The region of Texas south of San Antonio is home to an eclectic lineup of off-site venues that can host memorable group events.
Attendees can enjoy mingling with sea critters during a reception at a must-visit aquarium in Corpus Christi, and in Brownsville they can get better acquainted with a popular zoo’s resident wildlife either before or after an event.
In Laredo, planners can arrange a tournament/meal function at a great group-friendly golf course, and a Smithsonian-affiliated museum in McAllen is certain to host an impressive group dinner.
Beyond these area attractions, planners will find two standout stand-alone event venues on South Padre Island and just outside Harlingen that welcome groups for special gatherings.
Texas State Aquarium, Corpus Christi
Dinners among coral reefs, cocktails above a Caribbean jungle and dancing alongside dolphins are the possible backdrops for private events at the Texas State Aquarium.
“Our natural and colorful Gulf of Mexico scenery makes events come alive,” said the attraction’s director of sales, Jennifer Vela. “Animal encounters, dive shows and more are also available to give a wild addition to events.”
Vela noted that planners can also count on in-house catering and event decoration teams to help with food, beverage and decor details for any size or type of function.
The aquarium regularly accommodates banquets and receptions for anywhere from 75 to 3,000 people in its various memorable spaces.
“Islands of Steel gives the perspective from beneath an off-shore oil rig, where stingrays, sharks and sea turtles swim just feet away,” Vela said. “Flower Gardens, with its diverse collection of vibrant coral and tropical fish, brings color and a cheerful vibe to gatherings.”
There is also a space for up to 300 people that overlooks the Corpus Christi Bayfront.
“This picturesque venue offers incredible photo opportunities,” Vela said. “An open-air balcony opens up another scenic location, while windows in the floor give a glimpse at the sharks and fish swimming in the aquatic exhibits below.”
Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville
At the Gladys Porter Zoo, which boasts 28 acres of tropical plants and about 1,500 animals, planners can arrange time for attendees to explore the grounds before or after the meeting.
“This is one of the first zoos built with the concept of no barred cages, with natural waterways meandering though the facility, which makes it so much more pleasant for visitors to enjoy their experience here,” said Cynthia A. Garza Galvan, the attraction’s director of marketing.
The zoo regularly hosts corporate events such as receptions, banquets, meetings and picnics.
An in-house concession staff will assist with creating a customized menu, and some gathering spaces offer Wi-Fi and provide projectors, screens and televisions if needed for a presentation.
“Our South Texas Discovery Education Center is designed to look like a Spanish hacienda with a large patio overlooking a butterfly garden,” Garza Galvan said. “Our newest exhibit, Tropical Americas & El Mundo Huasteco Totonaco, located adjacent to our Pizzooria Palapa, is the perfect spot for an evening cocktail reception or icebreaker. Your guests will feel like they stepped in from a tropical jungle into a lost temple.”
Casa Mariposa Venue & Villas, South Padre Island
In 2005, owner Sherrie Gomez and her late husband Steve set out to create an original venue that pays homage to the past, so they built Casa Mariposa from the ground up using reclaimed wood, vintage decor, repurposed doors and other special touches.
“Visually stunning, our architectural masterpiece showcases decorative touches of Indian, Moroccan and Mexican influences, the perfect backdrop for any occasion,” she said.
“As an all-inclusive venue, our dedicated staff will help guide clients with our carefully vetted list of required and preferred vendors, ensuring your event is ‘the’ event everyone is talking about for years to come.”
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Casa Mariposa is an open-air, courtyard-style venue that can accommodate groups of 25 to 250 people.
Gatherings typically held here include fundraisers, award dinners, corporate parties/dinners and even board retreats, as the on-site hacienda-style villa accommodates up to eight guests.
The venue is particularly lively on Friday nights during the summer, when fireworks over the bay can be seen from the second-floor terrace, a popular space that accommodates up to 30 people.
“The terrace is also the perfect spot to view our beautiful Laguna Madre Bay sunsets” Gomez said.
Max A. Mandel Municipal Golf Course, Laredo
One terrific option for meeting planners who are looking for an off-site venue to hold an event in Laredo is the popular Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed Max A. Mandel Municipal
Golf Course, which is located along the banks of the Rio Grande river.
“Enjoy the South Texas backdrop while networking and brainstorming with your peers,” said Aileen Ramos, acting assistant director at the Laredo CVB. “The Max is a great location to host indoor meetings and on-site icebreakers on the terrace at the clubhouse.”
The golf course is a regular host of corporate events, tournaments, charity fundraisers, regional conferences and more.
For many groups, it’s an all-in-one stop that offers a fun round of golf plus further networking during an on-site meal function.
“The venue’s catering staff will work with your budget in providing the best options to suit your needs,” Ramos said.
Among the on-site spaces for group events is a banquet hall located on the second floor of the clubhouse that can accommodate up to 200 guests.
“The floor-length windows give guests scenic views of the breathtaking Rio Grande river,” Ramos said.
International Museum of Art & Science, McAllen
The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is the Rio Grande Valley’s only Smithsonian-affiliated, AAM- (American Alliance of Museums) accredited art and science museum.
According to Gina Guerrero, visitor services assistant manager, the museum, pending exhibit regulations, serves as a unique backdrop for many events, including opening receptions, formal dinners and recitals.
“IMAS is home to several galleries and exhibit spaces that are perfect for several types of events,” she said. “Our Science on a Sphere exhibit is a great space for a company logo during a business meeting, or have a formal dinner in our Discovery Pavilion, which is a unique children’s area for a group of 150.”
There is also the fine-arts building that features five exhibit spaces that can easily accommodate groups of up to 100 people with various art exhibits serving as a backdrop.
“IMAS’ galleries and exhibit spaces can be rented both during or after hours, providing infinite flexibility for your special event,” Guerrero said. “Planning a festival? Rent the entire museum. IMAS can accommodate groups of over 1,000.”
First National Ballroom, Mercedes
Situated about 15 miles from Harlingen in Mercedes, Texas, is the First National Ballroom, a popular local event venue that was built in 1923 to house the First National Bank of Mercedes.
The facility offers an outdoor courtyard and indoor space that are both well suited for banquets and receptions.
The main ballroom inside accommodates groups with up to 300 people and has elegant touches such as a seven-foot-tall by six-foot-wide Swarovski crystal chandelier.
Overlooking the ballroom is an upstairs stage room that is equipped to handle live music, and the venue also has a pub room with a fireplace and granite-topped tables that’s generally used as a lounge area.
