A man and a woman sit closely together at a wooden table in a restaurant, both smiling and wearing matching smartwatches.

TravelCon 2024 in Portland, Oregon: Best Food, Top Speakers, and a Dream Dinner at Han Oak

Published On : August 12, 2025 | Last Updated : August 16, 2025

Oregon, Portland, USA

TravelCon Kickoff: Why We Attended and What We Hoped to Learn

In January 2024, we booked tickets to TravelCon, a major travel creator conference in Portland, Oregon. We had no idea how much this event would shift our mindset, fuel our goals, and expand our community. This wasn’t just a trip. It was a pivotal moment in our journey as travel creators.

This was our first travel conference, and it was transformational. We’re sharing everything, not just the conference insights, but the incredible meals, friendships, late-night conversations, and takeaways that are shaping our next chapter. If you’ve ever thought about attending a creator conference or just want the inside scoop on foodie travel in Portland, this post is for you.

Getting There: The Unexpected Wins

Our journey started at Evansville Regional Airport (EVV), with a layover at Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta. We got lunch at Bobby’s Burger Palace which completely exceeded expectations. Rich had the Brunch Burger with egg and bacon. I had the award-winning Veggie Burger with wild mushrooms and quinoa. With fries, onion rings, and a vanilla bean milkshake, it turned into a culinary highlight.

Two people smiling for a selfie in an airport terminal, with check-in counters and travelers visible in the background.

Two people smiling and taking a selfie inside a tunnel-like structure with tracks and lights visible in the background.

Two people smiling for a selfie inside an airport, with a "Bobby's Burger Palace" restaurant sign visible in the background.

Two people are seated at a restaurant table in an airport, smiling at the camera with finished plates and drinks. A Dunkin' Donuts sign and travelers are visible in the background.

A close-up of a cheeseburger with bacon, a side of fries, dipping sauces, a milkshake, and a fried item on a table.

A cheeseburger with bacon sits on a plate next to a vanilla milkshake in a Bobby’s Burger Palace cup; a basket of fries is blurred in the background.

A close-up of a cheeseburger with bacon and fries on a plate, with a woman in the background holding and eating a sandwich.

A person prepares to eat a burger, with a side of fries, dipping sauce, fried items, and a drink on a table.

A cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and orange sauce sits on a white plate, with sauce dripping out from the side.

Illuminated sign reads “Bobby’s Burger Palace” in yellow, red, and green letters above a menu at a restaurant counter.

We grabbed forgettable coffees at Roast Coffeehouse and headed to Portland. When we landed at PDX, the excitement hit hard. It was my first time on the West Coast, and it felt like a creative, bold new world.

Map showing the location of Atlanta International Airport - Roast Coffee House in Concourse B, with nearby stores and gates labeled.

In-flight screen displays a map showing the plane's location near Portland, Oregon; passengers are seated and some are standing in the airplane aisle.

Home Base: Hotel Eastlund and Our First Night in Portland

Hotel Eastlund was our home for the trip, and it nailed everything. Huge windows, a California king bed, and an ultra-modern bathroom. The staff, especially Liz, gave us the warmest welcome and even a handwritten guide to local food. Plus, it was right next to the convention center.

Two people smiling in front of an orange hexagonal-patterned wall divider indoors, with plants and windows visible in the background.

View through a window with white curtains showing a cityscape, including two tall glass spires, streets, greenery, and buildings under a blue sky with clouds.

Modern hotel room with a double bed, desk and chair, large TV, armchair, and lamp. Neutral tones with red accent pillows and patterned carpet.

A modern hotel room with a king-size bed, two nightstands with lamps, a desk, an armchair, a round table, and large windows letting in natural light.

Modern hotel room with a king bed, patterned headboard, desk, chair, flat-screen TV, and large windows letting in natural light.

Modern hotel bathroom with large mirror, illuminated vanity, glass shower with black tiles, and towels neatly placed on open shelves under the sink. Toilet visible in background.

Accessible hotel shower with dark tiles, red accent stripe, wall-mounted dispensers, a handheld showerhead, grab bars, a bench, and towels on a glass shelf.

Modern bathroom with a white countertop sink, open shelving with towels, a large mirror, and a walk-in shower with black tiles.

Modern accessible bathroom with a toilet, grab bars, open walk-in shower, large mirror, sink, and amenities on the countertop.

View of two illuminated glass towers of the Oregon Convention Center in Portland at dusk, seen through a window with city lights in the background.

We kicked off the night with dinner on the rooftop at Metropolitan Tavern. Rich ordered the spicy salmon with coconut curry. I went for the butter-poached radish tagliatelle with goat cheese. Beautiful food and a perfect first impression of Portland.

A bowl of soup with a mound of rice topped with toasted coconut, two pieces of seared fish, carrots, broccoli, and a light broth.

A woman with long brown hair wearing a tie-dye t-shirt is smiling and sitting indoors at a nighttime restaurant with large windows and lights in the background.

Framed poster for Metropolitan Tavern shows a bowl of tagliatelle with asparagus, radishes, goat cheese, and herbs, advertising May's entrée special.

A bowl of salad with greens, cheese, and edible flowers sits on a table by a window, with city lights and a blurry TV screen visible in the background.

Day Zero: Lost Plate Food Tour and Exploring Portland

Before the conference even began, we joined a Lost Plate Food Tour through TravelCon. Michelle, our guide, took us on an unforgettable street food experience. If you’re researching things to do in Portland for content creators or visiting, put this at the top of your list.

Cartopia Pod: Thai iced tea lemonade and Belgian-style poutine.
Hawthorne Asylum: Kvass, pelmeni dumplings, Shan noodle salad, and Dutch waffles with jam, Bavarian cream, and whipped cream. The pelmeni became my new favorite food.
Morrison Market: The best birria taco we have ever had.
Rogue Brewery: House root beer and pretzels to close out the day.

A small wooden building with large marquee letters spelling "CARTOPIA" attached to the front, located near a sidewalk and street.

Two baskets of poutine with fries, cheese curds, and gravy are on a wooden table beside two drinks; people sit in the background.

Four metal bins shaped like robot faces, labeled for landfill, compost, cans, and paper, are arranged outdoors under a clear blue sky.

Two triangular waffles dusted with powdered sugar, filled with fruit and cream, are served on a paper plate; two people sit in the background holding utensils.

Ever tried pelmeni dumplings or Burmese noodles? What’s your most surprising food discovery while traveling? Let us know.

A group of people walk towards the entrance gate of Hawthorne Asylum on a sunny day.

A serving of stir-fried noodles with vegetables, chicken, sesame seeds, and fresh parsley in a takeout container.

Close-up of a taco with shredded meat, topped with chopped red onion and cilantro, on a soft corn tortilla.

People sit at a long wooden table under an outdoor tent, sharing food and drinks. A man and woman in the foreground smile at the camera.

A group of people sits at a long wooden table under a canopy, enjoying food and drinks together during a daytime event.

TravelCon Day 1: Juliana Broste, Jeff Jenkins, and Community

We fueled up with omelets and coffee from Wild Bean at Hotel Eastlund. Don’t trust the Google reviews. It’s legit. They serve Stumptown coffee.

A plate with a cheese omelet, two slices of toasted bread, roasted potatoes with herbs, and two orange slices on a wooden table.

A woman smiles while sitting in a cafe booth, holding a cup of coffee and toasting with another person holding a similar cup.

Two plates of omelettes with toast, potatoes, mushrooms, and orange slices are served with lattes at a café table. Two glasses of water, a fork, and a conference badge are also visible.

A man sits at a café table with two plates of breakfast food, two cups of coffee, and a conference badge; people and a counter are visible in the background.

A woman in a pink outfit stands on stage speaking to an audience, with a neon airplane and planet sign and a podium in the background. — Juliana Broste opened TravelCon with incredible energy. Then Jeff Jenkins from Chubby Diaries took the stage and reminded us that humility and belief in yourself go a long way.

A speaker stands on stage in front of an audience, gesturing with one hand. Behind them is a neon sign of an airplane inside a circle.

A presentation slide titled "My Journey" outlines milestones from 2014 to 2023 in social media growth, campaign revenue, and follower counts, viewed by an audience. — Preethi Chandrasekhar shared her journey building a travel community with Facebook groups, email lists, and digital products. She reminded us that growth takes time and consistency.

Two colorful plates of Thai food with blue rice, salad, spring rolls, dipping sauces, and water glasses on a bright floral tablecloth. — Lunch at Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine was unforgettable. Blue jasmine rice, crispy fried chicken, samosas, and roti made it feel like a royal spread.

Afternoon sessions with Chris and Sara, Matt and Nat, and Adam Fine gave us tools to pitch brands and build trust with our audiences. That night, we joined other creators at Midtown Beer Garden for mac and cheese, smash burgers, and meaningful conversations under string lights.

A woman in a yellow dress stands at a podium while a man gestures with his hand, speaking on stage in front of a black curtain and a neon airplane sign.

A man and a woman stand on stage with microphones, presenting together. The man smiles at a laptop on a podium while the woman speaks.

A presentation screen displays "KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE" in a conference room with attendees seated and a list of points visible on the right side of the screen.

A cheeseburger with pickles and sauce in a paper wrapper beside seasoned French fries topped with grated cheese, all in a brown takeout box.

A close-up of macaroni and cheese topped with shredded cheese and herbs, served in a round aluminum container.

A group of twelve people sit around a wooden picnic table under a tent at night, smiling at the camera with food and drinks in front of them.

TravelCon Day 2: Bao Bao, Flower Bloom Café, and Strategy

We woke up to 200 Instagram followers. A small but meaningful milestone. After a morning session on AI and creativity, we grabbed lunch with friends.

Bao Bao gave us our first bao bun experience, and Flower Bloom Café delivered the most stunning and delicious lavender rose latte. Portland nails coffee culture.

Six steamed buns are arranged on a tray lined with parchment paper. A can of Coca-Cola and a colorful PATH water bottle are in the background.

Two cups of coffee in red paper cups on a terrazzo table; the front cup is topped with dried flower petals.

Two hands hold up takeaway coffee cups inside a lively café with colorful wall art and several people in the background.

Afternoon sessions focused on deliverables, media kits, and pricing strategy. Raimee Lacofano shared a masterclass in creating content that converts. The Mandagies gave practical advice about licensing and working with brands. This session really helped us with our photo print side of the business. We also met Chris and Sara for the first time during this session. We have met so many incredible creators who we now call friends and we are so grateful for that.

Audience seated in a conference room views a presentation projected on a screen, with text and images displayed in a dimly lit setting.

A large projection screen displays a grid of outdoor and adventure photographs in a conference room with a patterned carpet and dark drapes.

That evening, we wound down with ginger ale at Upright Brewing. Then we joined a creator dinner at Bluto’s, a wood-fired Greek restaurant. We talked shop, shared stories, and walked away inspired.

A can of Ginger Caldera soda sits on a green table with a blurred woman smiling in the background. Other beverage containers are also present.

Nine people sit around a rectangular table with food, drinks, and plates, smiling for the camera in a well-lit indoor restaurant with a large window and plants on the wall.

TravelCon Day 3: Brunch, Business, and Big Takeaways

We were exhausted. No coffee. No food. Bad mood. Thankfully, Cheryl’s on 12th came to the rescue. Lavender lattes, beignets, and a breakfast sandwich on a grilled apple fritter. Yes, it was as good as it sounds.

A white plate with seven sugar-coated fried doughnuts sits on a wooden table; two people are seated behind the plate.

A breakfast sandwich with fried egg and glazed doughnut bun sits on a plate next to a serving of cheesy potatoes topped with cornflakes; a knife and coffee cup are visible.

A plate with a cheddar cheese omelet, an English muffin with butter packet, and hash browns topped with corn flakes, next to a fork and knife.

A cup of latte with leaf-shaped latte art on top, placed on a white saucer next to a fork, knife, and napkin on a wooden table.

A group of fifteen people sit around a long restaurant table, smiling at the camera with drinks, menus, and food in front of them.

A table with informational pamphlets, candy, and forms is set up in front of banners offering accounting and tax advice from Taylor & Associates.

We got back to the convention center and met with Taylor & Associates. That meeting turned into a business partnership we’re excited about.

Final sessions with Rand Fishkin and Sarah Dandashy gave us clarity and confidence. Rand’s session happened just days before he announced the google search API documents leak which was massive for the SEO industry. Chris and Sara’s afterparty at Upright Brewing was the perfect way to close it all out. And yes, their dog Kramer stole the show.

A man in a blazer speaks on stage in front of an audience, with a neon red airplane and blue ring symbol and vertical blue light bars behind him.

A large audience sits in rows facing a stage with a speaker and two screens displaying a presentation titled "Pivotal Moments" in a conference room.

A curly-haired dog wearing a harness lies on a wooden floor, looking toward the camera. People and a bag are visible in the background.

Three people smiling and posing for a photo outside a brick building, with two wearing nametags and casual jackets.

Four adults stand close together outside a brick building, smiling and posing for the camera on a sunny day.

Four people stand smiling together indoors near a staircase, with one person holding a curly-haired dog; a "leftbank" sign is visible in the background.

Four people stand close together smiling for a photo indoors, with a staircase and wooden beams visible in the background.

What’s the biggest shift a conference or trip has sparked in your life? We’d love to hear it.

Han Oak: Portland’s Most Memorable Dinner

Inspired by Somebody Feed Phil, we had dreamed of eating at Han Oak, a Korean-American restaurant run out of a home. One month before TravelCon, I booked a few spots not knowing who would come. It was a long shot. But somehow, it worked.

Five people are standing and talking in a covered outdoor patio area with greenery, string lights, and tables in the background.

We shared a Gimbap Party with bulgogi, coppa pork, cured hamachi, house sauces, and beautiful side dishes. It was our first time eating raw fish. Surprisingly, we loved it.

A hand holds a stack of dried seaweed sheets next to a metal tray with condiments, a bowl of red soup, and a plate of assorted vegetables and toppings.

A Korean meal with a hot stone bowl of soup, a plate of vegetables and mushrooms, a bowl of white rice, and various dipping sauces on a wooden table.

A close-up of five steamed dumplings topped with sliced green onions on a black plate.

Four small bowls of food on a wooden table, containing tofu in sauce, sliced okra, kimchi, and cucumber salad with sesame seeds.

It wasn’t just a dinner. It was a core memory. A creative dream realized with friends who became like family. Everything about Han Oak, from the food to the vibe, was unforgettable.

Nine people sit around a wooden table in a restaurant, smiling at the camera, with food and drinks on the table. The setting appears casual and the restaurant is dimly lit.

A group of ten people sit around a wooden table at a restaurant, sharing food and drinks in a well-lit, casual dining setting.

Six people stand side by side, smiling in front of a leafy green wall, with a wooden table in front of them.

Six people stand in a row in front of a green leafy wall, smiling and posing energetically with raised arms behind a wooden table.

Four adults stand side by side and smile in front of a wall covered with green ivy.

What TravelCon Gave Us

This trip was more than a conference. It changed everything.

We learned that success is a long game.
We saw the value of community and vulnerability.
We left with vision, clarity, and real momentum.

If you’re building something and feeling stuck or uncertain, just know you’re not alone. TravelCon reminded us that growth comes from putting yourself in the room, staying open, and sharing your story.

Here’s to the creators, the storytellers, and the travelers chasing something bigger than themselves.

— Abigail & Rich