The Lone Star State’s languid stretch of 600 miles of coastline could arguably be one of the most distinctive meetings destinations in the country.
Where else can you spot thousands of magnificent birds, unwind to some zydeco music, visit two Chinatowns in one day and rub elbows with oil barons? If all that’s too much, attendees can always head to the beach for a little R&R. And the best part is that the Texas Gulf Coast offers a range of hotel offerings and scores of cool off-site choices.
Houston
"If groups haven’t been in Houston in a while, they’re in for a lot of surprises when they get here," says Greg Ortale, president and CEO of the Greater Houston CVB.
A number of new developments continue to take shape in Greater Houston, the country’s fourth-largest metropolis. A new 262-room Embassy Suites is under construction near Discovery Green, a 12-acre public park that opened in 2008. The park is across from the George R. Brown Convention Center, the premium facility in the city for meetings.
"The Houston Pavilions development downtown is gaining traction," Ortale notes. "A number of new restaurants are opening there."
Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge opened in the Pavilions this fall. It’s the first Lucky Strike Entertainment venue to open in the state. The facility joins the Pavilions’ House of Blues to offer groups meeting and mingling space.
In addition to hip lounges, Houston offers NASA’s Space Center Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The museum is part of the city’s Museum District, which includes 18 cultural institutions, all offering free-admission periods.
For groups interested in getting out and about, Houston’s neighborhoods are worth exploring. The Highland Village area includes two Chinatowns. Of note is the Hong Kong City Mall, one of the largest Asian indoor malls in the U.S., and the serene Jade Buddha Temple.
"There are also some great shopping areas [here], like The Shops at Highland Village," Ortale points out. "Shopping in the Galleria is nearby."
The Galleria is the largest mall in Texas. Two hotels are located in the facility: the Westin Galleria Houston and Westin Oaks Houston. Combined, the two hotels offer more than 93,000 square feet of function space.
Other prime hotels for groups include the 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston next to the convention center, the 947-room Hyatt Regency Houston and the JW Marriott Hotel Houston.
The 267-room Westin Houston, Memorial City is a major new hotel slated to open in September 2010 with 29,000 square feet of meeting space.
Bay Area Houston, 35 miles of waterfront situated between Houston and Galveston, encompasses several towns, including League City and Kemah.
Galveston
Galveston blends a beachy vibe and Southern hospitality into meeting agendas.
"Galveston Island is a beautiful beach resort with so much history," notes RoShelle Gaskins, public relations manager for the Galveston Island CVB. "Its affordability and accessibility really make it a standout destination."
Galveston is just 50 miles from Houston, and its central location in the U.S. makes it is a snap to get to, no matter from which coast attendees are traveling. The city of Galveston is situated on Galveston Island, a barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico that offers 32 miles of beaches. The entire island, with the exception of the Village of Jamaica Beach, is within the Galveston city limits.
Galveston is home to six historic districts containing one of the largest collections of 19th century buildings.
"The island was second to Ellis Island as an immigration station, which accounts for the different cultures and historical buildings here," Gaskins says.
Beach parties, waterborne activities, shopping and sunset strolls along Seawall Boulevard are all the rage for groups when they come to Galveston. But the area is also serious about meetings.
The largest meeting facility is the 140,000-square-foot Galveston Island Convention Center, which is a portion of the San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center. The resort includes three hotels and 23,540 square feet of meeting space.
Moody Gardens Hotel & Convention Center is another group-friendly site, with 428 rooms and 100,000 square feet of meeting space.
Moody Gardens, a tourist complex that includes three pyramids, began a $25 million enhancement project to the Rainforest Pyramid this year. It will reopen temporarily for summer 2010 and then close next fall. The pyramid will reopen in spring 2011. Moody Gardens also includes the Aquarium Pyramid and the Discovery Pyramid, which will both remain open.
Recently renovated properties include The Tremont House-A Wyndham Historic Hotel. The lobby and Toujouse Bar were fully restored, and part of the first floor space was converted into event space. The property now has 14,700 square feet of event space.
The Hotel Galvez and Spa, which offers 13,000 square feet of meeting space, recently installed an air purification system in meeting rooms, and its suites and a private entertainment area were renovated last spring.
Port Arthur and Beaumont
Port Arthur, located just east of Houston, offer airboat rides, bird watching and fishing. Popular and eclectic attractions include the Museum of the Gulf Coast’s Music Hall of Fame, La Maison Beausoleil Museum and the Buu Mon Buddhist Temple.
The major group site in Port Arthur is the Robert Bowers Civic Center, which features a 20,000-square-foot main hall. A motto of the city is "Where oil and water do mix, beautifully," a nod to when oil was discovered in the region.
Beaumont, located just north of Port Arthur, offers affordability and plenty of attractions. The city accommodates up to 10,000 people. Crockett Street is filled with live music clubs and restaurants serving Cajun cuisine (thanks to the area’s proximity to Louisiana).
Beaumont boasts the Ford Park Event Center and more than 3,500 hotel rooms. Cool off-site options here include The Neches Room and the Art Museum of Southeast Texas.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi boasts 100 miles of beaches, and the water brings large numbers and varieties of birds to the area, making the town the "Birdiest City in America." The beaches and birding aren’t the only distinctions. The area is a mix of varying influences, such as Hispanic and cowboy cultures, military personnel, oil barons and surfers.
"Corpus Christi offers so much for groups," says Keith Arnold, CEO of the Corpus Christi CVB. "It’s a big draw for spouses of attendees."
Attendees can go fishing, hit the Texas Surf Museum (offering free admission), ride horses on the beach, visit the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center or enjoy a burger at Whataburger by the Bay.
"The cuisine is distinctive, too," Arnold says. "You’ll find seafood and Mexican flavors."
Venues along Water Street offer oysters, quesadillas and sushi with a Tex-Mex twist.
Bands from Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World," perform at the Executive Surf Club.
One popular off-site venue is the historic USS Lexington aircraft carrier, where planners can arrange 1940s-themed parties. The Texas State Aquarium is another off-site option.
The major meetings venue is the 500,000-square-foot American Bank Center. A number of new hotels opened this year: a Comfort Suites, a Holiday Inn Express and a Staybridge Suites. The area includes more than 11,000 hotel and condo rooms.
Rockport and Fulton
Just north of Corpus Christi, the quaint beach communities of Rockport and Fulton glitter with a number of gems.
The area holds the Hummer/Bird Celebration every summer, in honor of the migration of the ruby-throated hummingbirds through the region. Goose Island State Park and the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge are other reasons the area is a hit with nature lovers.
Attendees can check out The Big Tree, a giant live oak located in Goose Island, which is estimated to be more than 1,000 years old. Downtown shops, art galleries, the Texas Maritime Museum and a 1870s-era cattle baron’s mansion are other attractions.
Group-friendly spaces that also happen to be steps from the water’s edge include the Paws and Taws Convention Center and Rockport Beach Pavilions.
South Padre Island
South Padre Island lies at the southernmost tip of Texas (just 25 miles from Mexico) and is part of Padre Island, the longest barrier island in the world and the largest stretch of undeveloped ocean beach in North America. The dazzling sands and sea and natural wildlife preserves attract more than a million visitors each year.
South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center debuted last September as part of the World Birding Center. The complex includes a five-story tower with views of the Laguna Madre and the Gulf of Mexico.
The South Padre Island Convention Centre features 45,000 square feet of meeting space. Other major meetings properties include the Hilton Garden Inn Resort across from the convention center, Sheraton South Padre Island Beach Hotel and Condominiums and Isla Grand Beach Resort, formerly a Radisson property.
Brownsville
Located at the southern tip of Texas with the city of Matamoros, Mexico, just steps away, Brownsville offers groups an affordable getaway and warm Gulf breezes. Attendees can get close to dolphins, network over golf and enjoy plenty of sunshine. The area records at least 234 sunny days a year.
More than 30 hotels offer meeting facilities here. The Brownsville Events Center features a 15,530-square-foot ballroom and outdoor spaces on the waterfront, and the Jacob Brown Memorial Center and the Ringgold Civic Pavilion are also available to groups. The Gladys Porter Zoo is a popular off-site option. Highlights of the zoo include 26 acres of tropical plants and three generations of gorillas.
