The Lone Star State’s Gulf Coast, from Houston and Galveston to Corpus Christi and South Padre Island, is a slice of waterfront heaven that welcomes everything from state associations to national corporate groups that are after all the necessary meetings amenities combined with a relaxed, naturally abundant setting.
Houston
Centrally located Houston, the largest city in Texas, offers great airlift and ongoing developments that enhance the downtown meetings package. According to John Solis, vice president of sales at the Greater Houston CVB, Southern hospitality, eclectic cuisine and all the amenities a big city can offer are available in Houston.
“We have a great theater and museum district that hosts many of the top musical performances, ballet and traveling exhibits, and the Downtown Aquarium is also a fun place to spend an afternoon,” he says. “Our theaters, museums and aquarium all offer opportunities for having group functions.”
Off-session activities for groups are varied and seemingly endless in Houston, from canoe trips along the downtown bayous to batting practice at Minute Maid Park, which is the home of the Houston Astros and situated adjacent to the convention center.
“I’ve seen everything from tours at the SugarHills Studios, where original soundtracks from the likes of the Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Willie Nelson and many more can be heard, to sampling tours at the Saint Arnold Brewing Company,” Solis says.
The business portion of any group gathering is often facilitated at the George R. Brown Convention Center, which has ample exhibit space, ballrooms and breakout rooms for events. The convention center is supported by the attached 1,200-room Hilton Americas hotel, and additional group-friendly options within walking distance of the convention center include Four Seasons, Marriott and Embassy Suites properties.
Galveston
Situated 50 miles from Houston by car is Galveston Island, a lovely, affordable beach destination. Galveston, says Meg Winchester, director of the Galveston Island CVB, is different than other island destinations because it offers numerous opportunities for off-site events and entertaining, including museums (such as the Texas Seaport Museum and the Lone Star Flight Museum) and historic Victorian mansions (such as the circa-1892 Bishop’s Palace), plus a variety of attractions.
Among them are Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark and Moody Gardens, which houses an aquarium, tropical rainforest replica and museum.
“And we are fortunate to have a wonderful new attraction, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, which will open next year and has created a lot of excitement for Galveston,” Winchester says.
Meetings in Galveston are often booked at the Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort, Moody Gardens Hotel Spa and Convention Center, Four Points by Sheraton Galveston and Hotel Galvez and Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel.
Winchester says ecotourism is another great benefit for visiting groups.
“The beach, kayaking, bird watching and dolphin tours are popular, along with private fishing charters that can be anywhere from a half day to three days long,” she says. “Many groups have also incorporated some type of volunteer activity, be it beach re-nourishment or donating to local charities.”
Port Arthur and Beaumont
The upper Gulf Coast destination of Port Arthur offers a small-town atmosphere located near larger cities, according to Craig Noble, director of sales and marketing at the Port Arthur CVB. He says climate, location, Southern hospitality and a variety of cultural influences are highlights of Port Arthur.
“Visitors to Port Arthur also love adventures such as airboat rides, nature tours through the marsh or the Piney Woods and tours through Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center,” Noble says.
The Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center and Holiday Inn Park Central are Port Arthur’s largest meeting venues.
After the meeting, Cajun, Hispanic, Vietnamese and other heritages are reflected in sites attendees enjoy visiting, including Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, Queen of Peace Shrine and Gardens, Buu Mon Buddhist Temple and Lotus Gardens and Museum of the Gulf Coast, which features exhibits on Janis Joplin and other notable personalities with area ties.
Beaumont is another affordable Gulf Coast locale where groups will enjoy a Texas-Cajun-Southern fusion that, according to Stephanie Molina, spokeswoman for the Beaumont CVB, spills over into everything from the area’s music to its cuisine.
“Groups love visiting Gator Country Adventure Park, where they can get their hands on a live alligator,” she says, adding that attendees have also been known to get a kick out of learning the Texas two-step, listening to live zydeco music and dining on spicy crawfish and barbecued crabs.
In 2012, the Beaumont Event Center and Plaza will be added to the area’s group-friendly portfolio, including Ford Park Event Center, Beaumont Civic Center Complex, Compro Event Center, MCM Elegante Hotel and Conference Center, and Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn and Homewood Suites properties.
“The CVB works diligently to bring group business to the city, and we take hospitality very seriously,” Molina says.
One unique off-site event space in town is Sugas Deep South Cuisine and Jazz Bar, located in a historic building that in 2005 was renovated to include an ideal second-floor meeting space that allows for entertainment paired with Southern cuisine. Another is Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, a unique venue that highlights Beaumont’s oil heritage and is often booked for receptions and dinner events.
Corpus Christi
Surrounded by water and enjoying 288 sun-filled days throughout the year, Corpus Christi is a popular and affordable option for meeting and convention planners.
“Mother Nature has provided a unique setting with natural sunlight, wind and waves,” says Michelle Horine, vice president of leisure and nature travel at the Corpus Christi CVB. “Many visitors enjoy the luxury of being within walking distance of the Gulf water, fishing, watersports and the beach.”
Horine adds that the well-rounded destination features group-friendly facilities, including American Bank Center, Solomon P. Ortiz International Center, Omni Corpus Christi Hotel Bayfront Tower, Best Western Marina Grand Hotel, Holiday Inn Corpus Christi Emerald Beach and a city center filled with shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities.
“Whether you want to hold off-site events in a museum (such as the Art Museum of South Texas), on an aircraft carrier, under the big Texas stars or under water, this is the destination to create that memorable experience,” Horine says, adding that Whataburger Field offers a group-friendly atmosphere with facilities for events and parties.
“Corpus Christi has quite a bit to offer for all personalities,” she says, pointing to outdoor pursuits such as bird watching, biking and an array of activities at the Corpus Christi Marina, including Segways, paddle boating and Jet Skiing.
Rockport and Fulton
The Rockport-Fulton area, according to Sandy Jumper, director of tourism and events at the Rockport-Fulton COC, provides groups with a laid-back atmosphere geared toward mixing business with rest and relaxation.
“People from all over are discovering the ‘Charm of the Texas Coast,’ as locals refer to it,” she says. “Make sure when planning your meeting to allow time to visit the local attractions.”
Attendees enjoy outings to the Fulton Mansion, which Jumper says is considered one of the most outstanding historic homes in the state, art galleries, the Rockport Center for the Arts and area shops and restaurants.
“Fishing and crabbing opportunities are abundant here, and it is also a prime location for birding,” Jumper says, explaining that birders from all over the world visit the area for rare sightings and photo ops. “There are local guides who will take you out on both birding and fishing group tours. And for the more adventurous, kayaking tours are a great way to see all of the natural resources along the bay.”
The area’s main group-friendly venues include the Paws and Taws Convention Center at Fulton Harbor and the Saltwater and Beachfront pavilions at Rockport Beach Park.
Among the area hotels offering meeting space are Best Western Inn by the Bay, Inn at Fulton Harbor, Kontiki Beach Resort, Laguna Reef Hotel, Lighthouse Inn at Aransas Bay, Pelican Bay Resort and Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties.
South Padre Island
If the group is after a business meeting in a beautiful beach location sans neckwear, which via city ordinance isn’t allowed, planners needn’t look further than South Padre Island.
“When you come here, you take off your tie, relax and really focus on what’s important,” says Dan Quandt, executive director of the South Padre Island CVB. “This relaxed, comfortable atmosphere fosters much more creativity and brainstorming opportunities than a stuffier setting does.”
Attractions and activities along the 34-mile-long barrier reef island are nearly limitless, Quandt says, particularly for groups composed of nature and wildlife enthusiasts.
Off-session options include dolphin-watching tours; outings to the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, and Sea Turtle Inc., a sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation facility; and team-building activities ranging from sandcastle-building to water sports such as paddleboarding and kiteboarding.
“Groups can also arrange their own fishing tournament, and the day’s catch can be taken to a local restaurant to be prepared for the group,” Quandt says.
Meetings-friendly facilities include the South Padre Island Convention Centre and three full-service hotels with meeting space: the Pearl South Padre, the Isla Grande Beach Resort and the Hilton Garden Inn. The island also offers a variety of intimate properties that are well suited for small group retreats.
Brownsville
Outdoor activities are popular in Brownsville as well, from beach combing and golfing to bird watching at the World Birding Center.
Popular meeting facilities include the Ringgold Civic Pavilion, the Brownsville Events Center and the Jacob Brown Memorial Center, and popular attractions that double as off-site venues include the Brownsville Heritage Museum, the Commemorative Air Force Museum and the Gladys Porter Zoo.
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus South.
