< PreviousDESTINATION UPDATE themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESMARCH 2024 Las Vegas Meetings Buzz Escalates at Entertainment Capital of the World By Dan Johnson “Our attendance has grown and we have outgrown the properties we previously used,” she says. “It makes sense for us to hold the meetings at a Las Vegas hotel. They have plenty of meeting space and can accommodate in one hotel the number of rooms we had to split between several hotels in other cities.” With over 156,000 guest rooms and dozens of properties with over 200,000 sf of meeting space, Las Vegas has many desirable qualities, including direct flights from 164 markets and entertainment options galore. “Las Vegas is a city that continues to reinvent itself,” says Stephanie Glanzer, CMP, chief sales officer and senior vice president for MGM Resorts International. “Each time attend- ees return to the destination, they discover a new restaurant, show, attraction or even entirely remodeled rooms.” Rebecca DeLuca, CMP, vice president of destination sales for Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, adds, “Groups can find any number of activities and experiences to fill their time while in Vegas, from fun, live entertainment venues like Brooklyn Bowl to unique, immersive experiences such as Area15,” she says. “The wide variety of offerings that can only be found here are as diverse as the visiting groups themselves.” Area15 Las Vegas, an entertainment venue a few miles from The Strip, offers art shows, virtual reality experiences, axe throwing, a flight simulator and a top chef restaurant. Caesars’ newest property, Ole Red Las Vegas, opened early this year, in a four-story building in front of Horseshoe Las Vegas. The 27,000-sf restaurant, bar and entertainment venue includes 686 seats. The first and second floors have a honky- tonk with dance floors, the third floor has lounge seating and a private event space for groups. “Located center Strip, it is a Blake Shelton-inspired bar, res- taurant and music venue offering stunning views of The Strip, great food and live music,” says Kelly Gleeson Smith, Caesars’ vice president of sales for national meetings and events. Horseshoe Las Vegas is among the many renovated resorts in the city. The Jubilee Tower will be transformed into the Ver- sailles Tower, a $100 million investment that is renovating 756 guest rooms and adding a pedestrian bridge that connects the property to Paris Las Vegas. The Colosseum Tower, formerly has been renovated at iconic Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino Las Vegas. “The rede- signed tower offers 440 guest rooms and suites with classically inspired yet modern décor,” DeLuca says. Also, Peter Luger Steak House opened at Caesars Palace last fall. The company’s original steak house debuted in New York City in 1887, and has been a favorite there ever since. Cae- W hen Deanita Davis, CMP, the vice president of meetings for the National Multifamily Housing Council, began planning two gatherings for association members last year, she found Las Vegas was an ideal choice. 40sars Palace has 3,960 guest rooms and 300,000 sf of meeting space. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas has been garnering attention with its two new additions. At more than 360 feet tall and 516 feet wide, the $2.3 billion Sphere at The Vene- tian is the world’s largest spherical structure. It debuted last fall, and includes a high-resolution LED screen that wraps halfway around the 17,600-seat interior. With a crystal-clear audio system, it is a spectacular venue for concerts and other events. The outside of the building boasts 1.2 million hockey puck-size LEDs that can be pro- grammed to create dynamic and colossal image displays. The other new attraction, Flight Club at Venetian Resort, offers fast-paced games, craft cocktails and elevated culinary choices. The resort has 7,100 suites, making it one of the largest hotels in the world. It includes Venetian Convention & Expo Center (formerly known as Sands Expo and Convention Cen- ter), which offers more than 2.25 million sf of meeting and event space. The convention center will begin a three-year, $188 million transformation that will bring enhanced technol- ogy, luxury lounge spaces and an elegant new color palette. MGM Resorts International is awaiting the completion of its Mandalay Bay Convention Center this year. “The project reflects the needs and preferences of today’s meeting plan- ners and attendees, with significant technology upgrades, dynamic digital signage and a fresh, new design and ambi- ance,” Glanzer says. The convention center is part of a new wave of enhance- ments at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, which offers 3,209 guest rooms and 2.1 million sf of meeting and exhibit space. These include the recent opening of Orla, a new Greek restau- rant concept by celebrated chef Michael Mina, and the upcom- ing Swingers Crazy Golf, which takes mini-golf to a new level. Recent renovations at MGM properties include a $110 mil- lion transformation of the 923 guest rooms in the luxurious Spa Tower at Bellagio Las Vegas, which has a total of more than 3,900 guest rooms and more than 200,000 sf of meeting space, and a $63 million remodel of all 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites at New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. “MGM Grand, with 6,852 guest rooms, 850,000 sf of meet- ing space, remodeled its Studio Tower, giving all 700 rooms a refreshing, retro-desert feel with a modern, stylish design that is ideal for both business and leisure travelers,” Glanzer says. Davis planned a meeting for some 800 members at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino last October. “The conference was held in Las Vegas for the first time, at the request of our community leadership,” she says. “We chose the MGM Grand because of its conference center. It is nice, with windows in the main foyer on all levels and even has some outdoor space.” The group mainly met on the third floor. “It was great to have networking space in the large foyer, next to our registration. The windows in the foyer provide amazing views,” Davis says. Since the group did not have suites in its block and there was great demand for subgroup meeting space, some attendees stayed at The Signature hotel at MGM Grand, which offers all suites, while others stayed at nearby hotels. “The hotel has upgraded one tower of rooms (Studio Tower), and they are beautiful,” Davis says. “Unfortunately, that is not the tower closest to the meeting space. When they upgrade the rest of the rooms, especially those in Grand Tower, it will enhance the overall experience for attendees.” According to Davis, attendees were a bit overwhelmed at the size of the property. “The hotel works well for larger groups, with over 1,000 attendees. We do have a larger meet- ing, with approximately 3,000 attendees, that will be held at the MGM Grand for two years. We have the first floor, which will also make a difference.” In 2022 and 2023, Brian Landers, senior vice president and team director for ConferenceDirect, helped to plan two gath- erings for 3,000 members of a chapter-based trade association client at another MGM property. “The client chose Aria Las Vegas,” he says. “It has enough space to accommodate a large group, but allows the attendees to feel as though they are in a high-end conference center. They can still have exhibit space and large general sessions, but in the convenience of a room with windows, carpet, soft seating and quick access to and 41 MARCH 2024 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO (Left): The Venetian Resort Las Vegas offers not only a plethora of meeting space but world class restaurants, gaming, shopping and entertainment, and access to the futuristic Sphere complete with state-of-the-art theater and robots. For those who want to get away from The Strip, try SAHARA Las Vegas, which just underwent a $200 million renovation and is now offering “a little more of everything.”from the hotel. The intimate feeling of Aria’s space is key.” Aria, with 4,004 guest rooms and 500,000 sf of meeting space, has an East and West Convention Center, located next to each other. “The larger of the two buildings (West) allows for a large group to utilize a stacked space concept and quickly move attendees from exhibits to meetings,” Landers says. “Having access to a large outdoor space for private events would make the property even more ideal. They utilize the pool, but the distance to the meeting space and challenges with out- door events make that less appealing. Although there is ample natural light in the space, the ability to host a large-scale outdoor event would be fantastic.” SAHARA Las Vegas recently completed a $200 million renovation that features elegant new design elements, a porte-cochere facing The Strip and brand-new restaurants. The property has 1,613 guest rooms and more than 95,000 sf of meeting space. During a site visit, Samera Zavaro, a meeting planner and owner of Conference Connectionz, found the newly renovated property to be ideal for a meeting with around 200 attendees she is helping to organize for the International Association for Chemical Testing (IACT) in 2025. “The IACT meeting has never been held in Las Vegas,” she says. “We looked at five properties there and SAHARA was a perfect fit.” Zavaro was particularly drawn to a ballroom adjacent to the kitchen. “It will be perfect for our vendor space, where we also like to have our attendees’ meals,” she says. “I also like that the meeting space is separate from the gambling space, which is not very large. The majority of attendees for this confer- ence will be law enforcement employees, so there will be lots of government employees. Being able to stay at a hotel in Las Vegas that does not focus so heavily on gambling is a benefit for our attendees.” Zavaro was impressed with the dining options at SAHARA Las Vegas and liked that the property is away from The Strip, but still close to several restaurants and after-hours activities. Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which opened last December, is the newest luxury hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. The 67-story resort includes almost 3,700 guest rooms, 550,000 sf of meeting space, a 150,000- sf casino, a 6-acre pool and 36 bars and restaurants. In 2020, Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Las Vegas completed a two- level expansion that added 300,000 sf of meeting and con- vention space, featuring sweeping views of the resort’s golf course. The complex now offers 560,000 sf of rent- able space, 2,034 suites at Encore and 2,716 guest rooms at Wynn. Resorts World Las Vegas, which offers 250,000 sf of meet- ing space, is planning to build a 370,000-sf convention cen- ter on an undeveloped area of the property. Plans call for a 109,000-sf expo hall on the first floor and ballroom space and a pantry on the top level. The project will include a 145-foot roof- top plane and a decorative promenade linking it to the resorts. Resorts World Las Vegas contains a 59-story tower, hous- ing three Hilton hotels: the 1,678-room Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World, 1,496-room Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World and 332-room Crockfords Las Vegas. The 777-room Circa Resort & Casino Las Vegas recently expanded its meeting space. “Circa’s ballroom space has a state-of-the-art Daktronics LED screen plus four additional drop-down standard screens, as well as over 30 rigging points throughout the ceiling,” says Sasha Lee, director of sales for the property. In 2022, JW Marriott Resort & Spa celebrated the grand re-opening of the luxurious Spa Aquae. It renovated the salon, men’s and women’s locker rooms, indoor water features and sauna and steam rooms, as well as a new, elevated fit- ness center with free weights, state-of-the-art machines and cardio equipment. The property offers 548 guest rooms and more than 115,000 sf of meeting space, including a 14,000-sf grand ballroom. Palms Casino Resort wrapped up a two-year, $620 mil- lion renovation in 2019 that included redesigned guest rooms, new restaurants, a new nightclub, a redesigned casino floor and a mini art museum. The following year, the resort shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but reopened in 2022 with new owners — the San Manuel Band of Mission Indi- ans. The resort offers 703 guest rooms and 170,000 sf of meeting space. Since the 1930s, when the City of Lights began to be known as America’s playground, Las Vegas has never ceased to attract event planners and attendees to their world-class venues and extravagant show floors. Las Vegas is in a class by itself — and its draw is simple: it is the ultimate stage for an event. | AC&F | themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESMARCH 2024 Samera Zavaro Meeting Planner/Owner, Conference Connectionz Being able to stay at a hotel in Las Vegas that does not focus so heavily on gambling is a benefit for our attendees. PHOTO BY BARBARA KRAFT In addition to more traditional ballrooms (pictured), Wynn Las Vegas and Encore also have premium spaces and venues, like the lavish XS nighclub, the elegant outdoor Encore Beach Club or the Encore Theater, with its 1,480 seats perfect for speeches and presentations. A Renaissance of Space an Service For nearly 25 years, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas has been inspiring attendees, and we can’t wait to show you what’s next. Over $1 billion is being invested in every facet of our guest experience. We are dedicating $188 million to transforming our convention space into a modern renaissance of Italian grandeur. Spaces will be more customizable with cutting-edge technology and offer impeccable service that’s synonymous with The Venetian Resort. Join us as we celebrate our past while reinventing the future of meetings. Visit venetianmeetings.com to find out more. 42A Renaissance of Space an Service For nearly 25 years, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas has been inspiring attendees, and we can’t wait to show you what’s next. Over $1 billion is being invested in every facet of our guest experience. We are dedicating $188 million to transforming our convention space into a modern renaissance of Italian grandeur. Spaces will be more customizable with cutting-edge technology and offer impeccable service that’s synonymous with The Venetian Resort. Join us as we celebrate our past while reinventing the future of meetings. Visit venetianmeetings.com to find out more.DESTINATION UPDATE themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESMARCH 2024 A Taste of Texas Where Business and Leisure Mix Beautifully By Maura Keller Hicks is not alone. Meeting and event professionals world- wide are drawn to the land of Stetsons. The Lone Star State is shining bright and its main hubs — Fort Worth, El Paso, San Austin, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas — have made themselves more appealing, developing at lighting speed and creating venues perfect for holding city-wide events to smaller meetings. Fort Worth With the growth of Chic Western amenities, hotels, res- taurants and upcoming attractions, Fort Worth has one of the best meeting packages in the country. And while it has become a sophisticated, modern city, it hasn’t forgotten its cattle- trading roots. The growth of Fort Worth’s downtown area, which includes the 35-block Sundance Square shopping and entertainment center, is boosting the demand for meetings and conventions. As Hicks explains, the 840 attendees at the Texas Food & Fuel Association Expo enjoyed the close proximity that the Omni Fort Worth offered as it is across the street from the Fort Worth Convention Center. “The Omni Fort Worth has great meeting space includ- ing two good size ballrooms, Bob’s Steak & Chop House (for customer dinners), Whiskey & Rye Sports Bar for after-hours gathering and Mokara Spa for those who need to refresh after a long week at a convention or conference,” Hicks says. The Fort Worth Convention Center, Will Rogers Memo- rial Center and Dickies Arena can accommodate groups of all sizes. The Convention Center features over 253,000 sf of meet- ing space; the Will Rogers Memorial Center boasts 100,000 sf of exhibit space, and the Dickies Arena offers over 90,000 sf of meeting and event space. The building The Sinclair, an Autograph Collection Hotel, has taken on various forms since its creation in 1929. What began as a bank later turned into an office building, and now the 164-room Sinclair offers more than 3,000 sf of meeting space. Fort Worth also has a big F&B scene. Big culinary industry names and restaurants now have operations in the Fort Worth area. Recent openings include Le Margot, 61 Osteria, Dream- boat Donuts & Scoops, Musume and Maiden, and more are planned for this year. Dallas Amy Peters, vice president of events at ASIS International, says Dallas and ASIS International have a long and successful history. The organization’s annual conference — Global W hen Annette Hicks, CMP, vice president of meetings and events at the Texas Food & Fuel Association, planned the organization’s 2023 Southwest Fuel & Convenience Expo in Texas, specifically at the Omni Fort Worth, she based her decision on this: Texas is known for its legendary cowboy culture, its diverse landscapes and delicious cuisine — and its southern hospitality and charm abound for sure. 44Security Exchange (GSX) — visits Dallas on a regular basis. But it’s not just a city rotation that keeps them coming back. “Attendees love Dallas because of the great airlift, a wide variety of hotels, and a seemingly endless supply of amazing restaurants and entertainment,” Peters says. “Exhibitors love it because labor prices are reasonable and the labor talent pool is deep, and there are myriad options to entertain clients. And business event strategists love Dallas because working with the supremely talented and dedicated Visit Dallas and Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas teams is tremendous.” The entire Dallas CVB team functions as a cohesive group, and they understand and value the economic impact of meet- ings and conventions. “The CVB’s convention services team could conduct a mas- terclass on partnering with associations to help them meet and exceed their event goals,” Peters says. “But even more than that, it’s the warmth and personal touch that truly turns our business partners in Dallas into friends.” Dallas is a favorite among meeting planners. After all, it is America’s most connected city, boasting two international airports, with 250 nonstop destinations and over 1,000 average flights per day. In addition, Dallas offers more than 35,000 hotel rooms throughout the city with properties to serve conventions and meetings of all budget levels. Boast- ing the largest urban arts district in the nation, spanning more than 20 blocks, Dallas’ art district boasts an impressive lineup of museums, such as the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, and the Crow Museum of Asian Art. These — paired with performing arts spaces offering opera, theater, music, and dance — create an unparalleled hub of artistry. The new Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, scheduled for completion in 2028, will drastically improve Dallas’ urban landscape and offer 2.5 million sf of space, 800,000 sf of exhibit space, a walkable entertainment district and easy access to public transportation. Dallas has more hotel products in the pipeline than any other U.S. destination. Over the next several years, the Dallas CVB expects more than 20,000 rooms to be added to Dallas’ hotel inventory. Hyatt Regency Dallas features a newly renovated Reunion Ballroom, offering 19,400 sf of Texas-sized elegance. Divisible into seven sections and located on the lobby level, the ballroom has capacity for up to 2,400 guests, as well as features spacious foyers and technological advancements. Dallas’ first JW Marriott property opened in the heart of the city’s Arts District. This new hotel is 23 stories tall and features 267 guest rooms, three restaurants, a sky lobby, two ballrooms and meeting and conference areas. Its most notable feature is a mid-air pool and deck with 40-foot ceilings, a 45 MARCH 2024 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES Amy Peters Vice President of Events, ASIS International Exhibitors love Dallas because labor prices are reasonable and the labor talent pool is deep, and there are myriad options to entertain clients. PHOTO BY JEFF CALLENPHOTO BY ERCHEL RAYMOND The American Academy of Periodontology recently held their organization’s 109th Annual Meeting in Austin with more than 4,000 attendees, at the Austin Convention Center, as well as the Hilton Austin, with some events, like the student and new periodontist reception, taking place at off-site venues, like Bull and Bowl (pictured left).terrace bar, cabanas, and an outdoor event space with amazing views of downtown. Plans for a new Four Seasons flag are underway in Dal- las’ Turtle Creek neighborhood. The 233-room hotel will be located in the heart of Dallas’ urban core, offering a world- class experience for guests. Opening in 2025, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts will return to Dallas at Cityplace Tower, in Uptown, featuring iconic design and sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and ame- nities, including a rooftop infinity pool and lounge and more than 21,000 sf of event space. San Antonio Alicia Perez-Arrieta, CMP, associate director of meetings at the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), says San Antonio is a great destination for SAME because there is a significant military presence in the area and attendees love visiting the city and enjoying its many attractions. “We liked it so much we held both of our citywide meet- ings in San Antonio last year,” Perez-Arrieta says. “The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center has great meeting and exhibit space, but most importantly, it has wonderful staff and part- ners. The support and guidance we received during the plan- ning process and onsite were excellent. The venue and vendor contacts were very responsive to our needs.” Indeed, few destinations provide a sense of place like San Antonio. The city’s Riverwalk with its Spanish colonial architecture, and parks and plazas make it one of America’s most picturesque cities. More than just a tourism capital, San Antonio is a meeting and convention powerhouse offering a dynamic landscape to attract and entertain. Full of art, his- tory, amazig cuisine and attractions, San Antonio offers some- thing for everyone. Brittany Tyrrell, CMP, DES, senior meeting and events manager at Irrigation Association (IA), says San Antonio provided a vibrant and welcoming backdrop for her asso- ciation’s 2023 Irrigation Show and Education Week. The venue’s atmosphere added a unique touch to the event, con- tributing to a positive and energized atmosphere throughout the conference. “Attendees actively participated in IA University ses- sions, Industry Insights and various networking opportuni- ties, fostering valuable connections and knowledge sharing of the irrigation industry,” Tyrrell says. “The incorporation of San Antonio’s rich cultural heritage into the conference was a highlight. From local cuisine to river tours, attendees had the chance to immerse themselves in the unique flavor of the city, creating a truly memorable experience. I am con- fident that the positive momentum generated in San Antonio will carry forward, setting a high standard for future confer- ences,” Tyrrell says. Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation of both guest rooms and meet- ing spaces, including the Hill Country Ballroom, Fredericksburg Ballroom and all indoor breakout rooms. Hemisfair, home of the 1968 World’s Fair, is adjacent to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and has been under- going a redevelopment. Civic Park’s Phase 1 recently opened and includes five acres of public parkland, a five- pooled water feature, and a great lawn area for concerts and events. Houston Houston offers many diverse activi- ties, beyond just meetings and conven- tions, including a culinary scene, world- renowned theater and performing arts district, miles of outdoor space and nature, and iconic attractions. When it comes to meetings, Houston delivers. The city’s premiere convention center, the George R. Brown Conven- tion Center, can accommodate small and large-scale events. Located downtown, the George R. Brown Convention Center is connected to headquarter hotels via sky-bridges. The site also features Avenida Houston, the state’s largest convention and entertainment campus. It is steps from a 12-acre urban park and is available for outdoor program- ming and events. The city has experienced the development of several hotels and venues that are ideal for meetings and events including the Omni Houston, which features more than 38,000 sf of indoor function space and is minutes from The Galleria, a unique shopping center. The resort-style property also offers access to Memorial Park Golf Course and jogging trails for attendees to enjoy. At the end of 2023, Houston has welcomed an amazing 51 million visitors to the city. And 2024 is proving to be an even more exciting year in Houston as several new venues opening, offering innovative meeting and event spaces, as well as enter- tainment options for attendees visiting the city. Frisco For Brittany Boortz, director of conferences, Student Mobi- lization, selecting Frisco was the perfect choice for her orga- nization’s conference. themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESMARCH 2024 COURTESY OF ALICIA PEREZ-ARRIETA Community Support For more information: www.austinconventioncenter.com “We’re so pleased to support the Austin Convention Center and the City of Austin as they move forward with the redesign project.” Michele Flores SXSW Chief Logistics Officer “This announcement is an exciting one for the Austin hotel community. Not only will a new and redeveloped convention center bring more meetings and events business to Austin, but create more jobs for our industry and further positively impact the Austin hospitality community at large. This project has long been in the works and we are happy to finally see this come to fruition.” Nenad Praporski General Manager of Fairmont Austin and Chairman of the Austin Hotel Lodging Association “To give the community, visitors, and attendees the true authentic Austin experience, we want the new Austin Convention Center to be an iconic, innovative, and symbolic meeting location.” Trisha Tatro Austin Convention Center Department Director The Austin Convention Center is preparing to make its mark on the ever-changing Austin skyline with a vertical approach to expansion and redevelopment, beginning in April 2025, that will nearly double the amount of rentable space by 2029. Vertical Approach In using a vertical approach to deliver a larger, more efficient facility, the goal of the Austin Convention Center expansion and redevelop- ment is to transform the southeast corner of downtown Austin into a community-centric destination for attendees and the community. Signature Design Along with providing more rentable space, the Austin Convention Center expansion and redevelopment will provide a signature design, featuring state-of-the-art technologies and an industry-leading facility that is ready to exceed future clients’ needs. The Austin Skyline is About to Change ACC_Skyline_AC&F_8.125x10.875.indd 18/8/23 2:06 PM The Society of American Military Engineers held their Joint Engineer Training Conference Opening Reception on the San Antonio Riverwalk, where there are Tex-Mex Restaurants, outdoor artworks and other sights to see along the way, including The Alamo. 46Community Support For more information: www.austinconventioncenter.com “We’re so pleased to support the Austin Convention Center and the City of Austin as they move forward with the redesign project.” Michele Flores SXSW Chief Logistics Officer “This announcement is an exciting one for the Austin hotel community. Not only will a new and redeveloped convention center bring more meetings and events business to Austin, but create more jobs for our industry and further positively impact the Austin hospitality community at large. This project has long been in the works and we are happy to finally see this come to fruition.” Nenad Praporski General Manager of Fairmont Austin and Chairman of the Austin Hotel Lodging Association “To give the community, visitors, and attendees the true authentic Austin experience, we want the new Austin Convention Center to be an iconic, innovative, and symbolic meeting location.” Trisha Tatro Austin Convention Center Department Director The Austin Convention Center is preparing to make its mark on the ever-changing Austin skyline with a vertical approach to expansion and redevelopment, beginning in April 2025, that will nearly double the amount of rentable space by 2029. Vertical Approach In using a vertical approach to deliver a larger, more efficient facility, the goal of the Austin Convention Center expansion and redevelop- ment is to transform the southeast corner of downtown Austin into a community-centric destination for attendees and the community. Signature Design Along with providing more rentable space, the Austin Convention Center expansion and redevelopment will provide a signature design, featuring state-of-the-art technologies and an industry-leading facility that is ready to exceed future clients’ needs. The Austin Skyline is About to Change“The Comerica Center is the perfect arena- style venue for our main sessions and is such a quick walk to the Frisco Convention Center which houses all our breakouts,” Boortz says. “With 3,000 people in attendance, we need a lot of hotel rooms and having 10 hotels within walking distance of both of these spaces pro- vides the dream location for our conference. We love hosting our event in Frisco and we look forward to doing so for years to come.” From over 4,263 hotel rooms and 417,000 sf of flexible meeting space, Frisco is proving to be a great place to host a meeting. Frisco has multiple full-service properties, includ- ing the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, where you’ll find one of the largest ballrooms in the state of Texas. The centrally located Hyatt Regency Frisco and the Westin Stonebriar Golf Resort and Spa are highly sought after con- vention and meeting hotels. The Omni PGA Frisco Resort opened in 2023 with more than 500 rooms and suites and over 127,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. Frisco’s HALL Park is undergoing a $7 billion redevel- opment plan that will deliver one-of-a-kind experiences to visitors, including Frisco’s first Autograph Collection Hotels property and an art-focused park, both opening in 2024. The Woodlands Spend time in The Woodlands, Texas and you’ll find this is far from the ordinary events destination. With neighboring proximity to major Hous- ton airports, The Woodlands boasts various meeting spaces that overlook The Woodlands Waterway. In addi- tion, team-building opportunities also abound with Texas TreeVentures (a three-story aerial ropes course), golf courses, kayaking and art tours. As an added touch, the free, air-conditioned Town Center Trolley runs daily, seven days a week, making it easy to explore The Woodlands before or after an event. The Woodlands Resort, Curio Col- lection by Hilton, recently completed a $26-million-dollar, property-wide ren- ovation. This refresh enhanced the 400 guest rooms and 73,000 sf of meeting space, further cement- ing the property’s ranking among the best resorts in Texas. Grapevine Out of all of the markets Stephanie Buckley at National Seating & Mobility had to choose from when planning her company’s event, Grapevine and Gaylord Texan Resort & Con- vention Center personnel were the most accommodating to their needs. “They had the most to offer overall,” Buckley says. “The convenience factor and ease of traveling to and from were very attractive and then add in the amenities provided by Grapevine and Gaylord Texan — it was an easy choice for us.” Centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Grape- vine is easy to get to and the city’s Southern hospitality and charming small-town atmosphere can be a wonderful escape for meeting attendees. In addition, there is more than 1 million sf of convention and exhibit space with more than 20 hotels to choose from. Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center and Great Wolf Lodge recently underwent multi-million-dollar renovations of their meeting spaces. And Hilton DFW Lakes also com- pleted multi-million-dollar room renovations. For those asso- ciation meeting planners looking for team-building opportu- nities, look no further than Grapevine. Attendees can have hands-on experiences including games of pickleball, the fast- est growing sport, at Chicken N Pickle. Grapevine also boasts ax throwing, vin- tage arcade games, escape rooms, excur- sions on Lake Grapevine, classic movies at the Historic Palace Theatre and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, featuring vintage locomotives and 1920s era coaches. All of these places can be utilized for events. Austin Lisa Parse, director of meeting services at the Amer- ican Academy of Periodontol- ogy (AAP), recently held her organization’s 109th Annual Meeting in Austin. The AAP is a national dental organization represent- ing approximately 8,000 periodontists and other dentists, and the annual meeting is AAP’s largest outward-facing event of the calendar year. The meeting was held primarily at the Austin Convention Center, with some events taking place at the Hilton Austin and some off-site venues, with over 4,000 attendees. In AAP’s case, Austin and its venues are a good fit for the size of the annual meeting,” Parse says. “The hotel block we used was walkable to the convention center, which is always a plus. There are many restaurants and activities in the down- town area so attendees have options for entertainment and dining once the meetings conclude for the day.” Parse found the staff at Visit Austin and the Austin hotel themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESMARCH 202448 The Austin Convention Center is one of the most technologically advanced convention centers in the country with 881,400 sf of meeting space located just a 2 mile radius from more than 12,000 hotel rooms. COURTESY PHOTO Lisa Parse Director of Meeting Services American Academy of Periodontology They were so responsive and knowledgeable and acted as true partners for us during the planning process and on-site at the meeting.community to be solid partners in orchestrating the event as are the staff at the Austin Convention Center. “They were so responsive and knowledgeable and acted as true partners for us during the planning process and on- site at the meeting,” Parse says. “It was AAP’s first Annual Meeting in Austin, and it was a very positive experience for the AAP staff as well as the attendees.” Steve Genovesi, executive vice president of Visit Aus- tin, adds that “Austin, with its unique and authentic vibe, provides a new meetings’ destination attendees embrace with excitement and anticipation. Austin is a college town that delivers a variety of entertainment districts, a rising culinary scene and outdoor beauty, featuring lakes and hills. Austin’s core essentials, including hassle-free airport access, and quality hotels and venues, are unmatched.” The Hyatt Regency Austin features a newly designed Zilker Ballroom, offering over 14,000 sf of beautiful event space. The ballroom boasts 22-foot ceilings and an upstairs terrace, making it a new favorite venue in Austin. Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa features over 76,000 sf of flexible meeting, event, and pre-function space, including the 14,532 sf Brazos Ballroom, almost 15,000 sf of event lawns, and the indoor/outdoor Hill Country Pavilion. For leisure activities, the resort includes four distinct 18-hole golf courses, each with stunning Hill Country scenery and a 13,000 sf Mokara Spa. El Paso El Paso is a hidden gem on the western edge of Texas, anchored firmly in place by the Franklin Mountains. Meeting planners are met with open arms to experience El Paso’s true Texas hospitality during their meeting or event. El Paso seamlessly blends safety, affordability and vibrancy, creating a standout destination for both business and pleasure. Downtown El Paso is amid a remarkable renaissance fueled by a half-billion-dollar investment, transforming its landscape into a thriving hub of activity. Downtown’s growing collection of new shops, venues and restaurants offer a luxurious and convenient stay while in town. The El Paso Convention Center is the city’s largest meeting space and has reinvented itself as a preeminent meeting space with 133,100 sf of event space and modern amenities — help- ing it keep pace with the industry’s growing needs, turning meetings into unforgettable experiences. The City of El Paso alongside the El Paso Neighborhood Coalition held the 48th Annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) Conference at the El Paso Convention Center. “The Convention Staff went above and beyond for us. They ensured every guest had a wonderful and safe stay,” says Nickole Heater Rodriguez, community development program manager at City of El Paso. “This was particularly important as we had a nationwide audience attending when the National Order of Title 42 was lifted. NUSA Convention attendees appreciated the ease of access from the nearby hotels and overall accessibility. If Texas wasn’t on your radar, the above narrative will cer- tainly give you something to think about. The Lone Star State has views, tastes, tracks in history and southern hospitality unlike any other in the modern West. | AC&F | 49 MARCH 2024 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES translates to productive meetings.Next >