In a couple of weeks,

, the national organization for professional non-profit theater companies, is

.

A pair of TCG execs, managing director Kevin E. Moore and director of communications and conferences Dafina McMillan, visited both cities this week, touring potential sites, meeting local theater representatives and gauging community enthusiasm.

If Portland gets the nod, that means 1,000-1,200 convention visitors for three to four days in June of next year. But perhaps more importantly, in the long term, it could mean an influx of fresh ideas, greater recognition for the Portland theater scene's creative capacity and a strengthening of the city's ties to national theater figures.

But which city seems the more likely choice?

San Diego would appear to have some major advantages. For starters, it boasts a much larger population than Portland and is driving distance from the vast number of theater companies across the Greater Los Angeles area. Portland, by contrast, would be the smallest city to host TCG's conference since Milwaukee, in 2003.

The number of

in the two areas is nearly equal – nine for San Diego, seven for Portland (Artists Rep, Portland Center Stage, Portland Playhouse, Third Rail, Profile, Miracle, and Oregon Children's Theatre – with Stumptown Stages reportedly soon to join). But among San Diego's are the

– which counts Gregory Peck among its co-founders – and

: large, well-funded companies with multiple performance spaces and national reputations for launching major productions.

But Portland can make its case, too.

"I think we have a real shot, and here's why," says Cynthia Fuhrman, Porland Center Stage's marketing director and a TCG board member. "They move the conference around the country –in the east one year, then somewhere in the middle, then in the west. This year it's in Dallas, it was in Boston last year, Los Angeles before that. It was in Seattle back in 2004. So it's time for it to be here in the Northwest again."

Fuhrman says that when she attends national TCG events, interest in – and affection for – Portland is high, even among folks who've never visited. The city's reputation for DIY culture, its compact and walkable downtown, its restaurants and its nearby natural areas all are part of an appealing package.

She envisions a conference with visitors staying mainly at the Hilton and plenary sessions at the Schnitzer Concert Hall and other events being held the Portland Art Museum, Artists Rep and PCS's Gerding Theater. Being able get out and about in the city – rather than just in non-descript hotel hallways – could be a major selling point. "From what I understand they're proposing," Fuhrman says, "San Diego would be a hotel-based conference."

The potential hurdle she sees is local fundraising. TCG raises money nationally to help defray costs of the conference, but the local host committee also is expected to deliver more than $100,000 in cash and in-kind contributions, some of which goes to make attendance more affordable for local students and independent theater artists.

"San Diego might meet them at the airport with a $300,000 check and seal the deal," Fuhrman says. "But I feel really good about our chances."

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