There’s a lot going on for meetings and events in Texas, with a host of new hotel openings and renovations in the pipeline as well as some stunning facilities and venues. South Padre island is set to begin construction on an expansion of the South Padre Island Convention Center in fall 2025, increasing the total square footage to over 100,000 sf of meeting space, including a new ballroom. Unique teambuilding options on the South Texas island can include private eco-tours and deep-sea fishing excursions or interactive sandcastle-building workshops with world-renowned artists. Meanwhile, El Paso has undergone significant growth in hotel inventory within walking distance of the El Paso Convention Center, almost doubling its number of rooms in recent years. New facilities include the La Nube STEAM Discovery Center, a science center featuring STEAM-themed exhibits and immersive programs, which can accommodate private events for 25 to 600 attendees. Opening this month is the new Mexican American Cultural Center, celebrating the traditions of El Paso’s unique border culture and offering numerous event spaces including an auditorium, theater, exhibition spaces and a rooftop lounge.
Austin’s meetings and convention offering is about to undergo a transformation, as the Austin Convention Center temporarily closes for demolition and construction in spring 2025. The convention center is expected to reopen in 2029 following a $1.6-billion expansion and redevelopment project to create a larger and more efficient facility. While construction is underway, Austin’s event coordinators and hospitality providers are prepared to offer alternative spaces to accommodate attendees.
New hotel openings in Austin include the 251-room 1 Hotel Austin, slated to open in 2026. The luxury lifestyle hotel will be situated in the 74-story 98 Red River Towers, a mixed-use development that will also include retail space, offices and apartments. The property will connect to parks, bike trails and walking paths along Waller Creek.
Hotel Trinity broke ground in fall 2024 and is anticipated to open mid-2026. The 13-story, 258-room hotel will be part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection and will feature more than 6,000 sf of meeting space as well as a ground-floor restaurant, rooftop pool and private social club.
Four Points by Sheraton Austin Airport, located near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, opened in February 2025. The 99-room hotel offers 2,052 sf of space across its three meeting spaces as well as an on-site food service.
The W Austin completed a $40-million renovation in 2024, which included upgraded guest rooms with hardwood floors, a refreshed lobby, the new Serenade American Brasserie restaurant, 2nd & Roast coffee shop and the Blue Room cocktail bar. The hotel offers 12,000 sf of meeting space and is conveniently located near ACL Live at The Moody Theater and its new event space, the 2,000-sf PNC Hall, which offers flexible spaces and downtown views and can accommodate up to 250 attendees for meetings and receptions. Together, ACL Live and W Austin can accommodate up to 2,000 attendees for receptions.
Downright Austin, formerly the Sheraton Hotel Austin, reopened in spring 2024 after a rebrand and renovation following its acquisition by Renaissance Hotels. The 367-room property offers 40,000 sf of indoor and outdoor event space as well as a resort-style pool and retro Swim Club restaurant.
The four-star AT&T Hotel and Conference Center is set to undergo a $30-million renovation beginning in spring 2025 to update its meeting space. The project will refresh the existing 85,000 sf of space across its 53 meeting rooms. New additions will include a junior ballroom and advanced AV technology throughout the center, which is on The University of Texas at Austin campus.
The JW Marriott Austin is also renovating and updating its meeting space and guest rooms in preparation for its 10th anniversary. The $30 million transformation is slated for completion in early 2025. The 1,012-room hotel opened in 2015 and has 115,609 sf of meeting space.
New event spaces in Austin include the Cabana Club, offering an indoor clubhouse with a full bar and stage, as well as an expansive patio and outdoor swimming pool. The venue can accommodate private events for 20 to 600 guests. The St. Elmo Brewing Co. has opened a new taproom — St. Elmo Springdale, which can accommodate 84 seated and 100 standing inside, as well as outdoor yard tent and covered patio spaces that can host 16-120.
Dallas is positioned for significant growth with 194 hotel projects in the pipeline, and plenty of direct flights with American Airlines and Southwest hubs at Dallas Fort Worth and Dallas Love Field, as well as an award-winning culinary scene. All combine to make the city a draw for meetings and events.
Construction is underway for the 2.5-million-sf Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas. The new facility, which will offer 800,000 sf of exhibit space and 400,000 sf of breakout space, including a 100,000-sf ballroom, is expected to open in 2029. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is also set to add a sixth terminal in 2027 following a $1.6-billion investment.
The city will soon have its first Four Seasons hotel when the Four Seasons Hotel Turtle Creek opens its door in 2027. Located in the prestigious Turtle Creek neighborhood, the hotel will offer 240 guest rooms and 118 residences across 35 stories.
New event spaces in Dallas include Netflix House, which will open a 100,000-sf location at Galleria Dallas in 2025. The venue will allow groups to immerse themselves in popular Netflix shows such as “Stranger Things,” “Bridgerton,” and “Squid Game.” The venue will feature rotating interactive experiences, themed merchandise and F&B offerings inspired by Netflix’s top series.
The Forest Theater in Dallas is undergoing a restoration process that aims to turn the historic building into an arts and community hub. Originally opened in 1949 in the South Dallas area as a popular neighborhood theater, the venue has hosted performers such as B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner, and Prince. It is set to reopen in December 2025.
Dallas’ Hilton Anatole has been undergoing renovations for the past two years, which include updates to its 1,610 guest rooms and are expected to be completed before 2027. The property is also investing an additional $31-million to upgrade its meeting spaces.
This year, San Antonio is set to welcome a host of new attractions, cultural expansions and unique experiences for groups. February saw the opening of a new UNESCO World Heritage Center that will serve as the gateway to Texas’ only UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprised of the Alamo and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Attendees can explore educational exhibits that celebrate the history, art and culture of the surrounding community.
Chef Jason Dady’s seventh dining concept, Mexico Ceaty, will debut early 2025 on San Antonio’s River Walk. The immersive 21,000-sf space will features authentic eateries, a coffee shop, live music stage, marketplace and more, honoring the culinary and cultural ties between San Antonio and Mexico.
The San Pedro Creek Culture Park is set to unveil its $300-million transformation this spring with new bike trails, public art and revitalized natural habitats. The park’s highlight is The St. James AME Culture Crossing, celebrating the historic post-Civil War-era Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first AME Church in San Antonio where African Americans worshiped autonomously and without restriction.
The San Antonio Zoo will open its Gorilla Habitat later this year, set to be one of the largest of its kind in the U.S., offering unparalleled views of its Western lowland gorillas from a 60-ft tower. The new connecting Ralston Events Center, situated atop a quarry wall overlooking the habitat, can accommodate up to 600 with unique views of the zoo’s wildlife and San Antonio’s downtown area.
New hotel openings include The Monarch San Antonio in 2026, located at Hemisfair and part of Curio Collection by Hilton. The 200-room hotel will feature a full-service spa, terrace pool, five F&B concepts with indoor/outdoor service, including a rooftop restaurant and basement speakeasy, as well as a garden area, fitness center and around 10,000 sf of meeting and event space.
The historic Gunter Hotel will open its doors following a renovation in early 2025, now part of Marriott International’s Tribute portfolio and featuring new restaurant concepts that revive its blues music legacy. In 1936, room 414 of the Gunter Hotel was the scene of a historic recording session by blues artist Robert Johnson, who recorded a number of songs there, including “Sweet Home Chicago.”
San Antonio International Airport is undergoing a significant expansion, a major component of which is the construction of a new Terminal C, which will add 17 new gates, expanded culinary offerings and modern amenities, making it larger than the current Terminals A and B combined. This year a new ground transportation center will open in Terminal A joining an upgraded parking experience.
sopadre.com/meetings; visitelpaso.com/meeting-planners; austintexas.org/meeting-professionals; visitdallas.com/meetings-events; visitsanantonio.com/meeting-professionals
