill  503-585-3332     bestwestern.com           3125 Ryan Dr SE             ~$130

La Quinta Inn                 971-374-2851       wyndhamhotels.com      890 Hawthorn Ave SE   ~$120

Comfort Suites              871-345-5276      choicehotels.com           630 Hawthorn Ave SE   ~$120

Hampton inn                  503-362-1300      hilton.com                      510 Hawthorn Ave SE    ~$135

Double Tree                   971-910-8610       hilton.com                       1590 Weston Ct NE        ~$130

Conference Schedule (draft)

Friday, August 28, 2026

Conference Check-in Opens at 2PM

Early workshops (same as some of the Saturday Workshops): 3:30-4:45 PM

Reception & President's Welcome: 5-5:45 PM

Free Time: 5:45-7 PM

Open Mic and Slam Winner/UO/Contest Winners: 7-10 PM

Saturday, August 29, 2025

Breakfast Buffett: 7-8 AM

Opening Keynote: 8:10AM - 8:45 - TBA

Workshops 1A & 1B & 1C: 9-10:15 AM

Workshops 2A & 2B & 2C: 10:30-11:45 AM

Lunch Buffett & Annual General Meeting: 12-1:30 PM

Workshops 3A & 3B & 3C: 1:45-3 PM

Workshops 4A & 4B & 4C: 3:15-4:30 PM

Closing Open Mic: 4:45PM

Closing Remarks: 6:25PM

Do You Have a Favorite Anecdote of OPA History? Share It With This Form:

We can't wait to see us gather together!

Thank you for for supporting poetry in Oregon.  Your generous contribution may go to the Youth Contest, Spanish Contest, Adult Contest, Conference, or Special Workshops & Poetry Event.

Memberships last for one year. Thank you for supporting the Oregon Poetry Association. 

Memberships last for two years. Thank you for supporting the Oregon Poetry Association. 

Memberships last for one year. Thank you for supporting Oregon Poetry Association.