Taking Off is a new column from the desk of Senior Content Director and resident destinations expert, Danielle LeBreck, which uncovers the destinations you haven't thought of for meetings or events, from under-the-radar locales to new neighborhoods you should know about. Read more Taking Off columns here.
It’s no secret that the Dallas area is exploding with development—in fact, the city has the most hotel projects in the pipeline in the nation right now. While many meeting professionals know why Dallas is such a draw for meetings and conventions, I’m here to remind you: Do not sleep on its rapidly growing neighbor, Frisco.
Frisco is actually the country’s fastest-growing city in the past decade, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and a slew of major updates in the destination will only continue to elevate its status. I had the opportunity to see this first-hand last spring, during a trip to Frisco to tour the Omni PGA Frisco Resort, which is already making waves in the industry. The property alone is enough to make meeting planners swoon with its amazing golf amenities and modern meeting spaces. But even the locals I spoke with on the ground—a few of which are relatives of mine who live in the area—were equally marveled at the transformation of Frisco, watching the city grow at a speedy pace in real time.
A few months later, more big news came to Frisco. Universal broke ground on a new park, Universal Kids Resort, scheduled to come online in 2026. The park is the company’s first-ever designed for families with young children, specifically—perhaps an incentive for family-friendly programs to consider Frisco as its next meetings destination.
Frisco has also more than earned its nickname, Sports City USA. The PGA of America, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars and FC Dallas all call Frisco home, bringing with them headquarters and stadiums that add to the event venue options and experiential possibilities. I was able to stay at Omni Frisco at the Star during my last visit, which sits next door to the impressive World Headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys and 12,000-seat practice facility, Ford Center. Special event experiences await—I very much enjoyed walking a few hundred feet to explore and learn more about one of the NFL’s most famous teams. Steps from the facilities, a district of restaurants and shops have quickly popped up, making it a truly walkable experience.
Meetings can take advantage of all of these special venues and more without any hassle. Frisco is roughly 25 miles from Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport, and attractions within the Metroplex are within easy reach.
[Related: The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Is a Hotel Development Hotbed]
Quick Guide to Frisco, Texas
Where to Stay in Frisco
Unquestionably, Omni PGA Frisco Resort is the most exciting hotel opening in Frisco this year. The 500-room sprawling property offers 127,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, plus a host of creative ways to experience the game of golf, from championship golf courses to the 70,000-square-foot putting green.
Where to Eat in Frisco
If your group isn’t staying at Omni PGA Frisco Resort, you still might want to schedule a dinner at its signature restaurant Trick Rider, where “authentic rodeo culture meets upscale dining.” Try steak, seafood options, and don’t forget to take a picture of the hanging horse-shaped chandelier, Cinnamon, constructed from 4,000 crystals over a horseshoe-shaped bar.
Fun Activities in Frisco
Soccer is on the rise in the U.S. What better place to hop on the trend than at the home of FC Dallas, Toyota Stadium and the National Soccer Hall of Fame? If you want to take the experience a step further, special events are possible on site, including the Hall of Fame experience for up to 1,000 guests.
