Quite A Coast

Stretching more than 624 miles southward from the Louisiana border to within 30 miles of the Mexican border, the Texas Gulf Coast is accustomed to weathering adversity. In the aftermath of hurricanes and economic shortfalls, group destinations are using flexible thinking, social techniques and technological upgrades to come back strong.

Beaumont

From touching live alligators at Gator Country Adventure Park to enjoying live Zydeco music, groups have always savored Beaumont’s “little something extra” appeal. Responding to budgetary cutbacks, the CVB is now focusing more on social media and e-mail marketing to keep the word out on its unique combination of Texas-Louisiana heritage and hospitality.

“Our sales team strives to connect with planners both professionally and personally, utilizing outlets such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter,” says Freddie Willard, director of sales for the Beaumont CVB. “We are also concentrating on developing relationships in person, with our staff attending more social events that cater to meeting planners.”

Anchored by the multivenue Ford Park Event Center, which includes the 8,500-seat Ford Arena and 48,000-square-foot Ford Exhibit Hall, Beaumont’s hosting capacity just got a boost with the long-awaited opening of the $10 million Event Centre in the Beaumont Civic Center Complex. The new 16,000-square-foot facility can accommodate 500 round table guests or 900 theater-style. Flanked by a great lawn and lake, the venue also offers canopied outdoor space for events.

Willard says planner response to a year-long e-mail campaign promoting the Event Centre has been “overwhelming.”

Looking ahead, Beaumont is actively developing its downtown area to attract even more tourism and group business.

Port ArthurLocated 30 minutes south of Beaumont and 90 miles east of Houston, Port Arthur is an important part of the vast energy center making up the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. Unsurprisingly, the city thrives on its petrochemical industry and related energy developments.

“Our hotel industry has experienced tremendous growth over the last five years, with room inventory doubling in that time,” says Tammy Kotzur, director of the Port Arthur CVB.

With coastal culture and Cajun cuisine enlivening its eclectic group mix, Port Arthur has benefited from energy-related meetings and training events throughout the economic downturn.

“When meeting in the city that oils the world, expect an immediate increase in productivity and promise,” Kotzur says.

The fully renovated Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center offers more than 20,000 square feet of divisible space, while the revitalized marina, fishing piers and Sea Rim State Park offer outdoor lures for attendees.

“Our highly competitive hotel rates and meeting space rental costs make booking a meeting worth every penny, along with guaranteed free parking at all of our hotels and event center,” Kotzur says.

Going full steam ahead for the future, the CVB is dedicated to getting groups outside.

“Taking advantage of our seaside setting, we are continuously developing new packages for nature lovers, including activities for all ages and interests,” she says.

Galveston Island The Galveston Island CVB is working harder than ever to meet with planners face-to-face and show them the destination’s many group attributes.

“We are using social media to stay fully current with clients,” says Meg Winchester, director of the Galveston Island CVB. “From tweets to e-newsletters, we provide continuous updates and information to help build attendance.”

Home to famed properties such as Moody Gardens Hotel Spa & Convention Center and the San Luis Resort & Conference Center, the city also features diverse off-site venues, including Victorian mansions and unique museums.

Opened last spring, the new $60 million Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is generating major buzz.

Another significant investment is 100MB of enhanced bandwidth for the beachfront Galveston Island Convention Center’s complimentary Wi-Fi service.

With traditional markets that include Texas state associations and SMERF meetings, Galveston is seeing a return of national association and corporate business.

“However, we are also making moves into untapped markets where we see potential,” Winchester says, adding that sports are a major focus. “With much to offer for indoor and outdoor sporting events, we have formed a sports marketing committee to develop new group business, with positive results to date.

“Our goal is to continue to develop new initiatives to set Galveston ahead of the competition,” Winchester adds.

Corpus Christi Located two hours southeast of San Antonio, this coastal city is recognized for exceptional special event venues, including the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, the Texas State Aquarium, Heritage Park and the Art Museum of South Texas. In response to the economy, the CVB is focusing its efforts on social media and interactive marketing tools, while tightening its market focus.

“We have shifted to working harder at attracting meetings for between 300 and 500 attendees, along with youth and amateur sporting events,” says Keith Arnold, CEO of the Corpus Christi CVB.

With Corpus Christi conventions consistently breaking attendance records, the CVB is also concentrating on other growth and service initiatives.

“To date, nearly 200 front-line staff and hospitality providers have been trained in our customized Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) Program,” Arnold says. “Delegates also have the convenience of the ‘Book Now’ component of our website, which provides easy access to our top attractions and a simple solution to extending their stay in Corpus Christi.”

With plans under way for Destination Bayfront, a 27-acre waterfront experiential park equipped for special events, the city is reviewing the feasibility studies of expanding its convention center to 200,000 square feet, adding between 50,000 and 60,000 square feet of meeting space and an attached hotel with 350 to 500 rooms.

Sitting invitingly at the southernmost tip of Texas, South Padre Island’s leisure appeal sustained it through the economic downturn, with appreciable tourist growth over the last two years.

“Our meetings market has remained fairly steady, too,” reports Lacey Ekberg, executive director of the South Padre Island CVB. “In the face of recessionary belt-tightening, we have the advantage of being an accessible, affordable, subtropical alternative to meetings at more expensive beach resort destinations outside of the U.S.”

Linked to the mainland by the Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge, South Padre Island sits at the end of 34-mile Padre Island, the world’s longest barrier island. With its lengthy beaches, warm Gulf waters and year-round activities, this sun-kissed destination is serious about promoting its fun side.

By city ordinance—no kidding—ties are not allowed. First-time offenders get a written warning and a complimentary South Padre Island T-shirt; second-time offenders pay the cost of a silk tie.

“Meetings here are about having an experience rather than just being in a location,” Ekberg says. “The idea is to relax in an atmosphere designed to foster creativity and brainstorming opportunities.”

Adding to the fun is the expanded Schlitterbahn Beach Resort, with 220 rooms, meeting space and a new indoor waterpark.

“Known for our personalized planning support, we are using an ongoing brand and marketing communications program and face-to-face meetings to promote our appeal as a premier year-round meetings destination,” Ekberg says.