Small Market Meetings April 2023

Describing Gatlinburg, Tennessee is easy

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain Park, Gatlinburg is a quaint town is filled with everything a meeting planner needs for a successful event: a beautiful, state of the art convention center, 16,000+ sleeping rooms, comprised of full-service and limited-service hotels, and motels, cabins, and condominiums. Gatlinburg also offers hundreds of shops and restaurants as well as entertainment attractions for every age and interest.

LAKE RESORT STATE PARK

DEGRAY LAKE RESORT STATE PARK

ON THE COVER: Texas meeting attendees try on cowboy hats in Luckenbach, just outside of Fredericksburg. By Jason Risner, courtesy Fredericksburg CVB

Puzzled Where To Meet?

ACROSS

2. Hike and bike trails pass through here.

3. Has the best facilities between Denver and Omaha.

6. 1,350 of these happen every year.

DOWN

1. Downtown Hub for eats and drinks.

4. Historical monument on 1-80.

5. A campus of conference, events and hotels.

7. Every year 1 million of these migrate through

8. HS FB All-Star game.

(We’ll give you a hint: Kearney.)

Kearney, where the Heartland gathers.

Every year, Kearney hosts more than 1,350 events. From the Nebraska Shrine Bowl to conferences large and small, top-notch entertainment – heck, even a million Sandhill Cranes make sure to meet in Kearney every year. Why? Because Kearney has the best facilities between Denver and Omaha, experienced staff, and wonderful volunteers that make sure every event that comes to town is taken care of.

If you’re looking for a host city for your next event, make sure you look at Kearney, Nebraska.

IN SIGHTS

WITH VICKIE MITCHELL

SURE BETS

You don’t have to enjoy gambling to reap benefits from a gaming destination, especially one that’s a small to mid-size city. That’s because gaming is just one slice of a bigger pizza pie at these well-rounded places.

Casino resorts bring larger-than-usual hotels with comparable meeting space, oodles of dining options, spas, shopping and other amenities to cities and regions that have distinct personalities and memorable settings along beaches and riverfronts, in the mountains or desert valleys. It’s no wonder these gaming destinations are a winning choice.

These gaming destinations are risk-free for meetings

Casinos glitter on this stretch of sand

Along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, the neon lights of a dozen casinos are reflected in blue seas and white sand in a destination that’s actually 12 communities presented as one surfside space. Along the 62-mile stretch of sand are big-name casino resort brands including Harrah’s and Hard Rock, the 1,740-room Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, and the coast’s only smoke-free casino property, the 236-room Palace Casino Resort. Most of the casinos not only have sizeable meeting space but also water views — the sea, the back bay or sometimes both. That’s all the better for those who want to catch a glimpse of the bottlenose dolphins that are so abundant in the area or watch the sun rise or set. All the water makes it easy to plan boat rides or paddling adventures. Evenings of gaming can be balanced with afternoons of golf. gulfcoast.org

Longtime beach resort rolls on

Tourism representatives in Atlantic City, New Jersey, like to remind people that their longtime beach resort is not a gaming destination but, instead, a destination with gaming. Still, its nine large and sparkly casino resorts are hard to miss, and they account for a good percentage of the city’s 17,000 hotel rooms. All but three of the casino resort hotels face the beach, separated from it by Atlantic City’s sevenand-a-half-mile-long boardwalk.

When modern casino properties began popping up in the 1970s, Atlantic City became a go-to for conventions, given its proximity to Northeast population centers. It sees hundreds of meetings and conventions each year. Entertainment is built in, with shopping, shows and local restaurants of every stripe — many of them longstanding and local — right out the hotel door along the boardwalk. Longtime traditions live on, like saltwater taffy, a take-home treat and two-person wicker chairs, pushed along the boardwalk by sturdy attendants. meetac.com

Explore outdoors in Nevada’s other casino town

No question, Las Vegas is bigger, but Reno, a casino destination well before its neighbor to the southeast, is more geographically diverse. The desert town is a short drive from Lake Tahoe, the world’s largest alpine lake; tons of ski resorts and mountain hiking trails; and the Old West town of Virginia City. A good chunk of its more than 15,000 hotel rooms are at casino hotels, some downtown, others on the city’s outskirts. Three large casino hotels now under the same ownership — Circus, Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy — are linked by enclosed walkways along six city blocks and are served by two dozen restaurants, two dozen bars, 11 entertainment venues and a spa. Taking breaks from meetings or the casino can be almost as fun as winning a jackpot, with options like walking downtown streets to see murals and public art, some inspired by Burning Man; scaling the world’s tallest artificial rock-climbing wall; or scoring a strike during a game of blacklight bowling.

visitrenotahoe.com

A great deal in the desert

There’s a lot vying for visitors’ attention in Palm Springs, California. Golfers are distracted by 110 courses. A proliferation of mid-century modern structures excites architecture and design enthusiasts and experts. Tours take in wind farms or wildlife at the Living Desert. Some want to hear about the city’s history as a getaway for Hollywood stars, while others are more than happy to sit by a cool pool and stare at bronze mountains and desert sand.

But there are also several notable casino resorts within striking distance of town, including the Agua Caliente Resort Casino and Spa, where Wayne Gretsky and other notables are part of a speaker series; the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, equipped with a 100,000-square-foot event center; and the Morongo Casino Resort, where a highlight is a 27th-floor event space with panoramic views of surrounding canyons. visitgreaterpalmsprings.com

The Mississippi rules in the Quad Cities

This cluster of cities on two sides of the Mississippi — some in Illinois, some in Iowa — has long had a hand in gaming, originally in the 19th century with riverboat gambling. The Quad Cities revived riverboat gaming in the 1990s, but before long, casinos moved off the water and onto the river banks. Today, the Quad Cities has three casino resorts: the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf, the largest hotel in Iowa with 500 hotel rooms and 40,000 square feet of meeting space; Rhythm City Casino Hotel in Davenport, Iowa; and Bally’s Quad Cities in Rock Island, Illinois. The river continues to play a mighty role in the region’s economy and culture, from the grains transported on barges to music of every genre that flows down to Memphis and New Orleans. Plenty of authentic replica riverboats ply the waters still, giving visitors a feel for the waterway’s magnitude. New businesses, like Mississippi River Distilling Company and Cody Road Cocktail House, perch along the river, adding to the ambiance.

visitquadcities.com

MEETING LEADERS

TAMI MAYNARD-GRIFFIN

BY REBECCA TREON

Meeting planners who have a no-nonsense, get-stuffdone approach are the essential workers of the event management space, and Tami Maynard-Griffin of Griffin Event Management Service is one of them.

Maynard-Griffin has been based in her hometown of Atlanta her entire career.

“My first job was with the department of transportation, where I learned the administrative skills that built my career,” said Maynard-Griffin. “I started working for E.T.S. [Educational Testing Service] in 1989 and stayed with them for 12 years — that’s when I really got into meeting planning.”

Another aspect of her job became attending conferences and tradeshows to demonstrate career guidance software and working as a sales representative marketing those educational tools and managing and supporting those accounts.

“I started getting more involved with the software, which was a career guidance program to help students get directed on a career path,” said Maynard-Griffin. “After a job demonstrating all the features of the program and how to use it, I moved on to working at the Council on Occupational Education [COE] in 1999.”

In the beginning, Maynard-Griffin’s role was largely administrative, but only a few months into her new gig, the person who had been planning meetings stepped down, and Maynard-Griffin was able to step in, navigating the learning curve head-on. Before the transition, Maynard-Griffin was only able to attend one event: the company’s annual meet-

ing, where she shadowed her predecessor.

“I had to figure out what and how to do everything, so I initially worked with a third party to get my feet wet and learn more about the meetings industry,” she said. “By the second year, my skills had sharpened, and I took the initiative and began working with suppliers myself.”

Over the next 23 years, Maynard-Griffin planned COE meetings and events that involved board members and committees, organizing everything from staff retreats to training workshops to larger conferences of up to 700 people. But her role wasn’t limited to that. It also involved traveling for site inspections, negotiating contracts, supervising registration and on-site activities.

“I learned how to negotiate and make relationships with vendors who could help me attain the vision I had for the event,” said Maynard-Griffin. “A lot of times I had to step on some toes, think out of the box and guide the client through the process.”

In June 2022, Maynard-Griffin stepped down from her role at COE to form her own company, Griffin Event Management Service, with her sister. While launching a brand has been challenging, she’s still getting calls from people she’s had relationships with over the years.

“I’m still traveling; I’m still making connections; I’m still keeping current and letting people know what I’m doing and what my services are,” said Maynard-Griffin.

After 30 years in the meeting and event planning business, Tami Maynard-Griffin is off to a great start in her new endeavor.

“I learned how to negotiate and make relationships with vendors who could help me attain the vision I had for the event. A lot of times I had to step on some toes, think out of the box and guide the client through the process.”

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

NAME

Tami Maynard-Griffin

TITLE

Partner/Director of Events

ORGANIZATION

Griffin Event Management Service

LOCATION

Lithonia, Georgia

BIRTHPLACE

Atlanta

EDUCATION

Branell College — diploma in business administration and management

Atlanta Area Technical School — diploma in business administration and management

CAREER HISTORY

• Educational Testing Service (1987-98)

• Council on Occupational Education (1999-2022)

• Griffin Event Management Service (July 2022-present)

TIPS FROM TAMI MAYNARD-GRIFFIN

• Utilize all available resources from the industry to learn, develop, understand, connect, experience and adapt to situations.

• Be willing to step out of your comfort zone to take on challenges.

• Know your worth in what you have to offer and assist others along the way by setting an example.

TAMI MAYNARD-GRIFFIN CELEBRATES ON A RECENT CARNIVAL CRUISE.

Shuttle Runs

MEETING PROS DISCUSS THE INS AND OUTS OF AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION

BY RACHEL CRICK

Securing airport transportation for attendees is a component of event planning with a lot of, ahem, moving parts.

Helping attendees arrive safely and on time is crucial for an event’s success, and yet it’s frequently overlooked or even forgotten in favor of planning the details of the event itself. But arrival at the airport is the kickoff of the attendee experience and should be planned accordingly.

This is no small task. From budget to attendance, there are many variables that can affect how attendees get from the airport to the event. Whether attendees are hopping into a limousine or an Uber, here’s how planners can make sure their airport transportation runs smoothly.

DECIDING WHAT’S RIGHT

With so many different ways to transport attendees from the airport, it can be difficult for planners to determine which method of transportation is the best fit. So how can they decide? For many events, it comes down to just two key factors: the client’s wishes and budget.

“It’s really based on what our clients want,” said Patti Hastie, director of client services at ProGlobalEvents, a Silicon Valley-based events agency.

Providing well thought-out transportation elevates an event’s presentation because it makes its attendees’ lives easier. It streamlines the arrival process, so they don’t have to worry about finding or paying their way to the event.

“You look at the event itself, and you have to decide how you want your folks coming in,” said Priscilla Blevins, senior meeting manager at JR Global Events, a Philadelphia-based meeting and event planning company. “From the moment they step out of that plane and step onto that shuttle, you want them to be comfortable and you want that presentation to be ‘wow.’”

Clients who want to present their event as especially upscale may want to provide transportation such as a high-end shuttle service or individualized car service. Added details like personalized greetings or complimentary beverages within the shuttle or car are ways to add an extra luxurious feel to event transportation.

Clients who are concerned about sustainability will probably want to go with a shuttle service that can accommodate more guests.

JR Global Events

Experience: 20+ years

On the importance of providing transportation: “I think a lot of it is just making sure they get there and get back safely. Because once they’re in your event, then you’re responsible for them.”

Priscilla Blevins

SENIOR MEETING MANAGER

Another major factor that determines how attendees make it from point A to point B is budget. There’s no denying that providing airport transportation is a big expense, but some planners argue it’s worth the expense because it gives attendees a seamless and positive experience to kick off the event.

“The arrival experience sets the tone for the rest of the meeting or event,” said Chris Esposito, general manager at Hello! South Florida Destination Management, a national destination management company. “If their first experience coming into a destination is a chaotic or negative one, it could spill over into some other parts of the meeting.”

PLANNING LOGISTICS

In addition to client expectations and cost, planners need to consider other information before picking a method of transportation. It’s helpful to know logistics, such as the distance between the airport and the event and the number of expected attendees. Planners should also gather as much information as possible about attendee arrivals. This information can determine the most appropriate methods of transportation and how they are operated.

For example, if all the attendees are arriving on the same flight, a shuttle to the event is appropriate. However, if attendees are arriving on staggered flights throughout the day, but the client still wants to provide transportation, a car service may be a better fit for the event.

“If you have 100 people coming in from different cities at different times, you don’t want a shuttle because you’d have one person using the shuttle,” Hastie said.

Number of attendees and event size are other indicators of the best transportation. Esposito usually only recommends shuttle services for a high number of attendees, such as 250-300 arriving during an eight-hour window. If there are fewer than that, it may be more budget-friendly to opt for a car service for them.

The arrival patterns of attendees can be used to make decisions about how many vehicles are needed, how long the event should provide transportation and how often the provided transportation should return. If using a shuttle service, Blevins recommends managing attendees’ expectations by letting them know up-front when the shuttle service is offered and how often it’s expected to depart.

Another logistical factor that can frequently be overlooked by clients and planners alike is providing transportation both ways. While they often go all out to get attendees to the event, some don’t have a plan for getting them back to the airport once the event is over. Blevins said getting clients back is a matter of both presentation and safety.

“Finish strong; you want them to feel like you

On how to choose a method of transportation: “It’s about budget, service level expectations from attendees, and control — how much control do the planners want or not want?” Chris Esposito

have thought of everything,” Blevins said.

Ultimately, what it may all come down to is attendee preference. In today’s world, attendees are increasingly independent when it comes to making their way to an event. Many opt for securing their own transportation via Uber, Lyft and even taxis, even if shuttles or cars are provided for them.

“You see a lot of them doing their own thing because they don’t want to wait,” Blevins said.

If the client’s budget is tight or a planner can’t access arrival information, sometimes they’ll plan to let attendees make their own way to the event. If this is the case, they can still save their attendees money by partnering with these transportation companies to offer a discount code with their favorite ride-sharing apps.

SOURCING YOUR TRANSPORTATION

Once a planner has decided on a means of transportation for their attendees, they need to start tracking them down and booking them as soon as possible. In recent years, parts and labor shortages have left many transportation companies short both drivers and vehicles.

“The gist of it is there are not as many vehicles on the road, so you want to secure sooner rather than later,” Esposito said.

This labor shortage can also extend to ride-sharing companies, especially if the event is taking place in a smaller city or rural area. If a planner suspects that’s the case and their attendees would have difficulty securing their own transportation, this makes providing transportation a necessity rather than a luxury.

When it comes to selecting a transportation company, it’s important to choose them carefully and work with reputable providers. The bare minimum is that the company a planner selects maintains their vehicles, keeps up with insurance and hires safe drivers; but some companies go above and beyond and offer additional staff to greet attendees or signage for their vehicles.

“You really want to make sure you’re vetting a good transportation company,” Blevins said.

Picking the right company will likely make things easier on the planner’s side, while picking the wrong one can spell disaster. Using reviews and referrals, give planners a good place to start.

Planners can also ask CVBs or DMCs for help selecting a company or even managing their transportation. While the latter may be more expensive, it may be worth it to a planner because it allows them to save time and manage the transportation’s finer details. For instance, it can be helpful to go through a DMC if a planner wants to use a combination of transportation services, such as limousines for VIPs and shuttles for other attendees.

“It’s also a matter of having a single point of contact and somebody who understands the totality of the meeting,” Esposito said.

VIPs make reputable vehicle sourcing even more crucial. VIPs often get their own private cars or limousines. Planners don’t want their VIPs in a car with a driver who is reckless or impolite. Even when a company CEO or keynote speaker decides to forego private transportation and take a shuttle with the rest of the attendees, they should still expect professionalism and safety.

ProGlobalEvents

Experience: 20+ years

On things planners should keep in mind when arranging airport transportation: “It’s all about communication when it comes to that service: logistics, timelines and key contacts.”

Patti Hastie

DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SUCCESS

MEETINGS ARE ONLY THE BEGINNING

All the meeting amenities you want, without the stress. Enjoy a vibrant, charming community with outstanding facilities, shopping, dining and attractions for the whole family.

Let’s Start Planning! visitrutherfordtn.com/meeting/

WELCOMING THE FAITHFUL

These destinations specialize in religious meetings and events

BY RACHEL CRICK

Wholesome attractions, breathtaking natural scenery and overflowing hospitality — this is what makes a city ideal for religious meetings. These meetings consist of everything from lively churchwide conventions to tranquil retreats, and they cater to a wide range of ages, so they should take place in destinations with an equally wide range of things to see and do.

To wow their attendees and elevate their meetings, religious leaders should consider planning

their next events in these exceedingly friendly and affordable cities.

BRANSON, MISSOURI

While it’s home to only 12,000 residents, Branson, Missouri, gets roughly 10.5 million visitors each year. This small town’s claim to fame rests on its ability to entertain visitors of all ages, making it an ideal host city for all varieties of religious meetings.

“It’s definitely a tourism area, that’s really our only industry,” said Yvonne Long, senior sales manager at Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB. “We’re kind of this little oasis in the middle of the Missouri Ozarks.”

The city’s other draws include 40 theaters with 120 shows; amusement park rides; and 10 golf courses, which earn it a place among the top golfing destinations in the U.S. It’s also known as an extremely affordable destination.

In addition to the city’s wide selection of theaters and performing arts venues that can host meetings, the Branson Convention Center offers more than 220,000 square feet of space and is attached to a

Above: Big Cedar Lodge overlooks Table Rock Lake and offers attendees a wide range of amenities.

Courtesy Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

Hilton. The convention center features 14 breakout rooms and a ballroom that can seat nearly 2,500 attendees.

Branson’s lodges and resorts also offer plenty of venues for religious meetings. Chateau on the Lake, situated next to Table Rock Lake, offers nearly 44,000 square feet of event space. Big Cedar Lodge, another resort on the shores of the lake, has 20,000 square feet of event space and offers amenities like horseback riding, golf and boat rentals. explorebranson.com

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA

From horseback riding on the beach to relaxing at an oceanside park, attendees can enjoy their downtime in countless ways in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In addition to the natural beauty and tranquility of the sand and surf, this community is also home to a long list of family-friendly attractions for religious groups of any age or activity level to enjoy, such as entertainment districts and a threeand-a-half-mile-long boardwalk. But perhaps one of the biggest upsides to hosting a meeting in this coastal community is that despite its range of amenities, Virginia Beach maintains a quaint feel that religious groups will enjoy.

“When you come to Virginia Beach, you have Virginia Beach,” said Scott Warren, convention sales manager at Visit Virginia Beach. “You’re a big fish in a small pond.”

The Virginia Beach Convention Center is located just blocks from the ViBe Creative District. Its contemporary design features lots of natural light, wood and water features throughout, and 150,000

Branson meeting venues, clockwise from left: Sunset views in Big Cedar Lodge; springtime at Big Cedar Lodge; the Branson Convention Center

“When you come to Virginia Beach, you have Virginia Beach. You’re a big fish in a small pond.”

— Scott Warren, Visit Virginia Beach

Photos courtesy Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

square feet of column-free exhibit space. It has a 31,000-square-foot ballroom, divisible into three sections, for groups to meet in.

Religious groups will also enjoy meeting in local performing arts venues such as the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and Zeiders American Dream Theater. Virginia Beach is home to several museums that double as distinctive venues for an event, including the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center and the Military Aviation Museum. visitvirginiabeach.com

PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE

Named for the fog that often clings to their dense forests, the Smoky Mountains are known for their majestic beauty. At their base, the town of Pigeon Forge is alive with appealing, family-oriented attractions for religious groups to enjoy.

“We’re so fortunate to be located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountain National Park,” said Jennifer Smith, sales manager at the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “Plus we’re home

OUR MOUNTAINS ARE EXCITED TO MEET YOU.

Once your meetings are complete, entertainment galore among the Great Smoky Mountains await. The many meeting facilities in Pigeon Forge provide space for groups of all sizes, from 20 to 12,000. These facilities are conveniently situated mere minutes from hundreds of family-friendly activities, including shows, Dollywood, unique dining experiences, museums and so many more ways to make work fun.

“We’re so fortunate to be located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountain National Park. Plus we’re home to Dollywood, the No. 1 ticketed attraction in the state of Tennessee.”

Meetings meet Convenience

Let our experienced destination staff assist with all your planning needs!

We help make your meetings a success with our convenient location, directly off I-94 between Milwaukee and Madison in the heart of “Lake Country, ” complimentary personalized services, and these benefits:

 More than 100,000 square feet of affordable, flexible meeting space

 1,300+ guestrooms with complimentary parking

 Plenty of after-hours dining and entertainment options for your attendees

Opposite page: Walking through the Virginia Beach Convention Center

Visiting the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

—

Jennifer Smith,

Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

IDEAS

to Dollywood, the No. 1 ticketed attraction in the state of Tennessee.”

Dollywood is much more than just an amusement park; it’s also a year-round destination for live entertainment and arts and crafts. In addition to Dollywood, there are endless group-friendly restaurants, museums and live performances to choose from. Some of the town’s essential activities are visiting the Titanic Museum Attraction, roaming the Island Entertainment District and attending any one of the many dinner shows.

Beyond its thrilling attractions, Pigeon Forge has a wide range of resort and hotel properties that make excellent spaces for religious groups to stay and meet. The LeConte Hotel and Convention Center, the town’s largest meeting property, offers 200,000 square feet of space and six separate meeting spaces. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort features nine meeting rooms and has banquet space for up to 140 attendees. Music Road Resort and Convention Center has 14 meeting spaces and can

seat up to 1,000 attendees theater-style. For outdoor meetings or events, religious groups can head to the Mountain Mile, an outdoor entertainment space with lawn space, live music, shops and entertainment.

mypigeonforge.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

With a backdrop of clear blue skies and the Rocky Mountains, it’s easy to see why religious groups flock to Colorado Springs, Colorado. This laid-back city enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year and all-weather outdoor activities, making it an ideal destination for visitors looking to enjoy outdoor adventures and fresh air. It also has an abundance of local restaurants, cultural sites, attractions and resort-style amenities that give attendees the opportunity to unwind. In their downtime, they can take jeep tours through the Garden of the Gods, visit the Glen Airy Castle for a tour and high tea or ride on the Cog Railway.

Pigeon Forge scenes, clockwise from left: The Island Entertainment District; an aerial view of Pigeon Forge’s Parkway; the Titanic Museum Attraction

Photos courtesy Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

COLORADO SPRINGS

More than meets the eye

Don’t let our good looks fool you. With nearly 500,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, Colorado Springs might just surprise you.

Welcome to Colorado Springs, where our wide-open spaces, 300 days of endless blue skies and stunning scenery serve as the backdrop to your Rocky Mountain meetings and events.

Discover historic properties, unique venues and valuepriced, first-tier amenities. The Colorado Meetings & Events Incentive program has been extended, offering a 10% rebate on eligible hard costs. Here, you’ll find room to inspire, innovate, connect and re-energize.

4,012 hotel rooms with amazing views

More meeting space than 7 football fields

SURPRISINGLY HELPFUL:

The Visit Colorado Springs staff is ready to help. Our complimentary services include:

• Leads to hotels, checking availability and rates.

• Leads to service providers such as transportation and off-site events.

• Personalized site inspections and assistance in locating unique event sites.

• Promotional materials, posters and images.

Start planning your next meeting or event today: VisitCOS.com/meetings

The Broadmoor

Cheyenne Mountain Resort Garden of the Gods Resort

“We’re a retreat-type feel,” said Kathy Reak, vice president of sales at Visit Colorado Springs. “We don’t have the tall skyscrapers of a big city, we just have wide open spaces and stunning scenery, and it just makes people feel like when they come here, they can relax.”

The Broadmoor, one of the city’s largest venues, first opened in 1918. It’s a historic resort featuring lodging, restaurants, retail, two golf courses and a spa on its sprawling campus. In total, the Broadmoor offers 315,000 square feet of meeting space, including spaces like the ornate and historic main ballroom with banquet space for up to 240 attendees, and Bartolin Hall, a 93,5000-squarefoot exhibit hall. Another major meeting venue in Colorado Springs is Cheyenne Mountain, a Dolce Resort with 316 guest rooms, a golf course and 40,000 square feet of event space. Colorado Springs is also home to plenty of interesting off-site venues, such as the U.S. Olympic and Para-Olympic Museum, which features cutting-edge

interactive exhibits celebrating the Olympic and Para-Olympic Games.

visitcos.com

YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Located outside of Baltimore in Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country, York, Pennsylvania, acted as the nation’s first capital. The Articles of Confederation were drafted in York, giving today’s York County a rich history for visitors to explore. With an abundance of wine and spirit trails, artisan and

Colorado Springs meeting venues, clockwise from left: Exhibits in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum; exterior of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum; exterior of the Broadmoor

Photos courtesy Visit Colorado Springs

We just have wide open spaces and stunning scenery, and it just makes people feel like when they come here, they can relax.”

— Kathy Reak, Visit Colorado Springs

IDEAS

factory tours, a charming downtown and idyllic Pennsylvania scenery, York County is a hidden gem. Its affordable prices and family-friendly attractions provide tons of ways for attendees of religious meetings to relax and have fun, such as dinner and a show at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre or checking out one of York County’s many annual festivals and fairs.

Despite its small size, York is equipped to handle a variety of meeting needs thanks to the York Expo Center, an 87-acre fenced campus of event space. It includes a 74,000-square-foot arena with column-free exhibit space or seating for up to 5,500 for large events. Additional spaces are available to be rented, such as the 17,000-square-foot Old Main room, which can seat 1,000 for a banquet, or the Verandah Room and Pennsylvania Room, each of which offers 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

There are also several full-service meeting hotels in York County. The Wyndham Garden York features 175 guest rooms and a nearly 8,000-square-foot ballroom, while the Heritage Hills Golf Resort has 15,000 total square feet of meeting space and on-site amenities, including a golf course and spa. Off-site venues for religious meetings include the Appell Center for the Performing Arts and the York County History Center.

yorkpa.com

York County scenes, clockwise from left: Colonial Complex at York County History Center; York County History Center’s Agricultural and Industrial Museum; downtown York

Photos courtesy Explore York

Soul’‘CITY WITH

Past and present combine to make Jackson a singular destination

BY KEVIN OSBOURN

Called the City with Soul, Jackson, Mississippi, pulses with music, history, art and an unrivaled blend of culinary flavors. It’s in a region rich in Civil War history, a place where generations of blues and jazz musicians have recorded unforgettable sounds. It's a place where civil rights pioneers like Medgar Evers led the way to a better America. It's steeped in struggle and perseverance. All of this together makes Jackson a fun and fascinating place to meet.

JACKSON AT A GLANCE

LOCATION: Central Mississippi

ACCESS: Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers

International Airport; interstates 20 and 55

HOTEL ROOMS: 648 downtown; 4,500+ in Greater Jackson

CONTACT INFO: Visit Jackson

800-354-2576

visitjackson.com

MEETING SPACES

Jackson Convention Complex

BUILT: 2009

EXHIBIT SPACE: 60,000 square feet

OTHER MEETING SPACES: 25 meeting rooms

Mississippi Fairgrounds/Trade Mart

EXHIBIT SPACE: 110,000 square feet (Trade Mart)

OTHER MEETING SPACES: 3 meeting rooms

MEETING HOTELS

The Westin

GUEST ROOMS: 203 rooms

MEETING SPACE: 12,000 square feet

The King Edward Hotel-Hilton Garden Inn

GUEST ROOMS: 186 rooms

MEETING SPACE: 7,321 square feet

Hilton Jackson

GUEST ROOMS: 276 rooms

MEETING SPACE: 19,154 square feet

WHO’S MEETING IN JACKSON

National Baptist Convention USA

ATTENDEES: 3,000

Southern Hospitality Volleyball Tournament

By Stephen Little,

ATTENDEES: 1,350

all photos courtesy Visit Jackson

Groups meeting in Jackson will discover the music and history that have earned it the nickname “the City with Soul.”

Destination Highlights

Downtown Jackson boasts the beautiful state capitol and governor’s mansion, along with the Museum of Mississippi History, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and a host of restaurants, museums, colleges and entertainment spots.

“The Governor’s Mansion is a beautiful building with a lot of history from the civil rights movement to today, and you can tour on certain days,” said Yolanda Moore, director of communications for Visit Jackson.

Housed in the same building, the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum explore the stories of courageous Mississippians like Medgar Evers and Fannie Lou Hamer. Exhibits guide visitors through decades of struggle for racial equality, displaying photographs, films and recordings that refuse to sugarcoat a painful — yet ultimately triumphant — history.

This year, Jackson commemorates the 60th anniversary of the death of Evers, who was murdered in his driveway by a white supremacist on June 12, 1963.

Home to multiple institutions of higher education, Jackson today pulses with the energy of youth. Colleges include Jackson State University, Millsaps College, Belhaven University, Tougaloo College, Mississippi College and Hinds Community College Jackson.

Distinctive Venues

Once the hub of Jackson’s Black community, Farish Street now features shops such as Marshall’s Music and Bookstore, Afrikan Art Gallery and Lavish Boutique. The street is also home to Johnny T’s Bistro and Blues, the site of the epic 1940s Crystal Palace where Sammy Davis Jr., Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong played. Guests still enjoy live performances and food.

One famous Farish Street restaurant that was a popular meeting place for civil rights activists Freedom Riders is the Big Apple Inn. It is known for its tamales and pig ear sandwiches served on a bun with homemade hot sauce, slaw and mustard.

A popular historic landmark in the Belhaven neighborhood is the Tudor Revival home of Eudora Welty, who won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel “The Optimist’s Daughter.” Visitors can tour Welty’s home and garden to learn about one of the most important Southern writers of the 20th century.

“Her home is just like it was when she was alive, and there are a lot of activities and events,” said Sherri Ratliff, tourism and convention sales manager for Visit Jackson. “Her story is a Jackson story.”

The home is close to the educational and interactive exhibits in the Mississippi Children’s Museum. Other cultural and educational museums in Jackson include Mississippi’s Museum of Art, Museum of Natural Science and the International Museum of Muslim Cultures.

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS Medgar Evers Home

DISTINCTIVE VENUES Eudora Welty Home

By Tom Beck

Major Meeting Spaces

At night, the outside of the downtown Jackson Convention Complex gleams with its crystalline glass exterior. It contains a total of 330,000 square feet of flexible space, a 382-seat theater and an outdoor patio overlooking downtown.

The complex boasts a 60,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 25,000-squarefoot carpeted ballroom, 25 meeting rooms and 33,000 square feet of carpeted pre-function lobby and registration space. There are 500 parking spaces within walking distance of the complex, as well as an additional 2,000 spaces accessible nearby with shuttle transportation.

“There are two hotels, the Westin Jackson and the Hilton Garden Inn, formerly the King Edward Hotel, that are literally just steps away from the convention complex,” said Ratliff.

Another major downtown venue is the Mississippi Fairgrounds with 110,000 square feet of exhibit space in the Trade Mart and three meeting rooms. The fairgrounds covers more than 105 acres, with 63,000 square feet of column-free space that can be divided into three trade halls, connecting to a 26,000-squarefoot arena.

Event planners can make use of a 2,500-square-foot commercial kitchen with a service corridor and a lobby that features two cafes as well as a reception area for smaller events.

AFTER HOURS

After the Meeting

Jackson’s funky art scene is on full display just three miles from downtown at the coffee shops, bars and boutiques in the Fondren District. When it’s time to eat, Jackson’s restaurants have it covered whether visitors are in the mood for seafood or authentic soul, Cajun, Caribbean, or Southern food.

“Jackson doesn’t have a true food identify,” said Moore. “What is consistent is good food, especially fresh Gulf seafood. We are just two-and-a-half hours from the Gulf.”

The city features great soul food like fried chicken, sweet yams and collard greens with Tabasco sauce at restaurants like Bully’s. Another restaurant, Elvie’s, serves eggs, meats, seafood and spirits from nearby Two Dog Farms, Homeplace Pastures and Jackson’s Cathead Distillery. Near Elvie’s, there is plenty to do at the shops, breweries and outdoor entertainment courtyard in Belhaven Town Center.

At one time, Jackson was the heart of the American music industry, and the Iron Horse Grill features a museum dedicated to this heritage, including antique instruments and a collection of musical memorabilia. For a true blues juke joint, F. Jones Corner on Farish Street reverberates with live music and favorite eats late at night.

Just like listening to the blues, a trip to Jackson offers a fresh perspective about the wide range of feelings, struggles, beauty, fun and the humor of life.

“Jackson, Mississippi is a city with soul because of the people, places and events that have not only shaped our city and state, but are threaded into the fabric of America,” Moore said.

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

By Stephen Little

Iron Horse Grill Jackson Convention Center

A SOONER Boomtown

BY LINDSEY HYDE

Norman, Oklahoma, is an eclectic city thrumming with energy. The activity isn’t siloed within one pocket of town; it’s spread out among several historic neighborhoods and districts, including the University of Oklahoma campus, Historic Campus Corner and Historic Downtown Norman.

“We like to say we’re kind of a small college town with that kind of charm, but we have all of the amenities of a big city while also being much more budget friendly,” said Taylor Mauldin Wagner, sales manager for Visit Norman. “We offer things like free parking, easier accessibility, walkability — kind of all the fun stuff, but it’s also nice on your wallet too.”

Within this “big” little city, which sits just south of where interstates 35 and 40 meet, amenities abound. For example, Norman is home to a diverse selection of restaurants, bars, breweries, galleries, museums and shops, not to mention a plethora of outdoor attractions. The area features several green spaces and parks. A local favorite is Lake Thunderbird State Park, where visitors can go biking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, swimming and more.

Thanks to the University of Oklahoma’s presence, college sports — from football and basketball to gymnastics and rowing — can be found on the calendar most of the year. While entertaining, athletic events aren’t the only part of the university open to the public. Visitors can take campus tours, sit in on a speaker series and attend a performance at the Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center, among other things. Plus, this part of the city exudes a youthful, spirited atmosphere that can be traced back to the staff and students’ Sooner pride.

Norman’s various districts and collection of amenities make it an ideal location for companies of all sizes to host meetings. Two main event spaces include Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel and Conference Center, which is in the northside of the city, and the NCED Conference Center and Hotel, which is in the southside of the city. Multiple unique venues are also available upon request, from a boutique hotel to a museum of natural history.

Photos courtesy Visit Norman

SAM NOBLE OKLAHOMA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

NORMAN , OKLAHOMA

LOCATION

Central Oklahoma

ACCESS

Interstates 35 and 40, Will Rogers World Airport

MAJOR MEETING SPACES

Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel and Conference Center, NCED Conference Center and Hotel

HOTEL ROOMS

Approximately 3,000

OFF-SITE VENUES

Sam Noble Museum, NOUN Hotel

CONTACT INFO

Visit Norman 405-366-8095

visitnorman.com

Sweeping Spaces

Located approximately 10 minutes from both downtown and the University of Oklahoma campus is one of two major meeting hotels in Norman — Embassy Suites by Hilton Norman Hotel and Conference Center. The venue offers 283 hotel rooms, and its 28,800-square-foot Oklahoma Ballroom can hold more than 2,300 people. Several breakout rooms are also available, making the venue’s total event space 42,111 square feet.

Roughly the same distance from downtown and the university is the NCED Conference Center and Hotel, which comprises 940 hotel rooms. Overall, the facility offers more than 75,000 square feet of space, with 39 meeting rooms and three ballrooms. Both hotels offer on-site catering as well as technical services.

Quaint Venues

Norman is home to several smaller unique facilities. NOUN Hotel, which opened in 2022, is a boutique hotel located within Historic Campus Corner. Its two banquet halls named “Boomer” and “Sooner” measure 3,900 square feet, while its boardroom is 900 square feet. NOUN offers catering and technology capabilities as well as a fleet of vans, which groups can use to travel around the city.

Sam Noble Museum, located on the University of Oklahoma campus, boasts several spaces that can be utilized as meeting rooms. A few examples include its Great Hall, which seats 304 people, as well as its W.R. Howell Pleistocene Plaza, which seats 144 people. The venue is equipped with technology services and offers a list of approved caterers.

Strengthening Teams

Depending on the experience they’re looking to have, groups can find several team-building activities in Norman. The NCED Conference Center and Hotel, for example, offers classes for groups centered on its ropes course. During classes, participants focus on group trust, teamwork, conflict management, leadership and group dynamics. In addition to NCED activities, groups can utilize the resources offered through the University of Oklahoma. Ideas include booking a keynote speaker or requesting a customized group activity. Lake Thunderbird State Park also offers space and summer camplike amenities for group activities.

After-Hours Activities

In between or after meetings, Norman offers plenty of activities to keep groups entertained. Individuals can explore the city’s excellent food scene, including restaurants like The Mont, an American/Mexican eatery that is known for its Original Sooner Swirl, a frozen margarita with sangria. Plus, groups can tour the University of Oklahoma campus, including its athletic facilities, admire the city’s downtown outdoor arts scene and peruse the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, which offers free admission year-round.

NORMAN’S NEW NOUN HOTEL OFFERS BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS AND A VARIETY OF MEETING SPACES.

ONE-STOP DESTINATION

A Grand Beauty on the Bay

BY REBECCA

There’s no shortage of beautiful views at Grand Traverse Resort.

On the shores of the Lake Michigan’s East Grand Traverse Bay, the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is situated on 900 acres that encompasses three championship golf courses, a beachfront and plenty of space to roam. Just 12 minutes from Cherry Capital Airport, it offers everything from 86,500 customizable square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space to 23 spa treatment rooms and is the perfect site for event planners looking for a location that has everything at their fingertips.

“We just went through a $3 million dollar, three-year renovation of the whole property, including all of our guest rooms and meeting spaces,” said director of sales Katie Leonard. “We have more than 20 meeting spaces that are both indoor and outdoor and 14 new suites, and we are one of the four largest resorts in Michigan.”

Groups of any size will find something to fit their meeting needs, whether having a catered banquet at the beach, a plenary session in the column-free ballroom or a leadership meeting in one of the leather-outfitted boardrooms. Dominating the landscape, the resort’s hotel tower is 16 stories. Signature restaurant Aerie takes up the whole top level, featuring panoramic views and American cuisine. The Beach Club also offers outdoor meeting space and dining options, and groups can customize their experience with a sunset bonfire or live music.

When it comes to fun, Grand Traverse has it dialed in: It not only offers golf and the spa but also tennis, shopping, an entertainment center ideal for group bonding, and a 100,000-square-foot fitness center with indoor and outdoor pools.

“One of the pools is right on the beach of Lake Michigan,” said Leonard. “One of the benefits of being outside of a downtown area is that people don’t leave the property as much during a conference, so groups generally have higher attendance levels here because it is a destination location.”

When it comes to off-site activities, the area is known for its wineries, so Grand Traverse will help planners coordinate tastings and other outings, such as cooking classes. Their sister property has a casino and offers a free shuttle to get there.

“Traverse City is a great little foodie town,” said Leonard. “It’s all water and wineries around here. We’re about 10 minutes from downtown, so beyond the resort are tons of additional restaurants, nightlife and shopping.”

A BAYFRONT FIRE PIT

TREON

Photos courtesy Grand Traverse Hotel and Spa

MEETING SPACES

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa has 86,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. There are more than 20 spaces available for groups to meet, including the 9,240-square-foot Michigan Ballroom with 14-foot ceilings. Governor’s Hall is 19,000 square feet, and the two exhibit halls are 18,000 and 12,000 square feet. Numerous other configurations are available.

“All of our meeting space has been completely renovated over the past three years,” said Leonard. “The Plaza is our largest outdoor venue, and it can accommodate about 500 guests.

ACCOMMODATIONS

There are 525 total guest rooms on property, with accommodations ranging from 14 newly renovated suites to beachy condos. The property’s hotel tower features more luxe accommodations including suites, while the six-story neighboring hotel features 240 rooms just steps from amenities like the pool and restaurants. Condo options include those on the shores of the East Bay and those beside golf course fairways. Grand Traverse even offers full resort homes.

“The hotel is just finishing the renovation of all of its rooms, including the 14 suites,” said Leonard.

DINING

Grand Traverse has several award-winning dining options that offer a range of choices for groups. On the 16th floor of the hotel tower, Aerie, Grand Traverse Resort’s signature restaurant, offers upscale contemporary fare and a panoramic view.

“It overlooks everything,” said Leonard. “It’s stunning. It’s the best view in town. We have live music there on the weekends, and it has a lounge and a private dining space.”

ON-SITE ACTIVITIES

The amenities at the Grand Traverse are plentiful: three golf championship courses, a 100,000-square-foot fitness and tennis center, two indoor pools, an indoor water playground, two indoor hot tubs, one outdoor pool, one outdoor hot tub, five outdoor tennis courts, four indoor tennis courts and a spa with 23 treatment rooms. At the beachfront, groups can enjoy bonfires with s’mores, live music and sunset banquets, along with equipment for water sports. The resort offers several on-site boutiques and an entertainment center called the Den, which features an escape room, bowling, axe throwing and an arcade that makes for great team-building activities.

A GOLF COURSE AND HOTEL TOWER AT GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT AND SPA OFFER SWEEPING VIEWS OF EAST GRAND TRAVERSE BAY ON LAKE MICHIGAN.

Meeting Guide

Lone Star Resorts

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

Everything is bigger in Texas — including its resorts. With expansive surroundings, first-class amenities and plenty of fun activities for attendees to bond over, these top Texas resorts are a meeting planner’s dream.

LAJITAS GOLF RESORT

Lajitas

One of the most remote resorts in the country, Lajitas Golf Resort is nestled on 27,000 acres in the badlands of Texas, right across the Rio Grande River from Mexico. It is in the rugged desert between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. The closest big city is Midland, which is 250 miles away. Most attendees choose to fly into the resort via private jet. The resort has its own airport and offers 30-person charter jet service three times a week from Dallas, Houston and Austin. The jets can be booked by a company or a group.

The resort is best known for its golf course, Black Jack’s Crossing, which wends its way up into the mountains and mesas with elevation changes of 150 feet from tee to green on hole No. 13. The course offers spectacular vistas overlooking Mexico and the river, and visitors frequently can spot wild mustangs and javelinas crossing the course. In addition to golf, other fun activities include equestrian trails, zip lines, shooting sports, Agave Spa and a fitness facility.

Courtesy Lajitas Golf Resort

SURROUNDED BY THE ARID BEAUTY OF THE TEXAS BADLANDS, LAJITAS GOLF RESORT IS ONE OF THE MOST REMOTE RESORTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

The resort has 117 rooms on property, from villas and lakeside cottages to boardwalk condos. It has more than 6,000 square feet of indoor and 15,000 square feet of outdoor meeting spaces, including Pavilion Ballroom, which hosts groups up to 150, and the Lajitas Amphitheatre, an open area with stadium seating that is built for music events and can accommodate 1,000 for a reception.

lajitasgolfresort.com

GAGE HOTEL Marathon

A historic 47-room boutique hotel built in 1927, Gage Hotel in Marathon is unique in that it has had the same owner for more than 45 years. The property is part of the 27-acre Gage Gardens, which are popular for weddings and corporate events. The gardens have three events spaces: a gazebo, a pond and a rose garden. Also on site, the Captain Shepard House has a large private yard with large trees and manicured grounds that can host events up to 60 guests, while the Dance Court is a multi-purpose space for dining, dancing and outdoor meetings with brick walls and a stone fire pit. The Ritchey Building is a historically preserved mercantile building that can host up to 125 guests and has full audiovisual services, catering and bar service available.

For fun, guests can walk the gardens, use the small putting green or visit the gallery. White Buffalo Bar is on the main hotel property adjacent to the 12 Gage Restaurant, the resort’s fine dining eatery. Breakfast and lunch are served at the V6 Coffee Bar and on the other corner, the Brick Vault Brewery and Barbecue brews its own craft beer and offers homemade sausage and brisket.

The Gage Wellness facility has a steam room, a heated lap pool, a jacuzzi, a fitness center, a yoga room and an on-site massage therapist. The resort offers many group activities from onsite star parties to campfires with live music. It also can organize themed events such as skeet shooting, pool parties and rodeos. gagehotel.com

Courtesy Lajitas Golf Resort

A HORSEBACK ADVENTURE AT LAJITAS GOLF RESORT

Courtesy Gage Hotel

One of the most remote resorts in the country, Lajitas Golf Resort is nestled on 27,000 acres in the badlands of Texas, right across the Rio Grande River from Mexico.

MARATHON’S GAGE HOTEL

GAYLORD TEXAN RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER

Grapevine

Standing on the shores of Lake Grapevine, Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex offers a full slate of fun activities for guests of all ages, including the 10-acre Paradise Springs Water Park, 4.5 acres of indoor garden atriums to explore, four restaurants, bars, the Relache Spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The water park features a large family lagoon, lazy river, a giant water playhouse, four waterslides, zip line and two hot pools.

With 1,814 guest rooms and 127 suites, the resort can accommodate meeting groups of any size. It has 490,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including 87 event rooms and 100 breakout rooms. The largest space can accommodate groups of 10,000. The Tate Ballroom has 32,010 square feet of meeting space and 11,270 square feet of pre-function space in the new Vineyard Tower expansion. The Longhorn Exhibit Hall on the lower level of the Grapevine Convention Center offers 179,520 square feet of flexible space. Glass Cactus is the resort’s lakeside events venue, which works well for concerts and other live entertainment.

The Yellow Rose, Texas and Grapevine ballrooms are also available for large events. As part of their conferences, groups can offer a specialized menu of spa services for attendees, including massages, facials and body wraps. The Gaylord Texan has a full culinary team to create unique banquets and receptions.

gaylordtexan.com

THE WOODLANDS RESORT

The Woodlands

Designed with natural elements to bring the outdoors inside, The Woodlands Resort, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, is set against 350 acres of natural forest. With 402 guest rooms and suites, the resort has access to 200 miles of natural trails for hiking and biking, kayaking, 21 tennis courts, pickleball courts and two 18-hole championship golf courses. There is a waterpark with a 30-foot waterslide and lazy river and a new spa is coming soon.

Thirty miles outside of Houston, the resort is a short drive from George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Transportation is available from the airport and from the resort to area shopping and restaurants.

The Back Table Kitchen and Bar overlooks the 18th green and pond on the resort’s 36 holes of championship golf, and Cool Water Bar and Grill offers casual dining by the swimming pool.

Meeting planners have their choice of 75,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 13,430-square-foot Grand Ballroom. In total, the resort has 55 dedicated meeting rooms. The Woodlands offers a host of team-building activities, from goat yoga, where participants do traditional poses with the help of small furry friends, to more traditional yoga classes.

THE WOODLANDS RESORT’S BACK TABLE KITCHEN AND BAR

Photos courtesy The Woodlands Resort

A GOAT YOGA SESSION AT THE WOODLANDS RESORT

The Gaylord Texan has 490,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including 87 event rooms and 100 breakout rooms. The largest space can accommodate groups of 10,000.

Courtesy Grapevine CVB

THE GAYLORD TEXAN RESORT ON THE SHORES OF LAKE GRAPEVINE

For a bit of friendly rivalry, meeting groups can work with an instructor to learn how to play pickleball before hitting the court for a match. There are culinary challenges, like team gourmet pizza building and cocktail challenges. But groups can also organize activities such as ropes courses and bowling off property. woodlandsresort.com

ISLA GRAND BEACH RESORT

South Padre Island

Located at the southern end of South Padre Island, Isla Grand Beach Resort is the oldest resort on the island. It opened in 1959 as the Sea Island Resort and changed hands numerous times before being taken private in 2008.

The boutique hotel has 126 hotel rooms that have exterior entrances overlooking the resort’s two swimming pools. The smallest pool is heated, and there are also three whirlpools, two tennis courts, shuffleboard and beach volleyball. In 2022, the resort opened the Key Largo Game Room, which offers pool tables, ping-pong, tabletop arcade games, tabletop shuffleboard, air hockey and a juke box, and Half Deck, a lobby bar that serves craft cocktails.

The Quarter Deck Lounge is the resort’s nightclub, offering live entertainment seven nights a week with the exception of football season.

The resort has just under 10,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, including the 6,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom that can seat 400 for a banquet, and the smaller Palm Ballroom that works well for exhibitions and food functions. An executive boardroom for 10 and a conference room for 30 rounds out the resort’s indoor meeting spaces. Outside, the resort converted two tennis courts into The Sandbar Courtyard. It features a built-in stage and bar with unobstructed views of the beach. It can accommodate up to 600 guests.

For team building, Isla Grand offers water sports, fishing, sandcastle lessons and parasailing.

islagrand.com

Courtesy Grapevine CVB

THE GAYLORD TEXAN’S YELLOW ROSE BALLROOM

Courtesy Isla Grand Beach Resort

The Sandbar Courtyard features a built-in stage and bar with unobstructed views of the beach. It can accommodate up to 600 guests.

ISLAND GRAND BEACH RESORT ON SOUTH PADRE ISLAND

Meeting Guide

Texas’ Delicious Destinations

BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH

Eating well is an essential part of the Texas experience.

The Lone Star state is famous for its barbecue and its Tex-Mex cuisine (a Texas twist on traditional Mexican food), but other regions of the state have their own specialties that reflect their heritage. Meeting planners wanting to incorporate local culture and culinary experiences into their events should consider these five Texas destinations that offer everything from German and Cajun cuisine to Tex-Mex, grilled steak, and of course, barbecue.

BROWNSVILLE

The largest city in the Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville is a Mexican/American community on the southern tip of Texas, bordering Mexico. Not only is the city known for its Mexican cuisine, but it also has several must-see attractions, including the Gladys Porter Zoo and Starbase, Elon Musk’s SpaceX Launch Facility.

Brownsville is home to the famous Taco Trail, comprising 11 taquerias that feature their own unique flavors and styles of tacos. Visitors, including groups, can hop on the trail, which offers discounts at every eatery featured along the way.

Vera’s Backyard Bar-B-Que is an award-winning taco joint known for its barbacoa de cabeza, or barbecued cow’s head, which is smoked over coals underground in a brick-lined pit for up to 12 hours. Burying the meat makes it juicier. Other styles of tacos available along the trail include barbacoa, tripas (which are cow intestines), fish tacos, tacos al pastor and pork tacos, called trompo.

Courtesy Brownsville CVB

MEETING ATTENDEES CAN SAVOR THE FLAVORS OF TEXAS AT RESTAURANTS ON BROWNSVILLE’S TACO TRAIL.

Any of the taco eateries along the trail can host group events or cater events at the city’s top meeting hotels or venues.

The Brownsville Events Center is a full-service facility for trade shows and conferences with a main ballroom that can seat 800 for a banquet or be divided into five smaller rooms that can host groups of 120 to 200 for a banquet. The facility also has three small conference rooms. The city has more than 30 hotels with 2,200 hotel rooms available. Many of the hotels offer meeting space for smaller groups.

visitbtx.com

FREDERICKSBURG

Fredericksburg is rich in German heritage, including an authentic German culinary scene that ranges from bakeries to bistros. Meeting planners can book a meeting or event at the oldest operating brewpub in Texas, Fredericksburg Brewing Company, and indulge in delicious German fare, such as knackwurst, bratwurst and schnitzel. They also can organize dinners at many of the city’s German restaurants.

The Pioneer Museum tells the story of Fredericksburg’s German past through living history demonstrations, such as candle making, cornbread making and blacksmithing. Groups can enjoy a guided tour of the grounds to get a glimpse into the daily lives of the German pioneers of the Texas Hill Country or host an event there.

The Texas Hill Country is known for its wineries, and groups can taste their way through 50 wineries in the area via private tour companies that offer full day, half day and private wine excursions. The wineries also offer unique meeting and off-site function spaces, including Barons Creek Vineyards, Fat Ass Ranch and Winery, and Harvest Room at Signor Vineyards.

The Hangar Hotel and Conference Center offers 8,000 square feet of venue space, plus an additional 1,800 square feet of space split between two smaller rooms. The venue can host groups of 350. Fredericksburg also has five other full-service hotels with function space.

visitfredericksburgtx.com

Courtesy Brownsville CVB

LA BARRA DEL TACO IN BROWNSVILLE

By Jason Risner, courtesy Fredericksburg CVB

The Texas Hill Country is known for its wineries, and groups can taste their way through 50 wineries. The wineries also offer unique meeting and off-site function spaces.

FISCHER AND WIESER CULINARY ADVENTURE COOKING SCHOOL IN FREDERICKSBURG

FORT WORTH

Often called Funkytown, Fort Worth is a foodie paradise, from historic Texan saloons and vegan-friendly cafes to award-winning barbecue joints. Six of the city’s barbecue restaurants are listed among the top 50 in the state by Texas Monthly, including the No. 1 spot, Goldee’s Barbecue, which also was named as a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2023. Another James Beard semifinalist, Don Artemio, is known for its northern Mexican cuisine.

The 35-block Sundance Square district, adjacent to the Fort Worth Convention Center, is home to restaurants, theaters, shops and live music clubs. Meeting groups can set up customized food tours, highlighting the best local cuisine, drinks and culture or plan a cooking class where they can learn new culinary skills and bond over food.

Many of the city’s top restaurants offer private dining experiences for groups, from classic Tex-Mex at Joe T. Garcia’s to fine dining at Ellerbe Fine Foods, or they can hire restaurants like Fat Cow BBQ to cater their event so they can enjoy authentic Texas barbecue without having to leave the building.

The convention center is the top meeting site in the city, with 253,226 square feet of exhibit space and 58,849 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a 28,160-square-foot ballroom and 38 breakout spaces. While in town, meeting groups should visit the legendary Stockyards National Historic District to witness twice-daily cattle drives or host an event at Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk. The venue can host groups up to 6,000 and features live music, a rodeo arena, a large dance floor, dozens of bars and a restaurant featuring barbecue, chicken fried steak and hamburgers.

fortworth.com

BEAUMONT

Nestled on the Texas Gulf Coast, on the border with Louisiana, Beaumont is famous for its mix of Tex-Mex, barbecue and Cajun cuisine. Cajun or bayou culture runs deep through southeast Texas, especially during crawfish season, from February through June. Groups can either gather at a local Cajun restaurant to enjoy crawfish by the pound or have it catered at their event. The Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau can set up special nights while the group is in town and even set up deals at local establishments.

Nestled on the Texas Gulf Coast, on the border with Louisiana, Beaumont is famous for its mix of Tex-Mex, barbecue and Cajun cuisine. Groups can either gather at a local Cajun restaurant to enjoy crawfish by the pound or have it catered at their event.

By Jeremy Enlow, courtesy Visit Fort Worth

MEXICAN FARE AT JOE T. GARCIA’S IN FORT WORTH

Courtesy Beaumont CVB

CAPTURING A CRAWFISH PLATTER IN BEAUMONT

The Cajun Food Trail is a free passport program offered by Beaumont CVB that encourages visitors to eat locally and explore the regional culinary scene. A fusion of Asian-Cajun crawfish is featured at several restaurants, while Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp adds some Tex-Mex flair to its Cajun cuisine, creating Mexi-Cajun food such as boudin quesadillas, gumbo, fried alligator and oysters on the half shell. Floyd’s is a local eatery that serves blackened, grilled or fried fish topped with a Cajun sauce such as Pontchartrain or etouffee for extra flavor.

Ford Park Entertainment Complex, which includes Ford Exhibit Hall and Ford Arena, offers a combined 83,000 square feet of meeting space with nine meeting rooms, 11,000 square feet of pre-function space and full-service catering. Beaumont Civic Center, in the heart of downtown, has 41,300 square feet of meeting space. The city also has two full-service meeting hotels and more than 3,700 hotel rooms.

beaumontcvb.com

AMARILLO

Located on the plains of the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo is known for its blue skies, red-walled canyons at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, cattle ranching and a deep cowboy culture.

Meeting groups wishing to host events in the area not only have a chance to see breathtaking and stark scenery but also to enjoy some of Texas’ top culinary experiences. The Big Texan Steak Ranch and Brewery is known for its 72-ounce steak challenge, where individuals must eat a 72-ounce steak, shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad and a roll with butter in an hour. If they complete the challenge, their dinner is free. If not, their meal is $72. Meeting groups can host events at the restaurant and sample a 72-ounce steak that is prepared just for them but cut into individual bites so everyone has a chance to try it.

Groups also can get out of their traditional meeting spaces and enjoy an authentic posse-style horseback ride and experience a chuckwagon dinner at Los Cedros Ranch. The experience can also feature cowboy storytellers on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon.

Amarillo Civic Center Complex has 410,000 square feet of convention space with a coliseum, two exhibit halls, Heritage Ballroom, auditorium and several multi-purpose rooms. The Amarillo Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, a 1,300seat venue, is the newest addition to the complex. visitamarillo.com

Courtesy Beaumont CVB

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD AT BEAUMONT’S TIA JUANITA’S

By Angela Guthrie, courtesy Visit Amarillo

Groups also can get out of their traditional meeting spaces and enjoy an authentic posse-style horseback ride and experience a chuckwagon dinner at Los Cedros Ranch.

BIG TEXAN STEAK RANCH IN AMARILLO

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