I was pleased when Global Traveler‘s editor in chief, Lisa Matte, called me this spring to ask if I’d like to write November’s Stateside article on my hometown, Portland, Ore. Who better of all of GT‘s contributors and staff to write the piece than a born-and-raised Rose City gal who, though she hadn’t lived there permanently for nearly 30 years, loved the town and still visited regularly and often, I thought. (Ah, hubris!) I would be happy to introduce our readers to all the beauty, action, art, culture, food and wine Portland has to offer — all in about 1,000 words.

I set about doing my research. Sort of like writing a report for social studies class, right? Gather statistics; check out websites; read economic reports, development reports, the business section of The Oregonian. On trips north from my current residence in Southern Oregon, we’d try a new Portland restaurant or food cart, visit a festival at Waterfront Park, drive through a few neighborhoods, take some pictures. Gradually, a mild sort of panic set in.

There’s so much to write about! I’ve got to find a focus!! I’ve got to wrestle this enormous accumulation of facts, figures and observations into some sort of coherent, helpful, insightful article on my beloved city — all in about 1,000 words!!!

Two things saved me. First, I fell back on my work as Global Traveler‘s copy editor. The Stateside article should provide information helpful to someone seeking to do business in the city, including information about transportation, dining and lodging options and meetings venues. New developments; growing and changing districts; the economic, political and business climates may be touched on. That gave me focus and helped me toss out a lot of interesting though unrelated matter. Second, interviews with people who really knew about doing business in Portland and the near future of development in town gave me the key information I needed. As someone who lived in and loves the city but doesn’t work there, that’s what I didn’t have.

Patrick Quinton of the Portland Development Commission and his staff opened my eyes to the city’s recent and future districts of growth, Matt Pizzuti explained the Oregon Convention Center‘s role in attracting meetings and conventions to the city, and Marcus Hibdon of Travel Portland helped me see the town’s appeal through a visitor’s eyes. Lastly, Paula Vogel of GT‘s Globility Board, who works and lives in the Portland Metro area, gave me her impressions of the city.

         Downtown Portland from Pittock Mansion

Whew! With a clear focus and some on-target, pithy quotes, I whipped that article into shape. The final struggle involved choosing which three scenic drives to feature in a sidebar piece (a one- to two-hour drive, a half-day and a full-day jaunt). So many to choose from (the Columbia Gorge, Mt. Hood, the Willamette/Yamhill wine country, the beach, Mt. St. Helens . . .), and that word count is squeezing me! Finally, with the editing skill of senior editor Jan Hecht and the layout magic of art director Tracey Cullen, it all came together, as you can see here. All in . . . a little over 1,000 words.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor