Texas Meetings + Events Fall 2021

SIP & MEET 5 VINEYARD VENUES

SPOTLIGHT DALLAS’ STATLER HOTEL

SPA RETREATS TREAT YOUR TEAM

M E E T I N G S M A G S . C O M // F A L L 2 0 2 1

GALVESTON BOUND Head to the Gulf Coast for your next meeting. {20}

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Contact us today to learn about our stimulus program, meeting spaces, and amenities.

MEET.CSTX.GOV •979.260.9898 @VisitCSTX

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world

M O

Lubbock’s newest attraction, The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences, serves as the focal point of hospitality and tourism in West Texas. This world-renowned facility is fully equipped with full-service catering provided by local partner The United Family, and

a state-of-the-art multi-purpose meeting space to ensure your event is one to remember.

From banquets and weddings to corporate meetings or lecture series, plan your next event at The Hall today!

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VISITLUBBOCK.ORG

#LIVELOVELUBBOCK

10/29/2021 12:07:53 PM

WELCOME BACK! IT’S TIME TO GET BACK TO DOING WHAT WE DO BEST

MAKING YOUR VISION OUR MISSION Located in the heart of downtown Austin, Texas Five contiguous exhibit halls with 247,052 square feet of column-free space Surrounded by 12,000+ hotel rooms within walking distance

Our facility is proud to be recognized for cleaning and disinfecting to a higher standard to keep our space clean and safe for occupancy.

BACK TO 100% CAPACITY The Austin Convention Center is officially back to 100 percent capacity with no social distancing requirements, giving you complete freedom in how you set up your event.

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Contents

FALL 2 02 1

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier

24 Lone Star Tastings

Five Texas vineyards and wineries to host toast-worthy meetings and events.

In Every Issue //

6 Editor’s Note

16 Venue Report

Recharge at a Lone Star spa.

20 Destination

Galveston does not disappoint as a place to meet and gather.

36 People Profile

Silvia Zamora shares her work philosophy.

Meeting Notes //

Industry Update //

8 Venue Spotlight

30 Infographic

The Statler Hotel’s legendary roots elevates its lifestyle experience.

10 Signature Drink

Try the award-winning margarita from Primo’s MX Kitchen.

12 Flashback

Historic Hill House offers rustic charm.

A mix of optimism and staffing concerns in MPI’s recent Meetings Outlook.

32 Regional News The latest industry news for Texas.

SIP & MEET 5 VINEYARD VENUES

SPOTLIGHT DALLAS’ STATLER HOTEL

SPA RETREATS TREAT YOUR TEAM

M E E T I N G S M A G S . C O M // F A L L 2 0 2 1

GALVESTON BOUND Head to the Gulf Coast for your next meeting. {20}

On the Cover

The Cove’s plunge pool at San Luis Resort.

PHOTO COURTESY LANDRY’S

P H O T O : V I S I T G A LV E S T O N

Feature //

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FA L L 2 0 2 1

tx.meetingsmags.com

EDITOR TERESA KENNEY MANAGING EDITOR BETH BUEHLER COPY EDITOR SHERRI HILDEBRANDT

ART DIRECTOR TRACI ZELLMANN

PRINT PRODUCTION DIRECTOR BRITTNI DYE DIGITAL PRODUCTION DIRECTOR DEIDRA ANDERSON PRODUCTION COORDINATORS LISA STONE, ADRIANNA BLACK BULL

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR KATIE RINGHAND

Let the Rio Grande River serve as your meeting backdrop.

This is just one option when hosting a meeting in Laredo.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE / ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SPECIALIST ALYZABETH OUTCELT

Give the Laredo CVB a call at 800.361.3360 to begin planning your next company event.

PRODUCTION DESIGNER HANNAH BRAUSEN

CREDIT MANAGER APRIL MCCAULEY CONTROLLER BILL NELSON

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – NATIONAL SALES RYAN MILLER 469.264.7657 | RYAN.MILLER@TIGEROAK.COM

California Meetings + Events » 303.617.0548 Colorado Meetings + Events » 303.617.0548 Michigan Meetings + Events » 586.416.4195 Minnesota Meetings + Events » 608-873-8734 Mountain Meetings » 303.617.0548 Northeast Meetings + Events » 586.416.4195 Northwest Meetings + Events » 253.732.7133

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Safe Is the New Sexy

Texas Meetings + Events accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork; they will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

TIGER OAK MEDIA

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER & GROUP PUBLISHER SUSAN ISAY

IRVING ROCKS

Flexibility & Safe Meetings

P H O T O : V I S I T G A LV E S T O N

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EDI TOR ’ S NOT E

Setting Standards for the New Normal

txmeetingsmags @meetingseventsmags

TERESA KENNEY

Editor teresa.kenney@tigeroak.com

P H OTO : A L A N A L A B A S T R O

tx.meetingsmags.com

» STUDIES HAVE SHOWN that meeting and event planning is one of the most anxiety-provoking professions out there. In fact, a 2019 report by CareerCast found that “event coordinator” was the sixth most stressful career in the U.S., ranking alongside firefighter, military personnel, police officer, airline pilot and television broadcaster. And that was before the pandemic, before face-to-face meetings, conventions and celebrations were put on hold (or altogether cancelled). The industry is only now showing signs of a return to normal—whatever “normal” may now look like.

To counteract the stress of understaffing, impending deadlines, budget cuts and miscommunications, the fall issue of Texas Meetings + Events is all about relaxing and recharging, even in the midst of an ongoing global health crisis. We look at ways to combat that stress, whether it’s through an incentive trip to or team-building session at an area spa (page 16) or a trip to the beaches of Galveston (page 20). And what could be more relaxing than a gathering held at one of Texas’s wineries and vineyards? Our feature this issue, “Lone Star Tastings,” has all the details of where to meet.

One thing is certain: Meeting and event planners are not reactionary. By the very nature of our business, we are flexible and proactive. We are continually pivoting. We are continually innovating. Take, for example, MPI’s newest certificate course that addresses integrating wellness into events as a response to an issue all industries are facing today. We’ve got more details about the program on page 35.

Also be sure flip to the back of the magazine for our interview with Silvia Zamora, who recently came on board at Dallas-based Associated Luxury Hotels International as vice president of meeting design and experience. She started her career in the events industry straight out of college and has some wonderful bits of wisdom to share.

As always, shoot me an email with any story ideas or business updates at Teresa.

Kenney@tigeroak.com. Enjoy the cooler weather, and please take time to remember and celebrate how important your work is today and every day.

• • • • • • •

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DT by Hilto

P H OTO : A L A N A L A B A S T R O

Down home, downtown.

Welcome back, Hilton!

“Abilene will be well prepared to handle large conventions and please the most fastidious visitor.”

- Conrad Hilton, Abilene Reporter News | 1927

From 1927-1945 the Hilton hotel set a new standard of hospitality in downtown Abilene.

That tradition continues today with the new DoubleTree by Hilton Convention Hotel.

Begin writing your story in Abilene, today.

Opening Spring of 2023 in the heart of downtown Abilene

• • • • • • •

200 Guest Rooms Three-Meal Restaurant with Private Dining Lobby Bar/Lounge or Room Service Pool Deck with an Entertainment Suite Adjacent to the Abilene Convention Center Ballroom: 12,151 square feet (divisible by 4) Breakout Rooms: (3) - 4,780 square feet

• • • • • • •

MADEMarket by Hilton Fitness Center High-Speed WiFi In-Room Technology Package DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies Business Center And Much More!

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M EETI N G N OT E S Products, Places & Inspiration

Venue Spotlight //

Statler Hotel’s legendary roots elevate its lifestyle experience. » CELEBRITIES ARE NO STRANGERS to The Statler Hotel, which was one of the first hotels in the country to incorporate amenities we now take for granted and certain construction techniques. The hotel opened in 1956 in downtown Dallas, and A-listers such as the Jackson 5, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett have all at one time taken to the stage in its Grand Ballroom. In 2017, The Statler underwent an extensive $255 million restoration and renovation, officially becoming The Statler Hotel and Residences.

FUN FACTS The Statler features 159 guest rooms— including two presidential suites—as well as six dine-and-drink venues and more than 26,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor event

space. The 11,500-square-foot ballroom’s amenities are a nod to its storied past and include two entertainment suites, a green room, a catwalk, and the original stage, wood flooring and box office. Additional hotel guest amenities include a fitness center, barber shop, family-friendly fourthfloor pool, and the Waterproof, a 19th-floor, 21-and-older bar and lounge with a pool.

Other food and beverage options include Bourbon & Banter, an underground Prohibition-inspired speakeasy; Scout, a 4,000-square-foot gaming hall with a bowling alley, pool tables and more; Overeasy, a diner and coffee shop that serves brunch all day; Primo’s MX Kitchen & Lounge, a Tex-Mex eatery; and Sfereco, an AmericanItalian restaurant.

A PLACE OF FIRSTS When Conrad Hilton purchased the property mid-construction in 1954 for $111 million, it was the greatest merger in hotel history and largest real estate transaction in the world.

The Statler was the first hotel to ever implement elevator music and have televisions in guest rooms.

The hotel was the first in the world made of flat-slab, cantilever construction and the first glass and metal building in the nation with thin-skinned curtain wall designs.

A NOD TO HISTORY In 2018, the hotel became the 300th hotel to be inducted into Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, for being a historic hotel of excellence. thestatlerdallas.com @thestatler | thestatler

P H O T O : S TAT L E R H O T E L

STAR POWER

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meetings go better when they have

wacoheartoftexas.com

wacoheartoftexas.com

It’s more than just a place to meet. Waco is a place that greets you with incredible hospitality, amenities and exciting opportunities that reward your business and event guests with truly enriching experiences.

P H O T O : S TAT L E R H O T E L

SCAN THE CODE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF VENUES, ACCOMMODATIONS AND BUSINESS SERVICES. | wacoheartoftexas.com/meetings

SUCCEED

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M EETI N G N OT E S Products, Places & Inspiration

B

E

Renovations //

New Look for Marriott Rivercenter

San Antonio hotel makes more room for meetings. » SAN ANTONIO MARRIOTT RIVERCENTER recently underwent extensive renovations, increasing its meeting and event space by 11,000 square feet to a total of 70,136 square feet. The venue can accommodate up to 6,400 meeting or event guests, and the event space includes 45 fully redesigned event and salon rooms, including three new conference rooms. The property’s concierge lounge also was expanded with the addition of M Club, which overlooks the historic Alamo. Plus, the foyer was renovated to allow for expanded pre-function and breakout space.

The project also included the renovation of Rivercenter’s 1,000 guest rooms, including 86 suites and all public areas, and the addition of a touchless experience with electronic access to elevators and guest rooms.

Located on the River Walk, San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter is adjacent to Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, which features 514,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and is close to some of San Antonio’s most popular attractions including LEGOLAND, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, restaurants, golf courses and spas. The 30-floor hotel features three on-site dining options, a fully equipped fitness center, indooroutdoor pool, business center and enhanced wireless connectivity.

Planners organizing citywide groups or conferences and who need even more space can take advantage of Rivercenter’s nearby sister hotel, San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk. The property offers an additional 500 guest rooms and 17,000 square feet of meeting space. marriott.com | @sanantoniomarriottrivercenter |

sanantoniomarriott

W

ev

ce

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Signature Drink //

sp

AWARDWINNING MARGARITA FROM PRIMO’S MX KITCHEN

INGREDIENTS – 2 ounces El Jimador Blanco Tequila – .75 ounce Blood Orange Guava Barmalade – .75 ounce fresh lime juice – .25 ounce Monin Guava Syrup – .25 ounce Monin Agave Nectar – Tajín seasoning DIRECTIONS Combine all ingredients except the seasoning in a shaker tin, add ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a Tajín-rimmed glass filled with ice and garnish with a dehydrated blood orange wheel.

P H OTO S : S A N A N TO N I O M A R R I OT T R I V E R C E N T E R ; TAY L I N S H E R E R P H O T O

See for yourself why the Blood Orange Guavarita was named the best margarita at Dallas Observer’s 2021 Margarita Trail Finale Party. The recipe is courtesy of Primo’s MX Kitchen, The Statler Hotel, Dallas.

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BRING YOUR NEXT

Event to Life

NOW

BOOK FOR

ING

2022

email bbear @sshr .com

Whether it’s a corporate event or a social celebration, make it special at South Shore Harbour Resort. Group room rate

P H OTO S : S A N A N TO N I O M A R R I OT T R I V E R C E N T E R ; TAY L I N S H E R E R P H O T O

specials are available.

SSHR.COM | 281-334-1000 2500 South Shore Blvd. League City, Tx 77573 11 Located Halfway Between Houston And Galveston, One Mile FromTX.MEETINGSMAGS.COM Kemah Boardwalk.

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M EETI N G N OT E S Products, Places & Inspiration

Flashback //

» BUILT IN 1885 by J.C. Hill, Historic Hill House was featured in the book “Texas Homes of the 19th Century” as one of only a handful of Texas homes from the 1800s still standing. In early 2017, the Bradbury family bought the homestead, initially planning to renovate the property and use it as a home for their growing family. In the early stages of refurbishing the home, they decided it would make a charming bed and breakfast instead. Adding to the property’s appeal, the family opened the doors to the B&B’s restaurant and event venue in February 2020.

The space is housed in a barn built from two 1840s hand-hewn barns, one imported from Canada and the other from Pennsylvania.

The 7,000-square-foot rustic structure can

host a maximum of 300 people.

Guests can stay in the main house, one of four cabin suites or the Pool Barn, which features two large suites that can each accommodate six guests. Full buyouts also are available. The property is located on 108 acres between New Waverly

and Coldspring in Sam Houston National Forest and is just a short 60-mile drive from Houston. historichillhouse.com historichillhouseandfarm historichillhouse

P H OTO S : H I S TO R I C H I L L H O U S E

Historic Hill House

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P H OTO S : H I S TO R I C H I L L H O U S E

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M EETI N G N OT E S Products, Places & Inspiration

Trade Associations //

SURVEY SAYS Report offers perspective on professional associations and meetings.

VIRTUAL EVENTS According to responses, virtual and hybrid events remain an important option for member learning and engagement. While associations continued to express challenges involved in rebuilding pre-COVID attendance levels and maintaining pre-COVID levels of advertising and sponsorships, there were improvements in transitioning or augmenting legacy events to hybrid events.

For example, only 39% of respondents had difficulty transforming their legacy events into virtual events, a significant improvement over the 80% who said the same in 2020.

In addition, 64% of respondents consider virtual conferences and events very or extremely valuable, compared to 56% in 2020. However, in-person events and meetings were still the favored method of connecting, with 82% of respondents rating face-to-face interactions at live events as the best way to gauge member needs.

NON-DUES REVENUE GENERATION Live events were once again cited as the top source of member engagement, non-dues revenue generation and brand awareness building in 2021. So, navigating the impact of COVID-19 on inperson events remains challenging for associations.

According to the report, only 25% of respondents saw improvement in nondues revenue generation, and almost half feel that their inability to generate non-dues revenue from their communication channels is a serious or significant challenge.

As virtual and hybrid events remain more common than live events, nearly half (46%) of associations expect difficulty rebuilding pre-COVID levels of advertising, sponsorship and exhibit sales. With the gradual return to in-person events, 61% of respondents expect lower non-dues revenue overall this year, with 30% expecting non-dues revenue to decrease by 11% or more this year.

Associations face a choice of diversifying and becoming more creative with their non-dues revenue streams or relying upon the uncertain timeline for inperson events to return to pre-COVID frequency and capacity.

At least there was some good news for Naylor, as 73% rated surveys as an efficient way to learn what members want and need from an association.

naylor.com

Taste //

BARTENDER, MAKE IT A DOUBLE An event bartending service shares the trends it’s been seeing for drink menus at events.

When planning your drink menu for events, you might want to think like a local. Spencer Cox, owner and operator of San Antonio–based Top Shotz, says he sees a lot of requests for drinks that pay homage to the city’s Hispanic heritage.

“Different types of margaritas, ranch waters and palomas have been super popular. We’ve also had a few different brides ask for custom drinks recently as his and hers cocktails, which is always fun. We ask a few questions and get a flavor profile for them, and then base the drink on their personality or some of their hobbies,” says Cox. Top Shotz is a mobile bartending service that serves San Antonio and the surrounding areas, including Texas Hill Country. All of its bartenders are TBC licensed and trained in event etiquette. topshotzevents.net. @topshotzevents topshotzevents

P H OTO : TO P S H OT Z

» EARLIER THIS YEAR, Naylor Association Solutions unveiled the findings of its 2021 Association Communications Benchmarking Report.

The 10th annual report analyzed survey data from 500 senior executives at North American trade associations, professional societies and association management companies. It offers insight into how associations are navigating the impact of COVID-19 on member engagement and communications, live and virtual events, staffing and non-dues revenue generation.

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P H OTO : TO P S H OT Z

A convention that doesn’t feel

so conventional?

ZERO ATTRITION THROUGH 2021

Imagine a world where “can’t” doesn’t exist. Imagine all you can do in Arlington, Texas. Located just 15 minutes from DFW airport, Arlington offers everything you need to make your next event memorable, from our diverse collection of flexible venues to our growing hotel inventory — and a CVB team that excels at turning Arlington’s unique assets into experiences that make attendees say, “Wow!” To instill even more confidence in booking with us, we have instituted a special No Attrition Through 2021 offer for meeting and event planners. Our team is dedicated to taking precautions for a clean and healthy experience, with distancing options that make sense for your event. Give us a call, and let’s talk about what we can do for you.

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VEN UE REP ORT Spas

Recharge at a Lone Star Spa In 2021, the focus is on wellness. In Texas, there’s a spa for that.

BY TERESA KENNEY

» THE LAST TWO YEARS have been, to put it mildly, challenging. Showing your team some appreciation for a job well done with a little spa pampering will allow them to relax and regroup together.

Whether you’re looking to make a day, weekend or week of it, Texas has a spa retreat to suit your needs.

MAKE A WEEK OF IT San Antonio’s Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness is set within a peaceful sanctuary surrounded by the natural beauty of Hill Country.

The full-service, 25,000-square-foot spa features everything from traditional offerings like massages and facials to experiences that

are indigenous to the area. In addition, spaces, such as the Sky Loft treatment suites and an infinity edge pool, encourage mindfulness, reflection and face-to-face connections. The spa is part of La Cantera Resort & Spa, which offers 496 rooms, an adults-only floor with valet and concierge, the secluded Villas with 34 guest rooms and suites, and 12 on-site dining options. Additional amenities include two golf courses, five heated pools, and 115,000 square feet of event space for awards programs, VIP gatherings and more.

MAKE AN AFTERNOON OF IT With delicious-sounding treatments, such as Chocolate Bourbon

P H OTO S : JA S O N R I S N E R

La Cantera Resort & Spa is home to Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness.

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ROOM TO

INSPIRE

P H OTO S : JA S O N R I S N E R

Welcome to Colorado Springs, where our wide-open spaces and stunning natural scenery are the inspirational backdrop to your next meeting. Hold a spectacular event at The Broadmoor’s new 125,000 sq. ft. Bartolin Hall. You’ll enjoy higher attendance, and attendees will enjoy riding the reimagined Broadmoor Pikes Peak and Manitou Cog Railway to the new Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center at 14,115’ elevation. Let us help you create a successful and memorable attendee experience. Here you’ll find room to inspire, innovate, connect and re-energize.

Learn more at VisitCOS.com/meet TX.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 17

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VEN UE REP ORT Spas

MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT Transformative healing is on the menu at The Spa at The Post Oak Hotel in Houston.

The 20,000-square-foot spa’s services are inspired by the diverse heritage of Houston and the anti-aging rituals of ancient cultures. In keeping with its mission, the spa only works with vendors that source environmentally friendly ingredients and responsibly manufacture their products.

The Spa at The Post Oak is located in the 250-room Post Oak Hotel, which has the unique distinction of being the only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel and spa in the state. The hotel’s meeting and event space includes the 16,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, which can accommodate nearly 1,700 guests for a reception. More intimate spaces are available as well.

MAKE AN ESCAPE OF IT A serene hideaway set on 125 acres on Medina Mountain in Texas Hill Country, Escondida is located 14 miles from the Guadalupe River in Kerrville. The story behind the retreat is just as compelling as the beauty that surrounds it. One version is that it was built by a couple who fell in love after being raised in separate Mexican villages. Another is that it was an actual

The infinity-edge pool at La Cantera (top); The Spa at The Post Oak Hotel

hideaway for a Chicagoan in the witness protection program after providing incriminating evidence against crime boss Sam Gioncanna. Whatever its history, your team will be treated to an ultra-private escape from the everyday. Your guests can enjoy a massage or facial (including the opulent Pevonia Caviar Facial) in the spa, relax in the pool or hot tub, and explore the wildlife and wildness of the surrounding rolling hills. Escondida offers 11 rooms, including the Owner’s Retreat, a private wing of the original hacienda that features a full kitchen, private patio, and living/dining area.

Escondida does not serve alcohol, but guests may bring their own to enjoy.

lacanteraresort.com @lacanteraresort lacanteraresort viviansdallas.com @viviansdallas viviansspa thepostoakhotel.com @postoakuptownhouston postoakuptown escondidaresort.com @escondidaresorttexas escondidaspaandresort

P H O T O S : S A M M Y DY E S S P H O T O G R A P H Y ; F E R T I T TA E N T E R TA I N M E N T

Pecan Pie Foot Ritual, Pumpkin Spice Mousse Massage and Cider Sangria Facial, you know you’re in for a treat at Vivian’s Boutique Spa in Dallas. The day spa goes the extra mile to make you feel special: from the custom-designed and craftsman-built pedicure chairs to the granite-topped manicure table, no detail is overlooked. You can even get a Green Tea & CBD Hydrating Hemp Facial, which promises to make you look “lit from within.” No wonder it’s been named one of Dallas’ best day spas by D magazine.

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P H O T O S : S A M M Y DY E S S P H O T O G R A P H Y ; F E R T I T TA E N T E R TA I N M E N T

DESTI NAT IO N Galveston

The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier and surrounding beaches are a popular post-meeting trip.

Coastal Meetings

Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston does not disappoint as a meeting destination.

» ON MY FIRST TRIP TO GALVESTON (a few years after I moved to Texas), I was on a mission to see a roseate spoonbill. I had become obsessed with the bird after seeing a photo. An afternoon of searching parks yielded plenty of beautiful wildlife but, unfortunately, not the elusive spoonbill. So I decided to return to a known resting spot “one more time” before heading home. And that’s when I spied an entire flock of pink birds. They were flying overhead, wading in the water, resting in the marsh. Galveston did not disappoint me then, and it’s sure to not disappoint a group traveling to the gulfside city for a destination meeting or event.

“Here in Galveston, we urge attendees to ‘sea’ their meetings differently. On the

island, there are 32 miles of beaches, plus important historic landmarks, museums and attractions,” says Bryan Kunz, director of group sales for Visit Galveston. “Situated just 50 miles south of Houston Hobby airport, Galveston is convenient to get to—and a world apart. The staff at Visit Galveston know the destination and will help tailor meetings and events to meet and exceed expectations.”

WHERE TO MEET As a popular tourist destination, Galveston has plenty of accommodations to choose from.

Here are a few meeting-friendly options.

San Luis Resort: This beachfront property boasts 248 guest rooms and five private villas, as well as 40,000 square feet of

meeting space. Its amenities include a pool, full-service spa and three on-site restaurants. Centrally located along the seawall, it’s walkable to the convention center, shops and restaurants.

Grand Galvez: Known as the “Queen of the Gulf,” the 224-room Grand Galvez was originally built in 1911. The classic property is under new ownership and undergoing a complete renovation that is expected to be done in 2022. Grand Galvez can accommodate meetings and events for up to 500 people.

The Tremont House: Located in Galveston’s downtown district close to the harbor, shops and restaurants, this historic 119-room hotel features the island’s only rooftop bar. With 16,000 square feet of

P H O T O : V I S I T G A LV E S T O N

BY TERESA KENNEY

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DESTI NAT IO N Galveston

Clockwise from top left: San Luis Resort, Hotel Galvez Bar & Grill, Tremont House lobby, and Moody Gardens Golf Course

WAIT … THERE’S MORE Post-meeting groups can bond through activities such as stand-up paddle boarding, fishing, kayak-

ing or island-wide scavenger hunts. Self-guided tours are available for when participants want a little “me” time, and include the Tree Sculpture tour, which offers a glimpse of more than two dozen oak trees turned into works of art, and the African American History Tour and the Freedom Walk, which immerses participants into Galveston’s past and brings its significance as the birthplace of Juneteenth to life.

Meeting-goers also can explore the pyramids at Moody Gardens. There, they can visit the aquarium and meet penguins, touch rays and jellyfish, and view sea lions, seals and sharks. The rainforest pyramid features a myriad of plants, free-roaming birds and animal exhibits with messages about conservation. Don’t forget a trip to the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier with amusement rides, dining and shops. And if you have a little extra time, you might consider spending it scouring the skies and the water for some roseate spoonbills.

visitgalveston.com @visitgalvestonisland @galvestonisland @galvestonisland

P H O T O S : V I S I T G A LV E S T O N ; T E R R Y V I N E P H O T O G R A P H Y

meeting and event space, the hotel can accommodate groups of up to 800.

Moody Gardens Hotel: No need to ever leave this resort for post-meeting activities as it features world-class entertainment, including an aquarium, golf course, museum and theaters. It also offers more than 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space across numerous unique venues, including the Moody Gardens Convention Center.

For a more traditional meeting space, check out the Galveston Island Convention Center.

Located on the gulf shore, it offers 140,000 square feet of space. Nontraditional spaces include the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Garten Verein (a glass-enclosed, octagonal, greenhouse-inspired venue) and Galveston’s plentiful beaches when the weather warrants.

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Make a Plan. Make it Boise.

Centrally located in the heart of vibrant downtown Boise, the recently expanded Boise Centre has a variety of customizable meeting spaces, modern amenities, exceptional culinary services and a friendly and dedicated staff ready to make your next event an unforgettable experience. Explore Idaho’s premier convention center for yourself.

• Centralized, downtown location • Only seven minutes from Boise airport • Over 25 direct flights to and from Boise • Closely surrounded by more than 100 restaurants • Over 1,300 hotel rooms within walking distance • Close to outdoor recreation, including the The Boise Greenbelt

LEARN MORE: boisecentre.com

TEXAS MEETINGS + EVENTS HAS

P H O T O S : V I S I T G A LV E S T O N ; T E R R Y V I N E P H O T O G R A P H Y

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LONE STAR Tastings TRY THESE FIVE TEXAS WINERIES AND VINEYARDS FOR TOAST-WORTHY MEETINGS AND EVENTS.

BY T E R E SA K E N N E Y

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C

owboys, barbeque, longhorns, honky-tonk and ... wine? Texas is known for a lot of things, but wine may not be top of mind for visitors to the Lone Star State. That, however, would be a huge mistake. Did you know that Texas was the site of the first vineyard in North America? It was established by Franciscan priests in the mid-1700s.

Today, the Lone Star State has more than 4,000 acres of producing vineyard farmland and is the fifth-largest wineproducing state in the country with more than 400 wineries.

In fact, agritourism brings some 1.7 million tourists to Texas wineries each year, and Travel + Leisure named the state’s Hill Country, a Texan wine hotspot, one of its 50 best places to travel in the U.S. in 2021.

So why not make a day, afternoon or evening of it by planning and hosting an event at a Texas winery and vineyard?

We’ve chosen five to showcase, but you can find others near you by visiting the Texas wineries map on txwinelover.com.

MESSINA HOF BRYAN ESTATE WINERY Bryan | 979.778.9463, ext. 234 | messinahof.com

R

One of Messina Hof Wineries’ four properties across the state (others are Messina Hof Grapevine, Messina Hof Hill Country and Messina Hof Harvest Green), Messina Hof Bryan is close enough to College Station, home of Texas A&M University, for urban conveniences but just far enough out to still see the stars. Surrounded by countryside, this is where Messina Hof’s operations began back in 1977 as a single-acre experimental vineyard. Today, Messina Hof is one of the largest producers of 100% Texas wine and is the fourthlargest Texas winery.

Event space available: There are four options with maximum

capacities listed.

P H OTO : M E S S I N A H O F

» Cellar Room: 40 seated and 80 standing » Balcony: 40 seated and 80 standing » Gallery: 175 seated and 200 standing » Tent: 265 seated and 400 standing

Types of events held: All types, including retreats, showers, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, off-site department development, murder mystery dinners and cooking parties.

Special event add-ons for groups: Tours, tastings (including

blind wine tastings) and wine bottle decorating.

Catering: A full-service kitchen is on the

premises, as well as The Vintage House Restaurant.

Additional amenities: A/V equipment and internet. Special requests can generally be accommodated.

MESSINA HOF HILL COUNTRY WINERY Fredericksburg 830.990.4653 | messinahof.com

messinahof messinahofhillcountry @messina_hof @messina_hof

Set on 10 acres in the heart of Texas wine country along Highway 290, this sister winery to Messina Hof Bryan opened in 2011.

Located in Fredericksburg—the secondlargest certified Viticultural Area in the U.S. with more than 9 million acres—the property’s vineyard grows Lenoir grapes, which are used to make traditional ports.

Event space available: Indoor and outdoor space that can accommodate up to 150 guests.

Types of events held: Special public

events include Harvest Festival, Go Texan Dinner, Mother’s Day brunch, Spring Market, Easter brunch and Wine Club Pick Up Parties. Private parties include intimate corporate or social gatherings.

Special add-ons for groups: Wine tastings and cheese and wine pairings.

Catering: Available on-site.

Additional amenities: The venue’s Manor Haus B&B includes four themed cottages within walking distance of the winery and other popular local attractions. The winery is also a partner with Harvest Hosts, a network of wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms and other attractions that invite member recreational vehicle owners to camp overnight for free.

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square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space. The venue can accommodate up to 2,000 people on the pavilion lawn.

Located right outside of Lubbock, Llano Estacado @llanowine Winery is sur@llanowine rounded by vine@LlanoWine yards and lush cotton fields. Event space includes the vineyard, lawn, dedicated event space and a tasting room.

“Llano Estacado Winery is such a beautiful place to spend your afternoon sipping wine or to plan your next event.

Our flexible event space fits any vision and will be a memorable experience for all attendees,” says the venue’s hospitality director, Kaycee Giroue. “We are honored to be one of the most historic wineries in the state and to share that with new visitors every day.”

Types of events: Corporate and social

Event space available: Several indoor

C A R T E R C R E E K TA S T I N G R O O M

CARTER CREEK WINERY RESORT & SPA Johnson City 877.232.0138 | cartercreek.com Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa is in the heart of the rugged beauty of Texas Hill Country—home to more than 600 acres of thriving vineyards. Established by a founding family of Texas Wine Country, the Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa features two tasting rooms, a restaurant, an on-site microbrewery, 78 private villas and an outdoor event center, which showcases local, regional and national music acts.

“Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa offers a comfortable relaxed atmosphere of a home away from home with friendly, attentive and personalized service,” notes Jennifer McDaniel, Carter Creek’s catering sales manager. “Being independently owned and operated gives us the ability to be much more nimble with meeting our clients’ needs, enabling attendees to enjoy all that the Texas Hill Country has to offer.”

Event space available: More than 41,000

gatherings.

Special add-ons for events: Brewery tours can be arranged, as well as beer and wine tastings and lawn games, such as cornhole.

The resort also has an outdoor pavilion for live music.

Catering: Available on-site.

Additional amenities: Complimentary Wi-Fi, on-site A/V, and villas featuring private patios and separate bedroom and living spaces.

@carter_creek @CarterCreekWinery @CarterCreekWine

event spaces can hold from 16 to 200 people seated. The venue also can accommodate up to 2,000 people reception-style through a combination of flexible indoor and outdoor spaces.

Types of events held: Business meetings, board meetings, retreats, presentations, charity events, social events and weddings.

Special add-ons for groups: Wine tours

and tastings can be arranged.

Catering available: No on-site catering.

A preferred vendor list is available.

Additional amenities: Projector and

auxiliary cord, microphone, and surround-sound audio.

P H O T O S : C A R T E R C R E E K W I N E R Y R E S O R T & S PA ; ( O P P O S I T E ) L L A N O E S TA C A D O W I N E R Y

LLANO ESTACADO WINERY Lubbock 806.745.2258 | llanowine.com

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Wine Region

Texas is home to more than 36 species of the Vitis grapevine family—more than any other region on earth—with 15 being native to the state. There are five grape-growing regions in Texas.

REGION 1 // High Plains and Handle: 2,685 bearing acres / producing 7,817 tons of grapes REGION 2 // North Texas: 398 bearing acres / producing 777 tons of grapes REGION 3 // Gulf Coast: 305 bearing acres / producing 455 tons of grapes

HIGH PLAINS AND HANDLE NORTH TEXAS

WEST TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

GULF COAST

REGION 4 // West Texas: 395 bearing acres / producing 1,293 tons of grapes REGION 5 // Hill Country: 758 bearing acres / producing 1,321 tons of grapes

P H O T O S : C A R T E R C R E E K W I N E R Y R E S O R T & S PA ; ( O P P O S I T E ) L L A N O E S TA C A D O W I N E R Y

S O U R C E : U . S . D E PA R T M E N T O F A G R I C U LT U R E

L L A N O E S TAC A D O W I N E RY

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HIT THE TRAILS Does your group want to head out for a day trip of tastings? Lucky for you, wherever you happen to be in Texas, there’s a trail for that.

(Source: txwinelover.com)

Bay Breeze Wine Trail (Gulf Coast) baybreezewinetrail.com

Cross Timbers Wine Trail (North Texas) crosstimberswinetrail.com

Dallas Town and Country Wine Trail (North Texas) northtexaswine.com

Driftwood Wine Trail (Austin area) driftwoodwinetrail.com

Dripping Wine Trail (Dripping Springs) drippingwinetrail.com

Grapevine Wine Trail (Grapevine) grapevinewinerytrail.com

Guadalupe Valley Wine Country (Central Texas)

guadalupevalleywinecountry.com

Piney Woods Wine Trail (East Texas) pineywoodswinetrail.com

Red River Wine Trail (North Texas) txwinelover.com

Sam Houston Wine Trail (East Texas) samhoustonwinetrail.com

Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail (Southeast Texas)

texasbluebonnetwinetrail.com

Texas High Plains Wine and Vine Trail (Lubbock area)

texaswinetrail.com

Texas Independence Wine Trail (South and Central Texas)

texasindependencewinetrail.com

Thirsty Oaks Wine Trail (Hill Country) thirstyoakswinetrail.com

Top of the Hill Country Wine Trail (Hill Country) topofhillcountry.com

Way Out Wineries (Southwest Texas) wayoutwineries.com

Wine Road 290 (Fredericksburg area) D R I F T WO O D

wineroad290.com

P H OTO S : C H E S T E R L E E D S ; (O P P O S I T E ) S P I C E WO O D

highplainswinetrail.com

Texas Hill Country Wineries (Fredericksburg)

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S P I C E WO O D

P H OTO S : C H E S T E R L E E D S ; (O P P O S I T E ) S P I C E WO O D

SPICEWOOD VINEYARDS, EVENT CENTER Spicewood 830.693.5328 | spicewoodvineyards.com Nestled on a 25-acre vineyard, Spicewood Vineyard’s event center is a “Texas chic” mix of exposed limestone, granite and dark wooden beams. Surrounding the property are a soothing creek, oak shade trees and a fountain.

“The moment you get on our property you are moved by the sprawling beauty of the rolling vineyards and the sound of the babbling brook. One can’t help but feel relaxed and inspired by their surroundings,” says event manager Lauren Sposetta. “It’s a great place for a company to invite people, whether it’s for a party or a place to unplug

from the outside and get into a creative headspace for working.”

Event space available: Up to 200 for a seated dinner and 300 for a cocktail-style reception.

Types of events: Weddings, corporate

events, rehearsal dinners, celebrations of life, meetings and tastings.

@spicewoodwine @spicewoodvineyards

Special add-ons for groups: Tastings and

tours.

Catering: No on-site catering available.

Additional amenities: Internet, day-of coordination, tables and chairs.

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I ND U STRY U PDATE Infographic

Optimism Returns

With the positive outlook come real challenges in luring back talent and training newcomers. RESEARCH COURTESY OF MEETING PROFESSIONALS INTERNATIONAL » MEETINGS PROFESSIONALS are anticipating major growth for the year to come in areas like hiring, budgets and attendance, according to the summer 2021 edition of Meeting Professionals International’s “Meetings Outlook.” Respondents to the Meetings Outlook survey also are taking getting vaccinated seriously, with more than 91 percent reporting being fully or partially vaccinated.

Optimism and business expectations are the highest ever seen in Meetings Outlook, with 93 percent projecting favorable business conditions over the next year compared to only 36 percent reporting optimism the prior summer. In addition, more than 81 percent anticipated holding their next face-to-face event in 2021.

With all this good news comes real concerns, especially staffing challenges and getting teams back up and running to offer quality customer service as the meetings and events industry revs back up. Even with possible impact of coronavirus variants on the horizon, confidence remains high. Watch for upcoming Meetings Outlooks to keep up with the latest information. Here’s to positive outlooks! mpi.org |

MPI | » Download the full report at: mpi.org/docs/default-source/meetings-outlook/meetings-outlook-summer-2021.pdf

ATTENDANCE FORECASTS

Getting back to in-person meetings is definitely a priority, and the number of virtual meetings is dropping. Here’s what planners had to say about upcoming gatherings. In comparison, 87 percent of respondents in summer 2020 indicated favorable virtual attendance. That number has shifted to 36 percent.

Live Attendance Projections

Virtual Attendance Projections

77% 4% 19% 36% 16% 47%

WELLNESS CONTENT

As the industry builds back to former levels, the pandemic has focused a spotlight on the importance of wellness being part of the conversation and most meeting and event agendas. Sixty-three percent expressed a greater interest in wellness-specific content, while only 4 percent indicated less interest in onsite wellness programming. It’s not only physical health but mental health as well.

As the meetings and events industry transitions back to more “normal” levels, it will require understanding and patience from every direction … planners, suppliers and attendees. Everyone is doing their best and juggling unique challenges. Thank you to MPI for providing helpful insights into what’s happening during what has been one huge rollercoaster ride!

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BUSINESS CONDITIONS

There has been a big leveling out of the buyer’s and seller’s market landscape in just a quarter as things begin to settle. The numbers speak for themselves, but it’s important to note that planners weren’t able to leverage the advantage much due to limited numbers of in-person events from fall 2020 through spring 2021.

As more gatherings return and venues deal with hiring challenges, the limited supply likely will continue to swing the pendulum to a seller’s market.

FALL 2020

WINTER 2021

SPRING 2021

SUMMER 2021

Buyer’s Market

73%

76%

67%

44%

Balanced Market

14%

13%

19%

18%

Seller’s Market

13%

12%

14%

38%

Pricing Movement

It’s also interesting to look at how pricing has changed, as respondents indicated that costs for many meeting/event-related expenses increased in 2021. The price tags that seem to be least affected are office space, speakers/presenters, on-site security and entertainment.

According to respondents, prices for many meeting/event-related expenses have risen this year. How much have they increased? +1%-5% +6%-10% +11%-25%

>25% No change

AIRFARE

12%

24%

19%

13%

20%

AUDIOVISUAL

11%

20%

17%

9%

32%

ENTERTAINMENT

11%

23%

7%

3%

39%

F&B

16%

32%

22%

5%

16%

GUEST ROOMS

17%

17%

19%

7%

29%

OFFICE SPACE

14%

10%

2%

2%

50%

ON-SITE SECURITY

10%

12%

9%

4%

44%

RENTAL CARS

7%

15%

13%

24%

26%

SPACE RENTAL

16%

23%

12%

6%

33%

SPEAKERS/PRESENTERS

12%

17%

9%

2%

45%

THE TALENT CHALLENGE

Much of the summer 2021 edition of MPI’s Meetings Outlook was dedicated to the biggest elephant in the room: a shortage of industry talent.

Lengthy furloughs and job loss due to the pandemic drove many in the meetings/events and hospitality industries to find new jobs or new career paths. Women have accounted for nearly 80 percent of people who left the workforce during the pandemic, according to 2021 U.S. Census Bureau statistics, and women make up approximately 77 percent of the meetings and events workforce noted one source.

As venues and hotels have started ramping up the meetings and events side of their businesses again, the amount of qualified staff hasn’t necessarily been available, which has required looking at new and more diverse pools of people to hire and adding new skills to employees’ repertoires. Companies in the industry also are becoming more open to hiring contract employees and freelancers to address the ebbs and flows of business levels.

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I N D USTRY U P DAT E Regional News

Awards //

Attractions //

AND THE AWARD GOES TO…TEXAS Texas was well-represented at the 2021 International Live Events Association (ILEA) Esprit Awards this past summer.

Event planners and vendors from the Lone Star State proved why “everything is bigger in Texas,” including industry award wins.

Held in August, the 2021 Esprit Awards honored the most successful, engaging, and innovative events and initiatives from 2020, including these awards won by your fellow Texans.

GRANDSCAPE WHEEL SOARS IN THE COLONY This past September, the Grandscape Wheel opened in The Colony, a suburb of Dallas. Rising nearly 200 feet, the Grandscape Observation Wheel is a one-of-akind north Texas attraction, with 42 climate-controlled gondolas that seat up to eight persons each and include music. For special occasions, there is a first-class VIP gondola that features seating for four and includes leather, Ferrari-style seats with glass-bottom floors and front-of-the-line access.

Grandscape is an outdoor entertainment, dining and shopping destination that includes restaurants, family-friendly experiences, entertainment and events. grandscape.com

Best Hybrid Event: Witte Game Dinner Lesley Watts, The CE Group Best ILEA Event Volunteer Collaboration:

The Prestige - Gary Archer, Bright Star Productions; Deborah Elias, Elias Events; Richard Hoggatt, Stage Directions; Matthew Finnan, Hilton Americas Houston; Craig Howard, Kirksey Gregg Productions; Dan O’Brien, J and D Entertainment; and Lindsay Scholfield, Artavia Overall

Creative

Solution:

Best Entertainment Production (Budget Under $50,000): Murder Mystery at the

Driskell - Kelly Greenheart, Circus Picnic

Best Corporate Event (Under $100,000):

South Texas Grand Opening - Sara Walker, Sara Walker Private Events Best Event with a Legacy: Friends for Life - Chelsea Roy, EBTR Events ileahub.com

P H OTO S : G R A N D S C A P E ; (O P P O S I T E ) J U L I E S O E F E R P H OTO G R A P N Y

Best

Michael’s Murder Mystery Dinner Party - Frank Burton, Event Ignition; Dilshan Edussuriya, Dilshan Wedding & Events; Adesuwa Elaiho, Asukar; Linsey Lindberg, Artisan Oddities Entertainment; Melvin Obregon, The Producer SA; Gretchen Olivares, Aly Am Paperie Invitations

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P H OTO S : G R A N D S C A P E ; (O P P O S I T E ) J U L I E S O E F E R P H OTO G R A P N Y

Honors //

HOUSTON NAMED A TOP FIVE CONVENTION CITY Listed as a top 10 market with a hotel occupancy increase of nearly 60%, Houston has been named a top five convention city in the United States by the 2021 Convention Cities Index (CCi) List. CCi is an online resource guide for planners to compare crucial variables in all the major convention cities to assist in narrowing down the best options for hosting their events. Each city was assessed across six weighted categories, including total exhibit space, number of hotel rooms within a 15-minute walk of the convention center, average hotel cost, travel time to the nearest international airport, safety level for travelers, and the city’s “lift” (as defined by the number of direct flights to the destination monthly).

SAN ANTONIO ONE OF THE BEST San Antonio was named a top 10 U.S. city to visit in Travel + Leisure’s 2021 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey.

INDUSTRY HONORS North Texas real estate development company Jackson-Shaw received the Outstanding Contribution 2020 Award from Marriott International. The award is presented for significant and outstanding contributions to the Marriott brands. Jackson-Shaw has five Marriott hotels as part of its current portfolio, including four in Texas: AC Hotel Fort Worth Downtown in Fort Worth and Fairfield by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott, all in The Colony.

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I N D USTRY U P DAT E Regional News

People News //

NEW HIRES AND PROMOTIONS AC Hotel Fort Worth Downtown appointed Javier Maysonet executive chef of culinary operations. Previously, Maysonet worked as executive sous chef for Dallas/ Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria. He also has been a sous chef for various hospitality properties in Puerto Rico.

Mark W. Thompson,

TOP CHEF HEADS TO HOUSTON The Emmy-award-winning competition “Top Chef” has chosen Houston as the location for its 19th season. Premiering in 2022 on Bravo, the show will feature chef challenges across the city under the watchful eyes of host Padma Lakshmi, head judge Tom Colicchio and judge Gail Simmons. In addition to being a city with incredible food, Houston is known for its street art. Bringing those two strands together, local artist David Maldonado (Instagram: capdavjon) created a mural interpretation of the Top Chef logo (above).

Hotel Openings //

TWO HOTELS SCHEDULED TO OPEN ON THE RIVER WALK IN 2023 The 112-room Artista San Antonio Hotel is scheduled to open on the city’s famed River Walk in 2023. The boutique hotel celebrates San Antonio’s culture and diversity with interiors inspired by the Spanish colonial roots of San Antonio and will include more than 2,500 square feet of event and meeting space. sbe.com

Scarlett Hotel Group and Trailbreak Partners have purchased the former Wyndham San Antonio River Walk and plan a $50-million renovation that will turn the 21-story building into a luxury, full-service, four-star, 390-room InterContinental Hotel. As part of the multimillion-dollar upgrades, the new InterContinental will offer 40,000 square feet of meeting space and nearly 3,000 square feet of dining and restaurant space, as well as luxury rooftop amenities. scarletthotelgroup.com

Remington Hotels has appointed Christian Chen as vice president of underwriting. Most recently, Chen served as senior director of feasibility at Aimbridge Hospitality.

Remington Hotels promoted Lee Palaschak to senior vice president of operations.

With more than 29 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Palaschak joined the Remington Hotels team in March 2020 as divisional vice president of operations.

I L L U S T R AT I O N : D AV I D M A L D O N A D O ; P H OTO (O P P O S I T E ) : T H E WO O D L A N D S R E S O R T

Television //

executive director of Visit Plano, has been voted in for a second term as board chair for the Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (TACVB). His second term began on Aug. 26, 2021, at TACVB’s annual conference in Conroe. Thompson has been executive director of Visit Plano since 1988 and also served as TACVB’s board chair from 2006-07. In 2019, he received the organization’s prestigious Marion Szurek Legacy Award.

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I L L U S T R AT I O N : D AV I D M A L D O N A D O ; P H OTO (O P P O S I T E ) : T H E WO O D L A N D S R E S O R T

Acquisitions //

LOWE ACQUIRES THE WOODLANDS HOSPITALITY PORTFOLIO A joint venture between Lowe and an institutional investor has resulted in the acquisition of three hospitality assets from The Howard Hughes Corporation: The Woodlands Resort, The Westin at The Woodlands and Embassy Suites by Hilton. CoralTree Hospitality will continue to manage the properties, all located in The Woodlands.

Wellness //

The Woodlands Resort

Renovations //

THE SHOW WILL GO ON The largest performance venue in the United States focusing on Latino performing arts, The Alameda Theater, will reopen in 2023 after a two-phase, multiyear, $37 million initiative to restore the historic downtown San Antonio theater. Originally completed in 1949, the theater has featured well-known performers from across the United States,

Mexico, Spain and other Latin American countries. When it reopens following renovation, the theater will host local, regional and international artists with a variety of seating options that can accommodate up to 1,500 people. The interior will include an expanded lobby, an upstairs lounge area, a café and restored blacklight murals. alamedatheaterconservancy.org

DESIGNING WELLNESS INTO EVENTS Dallas-based Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has launched a new wellness certificate course in response to increased interest in integrating wellness into events. MPI’s Summer 2021 Meetings Outlook survey found that compared to pre-pandemic years, “industry professionals are now 63% more interested in including or seeing wellness-specific content at meetings they organize or work.”

The “Event Wellness Superhero” is a four-hour course that provides four clock hours in CMP-IS Strategic Domain A: Strategic Planning or Domain G: Meeting or Event Design.

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to: » Define the eight dimensions of holistic wellness; » Communicate the value of wellness-centered activations, services and experiences for their event attendees; » Apply the neuroscience of wellness to meetings or events; and » Use practical skills to better incorporate wellness into their professional toolboxes.

Topics include self-actualization and creating a personal wellness philosophy. The program uses a variety of media, activities and exercises to help participants experiment with wellness and learn how it can manifest into an experiential aspect of meeting and event planning. mpi.org

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P EOPLE P ROF I L E Silvia Zamora

Enjoy Every Moment Silvia Zamora shares her work philosophy.

BY TERESA KENNEY

» SILVIA ZAMORA RECENTLY JOINED Dallas-based Associated Luxury

What drew you to your career?

I have a bachelor of science degree in advertising. To pay for college, I worked at Motorola in one of their fabrication plants.

They had this great college tuition reimbursement program. If I worked 36 hours or more a week and earned a C or better in my coursework, my classes were paid for. I would work 12 p.m.– 12:00 a.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and then would attend classes Monday through Thursday, completing internships along the way.

As I got closer to graduation, I would study the job boards during my lunch breaks.

There was an opening in the global events marketing department, and it intrigued me.

I applied and landed the job! I loved that the events department was fast-paced and that no two days were ever the same. It could be structured but also unpredictable. I was hooked!

I felt like everything in my life prepared me for this career: multitasking, time management and being creative. I loved that events were a way to promote a brand, idea, service or cause.

What advice would you give someone first entering the industry?

Remember what a great gig this is and to have fun. Enjoy the moment. Of course, logistics, documentation, budgets and templates are important, but even this type of work comes more easily if you’re having fun.

We have an opportunity to bring people

together and create memories for them.

We use experiences to market brands, services and goods. We change mindsets and motivate people into action. We get to travel the world and work with people of different nationalities and cultures. We try different foods when making our menu

selections and experience different customs all over the world.

And it is all part of the job. How many people do you know can say that?

Alhi.com | @ALHI.GlobalSales

I L L U S T R AT I O N : T R A C I Z E L L M A N N

Hotels International as vice president of meeting design and experience. The career-long planner—and self-described lifelong learner— shared her experiences with us, as well as some sound advice.

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We’re ready to meet again.

WE HEAR THAT A LOT.

I L L U S T R AT I O N : T R A C I Z E L L M A N N

Whether you’re planning a small business lunch or a multi-day conference, The Woodlands combines stunning event space with natural surroundings and plenty of space to spread out. Our team can help make your event safe and memorable. We’re open and ready to meet whenever you are.

Book your best event at visitthewoodlands.com/backtomeetings TX.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 3

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Unrisky Business

Visit Irving has your safety and peace of mind as its number one priority. Accommodations, restaurants and entertainment venues have implemented extensive safety protocols, so you can book with confidence. Many Irving-Las Colinas hotels offer generous concessions including rebates, food and beverage discounts, room upgrades, bonus in-room amenities and other complimentary services to sweeten the stay. Built for business and primed for play, memorable meetings and outstanding accommodations are just a phone call away.

IRVING ROCKS

visitirvinglascolinas .com • (972) 252 7476 4 TXM+E » FALL 2021

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Flexibility & Safe Meetings

(800) 2 IRVING • #visitirving

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