Conferencing in Style

Galveston’s unconventional venues can enliven any convention.

worldclass hotel and convention meeting spaces, events and receptions don’t have to take place within the traditional four walls. With its rich history and well-preserved architecture, the Island offers a number of unique and elegant venues for your next meeting or convention. From a train museum to an expansive beach park to an upscale restaurant set in a former bank (and more!), the Island will level up your next meeting experience.

Enjoy The Charm Of Yesteryear

Step into a bygone era at Ashton Villa, formerly a private home built in 1859 by James M. Brown, one of the wealthiest men in Texas at the time. Today, Ashton Villa is the only antebellum building—meaning a mansion built shortly before the onset of the Civil War—still standing on Broadway.

Saved from demolition in the 1970s by the Galveston Historic Preservation Society, it features the original crown moldings, hand-carved furniture pieces and spectacular crystal chandeliers, as well as the ballroom that was added in the 1930s, along with the original fireplace. Ashton Villa can accommodate 180 seated guests or up to 300 in a cocktail-style reception, says Historic Properties Rental Manager Lauraleigh Gourley. “One event works best unless it’s the same group—then you could offer breakouts and a general session,” she says.

Meet In The Art Deco Cathedral

Erected in 1929, the Scottish Rite Cathedral is decorated in the art deco style and features multiple large rooms available for corporate events. Guests have plenty of stylish choices, including a large first-floor library with beautiful furniture that can be reorganized to fit dining tables, or a fully functioning authentic 1920s vaudeville theater upstairs that can be used for performances or receptions. While both spaces can accommodate up to 300 people, smaller areas can be set up for conferences’ breakout sessions, says General Secretary Roy De Gesero. “People love the Cathedral because it’s so old and authentic,” he says. “And by Galveston standards, it’s really inexpensive, too.”

Savor Italian Cuisine In A Bank Vault

Located in an 1895 neo-Renaissance style building designed for the banking firm Hutchings, Sealy & Co, Riondo’s Ristorante serves classic homemade Italian cuisine, with prosciutto di parma, house pasta Bolognese and osso buco, among some of the favorites. Smaller groups would love dining in the former Vault Room that once held the company’s riches and today features elegant tables set among original red brick walls. A larger banquet room named after Galveston petrochemical engineer George P. Mitchell can hold about 75 guests for a sit-down dinner and up to 120 for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Riondo’s motto is serving “Farm to Fork” and “Sea to Table,” says owner Don McClaugherty, so guests will always have the freshest food possible. “We also have an extensive wine list and specialty cocktails,” he adds.

Go Back In Time With Vintage Trains

Let the vintage trains of Galveston Railroad Museum whisk you back in time a century or two. From small and intimate gatherings of several dozen people to large corporate events of a few hundred, the museum offers a variety of options. Smaller groups can dine in historic train cars, enjoying authentic settings. Larger teams would enjoy the stylish and beautiful People’s Gallery that can seat up to 250 guests with the newsstand serving as the bar area. With full access to the museum, guests can immerse themselves in the rich history of train travel. Marvel at the olden locomotives that once used to chug across the country delivering everything from mail to food to people. Or take a stroll in the Garden of Steam, where the historic exhibits of a steam tractor and diesel engines are used as art. The museum can also set up gazebos on its property, accommodating up to 800 people. “We have 35 years of experience in event planning here,” says Executive Director David Robertson. “You name it, we can handle it.” Just like the Little Engine That Could.

ESCAPE TO NATURE’S BEAUTY

Too often, business events and receptions are set in colorless conference rooms with artificial lights. With Galveston’s East Beach venue, you can take your event outdoors to the beautiful seaside settings. The largest beach park event venue in the state, East Beach can host up to 10,000 people in a day, says Guest Experience Manager Ann Hobing. Bask in the sun, enjoy the sea breeze and listen to the ocean waves at your next meeting or reception—an occasion that will create lasting memories for every guest. “The beach is a unique spot for any event,” says Hobing. “Your beach event will be talked about for years to come by your clients.”