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Cirque du Soleil returns to the Portland Expo Center in March 2014

 Portland, Ore. -
The Portland Expo Center announced today that the international performance
troupe, Cirque du Soleil, will return to host another limited engagement run –
this time for “TOTEM” – next spring.

 In April and May 2012, Expo hosted a seven-week run of Cirque du Soleil’s “OVO” which drew
thousands of patrons from across the region to its awe-inspiring performances
under the trademark blue and yellow grand chapiteau. 

 For “OVO,” several months of preparations were required to ready the site, including the
installation of utilities to areas of the campus typically used as parking
lots. The logistics to accommodate event transportation and parking needs while
also ensuring a seamless coexistence with other events required significant
planning and coordination.

“Hosting Cirque du Soleil in 2012 was an exciting challenge that, with the cooperation of our
partners, we pulled off without a hitch,” says Matthew Rotchford, Portland Expo
Center director. “In preparation, we invested carefully in infrastructure that
can be used for future clients and a return run of Cirque, and now those
investments are paying off,” he adds.

 At the conclusion of the successful run, a first-of-its-kind event for Expo,
discussions began in earnest with Cirque du Soleil executives to secure future
dates for additional performances.

 The addition of Cirque du Soleil to Expo’s client mix is a deliberate effort to diversify the
venue’s customer portfolio to strengthen the facility’s long-term financial
outlook. The Portland Expo Center is unique among publicly-owned exposition
centers across the country in that it does not receive government subsidies or
revenue support.

Rotchford says that consumer trade shows at Expo remain extremely popular among customers and
continue to be the foundation of facility’s business, “But we are also always
searching for new clients to discover what Expo can offer their event.”

 He adds, “We present something for everyone and want to build a diversified customer base,
for the good of the region’s economy.”

 “TOTEM” debuted in 2010 and is the 2013 winner of the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Unique
Theatrical Experience. It features a cast of 46 acrobats, actors, musicians and
singers. Cirque du Soleil describes the show as an “uplifting array of
athleticism, comedy, heartfelt emotions and surprising visual effects.”

 “TOTEM” opens on March 27, 2014 for a limited engagement. Pre-sale tickets are now available
online exclusively to Cirque Club members. Membership is free and benefits
include access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive
behind-the-scenes invitations. To join, visit www.cirqueclub.com.

 Tickets will be available to the general public starting Friday, November 22, 2013, at www.cirquedusoleil.com/totem.

 

About the Portland Expo Center

The Portland Expo Center is the west coast’s largest multi-purpose facility that hosts 100
events and 500,000 people each year. The 52-acre campus boasts five spacious
exhibit halls totaling over 333,000 square feet and ten varied meeting
rooms.  In 2011-2012, the Expo Center generated $41 million in regional
spending.

Expo is easily accessed by taking Exit 306B off I-5 or by TriMet light rail MAX yellow line.

 For more information about events and facility information, visit www.expocenter.org.

 

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Date: 
Friday, December 6, 2013