WACO BOUND
MEET IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
SPOTLIGHT
LIVE THEATER VENUES SHOWCASE YOUR EVENT
EXPERT ADVICE
INDUSTRY PREDICTIONS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
M E E T I N G S M A G S . C O M // W I N T E R 2 0 2 2
Uniquely
AU STI N A LOOK AT W HAT 'S N EW IN THE C A P I TA L
Safe Is the New Sexy
Safe is the new sexy and Irving rocks safe meetings. The Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas has re-imagined how your group meets, providing unique banquet options, exhibition opportunities and safety protocols so you can book with confidence and peace of mind. Built for business and primed for play, memorable meetings are just steps from world-class live entertainment, unique venues, and a thriving culinary scene.The beat goes on in Irving, and we hope you'll rock your next meeting with us!
IRVING ROCKS
visitirvinglascolinas.com • (972) 252 7476
Flexibility & Safe Meetings
(800) 2 IRVING • #visitirving
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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TX.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 3
Contents
22 Austin-tacious
Austin’s unconventional approach makes it the perfect destination for conventions and other corporate meetings.
In Every Issue //
6 Editor’s Note 16 Destination
Meet in Waco, the heart of Texas.
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20 Venue Report
Live theater and music venues deliver unique settings for meetings and events.
32 Profile
PR professional Allison Rhodes shares advice on making the news.
Meeting Notes //
8 Hospitality
A look at the state of the restaurant industry.
8 Signature Drink The Paschall Express courtesy of Asador at Renaissance Dallas Hotel.
10 Ask the Expert
Industry predictions for the coming year.
10 Now Open
The Blossom Hotel launches in Houston.
12 Flashback
San Antonio’s Menger Hotel has a storied past.
12 Attractions
WACO BOUND
MEET IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
SPOTLIGHT
LIVE THEATER VENUES SHOWCASE YOUR EVENT
EXPERT ADVICE
INDUSTRY PREDICTIONS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
M E E T I N G S M A G S . C O M // W I N T E R 2 0 2 2
Uniquely
AU STI N A LO O K AT W HAT'S NEW IN THE CAPITAL
New things to see and do at San Antonio Zoo.
Industry Update //
28 Regional News
The latest news for the industry in Texas.
On the Cover
A cruise of Lady Bird Lake is a favorite group outing while meeting in Austin. PHOTO BY NICOLE JENSEN
P H O T O : M A G G I E W I LT
Feature //
WIN TER 2 02 2
WINTER 2022
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P H OTO : A L A N A L A B A S T R O
tx.meetingsmags.com
» I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, but I happen to like weird. Not the uncomfortable weird, of course. But the memorable weird? I’m all in. The weird that makes you gasp in amazement, laugh until your stomach hurts or look at the world a little bit differently. The weird that says, “You simply will not find this anywhere else.” So, while the last couple of years have been the not-so-good weird, we are starting off 2022 with the oh-so-wonderful weird with our feature on Austin, the city so weird it built a campaign around it. A little bit of the backstory behind the capital city’s slogan, “Keep Austin Weird.” It was coined in 2002 by Red Wassenich, an author and librarian who celebrated and promoted the city’s unconventional and nonconforming character. Wassenich passed away in 2020, right before the world got really weird, but his comment had long before morphed into a slogan that proudly lives on today. Our feature not only looks at the unconventional side of the city but also at all of its new venues and accommodations. So, if you’re looking to create an event or meeting that is truly singular, you would be wise to consider Austin as its locale. Another weird—as in the awe-inspiring kind—attraction can be found in Waco, this issue’s destination. There, you will discover Waco Mammoth National Monument, where the remains of 16 Columbian mammoths were discovered in the late 1970s. Waco is also where you’ll find plenty of other interesting attractions, including the Dr Pepper Museum and Magnolia, the destination created by Chip and Joanna Gaines, the couple whose fame grew from a “little” home renovation series called “Fixer Upper.” You might have heard of it. For our venue report, we look at theaters that also can serve as the backdrop for private events. They range from the historic to the hip and inspiring. And they have the added benefit of hosting their own live events—whether they are plays or musical acts—so they know a little bit about putting on a good show. I want to thank you for taking some time to spend with us this issue. The weather is a little cooler, and meetings and events are heating back up. As always, if you have any suggestions for articles or want to share some news about what you and your colleagues are up to, shoot me an email. Until next time, keep it weird and wonderful.
A convention that doesn’t feel
so conventional? NEW CONVENTION CENTER COMING IN 2024
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!” Arlington is also growing by the day. Our new 888-room luxury hotel and Arlington Convention Center is coming in 2024. So whether you’re planning for an event in the next few months or next few years, Arlington is ready. Email us at sales@arlington.org, and let’s talk about what we CAN DO for you. TX.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 7
M E E TI N G N OTES Products, Places & Inspiration
Hospitality //
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY Texas restaurants discuss the industry’s pandemic recovery. Texas restaurant leaders recently met in Austin to discuss the state of the industry’s recovery. The meeting of Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) members included results from a survey of Texas restaurant operators. Some of the highlights include: 96% of restaurants are paying more for food; 64% are paying more for occupancy or rent; and 91% have much higher labor costs.
PASCHALL EXPRESS The Asador in Renaissance Hotel Dallas offers up the perfect adult beverage to warm you up as the weather cools. — 1.5 ounces tequila — .75 ounce triple sec — .5 ounce cranberry juice — 1 ounce lime juice — .5 ounce simple syrup
— cranberry bitters — egg white — mint leaves — fresh cranberries
Add tequila, fresh cranberries and lime juice into a shaker and muddle for 30 seconds. Add triple sec, cranberry juice, simple syrup and egg white; top with ice; and shake hard until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe-style glass over fresh ice. Garnish with mint and fresh cranberries, and add a splash of cranberry bitters to release the zesty, aromatic notes. asadorrestaurant.com
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In addition, 91% of restaurant operators have confirmed that they experienced a decrease in dine-in traffic. However, there is reason for optimism. TRA secured $180 million for restaurant and hospitality recovery through American Rescue Plan Act funding. The association also partnered with the Texas Workforce Commission to provide restaurant workers with one year of free childcare benefits and free employee certifications. At the federal level, TRA continues to lobby Congress to pass immigration reform that will help address labor and supply-chain challenges.
P H OTO : T H E A S A D O R
Signature Drink //
Other topics discussed included inflation, with leaders reporting as follows. » One year ago, a beef tenderloin cost a restaurant $100. Today it costs $200. » Cooking oil was $20 for five gallons, but now it’s $40. » Chicken, which is very hard to come by, has gone from $3 a pound to $6 a pound. » Flour is up 30%. » Pork is up 27%. » Eggs are up 40%.
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 specials are available.
SSHR.COM | 281-334-1000 2500 South Shore Blvd. League City, Tx 77573 9 Located Halfway Between Houston And Galveston, One Mile FromTX.MEETINGSMAGS.COM Kemah Boardwalk.
M E E TI N G N OTES Products, Places & Inspiration
Ask the Expert //
Forecasting
Lior Sekler shares his hospitality predictions for the coming year. Lior Sekler is vice president of revenue management for HRI Hospitality, a hotel management company. He has more than 18 years of hospitality industry experience, including leadership roles with Sofitel Luxury Hotels and Hilton Hotels.
» LIOR SEKLER, VICE PRESIDENT of revenue management for HRI Hospitality, offers his thoughts about what hoteliers can expect for travel next year. HRI Hospitality is a hotel management company with a portfolio that includes properties in Houston, Dallas and Austin. Social content matters: The increase of disposable spending within the younger generation is affecting search and interest in travel, as they’re looking for unique experiences, interesting new destinations and “Instagrammable” content to share on social media. Research shows a more than 20% increase in bookings by those influenced by social media content and a 15% increase in mobile bookings. Higher spending: In 2021, the U.S. experienced the strongest consumer spending in 70 years, totaling 8% growth. This expendi-
ture binge is expected to continue into 2022 as consumers’ wealth is at record levels, and they are eager and ready to spend money. Work from anywhere: The new work from home trend has taught both the employee and employer new ways of managing personal and professional lives. This flexible model will continue beyond the pandemic, allowing all types of travelers to modify their vacations into a hybrid of work and leisure, and that can be done anywhere. This could lead to longer stay patterns and new high-demand locations. International versus domestic: Americans who vacationed within the U.S. over the past couple of years will return to exploring international destinations once restrictions are lifted, and in return, the U.S. will hopefully see a significant increase in international travelers. Gateway cities like New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago will see the first significant signs, but other unique destinations like southern destinations also will begin to increase. Shift from alternative to traditional accommodations: The return of confidence and services in traditional hotels is resulting in a shift from Airbnb or VRBO to hotel demand. In unprecedented times, alternative accommodations have a harder time ensuring quality in terms of cleanliness and high-level services and amenities.
Now Open //
In Bloom
Blossom Hotel opens in Houston.
The hotel features 9,000 square feet of meeting and event space, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center, multilingual concierge service and rooftop pool. Event spaces include Luna Ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and space to accommodate 250 people. Nine additional light-filled spaces are also available. The hotel is unveiling two dining concepts soon, as well as a lobby lounge with culinary and drink menus. blossomhouston.com
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P H O T O : D A M O N E AT S
Although it is now open for business, Blossom Hotel Houston plans to officially celebrate its grand opening early this year. The 16-story, 267-room hotel is located near NRG Stadium, Houston’s museum district, and shopping, dining and entertainment options.
This hardly feels like work.
WE HEAR THAT A LOT. The Woodlands combines stunning event space with natural surroundings and plenty of room to spread out. Here, events come together effortlessly. We have all the hosting capabilities of a larger city, neighboring proximity to major Houston airports, and one of the region’s top shopping, dining and entertainment areas for your group to enjoy safely.
Book your best event at visitthewoodlands.com/backtomeetings TX.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 11
M E E TI N G N OTES Products, Places & Inspiration
Attractions //
Zoo News
San Antonio Zoo welcomes new attractions. » THE SAN ANTONIO ZOO is unveiling its newly renovated Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot (KTTNS) Reimagined in the summer of 2022. Perfect for familyfriendly company events and gatherings, KTTNS will include a 1,680-squarefoot, year-round butterfly house with a chrysalis room, allowing guests to witness the transformation from chrysalis to butterfly. Additional new attractions include the newly renovated and named 4,468-square-foot Discovery PLAYce, which has indoor play places for crawlers, wobblers, and walkers and features bugs and animals that guests can encounter in south Texas. In 2021, the zoo unveiled its $1.7 million NEOTROPICA, an immersive realm that recreates the feel of a remote South American fishing village. The centerpiece
Unveiling plans for Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot Reimagined.
of NEOTROPICA is Pantera Walk presented by Texas A&M San Antonio. The unique catwalk system is designed for the zoo’s jaguars and winds through the Amazonian Aviary, creating a habitat similar to what jaguars experience in a rain forest. It brings jaguars aside red-rumped agoutis, black
howler monkeys and birds from the aviary. In addition, the zoo’s gift shops sell handmade crafts made by Indigenous families, all of which help to protect the rainforest and the species that call it home. sazoo.com
HISTORY LESSON San Antonio’s Menger Hotel has a storied past.
Opened in 1859 by William and Mary Menger, the 316-room Menger Hotel in San Antonio’s Alamo Plaza Historic District is the oldest continuously running hotel west of the Mississippi River. Originally built as a 50-room hotel to accommodate guests of William Menger’s brewery, the property was expanded and renovated over the years as ownership changed hands. Among its many famous guests have been Teddy Roosevelt, Roy Rogers, Oscar Wilde, Sydney Lanier, Captain King, Bill Clinton, Babe Ruth and Sam Houston. Meeting space includes the 4,500-square-foot Menger Grand Ballroom, the 2,257-square-foot Minuet Room (the hotel’s original ballroom) and the 1,332-square-foot Patio Room, as well as more intimate spaces. Hotel amenities include retail, Colonial Room Restaurant and Menger Bar. The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, and it is a member of Historic Hotels of America. mengerhotel.com
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P H OTO S : S A N A N TO N I O ZO O ; M E N G E R H OT E L
Flashback //
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. SCAN THE CODE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF VENUES, ACCOMMODATIONS AND BUSINESS SERVICES. | wacoheartoftexas.com/meetings
SUCCEED
TX.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 13
M E E TI N G N OTES Products, Places & Inspiration
Social Media //
Establish yourself as a meetings industry expert. BY DEBRA JASON » GIVEN THIS CRAZY TIME we’re experiencing, you may be considering reinventing yourself and/or rethinking what kind of impression your LinkedIn profile makes on those who see it. Now is the time to explore what it means to create a robust, optimized and engaging profile. With more than 774 million members, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking site. By interacting with conference/event attendees, vendors, hotel professionals, colleagues, speakers, etc., you give other likeminded professionals the opportunity to get to know, like and trust you, which are three vital keys to building successful relationships. However, when the topic of LinkedIn comes up, many meeting and event professionals say, “A friend invited me to the network so I said ‘yes,’ but I’m not really sure what to do next.” I want to change that and clear up the confusion so you can leverage the brand-building power of LinkedIn. OPTIMIZE YOUR PROFILE WITH KEYWORD PHRASES IN SIX STRATEGIC LOCATIONS Creating your professional profile is more than just posting your resume. Similar to a website, it’s important to utilize keyword phrases in your profile. After all, when prospects are searching for a meeting and event professional, you want your profile to show up high on the LinkedIn results list. If your profile simply says “Meeting professional with XYZ Company,” you’re limiting your ability to be found. As you might imagine, “meeting professional” is a broad search term and if the “XYZ Company” is not a wellknown brand, it’s another phrase that won’t serve you well in a search. For instance, as of this writing, when searching “meeting professional” on LinkedIn, there were more than 3.5 million results for that term. When entering “medical conference planners” the list decreased significantly, down to 26,229. See the difference specificity can make?
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Once you’ve determined a few keyword phrases to define your niche, there are six strategic locations to place these phrases within your profile.
1.
Professional headline: This appears right below your name. With up to 220 characters, use the phrases you think someone might search to find a professional like you. If you have a succinct tag line or impact statement, include it here.
2.
About/Summary: This is the most important section because it communicates who you are. Share a little bit about yourself and how you help your clients. Write it in the first person—it should be conversational. You have up to 2,600 characters here so use them! Make your content inviting to the viewer’s eyes by using short paragraphs. This makes your profile easier to read. Consider subheadings that can be keyword enhanced and/or used with bullet points (but not just bullet points).
3.
Current work experience: Include the keyword phrase(s) in your job title. Do not make the mistake of leaving the description field blank. Take advantage of the space provided and incorporate your keyword phrases in the description (you have 2,000 characters here).
4.
Past work experience: If it’s appropriate, weave the keyword phrase(s) in where you can, perhaps again in both the job title and description. For instance, a client of mine entered the relocation business after being in the hospitality industry. Looking at the two different positions, we found “customer service” was a common thread. We then incorporated that keyword phrase into both his current and past experiences in a descriptive way that tied the two together.
5.
Skills and endorsements: List the key areas that you specialize in, areas of expertise that you want
P H OTO : (O P P O S I T E ) WY N D
Debra Jason is a national speaker, marketing copywriter and consultant. This article is an excerpt from her book “Millionaire Marketing on a Shoestring Budget.”
How To Create a Rock-Star LinkedIn Profile
“By interacting with conference/event attendees, vendors, hotel professionals, colleagues, speakers, etc., you give other likeminded professionals the opportunity to get to know, like and trust you.” others to endorse you for such as meeting planning, event management, trade show management, etc.
6.
Websites: Under the contact information section of your profile, LinkedIn allows links for up to three different pages on your website (or to three different sites, if you have more than one). Make sure to use keyword phrases to describe the website pages. When you insert the URL, LinkedIn has generic defaults (e.g., personal website, company website, blog). Choose the “other” option and you’ll be able to insert keyword phrases to describe each of the links you insert. IT’S TIME TO HARNESS THE POWER OF LINKEDIN By taking advantage of these six keyword strategies, establish yourself as a thought leader in the meetings industry, share and access valuable information, become part of a conversation, and nurture longlasting, profitable relationships.
DebraJason.com linkedin.com/in/debrajason 303.443.1942
Helpful Product //
THE ESSENTIAL CENTERPIECE More than flowers, a personal air purifier shows you care about attendees. The Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California, is one of the most rarefied resorts in the country with rooms going for upwards of $2,000 a night. But when the cliffside property reopened in March 2021, the biggest luxury it provided guests was certifiably germ-free indoor air. Sitting atop every table in its signature restaurant was a Wynd personal air purifier. About the size of a water bottle, the device creates a three-foot bubble of clean air by filtering 99.9% of airborne particles, including virus-carrying respiratory droplets, bacteria, dust, allergens, smoke and pollution. In independent research conducted by The Washington Post, three indoor air experts agreed that the purifiers “should work to make the dining experience considerably safer, while noting 100 percent safety is unattainable.” Along with the Wynd Max Room Air Purifiers for larger spaces and the company’s air quality trackers, the portable purifiers are now being deployed by convention centers and hotels across the country. “One or more of the devices are being used to validate that a hotel or convention center’s space is safe and
healthy and to keep it that way,” says Andy Morita, Wynd’s lead enterprise manager. An event planner might place the personal purifiers on registration tables, in display booths and on speaker’s podiums, for example, and the larger devices throughout meeting rooms, lobbies and ballrooms. “Some planners are also using the personal purifiers as gifts or raffle prizes,” Morita says, “or buying a combination of devices and renting them out to clients for events.” Clients and planners, Morita says, might notice an added benefit to the use of air purifiers that goes beyond the current pandemic. People feel and function better when the air they’re breathing is contaminant-free. “There are long-term gains in mood, health, productivity and wellness that come with clean air,” he says. “If you’re returning to booking events, make sure to ask venues and hotels if their cleaning protocols include placing air purifiers across the space and continuously monitoring air quality.”
hellowynd.com
TX.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 15
Meet in the Heart of Texas
This downtown mural captures Waco’s unique spirit.
goals and interior design trends. The selfproclaimed “heart of Texas” was founded in 1856 and is the birthplace of Dr Pepper, actor and comedian Steve Martin, former Texas governor Ann Richards, and columnist Ponce Kiah Marchelle Heloise Cruse
Evans—better known as Heloise of “Hints from Heloise” fame. Today, Waco offers up a quaint setting for a destination meeting or event with one-of-a-kind venues and excursions to choose from.
Make your next gathering uniquely Waco. » THE WORLD was officially introduced to Waco when Chip and Joanna Gaines began filming their uber-popular home renovation series “Fixer Upper.” But Texans recognized the city’s charms long before the couple inspired relationship
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BY TERESA KENNEY
P H O T O : T H E S P R I N G B R E A K FA M I LY
DE STI NATION Waco
Let the Rio Grande River serve as your meeting backdrop. This is just one option when hosting a meeting in Laredo. Give the Laredo CVB a call at 800.361.3360 to begin planning your next company event.
IT’S TIME!
Come Meet
It’s all here. All the things in Plano that you love to see and do and enjoy are all ready to safely love you back.
TX.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 17
DE STI NATION Waco
UNIQUELY WACO MEETING VENUES Located in historic downtown Waco, the Dr Pepper Museum is a fun option for your next gathering. Spaces include the 1,528-square-foot Hillcrest Conference Center that accommodates up to 100 guests; President’s Board Room with seating for 40; Foots Clements Theater with room for up to 45; and Museum Courtyard that holds a maximum of 1,000 and can be tented for inclement weather. Groups can opt to have tours of the museum added to special event experiences along with handmade treats from the on-site Frosty’s Soda Shop & Peggy Pepper’s Emporium. Waco is also home to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum that adjoins John Knox Texas Ranger Memorial Center, one of the most popular event venues in the city. The 6,000-square-foot building is located on Waco’s Riverwalk and can
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accommodate up to 400 guests for a seated dinner or 600-plus in a theater-style seating layout. A staging kitchen is available for outside catering, and free parking is available on-site. For evening events, arrangements can be made for tours of the hall of fame and museum. Texas Sports Hall of Fame showcases some 350 Texas sports legends, including golfer Fred Couples, football coach Jimmy Johnson, Olympian Michelle Carter, boxer Jack Johnson, and multisport athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias. The venue has a variety of spaces, including the Great Hall that is ideal for groups not exceeding 350; Tom Landry Theater that seats up to 90; and SWC Gallery that has a capacity of up to 125. UNIQUELY WACO GROUP EXPERIENCES What’s the point of a destination meeting or event if your guests don’t get out to expe-
rience the destination? Fortunately, Waco has plenty of things for group outings and post-meeting options for attendees to do on their own. In 1978, Paul Barron and Eddie Bufkin decided to spend the day searching for arrowheads and fossils along the Bosque River. What they found instead was much larger: the femur bone of a Columbian mammoth, which roamed the area during the Pleistocene Epoch, more commonly known as the Ice Age. Subsequently, the remains of 16 mammoths were discovered in the area now known as Waco Mammoth National Monument. While the attraction is reopening in stages due to the pandemic, trails are open for exploring as are the dig center and bookshop, albeit with modified hours of operation. Waco’s Baylor University is the oldest continuously operating university in the state. It is home to Martin Museum of Art featuring nationally and internationally renowned artists and Mayborn Museum Complex offering natural science and cultural history focused on central Texas. No destination meeting or event in Waco would be complete without a trip to Magnolia, the latest venture of the aforementioned Gaineses. The destination attraction includes Shops at the Silos, Magnolia Home, Seed & Supply, and Little Shop on Bosque. Silos Baking Co., food trucks and Magnolia Table are among the dining options, and public events often are held on Magnolia’s grounds. For diehard fans of the show, the Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau designed Magnolia Trail, a self-guided tour of the locations mentioned on “Fixer Upper.” wacoheartoftexas.com @wacocvb @wacotxhot
P H O T O : WA C O C V B
Shops at the Silos offers a little bit of everything for attendees looking to explore Waco between meeting sessions.
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VE N U E R EP ORT Theaters
Events with Star Power
The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences is a state-of-the-art campus with multipurpose theaters and halls that accommodate a variety of events or meetings.
» WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE penned
“All the world’s a stage” as the opening line of Jaques’ monologue in his play “As You Like It.” At no time is this more evident than at an event or meeting, where everyone—from planners and venue managers to guests and presenters—has their own role in creating a memorable production. So, why not take
20 TXM+E » WINTER 2022
the bard literally and hold your next conference, strategy session or celebration at one of Texas’ historic or contemporary theaters? Here are a few to consider. THE HEIGHTS THEATER
Houston
History is the setting for your event at
The Heights Theater. The Art Deco building was built in the 1920s as a movie house and today welcomes popular musicians, including Shawn Colvin, Lucinda Williams and Yola in 2022. Whether you sing off-key or are pitch-perfect, the venue is available to rent for private, corporate and charitable events. The space can
P H O T O S : B U D DY H O L LY H A L L O F P E R F O R M I N G A R T S A N D S C I E N C E S ; ( O P P O S I T E ) M O O DY T H E AT E R
The Lone Star State’s live theater and music venues also can serve as unique settings for meetings and events. BY TERESA KENNEY
ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin is home to the long-running “Austin City Limits” show on PBS.
the balcony suites can be booked for private parties and receptions. ACL LIVE AT THE MOODY THEATER
Austin
accommodate up to 500 guests and offers in-house catering, although outside catering is welcome as well. For a semi-private, VIP party experience during one of its live shows, the theater offers “The Gallery,” a balcony that surrounds the stage area and offers unobstructed sight lines from as close as 10 feet.
Crickets Theater. In total, the campus can host 841 guests theater-style, 747 for receptions, 352 for banquets, and 420 in a classroom-seating layout. As an added bonus, the 21st-century, world-class theaters feature excellent acoustics and sight lines.
THE BUDDY HOLLY HALL OF PERFORMING ARTS AND SCIENCES
Dallas
Lubbock
The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences is home to Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Lubbock and Lubbock ISD Visual Performing Arts. Named in honor of Lubbock’s favorite bespectacled rock ‘n’ roller son, the 220,000-square-foot, state-ofthe-art campus features several spaces that can hold private events and meetings. In addition to multipurpose rooms, the venue includes the Helen DeVitt Jones Theater, main-level Christine DeVitt Lobby and
BISHOP ARTS THEATRE CENTER
The multicultural nonprofit theater company, Bishop Arts Theatre Center (BATC), received Dallas Business Journal’s inaugural Leaders in Diversity Award in 2021. The theater company was formed to provide artistic opportunities to children and adults from communities experiencing social, economic or educational inequities and uses its platform to raise awareness around those issues. Located in the Bishop Arts District, it includes a 170-seat proscenium theatre with dressing rooms that can be rented for plays, concerts, seminars, films and conferences. In addition,
Meet in one of the official venues of SXSW in Austin. ACL Live at The Moody Theater is a state-of-the-art live music, performance and private event venue that serves as the location of PBS program “Austin City Limits” produced by KLRU-TV. It’s the longest-running music series in American television history. The venue is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. Planners can choose a full venue buyout for an event with 2,000-plus guests or host gatherings in one of the smaller spaces, such as the mezzanine that holds 334 or the balcony that accommodates approximately 1,000. There is also an outdoor terrace for fresh-air gatherings.
Theheightstheater.com @theheightstheater @theheightstheater bishopartstheatrecenter.com bishopartstheatrecenter @bishopartstheatre buddyhollyhall.com buddyhollyhall buddyhollyhall acl-live.com @acllive @acllive
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AUSTINious tac
Austin’s unconventional approach makes it the perfect destination for conventions and other corporate meetings. BY TERESA KENNEY
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P H OTO S : AU S T I N M A R R I OT T D OW N TOW N ; (OPPOSITE) JULIE SOEFER
Austin Marriott Downtown opened in 2021.
S
earching for a quirkily charming and utterly unique destination for your next meeting or event? Look no further than Austin. The Lone Star State’s capital is known for its forward-
thinking approach to music, dining, the arts and for getting down to business. Not one to rest on its laurels, Austin has some new places to meet and stay for conventions and meetings, and some tried-and-true things to see and do between sessions.
WHAT’S NEW IN HOTELS?
Accommodations: Coming This Year
Accommodations: Newly Opened
Opening January 2022, luxury and lifestyle intersect at this dual-brand, 32-story Hyatt-brand property. The more sophisticated Thompson features 211 guest rooms and suites, while the urban-flavored tommie Austin has 193 king-size rooms. In addition to a few select private residences (17 in all), the refined Thompson includes 10,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor event space. On the other hand, tommie Austin has a more youthful vibe with contactless check-in and a main-level wine bar and coffee shop in lieu of a lobby. Also on-site are a variety of dining options: The Grey Market, The Diner Bar and fourthfloor Wax Myrtle’s Club + Pool with game room and private dining.
Austin’s lineup of accommodations includes everything from boutique and historic to sprawling and resort-style. “Austin continues to be a rising new location of choice for many meetings and events. There are so many new, exciting hotels and unique off-site entertainment venues opening and now available—all within the city’s highly friendly and walkable central location,” says Steve Genovesi, executive vice president of Visit Austin.
MARRIOTT AUSTIN
Opened early in 2021, Austin Marriott Downtown puts you just a three-minute walk to Austin Convention Center. Featuring 613 rooms, the hotel offers the on-site restaurant, Corinne; rooftop, tiki bar–inspired Zanzibar lounge and pool; and nearly 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
KALAHARI RESORTS AND CONVENTIONS ROUND ROCK
Fall 2020 brought the opening of the 1.5 million-square-foot Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Round Rock, located approximately 30 minutes outside of Austin. Boasting the largest indoor waterpark in the country (30 indoor waterslides and 20 pools and whirlpools), it also features 975 guest rooms, 3 acres of outdoor pools, a spa, multiple dining options and Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park with attractions such as thrill rides, ziplines, rock climbing and bowling. Of course, it’s not all fun and games at the resort; guests can get down to business in the 200,000-square-foot conference center. The property also includes a quaint and rustic event barn for more intimate gatherings.
THOMPSON/TOMMIE AUSTIN
The guest rooms at tommie Austin have a chic minimalistic vibe.
THE LOREN
Scheduled to open in the summer, The Loren will feature 108 rooms and panoramic views of the Austin skyline and Lady Bird Lake. A rooftop restaurant is accessible via a glass elevator and plans to offer locally sourced cuisine and indoor, outdoor and private dining spaces. Additional amenities include an event space that accommodates up to 200 guests.
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P H O T O S : M V VA WAT E R L O O G R E E N WAY C O N S E R VA N C Y ; A U S T I N F C ; (O P P O S I T E ) DA N H E R R O N
Moody Amphitheater (top) and Austin FC Q2 stadium (below) are both recent additions to Austin’s menu of nontraditional venues.
WHAT’S NEW IN VENUES?
New spaces to meet and celebrate continue to grow in the capital city as well.
MOODY AMPHITHEATER
Waterloo Greenway is a 1.5-mile park system under construction that will ultimately connect 35 acres of green space from 15th Street in downtown Austin to Lady Bird Lake. The system is scheduled to be fully completed in 2026, and current milestones include the completion of Symphony Square and the 11-acre Waterloo Park and its Moody Amphitheater. Outdoor event rentals will be available soon at Moody Amphitheater, the park’s centerpiece. With its Great Lawn, the amphitheater accommodates 5,000 attendees for concerts and educational, cultural and performing arts events.
AUSTIN FC Q2 STADIUM
Opened in June 2021, Q2 Stadium is a multipurpose venue strategically designed to host a variety of community and spectator events, including Major League Soccer, U.S. Women’s National Team and U.S. Men’s National Team matches. The venue also can host concerts, festivals, community activities, cultural events and private functions, such as corporate meetings. The stadium’s maximum capacity is 20,500. One of the unique features is an amphitheater located right outside the stadium doors that can hold 3,000 guests.
MOODY ARENA CENTER
Opening in the spring, Moody Arena Center is a 15,000-plus-seat venue that will host some of the biggest names in the music industry (this year’s headliners include John Mayer, Justin Bieber and George Strait), along with the University of Texas women’s and men’s basketball games and other types of events, including private gatherings. The 530,000-square-foot venue is located on the campus of University of Texas Austin.
FLIGHT LOG GETTING TO AUSTIN IS BECOMING EVEN EASIER. » According to Visit Austin, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport continues to set records for new nonstop flights coming into the market and is the second-fastest growing, midsized airport in the country. This March, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is adding nine new nonstop flights, and the airport’s 2040 Master Plan forecasts that the airport will reach 31 million passengers and need 64 gates by 2037.
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THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL Post-meeting participants can unwind solo or with a group in an outing that is uniquely Austin.
P H O T O S , C L O C K W I S E F R O M T O P L E F T : U N C O M M O N O B J E C T S ; B E N T O B OX P H O T O S ; R O S C H E T Z K Y I S T O C K P H O T O ; A U S T I N D E T O U R S ; B L A N T O N M U S E U M O F A R T
AUSTIN IS ALL ABOUT INDIVIDUALISM—after all, its slogan “Keep Austin Weird” is
more of a call to action than a motto. So, it shouldn’t be any surprise that there is plenty of oneof-a-kind things to do while in the city, whether your guests are on their own or out en masse.
The Weird » SHOP FOR UNCOMMON GOODS. [1.] Described as “your eccentric uncle’s attic on steroids,” Uncommon Objects opened in the early 1990s as an antique collaborative. Today, you’ll find 20-plus antique purveyors all under the same roof, selling everything from the bizarre (a large goose-shaped sign) to the vintage (antique jewelry). » WATCH PUBLIC ART COME TO LIFE. Austin is home to lively street art and colorful murals—some of which “come to life” thanks to an augmented reality app courtesy of Visit Austin. Don’t-miss spots include “Let’s Band Together” by Frederico Archuleta at Whisler’s on East Sixth Street, “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” by Sade Lawson near Lamar Boulevard, and the mural at Seaholm Power Plant on West Cesar Chavez Street designed by Rex Hamilton. » PARTAKE IN THE PECULIAR. Austin’s Museum of the Weird is located on East Sixth Street in the Historic East Sixth Entertainment District, also home to lively restaurants and bars. One of the city’s oddest attractions, this museum showcases wax figures, shrunken heads and other curiosities.
The Wild » GO BAT CRAZY. [2.] At sunset, Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge comes alive with North America’s largest urban bat population. The Mexican free-tailed bats are an unusual tourist attraction. Residents and visitors alike start lining up early, hopeful for a front-row seat as the hundreds (sometimes thousands) of winged and nocturnal animals exit their manmade bat cave and take flight. » GET SOME FRESH AIR AT LADY BIRD LAKE. [3.] Encompassing 468 acres, Lady Bird Lake is a hub of activity on any one of Austin’s many sunny days. Hike and bike the trails or take a paddle board or kayak class on the water. There are even cruises to explore the reservoir at your leisure.
The Civiliz ed
» TAKE A DETOUR FROM MEETINGS WITH A GROUP TOUR. [4.] Austin Detours offers a variety of themed tours that your group can enjoy, including a wine, brew and spirits sampler, brewery crawl, history tour, and street art and street food tour. The tours are led by musicians, comedians and actors, adding personality to the experience for guests. The company can even set up team-building activities for your group or community service challenges that give convention delegates the opportunity do good while in town. » VISIT TEXAS HILL COUNTRY. Texas Hill Country—from Austin to Fredericksburg—has more than 50 wineries. And numerous tour companies—such as Discover Texas Wine Tours, Texas Wine Tours, and Livin’ It Wine Tours—can customize a full or half day of wine tastings for your group. Along the way, you can take in the beauty of the country scenery. » EXPLORE AUSTIN’S HISTORY AND CULTURE. As the state’s capital, Austin is home to a number of museums that tell the story of the city and the state. Bob Bullock Texas History Museum offers three floors of interactive exhibits that tell the varied stories of the state’s past. Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library explores the legacy of the larger-than-life, 36th president of the United States who signed into law the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. And Blanton Museum of Art, [5.] founded in 1963, houses the largest public collection of art in central Texas with approximately 19,000 objects. Modern and contemporary American and Latin American art, Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings, and prints and drawings are on display here.
austintexas.org @visitaustintexas @visitaustintexas
TX.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 27
IN DUSTRY U PDAT E Regional News
Group Outings //
FORT WORTH STREET ART New murals adding a splash of color. Fort Worth’s Sundance Square and Artspace 111 are collaborating to make Temporal Integral Mural Exhibition (T.I.M.E.) a reality. Through the initiative, artists design murals that, over time, will connect into one expansive piece of art covering three city blocks in the city. The T.I.M.E. project will be constantly evolving, and murals may be partially or completely painted over at some point in the future. Each mural will be visible for at least six months. Here are the artists for the first round.
Gorji
Dining //
Amy Jones Jenkins / Fort Worth
Christopher Najera / Fort Worth
Anne Allen / Fort Worth
Haley Bass / Melissa
Anna Galluzzi / Denton
Sarah Ayala / Fort Worth
Armando Castelan / Houston
Brenda Ciardiello / Fort Worth
Technology //
SABRE AND TUI PARTNER TO IMPROVE GUEST EXPERIENCE Texas-based Sabre Corporation, a software and technology provider for the global travel industry, has partnered with the travel group TUI Group. Seventy hotels from the TUI portfolio will use Sabre’s platform solution, including SynXis Central Reservations and Channel Connect, to fully automate guest operations, including booking, setting up and amending guest offers. sabre.com Hotels //
HOTEL PORTFOLIO EXPANDS Summit Hotel Properties Inc. is acquiring a 27-hotel portfolio, totaling 3,709 guest rooms. Twenty-one of the hotels will be in Texas cities, including Houston, Dallas, Lubbock, Amarillo, Bryan-College Station, Longview, Midland-Odessa and Tyler.
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Christoper Najera bringing his mural to life.
P H O T O S : K AT H Y T R A N ; J O S I E S I N G L E T O N / A R T S PA C E 1 1 1 ; ( O P P O S I T E ) V I S I T G A LV E S T O N
WHAT’S FOR DINNER? Dallas’s Gorji has been named the city’s best steakhouse by the Dallas Observer. The small and intimate five-table restaurant features new Mediterranean cuisine and is the first and only no-tipping, fine-dining restaurant in the city. Each table is seated only once per evening. chefgorji.com
People //
STEVEN CARL JOINS HYATT REGENCY LOST PINES RESORT & SPA AS DIRECTOR OF F&B Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa in Cedar Creek has appointed Steven Carl as its new director of food and beverage. He joins the resort from Paranaque, Philippines, where he worked for City of Dreams Manila Resort. In this role, Carl will be responsible for the operations of each on-site restaurant, including Stories Fine Dining, Firewheel Café, Shellers Barrelhouse Bar, McDade’s Coffee Emporium & Ice Cream Saloon, and Old Buck’s Place. Carl has worked with Hyatt Corporation for more than 24 years and has held executive chef and director of food and beverage positions at 11 properties throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean such as Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman, Hyatt Regency Miami and Hyatt Regency Maui and in central Texas as director of food and beverage at Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa from 2011 to 2013. While in the Philippines, Carl traveled extensively throughout southeast Asia. He received a degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, and has been a member of Rotary International since 2017. ARLINGTON CVB APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT & CEO Brent DeRaad has been named president and CEO of Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, beginning his new position in December 2021. DeRaad replaced Ron Price, who had been president and CEO since 2013.
Group Outings //
DING, DING GOES THE TROLLEY Trolley service resumes in Galveston. Galveston Island Trolley service returned to Galveston on Oct. 1, 2021. It is the first trolley service since it was flooded during Hurricane Ike in 2008. Three of the four historic trolleys were beautifully restored and completed testing for state and federal certification before resuming public service.
DeRaad has more than 20 years of hospitality leadership, sales and marketing experience. He comes to Arlington from Visit Tucson, where he was responsible for a $10 million annual budget and 16,000 hotel rooms as president and CEO. Prior to Visit Tucson, DeRaad was vice president of marketing for Scottsdale
Convention & Visitors Bureau before being promoted to executive vice president. He also has been director of communications for Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau.
TX.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 29
Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger at Six Flags Team-Building //
UPS AND DOWNS Six Flags & SeaWorld unveil new rides. For groups that want to add a little adrenaline to their next outings, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld have new attractions to choose from. Sea World San Antonio is welcoming a new heart-pounding ride: Tidal Surge. It features two pendulum-like arms, seating a total of 40 riders who soar more with each swing. Starting slowly and progressively flying faster and higher, the ride reaches a height of 135 feet at its peak.
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Aquatica San Antonio, another park by SeaWorld, is adding Riptide Race, a dueling racer water slide that pits teams against each other as they race to the finish line. Six Flags has unveiled its newest roller coaster: Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger. The new dive coaster features a cliffhanger hold, which suspends riders as they face straight down a 95-degree, beyond-vertical drop and then releases them moments later into a 150-foot dive. Other features include:
» Three trains with three rows of passengers seated seven across; » 2,501 feet of track; » A second 75-foot, near-vertical drop; » Speeds of up to 60 mph; and » Immersive steampunk theming that tells the story of Dr. Diabolical’s plot to harvest fear.
sixflags.com/fiestatexas seaworld.com/san-antonio aquatica.com/san-antonio
P H O T O S : S I X F L A G S F I E S TA T E X A S ; ( O P P O S I T E ) T H E W O O D L A N D S R E S O R T
IN DUSTRY U PDAT E Regional News
Taste //
Texas Barbeque
Where should groups gather if they are looking for the best-ofthe-best, mouthwatering barbecue in Texas? The experts at Texas Monthly did the legwork for you. The best barbeque regions are based on the number of bestranked barbeque joints. DALLAS – FORT WORTH
11 in the top 50, 3 in the top 10 (including the #1 bbq joint) AUSTIN – ROUND ROCK
9 in the Top 50, 3 in the Top 10 HOUSTON METRO REGION
7 in the top 50, 1 in the top 10 CENTRAL TEXAS
5 in the top 50, 1 in the top 10 SAN ANTONIO METRO REGION
4 in the top 50, 1 in the top 10 TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
3 in the top 50 LLANO ESTACADO
Resorts //
The Woodlands Resort’s Rebrand & Renovation
2 in the top 50, 1 in the top 10 RIO GRANDE VALLEY
2 in the top 50 EAST TEXAS
2 in the top 50 CORPUS CHRISTI MSA
1 in the top 50
Property is now part of the Curio Collection.
EL PASO
The Woodlands Resort is the first Curio Collection by Hilton branded resort in Texas. Along with its January 4 transition to the upscale portfolio, the 402-room, AAA Four Diamond property is slated for an extensive renovation beginning in the second quarter of 2022. The resort boasts 75,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space. Outdoors, the 3,000-square-foot Forest Deck that overlooks Lake Harrison will be transformed into an al fresco venue for meetings, ceremonies and receptions.
SOUTHEAST TEXAS
1 in the top 50 1 in the top 50 VICTORIA MSA
1 in the top 50 WEST TEXAS
1 in the top 50
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PE OPLE PROF I L E Allison Rhodes
» RICHARD BRANSON ONCE SAID,
“A good PR story is infinitely more effective than a front-page ad.” But there is a wrong and a right way to approach public relations (PR) and having the benefit of an experienced PR professional on your team can be tremendously helpful. Take Allison Rhodes, for example. Originally from the Lake Highlands neighborhood of Dallas, Rhodes graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in communication and minor in journalism. Today, she works with Culver Public Relations, a public relations firm with offices in Dallas and San Antonio that specializes in hospitality, retail and real estate. Texas Meetings + Events magazine sat down with Rhodes to learn more about her career journey and get some tips on how those of us in the industry can approach public relations.
What do you like about promoting the industry? At Culver Public Relations, we work with hotels and resorts that have many different moving parts under one roof, which provides room for creativity when promoting. Whether it’s [focusing on] the hotel’s spa, event space, golf, food and beverage or driving room sales, I enjoy sitting down with clients to figure out their need areas and providing creative solutions to help build awareness.
No News Is Not Good News PR pro Allison Rhodes shares some advice on how event planners can grab the headlines. BY TERESA KENNEY
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What is one tip you can share for companies looking to promote a special event? It may seem simple, but my tip is to stay on target with the main message. It is important to keep in mind what you, as a reader, would want to know about an event when making a decision to attend or not and then provide that information clearly in an interview. culverpr.com
P H O T O : J A M E S E D WA R D P H O T O G R A P H Y
How did you get involved in PR? Have you always covered the hospitality industry? I first became involved in public relations after graduating from Texas A&M when I interned for two entertainment public relations agencies in New York City. I then moved back to Dallas and worked for an architecture firm, where I was doing PR in-house for their health-care sector. I first became involved with PR for the hospitality industry when I joined Culver Public Relations four years ago.
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
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• • • • • • •
MADEMarket by Hilton Fitness Center High-Speed WiFi In-Room Technology Package DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies Business Center And Much More!
RAVE ON RESTA URANT COTTON COURT HO TEL
CACTU S TH
EATER
LHUCA
CLAY ST
UDIO
MCPHERSON CELLARS
Meet in the
THE BUDDY HOLLY HALL OF PERFORMING ARTS AND SCIENCES
THE BREWERY LBK
of the 806
From accommodations and meeting spaces to wine tastings and team building activities, Downtown Lubbock brings to life ordinary gatherings in the heart of the city with its dynamic art and culture scene. Planners find local talent takes
VISITLUBBOCK.ORG
shape with musicians, artisans, chefs, brewers and winemakers showcasing their craft and sharing an unexpected West Texas experience for every meeting. Find all the ways you can meet in Lubbock today at visitlubbock.org/meet. 4 TXM+E » WINTER 2022
#LIVELOVELUBBOCK