While the natural beauty of the Texas Gulf Coast is irresistible, there’s more to this area than miles of beaches and year-round sun.
From Houston’s pulsating nightlife and Galveston’s historic Victorian charm to bird watching at the Padre Island National Seashore in Corpus Christi or dolphin tours at South Padre Island, unique experiences, both indoors and outdoors, make the region a magnet for groups keen on mixing business with pleasure.
Houston
With an inventory of more than 60,000 rooms and the ability to handle groups of 2,500 to 3,500 with ease, Houston does meetings in true Texas style: bigger and with a heaping helping of American spirit.
"It’s a big city well-liked for its friendly Southern charm," says Wayne Chappell, vice president of tradeshow relations, portfolio sales and interim COO of the Greater Houston CVB. "We’re great with any size group, from small to huge."
That charm and the ability to bring in groups even in a slow economy spells continuing development for the city. The 262-suite Embassy Suites-Houston Downtown is slated to open in March near the George R. Brown Convention Center and will feature 6,000 square feet of meeting space. The 267-room Westin Houston, Memorial City will also debut in March with 29,000 square feet of meeting space. For retail shops, restaurants and entertainment, the 37-acre CityCentre complex, which opened in 2009, continues to bloom with trendy eateries like the Tasting Room Wine Cafe, opening by the end of this year and featuring chef Michael Kramer.
When it comes to off-site venues, Houston knows how to party. One of the most popular sites is the Houston Pavilions development located downtown, according to Chappell.
"The complex is very popular with downtown office employees as well as visitors," he says.
Just three blocks from the convention center, the Pavilions is anchored by the House of Blues and Lucky Strike Lanes, both of which welcome groups. The area is packed with upscale shopping opportunities, restaurants and nightclubs.
Another option for group events or entertainment is the Museum District, which offers 18 different facilities, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Holocaust Museum, the newly expanded Children’s Museum of Houston and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. All the museums are within a five- to 10-minute walk of each other, and most have space available for receptions and other events. The Houston Museum of Natural Science includes options such as a dinner among the dinosaurs, a reception in a gallery filled with stunning gems or a banquet in the Butterfly Center.
Other noted attractions include the Space Center Houston at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the American Cowboy Museum and Kemah Boardwalk, located 20 miles south of downtown at Galveston Bay and featuring amusement rides, shops and restaurants. Kemah is part of Bay Area Houston, which stretches from Houston to Galveston along the coast. The area encompasses several towns, including meetings-friendly League City.
Houston’s long list of meetings properties includes the Westin Galleria Houston, Westin Oaks Houston, the Hilton Americas-Houston, which features 1,200 guest rooms and is located by the convention center, the Hyatt Regency Houston and the JW Marriott Hotel Houston.
Galveston
Galveston is like a great friend: easygoing, colorful and full of stories. The area has survived pirates and storms; both Jean Lafitte and the 1900 Storm of the Century blew through Galveston. Nowadays, the historic city is known for its 32 miles of beaches, heritage sites and unique attractions.
"We are a very laid-back island with a love for nature and anything on the beach," says Meg Winchester, director of the Galveston Island CVB. "Our meetings range in size, but there’s something for everyone."
Winchester says the average meeting size is 1,500 attendees to 2,000 attendees.
Large meetings call for larger-than-life entertainment. One such attraction is Moody Gardens, a self-contained destination with pyramids devoted to a massive aquarium, a rainforest and the Discovery Museum. The site also features a golf course, high-tech theaters, a paddle wheel boat and the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center. Next May, the complex will unveil a $25 million enhancement of the Rainforest Pyramid, which showcases tropical flora and fauna in a 10-story, recreated rainforest. Galveston also boasts the Schlitterbahn Indoor Waterpark, which offers special group packages.
Galveston has six historic districts and one of the largest collections of intact Victorian architecture in the country. Several are available for events, including the 1838 Menard House, Galveston’s oldest home, and the 1892 Bishop’s Palace, a Victorian beauty.
In addition to historic and unusual facilities, Galveston also has two new hotels: the 125-room Four Points by Sheraton Galveston, which sits right on the seawall with 1,800 square feet of meeting space, and the 60-room Country Inn and Suites Galveston Beach. Next fall, the Flagship Hotel will become Galveston Historic Pleasure Pier, complete with a carousel and boardwalk games.
Other meeting facilities include the Galveston Island Convention Center, the San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center and the Hotel Galvez, which will celebrate its 100th year anniversary next year with guest room updates and new decor.
Port Arthur and Beaumont
North of Houston are the towns of Port Arthur and Beaumont, which offer historic sites and outdoor fun. In Port Arthur, attendees can enjoy the Museum of the Gulf Coast. Pleasure Island, once a favorite spot of Jean Lafitte, is now the perfect site for a corporate day out, with a marina, golf courses, a fishing pier and picnic areas.
In Beaumont, offbeat attractions include the Edison Museum and the Fire Museum of Texas. Unique venues include the Art Museum of Southeast Texas.
Bowers Civic Center is Port Arthur’s main group venue, while facilities in Beaumont include the Ford Park Event Center and Beaumont Civic Center Complex.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi has the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island on Earth. Even the main meeting facility, the AmericanBank Center, is one minute from the waves if a visitor walks slowly. Outdoor attractions abound, from a tour or reception aboard the U.S.S. Lexington to bird watching at the Padre Island National Seashore, home to 130,000 acres of beaches and natural grassy areas. Surfing, sailing, kite boarding, fishing or just relaxing are favorite pastimes in Corpus Christi.
When attendees are ready to come back inside, the city’s Heritage Park and Cultural Center offers a look into several historic homes. Twelve homes make up the park, nine are available for tours, and the cultural center itself, based in the century-old Galvan House, is available for events and meetings. Another top off-site venue is the Texas State Aquarium, which offers special activities for groups, such as a behind-the-scenes tour of the shark enclosure or an interactive dolphin experience.
Ortiz International Center, Hotel Corpus Christi Bayfront and Holiday Inn Padre Island Drive are popular meetings options.
Rockport and Fulton
Known as the "Charm of the Texas Coast," the towns of Rockport and Fulton offer amazing opportunities for nature lovers, from watching the whooping crane at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to visiting a tree believed to be more than a 1,000 years old at Goose Island State Park.
"People love the connectivity to nature they find here," says Krystal White, director of tourism and events for the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce.
Popular off-site venues include the Texas Maritime Museum and Rockport Center for the Arts, and the main meeting facilities are the Paws and Taws Convention Center and the Pavilions at Rockport Beach Park.
South Padre Island
South of Corpus Christi and within two dozen miles of Mexico is South Padre Island, packed with great activities for attendees.
The island has a number of nature and wildlife facilities, including the Birding and Nature Center, the Dolphin and Nature Research Center and the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. There are also numerous charter services for fishing, dolphin-spotting, parasailing, scuba diving and other activities. A top pick for groups is Black Dragon Cruises, which offers a pirate-themed adventure, and Breakaway Cruises, which has group packages.
Meeting facilities include the South Padre Island Convention Centre, Sheraton South Padre Island Beach Hotel and Condominiums, Isla Grand Beach Resort and the new 156-room Hilton Garden Inn and Suites.
Brownsville
Close to Mexico, Brownsville is a city with the heritage of two countries behind it, a history reflected in the graceful, columned historical buildings of the area. Several of these structures, members of the Brownsville Historical Association, are available for rental, including the Brownsville Heritage Museum and Alonso Building. Other off-site venues include the Commemorative Air Force Museum and the Gladys Porter Zoo.
Outdoor activities beckon as well, from beach combing and golfing to bird watching at the World Birding Center.
Meeting facilities include the Brownsville Events Center, Jacob Brown Memorial Center and the Ringgold Civic Pavilion.
Beth Bartlett is a frequent contributor to Meetings South.
