2014 Eugene, Cascades & Coast Convention Leadership Award - PEO Sisterhood

It's no secret, the PEO Sisterhood helps women succeed. This gregarious philanthropic society has been supporting women's education through scholarships, grants, awards and loans since 1869. It is the oldest and one of the largest women's organizations in North America. PEO runs its own college and combines gifts of financial assistance with motivational support. In Oregon there are 181 chapters, with 11 located in the Eugene -- Springfield area. The resident chapters successfully advocated for PEO's annual state convention to be held in Eugene. For five days, local members hosted their sisters and showcased the community with tours of Ninkasi Brewing Company, King Estate and the University of Oregon. Groups also enjoyed the Oregon Coast, fishing excursions, shopping and golfing. Just over 200 delegates attended and brought along family and friends, swelling participation to approximately 650 people. The numbers are hardly a surprise as this highly successful organization harkens its inception to friendship. The 2013 Annual State Convention generated over 463 room nights with an approximate economic impact of $388,000. The local organizing committee was instrumental in assembling their sisters and highlighting Eugene's many advantages for future meetings. Now that rapport has been established locally, we hope to see a lot more of the PEO Sisterhood. Therefore, Travel Lane County congratulates the PEO Sisterhood for the 2013 Annual State Convention, this year's winner of the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Convention Leadership Award. Presented to a local resident(s) or business that is directly responsible for the confirmation of a meeting or event brings in a significant number of overnight visitors to Lane County.