El Paso has done much to attract meetings and events, including doubling the amount of its convention hotel inventory. Courtesy of El Paso Tourism

Texas has long been associated with hospitality — welcoming visitors and eagerly sharing all the state has to offer in its sights, sounds and sumptuous cuisine. And in the area of meetings and events, Texas is proving to be a treasure trove of wonderful venues and options for association planners, especially considering the new and upcoming developments that are sure to please.

Plano

Association event attendees won’t want to miss Legacy West in Plano. Opened in June 2017, this “city within a city” is the largest mixed-use destination in North Texas, and the perfect place to play, shop, dine and stay. The 255-acre development boasts 415,000 sf of open-air, high-end retail and restaurant space.

“Here, diners can satisfy every craving, whether for an upscale steak dinner or a good old-fashioned milkshake, French bistro fare, a perfect plate of pasta or a red velvet cupcake. For those who can’t decide on where to dine, Legacy Food Hall has it all,” says Steven Simmons, association & military sales manager at Visit Plano. “In this one-of-a-kind artisanal food hall at Legacy West, visitors can wander over 20 stalls to meet local purveyors and sample everything from lobster rolls and sushi to old-fashioned hamburgers and duck fat fried chicken. There is also an on-site brewery and an outdoor entertainment stage great for private events. Legacy Hall was even named the No. 2 Best New Food Hall in the nation by USA Today in 2019.”

This urban village is anchored by the new Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel. The 15-story, 304-room luxury property features a high-energy lobby and bar, an on-site Asian-fusion restaurant, a third-floor amenity deck with a swimming pool and cabanas, fitness center and outdoor event space.

So, why should association planners consider Plano for meetings and events? As Simmons explains, Plano is truly the land of plenty. Blending historic charm with modern luxury, the city brims with attractions and amenities. “With 55 hotels of various price points, over 1,000 restaurants, world-class shopping, a lively arts and nightlife scene, abundant natural beauty and four walkable districts, Plano is the perfect city for a meeting of any size,” Simmons says.

Conveniently located near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport, Plano offers everything meeting travelers are looking for, including fine dining, exceptional shopping, nearby sports venues, top-notch public golf courses, inviting day spas and a variety of interesting and entertaining attractions.

“Modern venues of every size, description and budget are located throughout the city,” Simmons says. “Whether it’s a conference, trade show or board meeting, there are over 380,000 sf of meeting space.”

Kaylee Colon, CMP, meeting planner at Strategic Association Management, recently hosted an event for 200 attendees at the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West. “Plano is a fabulous location for a meeting. There are plenty of restaurants, entertainment and shopping opportunities for attendees, and it is easily accessible whether attendees are flying or driving,” Colon says. “We have faith in our partners at the CVB and hotels that they will make our event a great success. I wish I could put all my programs in Plano.”

Three of Plano’s four walkable entertainment destinations are located right outside the doors of their respective convention hotels. The 404-room Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center is the anchor hotel at The Shops at Legacy. The outdoor luxury shopping and dining district, Legacy West, is situated right outside the doors of the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel. And the Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park resides next to The Boardwalk at Granite Park, a unique restaurant park overlooking an inviting water feature and live music stage.

The city’s convention center, Plano Event Center, will soon be undergoing a $1.85 million courtyard renovation. This will be a complete renovation of the outdoor courtyard space, which will include hardscape paving, site lighting, site furniture, shade structures, a fireplace, A/V equipment and connections, utility adjustments, new fencing and entry gates, landscaped planting beds, tree plantings and reconfiguration of the irrigation system.

“The renovation project will also significantly expand upon programmable and rentable spaces for outdoor events by providing extensive shaded areas and expanded hardscape to accommodate receptions, impromptu meeting spaces and live entertainment,” Simmons says. “The fireplace area will draw patrons out to enjoy cocktails and tapas while listening to live music or recorded music from the wireless sound system located throughout the courtyard area.”

Arlington

The highly anticipated Arlington Convention Center and hotel is the next phase of a $4 billion vision by the City of Arlington, Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers, The Cordish Companies and Loews Hotels & Co. That vision began with the $250 million Texas Live! entertainment complex, which opened August 2018, and Live! by Loews Hotel, which opened in August 2019.

The $550 million, 888-room hotel is part of an $810 million expansion of Arlington’s Convention Campus, which, in addition to the hotel, will include 200,000 sf of indoor meeting space; 66,000 sf of outdoor space, including an oversized event lawn; five food and beverage outlets, including signature restaurant Soy Cowboy; and a 1,550-space parking garage and a resort-style beach club with two swimming pools, man-made beach, cabanas, fire pits and a water slide.

Situated between Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium, the Arlington Convention Center and hotel will be accessible to the 300-room Live! by Loews via a skybridge. Between them, the two properties will offer 1,200 guest rooms and more than 300,000 sf of meeting and event space. Having broken ground early last fall, the Loews Arlington Hotel and convention center are set to open in 2024.

According to Chad Enloe, vice president of sales, Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, due to Arlington’s central location between Dallas and Fort Worth, it offers meeting planners and attendees all the conveniences they’d expect in a major metro area. “There are a multitude of hotels, restaurants, shopping, family activities and sporting events within walking distance, all located within a large Convention Campus that is in the middle of our entertainment, known as ‘The District,’” Enloe says.

In addition, in 2019, the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation announced that Arlington’s Entertainment District had been selected as the site for the future National Medal of Honor Museum. The museum, which broke ground in early spring and is set to open in 2024, will showcase Medal of Honor recipients and their stories of valor and inspiration in the face of impossible odds.

The National Medal of Honor Museum will sit amidst a 5-acre landscape adjacent to major attractions such as Six Flags Over Texas, AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field and Esports Stadium Arlington. The museum’s 101,000-sf footprint will encompass 25,000 sf of exhibition galleries, a state-of-the-art Education Center, conference and event space and an outdoor amphitheater.

Betsy Simon, association planner at the Texas Farm Bureau, has frequently held the association’s annual conventions, with up to 1,000 attendees, along with board meetings for 25 people in Arlington. “It is centrally located and easy access to DFW and Dallas Love Field Airport. Once you arrive at your hotel destination, you have access to restaurants and attendees don’t have to drive,” Simon says. “Meeting planners need to absolutely consider Arlington. With all of the amenities, you can’t go wrong.”

San Antonio hosted the recent American Football Coaches Association’s convention and trade show with about 9,000 attendees. Courtesy of Amy Gilstrap

Austin

When it comes to meetings and conventions, Austin is a city upon which planners and visitors always agree. “Our state-of-the-art infrastructure, innovative meeting spaces and world-class hotels are all located in the center, and the heart, of the city,” says Steve Genovesi, Visit Austin executive vice president, “Within a few walkable blocks, you’ll also find the famous Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail, legendary live music venues and some of the best tacos and barbecue in the country.”

The city’s central location in the U.S. is ideal for easy air access. In fact, The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), voted “Best Domestic Airport Worldwide,” is located just 7.5 miles, or a quick 15-minute drive, from the Austin Convention Center (ACC) and downtown.

The meeting and event space within Austin also is experiencing some exciting additions. According to Genovesi, some of Austin’s newest unique venues perfect for a group’s off-site event include Moody Center, Moody Amphitheatre at Waterloo Park and Q2 stadium.

“Planners looking for new hotel offerings should consider The Loren at Lady Bird Lake, Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin, Origin Hotel Austin and Thompson/Tommie Austin. Additionally, the Renaissance Austin Hotel recently completed a $10 million indoor and outdoor public space renovation,” Genovesi says. “There are several upcoming developments that are still to be announced. However, one new hotel planners should keep an eye on is citizenM Hotel, which will be located at Colorado and Seventh Streets and is slated to open by the end of next year. The 17-story luxury hotel will feature 344 rooms.”

Dallas

Craig Davis, VisitDallas president and CEO, says Dallas is the ideal destination for meetings and conventions. With two major airports and daily direct flights from more than 200 destinations, getting to Dallas is easy and convenient.

“Dallas is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, with more than 20 entertainment districts offering walkable access to music, shopping, arts and award-winning global cuisine,” Davis says. “We also offer an unparalleled variety of accommodations. With over 35,000 rooms, from the intimacy of boutique hotels to the convenience and luxury of large convention hotels, all the nation’s top brands are represented in Dallas.”

AT&T Discovery District is located in the heart of Downtown, and this indoor/outdoor space boasts a multisensory experience, including outdoor event spaces; a 104-foot-tall media wall; the AT&T Theater, fit for advanced screenings or corporate meetings; and multiple dining outlets, including JAXON Texas Kitchen & Beer Garden and the Exchange Food Hall.

“Additionally, your dollar goes further here. The cost of doing business in Dallas is 7% lower than the national average,” Davis says. “Texas is also a ‘right-to-work’ state, which lowers your event production costs and allows you to focus more of your budget on attendee engagement and experience.”

On the horizon, there are a few exciting hotel developments in Dallas, including a 15-story JW Marriott that will open in the heart of Dallas’ Downtown Arts District. There is also the InterContinental Dallas, which will be located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, with sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline, and the 20-story, luxury Harwood Hotel is under construction in Uptown’s Harwood District. “The Dallas City Council also has approved plans to expand the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center, with construction expected to begin in 2024 and completed by 2029,” Davis says.

The expanded center will feature 800,000 sf of exhibit space and 400,000 sf of breakout space, including a 100,000-sf ballroom. The center will anchor a lively new Convention Center District that will connect Downtown Dallas with neighboring entertainment districts, creating a walkable destination designed to attract both locals and visitors. The Convention Center District will be an authentic Dallas urban experience that will include restaurants, retail, lodging and entertainment options.

San Antonio

As one of the more dynamic, diverse cities in the country, San Antonio blends rich history with contemporary amenities, amazing cuisine and world-class entertainment. Centrally located and basking in year-round mild weather, San Antonio is a big draw for meeting professionals thanks to its accessibility of location, price and variety of options.

“In addition, as a top leisure destination in the nation, San Antonio is an attractive landscape for any kind of meeting,” says Mario Bass, chief sales officer at Visit San Antonio.

Amy Gilstrap, director of convention services at the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), selected San Antonio to play host to the AFCA’s association convention with a trade show for approximately 9,000 attendees, including exhibitors. “San Antonio is a great, long-term partner with amazing facilities and easy accessibility,” Gilstrap says. “When hosting an event in San Antonio, meeting planners should serve local dishes. Attendees expect it and love it.”

San Antonio has experienced a wealth of new developments that appeal to the meetings and events industry. The Tech Port Center + Arena recently opened, and is 10 minutes from downtown. It is the most innovative and technologically advanced esports complex and arena in the nation. With more than 130,000 sf of space and multiple private event areas, the Tech Port Center + Arena is a great venue for trade shows and meetings.

Adding to San Antonio’s repertoire of exceptional hotels, Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk made its debut in the spring of last year. The hotel integrates the Civil War-era Alamo Fish Market building into its 20-story design. Canopy by Hilton features 195 guest rooms and a restaurant with an outdoor terrace overlooking the River Walk.

The Estancia del Norte San Antonio, Tapestry Collection by Hilton opened in the Uptown district also in the spring of last year. Originally constructed as La Mansion Del Norte in 1978, Estancia Del Norte transforms a piece of San Antonio history into a modern space for celebration, and offers 277 guest rooms. The Grand Courtyard is replete with a luxury pool and gardens. There is local artwork throughout the hotel; a conference center, including the more than 7,000-sf Estancia Ballroom; and the Paseo Bar and Lazo with Don Strange, the first restaurant from renowned San Antonio catering company, focusing on regional South Texas cuisine.

Another highly anticipated hotel opened in late winter of last year. The Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk and The Arts Residences is a $116 million, mixed-use hotel-condominium tower on the San Antonio River Walk. The 20-story, more than 337,000-sf mixed-use development is across the River Walk from the esteemed Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. This 162-room Thompson Hotel is one of a collection of design-forward, boutique lifestyle hotels and resorts. It features amenities including a high-end restaurant, 20th-floor rooftop bar with panoramic views of downtown, a 5,000-sf pool deck with pool bar on the fourth floor, a fitness center, spa, valet parking, and 24-hour concierge and in-room dining services.

“A major development in progress is the three-phase renovation of Hemisfair, home of the 1968 World’s Fair. Dramatically enhancing the downtown area, Hemisfair is fantastic for meetings and events, especially given it is adjacent location to the Convention Center,” Bass says.

The dual-concept AC by Marriott, recently opened, and Element Hotel will debut before the end of the year at the Riverview Towers. The hotel’s 20-story building will include 4,000 sf of function space and rooftop bar One Watson on the 13th floor overlooking the River Walk.

An existing downtown hotel is undergoing a complete renovation, which will include the exterior, porte cochere, resort pool, lobby, meeting rooms and all guest rooms to become a boutique hotel called The Otis Hotel San Antonio, Autograph Collection. In addition to the nearly 10,000 sf of indoor meeting space, additional outdoor event areas will be situated among an urban oasis. The renovations are expected to be completed next spring.

The modern, new build Artista San Antonio will be coming to the River Walk next summer, and will feature 112 guest rooms, as well as event and meeting space. Also, coming next year, The Luxury InterContinental Hotel will be joining the list of hotels on the River Walk. Scarlett Hotel Group and Trailbreak Partners purchased the former Wyndham San Antonio River Walk, and plan a $50 million overhaul that will turn the 21-story building into a luxury, full-service, four-star, 390-room InterContinental Hotel. As part of the multimillion-dollar upgrades, the new InterContinental will offer 40,000 sf of meeting space, nearly 3,000 sf of dining space and luxury rooftop amenities.

Houston

Houston offers an array of meeting and event venues and options, and features a world-renowned theater and performing arts district, miles of outdoor trails and nature, professional and semi-pro sports teams, and iconic attractions such as the country’s largest Texas-shaped lazy river, Altitude Rooftop & Pool and Space Center Houston.

Houston also boasts two premiere convention centers — the George R. Brown Convention Center and NRG Center — that can successfully accommodate both small- and large-scale events. Located downtown, the George R. Brown Convention Center is connected to two headquarter hotels, Hilton Americas-Houston and Marriott Marquis Houston, via skybridges. The site also features Avenida Houston, the state’s largest convention and entertainment campus, which is available for outdoor programming and events, and is steps away from a 12-acre urban park.

Recently, POST Houston opened in downtown Houston. This venue boasts a multistory food hall, large concert venue and an expansive, 5-acre rooftop park that offers some of the best skyline views. Another exciting addition to the meetings and events arena in Houston is happening at the Orange Show Center for Visionary Arts, which announced that it is building an 8-acre central campus complete with a three-story performance space, exhibition space and a dedicated gallery for significant Houston Art Car Parade vehicles. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2026.

El Paso

El Paso has doubled its amount of convention hotel inventory. In addition, a plethora of new restaurants, bars, art centers and other venues grace the El Paso area — all offering an idyllic Texas experience for meetings and events. Of course, El Paso’s convention center — the Judson F. Williams Convention Center — has long been the mainstay for conventions, meetings and events, and features a variety of spaces and venues in which to host groups of all sizes. It’s located in the central business district just minutes from the El Paso International Airport, and offers 133,100 sf of total usable space, 80,000 sf of column-free space, three halls, 17 breakout rooms and 14,900 sf of additional meeting space.

If you are looking for an El Paso venue that celebrates the beautiful outdoor environs of the region, check out the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre, which is ideal for large gatherings and receptions, corporate events, concerts and other live entertainment.

Convention hotels include Hotel Paso Del Norte, which offers 350 guest rooms, 33,000 sf of meetings and events space, and restaurants that include Sabor and 1700° Steakhouse; Marriott El Paso, which offers 296 guest rooms, 13,510 sf of meetings and events space, and restaurants that include Red Rim Bistro and The Great Room Restaurant and Bar; and Wyndham El Paso Airport Hotel and Waterpark, which offers 272 guest rooms and 17,000 sf of meeting and event space. | AC&F |