With high-end properties, stunning event venues and sophisticated group activities, Texas has its own brand of luxe. Whether it’s an afternoon at the Trellis Spa (the largest luxury spa in Texas) at the newly renovated Houstonian or a day on the links at one of the Omni PGA Frisco Resort’s two 18-hole championship golf courses, attendees will leave feeling pampered.
Houston Signature Experiences, launched in February, is a collection of five immersive experiences designed to honor black heritage and showcase the city’s black-owned businesses. Curated in collaboration with local partners, it offers a unique blend of history, untold stories and unique flavors.
Another locally inspired group activity is the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail, which offers spectacular views and award-winning wines at seven different wineries. Or set attendees free to explore the city’s seven cultural districts—the largest number of cultural districts in one city. These include the Theater District., a 17-block area that is home to Houston’s resident performance companies, including the symphony, opera, drama and ballet. Or there’s the Museum District, home to 19 world-class institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Menil Collection.
On the hotel front, the just-opened 172-room Thompson Hotel overlooks Buffalo Bayou Park, with unobstructed views of the skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows. Special touches include custom furniture, hardwood floors and organic materials. The Thompson features a spa, fitness center and rooftop infinity pool surrounded by a 2,500-sf greenspace that can be used for events. The 17,000 sf of indoor and outdoor event space includes an 800-sf ballroom and can accommodate groups of up to 800.
The final phase of the renovation of the JW Marriott Houston by The Galleria is complete, and includes guest rooms, suites and hallways. These enhancements join the refreshed meeting and public spaces, lobby and executive lounge, which were finished in 2019. The redesign pays homage to Houston’s rich history and culture.
The newly renovated 280-room Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa is located in the Uptown/Galleria area. Enhancements include completely remodeled guest rooms and suites; a new Bush Suite, with memorabilia from President George H.W. Bush; a refreshed lobby; and the aforementioned Trellis Spa. There are 33,890 sf of indoor meeting space and 87,349 sf of outdoor meeting space, and the hotel offers a Houstonian Experiences menu for meeting groups.
Accessibility is Houston’s other selling point, says Visit Houston’s Sr. VP of Sales & Client Services John Solis. “Event professionals looking for a destination that provides ease and accessibility for their attendees should strongly consider Houston. Not only is our convention campus centrally located, but we house a team of hospitality employees who are seasoned and understand what is required to successfully support and service your programs. Visitors also have the ability to choose from multiple flight options, thanks to our two international airports. An abundance of meeting facilities and hotel options provide another layer of convenience, but it’s Houston’s unique mix of cultures, flavors, and an ever-growing entertainment and culinary scene that leaves memorable impressions for our visitors.”
Must-see activities for groups visiting Fort Worth are the Historic Stockyard, where they can explore the city’s Western heritage; and the Cultural District and Sundance Square, a 35-block entertainment district in the heart of Downtown Fort Worth.
Everyone is talking about Fort Worth’s two new entrants to the hotel scene. The 200-room Crescent Hotel is located just steps from museums in the Cultural District and features a refined Mediterranean-style restaurant, luxury spa and more than 14,000 sf of flexible event space. The 106-room Bowie House (Auberge Resorts Collection) is an urban retreat with a Western vibe located in the Cultural District, and features a luxury spa, Texas-cuisine restaurant and 10,000 sf of meeting space.
A group favorite, the Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel, recently completed a $50 million renovation and offers 429 guest rooms, 22,000 sf of meeting space and a newly revamped American cuisine restaurant, Chef’s Table.
“The investment in our current hotels and the introduction of new ones marks a significant milestone for Fort Worth,” says Amy Brown, Vice President of Sales and Services at Visit Fort Worth.” This enhancement of our hospitality infrastructure allows us to host an even wider array of meetings and events, inviting more guests to discover the unique charm and diversity of our city—no matter the scale of their gathering.”
A new off-site venue for Texas-style group functions is Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall, located in the Historic Stockyards, known for attracting big names like the Jonas Brothers as well as Texas country music darlings. Chef Tim Love also brings a new flavor of entertainment to Mule Alley, a collection of restaurants, local shops and venues in the Stockyards. An elegant option is Bass Performance Hall, with six unique and elegant spaces that can accommodate up to 300.
Texas’ only tropical island, South Padre is the spot for groups that want a beach resort experience. Its wide-open natural beach and stunning Gulf of Mexico views are the perfect backdrop for outdoor events. Even the convention center has an island feel, set on 30 acres on the scenic Laguna Madre Bay, with 45,000 sf of flexible meeting space.
The new Margaritaville Beach Resort, which opened last summer, has upped the resort game even further. With 200 island-inspired guest rooms and 50 beachfront condos, the resort also includes three restaurants and bars, a pool surrounded by private cabanas, the Sapphire Spa and a fitness center. Watersports reign here, everything from windsurfing and banana boat rides, and groups can arrange excursions to go offshore fishing or dolphin watching.
A must-do offsite experience is a visit to the Space X Launch site, located just across the bay from South Padre Island, where some of the most advanced rockets are being tested for everything from near orbital satellite deployments to the Mars mission.
“Our destination has the perfect tropical backdrop for any meeting or conference,” says Harmony Heard, Director of Sales for Visit South Padre Island. “We provide meeting planners with a unique, world-class experience to deliver to their attendees. Our renowned island hospitality led South Padre Island to be named the #1 Destination in Texas (by Texas Travel Awards) for two years in a row. We are extremely proud and honored to receive this recognition from those we aim to please every day, our guests.”
For groups looking for a convenient location—just 25 miles from both DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field—with numerous world-class event facilities and full-service hotel properties—4,465 hotel rooms and more than 417,000 sf of meeting space—Frisco is a smart choice.
All eyes were on the 500-room Omni PGA Frisco Resort when it opened last year, with 13 dining options, a spa, four pools and an entertainment district complete with a 2-acre putting course, 10-hole par 3 course and two championship 18-hole golf courses. Now the big news is the HALL Park Hotel, a 224-room boutique hotel projected to open in late summer or early fall with a state-of-the-art fitness center, chef-driven restaurant, 4,000-sf ballroom, outdoor pool with an expansive patio and a museum-quality art collection.
Also new this summer will be Kaleidoscope Park, featuring public art, architecture and gardens, with various terraces, shaded promenades and plazas. Other attractions include the Dallas Cowboys indoor practice field at Ford Center, the National Videogame Museum or shopping in the historic Rail District or The Star, a 91-acre walkable entertainment district featuring attractions, restaurants and boutiques.
“As one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, a great deal of growth is related to the meetings industry, with not only new hotels, but golf, mixed-use retail, and family-friendly attractions that all support group business,” says Christina Decker, Director of Sales, Visit Frisco. “Frisco’s development contributes to this city’s monumental pace of hosting events, meetings and visitation, and validates our efforts in promoting Frisco as a great place to meet and play.”
Laredo is known for its distinctive blend of Mexican and Texan cultures, highlighted by its festivals, cuisine, music and historic sites. This is exemplified by the San Agustin de Laredo Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. Included in the district are the once-Capitol of the Republic of the Rio Grande, now a historical museum; the San Agustin Roman Catholic Church, with its Gothic Revival architecture; and many residential structures, including Casa Vidaurri and Casa Ortiz, former residences of early Hispanic citizens.
The district is also the location of the 206-room La Posada Hotel & Suites, which occupies the original Laredo High School building and the historic convent next door, set along the banks of the Rio Grande. It has 15,000 sf of meeting space.
A popular attraction for groups is the Laredo Center for the Arts, which hosts a variety of artistic and cultural events and is home to three art galleries and a second-level lecture hall. For groups that like to shop, The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo is an outlet mall in downtown featuring more than 50 name-brand stores.
Meeting venues include the Uni-Trade Stadium, a brand-new facility, with a total capacity of 6,000. The stadium can also convert its Club Level into a space for events for up to 450 attendees. Sames Auto Arena features 32,000 sf of continuous open floor space for up to 10,000 attendees, along with 14 luxury suites and six meeting rooms.
“Laredo is the ideal location for conference attendees to experience a fascinating mix of culture and history in a relaxed and festive atmosphere,” says Aileen Ramos, MTM, CPM, CTE, CGMP, TDM, Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau Director. “Our city boasts over 4,000 hotel rooms. The different options for meetings and exhibits, combined with the services provided by the Visit Laredo team, will make your event an amazing occasion to remember.”
visithoustontexas.com/meetings; fortworth.com/meetings; sopadre.com/meetings; visitfrisco.com/meetings; visitlaredo.com/p/meetings; austintexas.org/meeting-professionals