Courtney Gifford Gion

Director of Events at Rip City Management and the Portland Trail Blazers

Speaker

Courtney Gifford Gion is the Director of Events for Rip City Management and the Portland Trail Blazers, where she leads a dynamic team producing world-class events across two arenas, a 40,000-square-foot multipurpose flat space, and 36 acres of bookable campus grounds. She also oversees a specialized team responsible for creating elevated, bespoke experiences for the organization’s corporate partners, premium clients, and season ticket holders.

With more than a decade of experience in event strategy, large-scale production, and brand experience design, Courtney has become a driving force in transforming the Rose Quarter into a vibrant hub for community gathering, premium hospitality, and innovative event execution. Her portfolio includes major national and international events, from NCAA competitions to campus-wide activations such as the Phil Knight Invitational. She has also partnered with some of the world’s most recognizable artists—including Elton John, Cher, and Bruno Mars to name a few —delivering exceptional live experiences.

Courtney is widely recognized for her ability to blend creativity with operational excellence. She has launched new revenue-generating event concepts, drive operational efficiency to ensure superior budget performance, and led cross-disciplinary teams for event execution. Her leadership is rooted in a deep background in communications and marketing for national and international event-driven brands.

Outside of work, Courtney is a passionate college football fan who loves traveling to stadiums around the country with her husband. She’s an avid explorer with a newfound love for international travel, and a mom to a spunky, busy two-year-old who keeps life joyful, loud, and always on the move.