Fort Worth’s Stockyards National Historic District brings in about 3 million visitors a year.

The Lone Star State continues to be a top pick for meeting and event planners. Known for its Western traditions, hospitality and warm climate, the state continues to draw attendees and events from around the world. Here, they can find everything from world-class restaurants to great barbecue as well as a wide range of amenities and venues.

Dallas: Big D Has Plenty to See

Dallas might be known for its iconic skyline, cowboy culture, Tex-Mex cuisine and sports teams, but it has a bit of everything, from its thriving business community to its vibrant art scene. The city also has more than 200 golf courses and is home to seven professional sports teams. Considered a Cvent Top 4 meeting destination, Dallas offers planners more than 35,000 hotel rooms and two international airports to help bring in attendees from all over the world. Earlier this year, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center broke ground on a $3.7 billion project to completely revamp the facility, which has more than 1 million sf of exhibit space. It is connected via skybridge to the Omni Dallas Hotel, which boasts more than 1,000 rooms. Also nearby is the Hyatt Regency Dallas, with 160,000 sf of event space. It is connected to Reunion Tower, offering 360 degree views of the city. The Ritz Carlton Dallas just underwent a $22 million renovation last year and has almost 24,000 sf total event space.

Fort Worth: Experience Texas Tradition

In Fort Worth, the Old West comes to life as the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive takes place down East Exchange Avenue in the Stockyards National Historic District, which brings in about 3 million visitors a year. Mule Alley is a mixed-use development filled with shops, restaurants and live entertainment venues brimming with Texas tradition. Access to the city is easy with the TEX Rail, a 27-mile commuter rail from the airport. The Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown was recently renovated with a $50 million transformation, one of the largest hotel renovations in the region. It features over 400 rooms, as well as approximately 30,000 sf of new meeting and conference spaces across the street from the convention center. The Omni Fort Worth Hotel is also nearby, which features almost 68,000 sf of space for meetings and events. The Bowie House, located in the cultural district, has been named one of the “World’s Greatest Places of 2024” by Time Magazine. The hotel opened at the end of last year and offers 10,000 sf of space in seven distinct venues. For those seeking a larger venue, Dickies Arena has a wide range of options within its 300,000 sf of space, including a 14,000-seat arena, a 209,088 sf exhibition space perfect for concerts and other outdoor events, as well as additional meeting and event space.

Austin: State Capital Hits the Right Notes

Austin is buzzing with entertainment. Known as the Live Music Capital of the World®, the city has hundreds of venues showcasing every genre of music with shows seven days a week. It also boasts an award-winning food scene. Planners will discover world-class accommodations with more than 12,000 hotel rooms near the Austin Convention Center, which is slated to undergo a $1.6 billion transformation in 2025. Following closure, demolition and construction, the larger structure will open in 2029. The Renaissance Austin Hotel was renovated a few years ago and has 492 rooms and 81,000 sf of meeting and event space. Its Lawn at Glass Oaks space includes a 3,600 sf glass event space and a beautifully landscaped lawn for events. Another venue for large events is the Travis County Exposition Center, which features 275,000 sf with several unique venues, including their banquet hall, show barn, skyline club and Luedecke Arena.

Experience true Texan culture with the Anita Martinez Ballet Folklorico in the Dallas Arts District. Courtesy Photo

San Antonio: Down By the River

San Antonio is a great place for planners seeking a multicultural locale with plenty to explore. Its Riverwalk is the No. 1 attraction in the state with 15 miles of restaurants, shops, world class museums, theaters and more. Just steps from this cultural scene is the historic Alamo, which is undergoing a $500 million revitalization project dubbed the Alamo Plan. The city is also known for its theme parks, including Sea World and Six Flags, as well as Morgan’s Wonderland, known for its accessibility for those with disabilities. Attendees will find plenty of places to stay with more than 45,000 guest rooms available. For large meetings, The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa might be a good fit. Located near downtown in Texas Hill Country, it offers 268,000 sf for events.

El Paso: Border Culture

El Paso is where Texas, New Mexico and Mexico meet. People can walk across the Paso del International Bridge to visit Juarez, Mexico, but there is plenty to do right within the city limits. They can explore local parks like Franklin Mountains State Park — the largest state park in an urban setting — visit the local zoo, tour historic sites, do some shopping before sitting down to a nice Tex-Mex meal, or participate in a Tequila tasting. The city has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years with more than $500 million worth of revitalization projects underway including the convention center, which in recent years underwent more than $3 million in restorations. The city also built a new Mexican American Cultural Center set to open this fall. El Paso offers more than 10,000 hotel rooms, including the 300-room Hotel Paso del Norte, which underwent a $100 million renovation a few years ago and is now part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. It has 32,000 sf of meeting and event space.

Laredo: Explore Along the Rio Grande

Head to Laredo to experience a real blend of cultures, culinary influences and languages. Attendees can enjoy nature or explore the local history in between meetings and events in this small city originally founded in 1755 on the banks of the Rio Grande. Back in the spring, the city held a meeting to discuss the plans for a new convention center, estimated to cost more than $12 million. Laredo is also home to the Sames Auto Arena, a 178,000-sf facility that offers 32,000 sf of contiguous open floor space and   can seat 10,000 people. There are several other options for events, including the Uni-Trade Stadium, with a capacity of 6,000. It can also convert its club level into a space for events for up to 450 people. Planners will find more than 4,000 hotel rooms to accommodate attendees in Laredo. C&IT