Long before the U.S. existed, the Rio Grande wound its way through what is now the border between the U.S. and Mexico. This southern region of Texas is delightfully distinct from the rest of the state, with strong ties to the land, a passion for environmental preservation and a rich bicultural heritage that seeps north from Mexico.
Birders, leisure travelers and convention attendees alike find comfort in the warm winds and waving palm trees of the Rio Grande Valley.
The major communities in the area each offer a sizable convention venue, ranging from the 170,000-square-foot McAllen Convention Center, which opened in 2007, to Harlingen’s 13,000-square-foot Casa de Amistad and the 45,000-square-foot South Padre Island Convention Center.
Brownsville
Brownsville was the first American settlement in the region, founded during the Mexican-American war of 1846. The population multiplied as agricultural technology advanced and railroads moved into the area, and Brownsville began to attract part-time “snowbird” residents and visitors, escaping the harsh winters farther north. The city is culturally and economically entwined with Mexico, and there is plenty of history to discover.
The Brownsville Historical Association offers guided tours, and groups can choose to focus on specific topics, including ranching life, war and conflict on the Rio Grande, and art and architecture of South Texas.
Beginning the last week in February, Charro Days Fiesta is an annual celebration of the links between Brownsville and the Mexican city of Matamoros. First held more than 75 years ago during the Great Depression, the festival began as a plan to lift locals’ spirits, and continues as a celebration of community. Festivities include a carnival, parades, folk dancing and a golf tournament.
But when it’s time for a group to get down to business, Brownsville Event Center measures more than 13,000 square feet, the Fort Brown Memorial Center on the University of Texas campus offers meeting space, and the Ringgold Civic Pavilion is a unique, city-operated property that can accommodate groups of up to 350.
In their free time, remind attendees to be on the lookout for the seven large historic murals scattered throughout town. (The historical association has a map published online.) PageBreak
Corpus Christi
The largest city of the region, Corpus Christi can accommodate groups and conventions of up to 10,000 people and has the most going on in terms of development.
A new Hyatt Place hotel opened in February, and a Springfield Suites is scheduled to come online in September with 116 rooms. Both have small meeting spaces. Downtown, the former Omni Marina Tower hotel was sold. It is now the Holiday Inn Beachfront Corpus Christi Downtown Marina and will undergo a year of renovations. The Corpus Christi Hotel-Bayfront Tower remains with the Omni brand, offering 475 guest rooms and 24,000 square feet of function space.
“Meetings business is doing well,” says Colette Rye, communications director with the Corpus Christi CVB. “The sports and youth markets continue to be good for us.”
For a taste of Corpus Christi cuisine at a location that can easily accommodate large groups, Rye recommends Fajitaville and its dedicated third-floor function space, as well as Water Street downtown, an oyster bar serving fresh Gulf seafood.
A concentrated glimpse into the city’s culture can be found at Corpus Christi First, a monthly festival that covers downtown with art and energy and floods it with music.
The event has several components and runs from Friday through Sunday, the largest of which is the Friday Art Walk, which Rye estimates draws around 5,000 people to peruse art and listen to music. On Saturday, the Marina Market bustles with vendors and crafts and an organized stroll across the Harbor Bridge.
The oldest playhouse in the state, Corpus Christi’s Harbor Playhouse community theater is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, with a special production of Les Miserables running through the end of August.
Also of interest to meeting delegates is the recently added water taxi service, which shuttles riders on a boat from the convention center and hotels on the mainland to attractions on the North Shore. One such attraction is the Texas State Aquarium, which has a variety of team-building and professional development programming available. Special events can be held at the aquarium, and planners can choose to add interactive experiences such as shark tours, dolphin encounters and diving shows. An outdoor lawn accommodates 3,000 people and 500 guests can be hosted for an evening buyout of the entire aquarium. PageBreak
Harlingen
Since much of the activity in Harlingen takes place outdoors and celebrates nature, there was plenty of excitement when the 55-acre Hugh Ramsey Nature Park, a major point of interest, completed a renovation last fall, filling in ponds that had dried up during a regional drought in an effort to attract more birds.
For a historic experience, Jackson Street in downtown has been the city’s main artery for more than 100 years, and is lined with shops full of local Texas art and trinkets.
The Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum complex houses three historic buildings, the home of Harlingen’s town founder, the city’s first hospital and the Paso Real Stagecoach Inn built in 1860. Cultural exhibits rotate through the main museum building, and guided tours are available.
Laredo
The boutique La Posada Hotel has been in operation for 50 years and is a standout luxury lodging option in Laredo. There are 206 guest rooms and meeting spaces that total more than 15,000 square feet and include a renovated Spanish Colonial convent from the 19th century. The property completed an extensive $15 million renovation in 2007, striving to keep in touch with its historical roots.
Laredo is also home to the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum and has embraced its growing cultural tourism scene. The museum is a historic property maintained by the Webb County Heritage Foundation, and it features regular guided tours in English and Spanish. Additional tours begin in the San Agustin Plaza and trace the complex political and architectural heritage of Laredo. PageBreak
McAllen
If your group gravitates to adobe, McAllen’s Quinta Mazatlan facility accommodates up to 350. Built in the Spanish Revival style in 1925 and measuring 10,000 square feet, the space is one of the largest adobe structures in Texas, and is now an urban sanctuary. On the surrounding grounds, groups can take birding tours with local naturalists or learn about the lush gardens and the plants, trees and berries that grow there.
On 17th Street, the Cine del Rey theater opened in 1947 and primarily screened Spanish language films for 40 years. It was closed in 1988 but has since been revived as a special event venue.
Additional cultural hot spots include the McAllen Creative Arts Incubator, the 80-member Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Manic Haus Art Gallery.
South Padre Island
South Padre Island is a haven for relaxation, with sandy beaches and warm water beckoning groups. Attendees can dive into the nautical culture and charter fishing excursions on the Gulf, and for dinner many restaurants in town will cook your catch for you. With bay views, Amberjacks accommodates group events and is great place to watch the sunset.
To amuse children and adults alike, venture to Pirate’s Landing in Port Isabel and stroll around Lighthouse Square or cruise aboard the Black Dragon Pirate Ship, a replica 17th century vessel that can accommodate 200 passengers.
The free WAVE shuttle runs the length of the island and also services Port Isabel. Operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the shuttle has planned stops but can also be hailed from any point with a wave from the side of the road.
Major meeting venues include the Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Resort, which is located directly across from the island’s convention center and offers 12,000 square feet of function space. The Isla Grand Beach Resort has 10,000 square feet of function space, and the luxurious Pearl South Padre offers nine meeting rooms totaling 8,500 square feet.
