SO MANY REASONS TO MAKE YOUR MEETING MORE DULUTHY.
Find out if you qualify for a special one-time grant to earn up to $6 per night, per room for shoulder season and weekday events. Because when the timing’s right, the incentives are too. Let’s plan your meeting.
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.
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.)
(Planning your next event in Kearney is no gamble.)
where the Heartland gathers.
The solution is simple, Kearney is a fantastic place for your next meeting. Where superior facilities, top-notch event staff, affordably, & ease for attendees come together to make your event a success!
Why? Because Kearney has the best facilities between Denver and Omaha, and experienced staff that make sure every event is a win!
If you’re looking for a host city for your next event, make sure you look at Kearney, Nebraska.
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.
If you’re looking for a host city for your next event, make sure you look at Kearney, Nebraska.
WITH VICKIE MITCHELL
Sustainability is a growth industry. Thanks to innovative people and expanding technologies, there continue to be new ways to decrease a meeting’s negative impact on the environment, which gives meeting planners more opportunities to expand their sustainability efforts. Here are some sustainable meeting strategies you might want to consider.
It can be fun to come up with new ways to achieve the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle. A good place to start? Signage for annual events that’s designed so it can be reused year after year, produced from as many recycled materials as possible. Technology continues to make it easier to use less paper. As your audience trends younger, paper agendas, brochures and seminar handouts can go by the wayside. Recycling paper and plastic is admirable, and many organizations now look for other ways to reuse and recycle, for example, by collecting items like lanyards, name badge holders and unused pens or notepads at the end of a conference so they can be used at future meetings. How about decor? Can plants or other decorations be rented from a garden center? After the event, things like floral arrangements can be donated to senior centers, churches, homeless shelters and schools. Habitat for Humanity, with resale stores across the country, will take most home goods and building materials off your hands.
Convention centers and hotels that are serious about sustainable practices are likely to be striving for or have successfully achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. New venues, as well as existing ones that have been upgraded or expanded, can achieve LEED. And it is not a certification attained only by venues in the biggest cities. For example, the Knoxville Convention Center in Tennessee and the recently renovated Sharonville Convention Center 15 miles north of Cincinnati have achieved LEED certification for existing buildings. All the major hotel chains, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Intercontinental Group, have sustainability programs and are targeting goals to reduce energy use, conserve water, increase recycling, cut waste and use more local products without sacrificing the guest experience. They have upped composting and recycling efforts, switched to LED and other efficient lighting, shifted to full-size bath amenities, and employed technology like room sensors and smart showers.
The meeting destination you choose can also have an impact on sustainability. Among transportation options, air travel creates, by far, the most carbon emissions. Would it be possible to plan conventions and conferences in cities where more attendees could drive or, better yet, travel by train? Having several regional conferences instead of one large convention is one way to make that work. Choosing to meet at conference hotels or convention centers located in downtowns that have adjacent entertainment districts also makes it possible for attendees to walk or take public transit instead of driving their cars for after-hours dining and fun. There are plenty of options, like the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, with its adjacent hotels and, within a couple of blocks, an ever-growing number of local restaurants and bars in restored storefronts. The city also has an inexpensive public shuttle system that motors around Covington and Newport and over the Ohio River to Cincinnati.
Much of the swag at conventions is cheap, plastic, manufactured abroad and ultimately destined for the mounting pile of donations at the local Goodwill. Yet, swag remains. With a little thought and perhaps some advice from the local CVB, meaningful attendee gifts can be sourced locally — think whoopie pies for gatherings in Pennsylvania Dutch Country or DeBrand Fine Chocolates, a hometown favorite in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Third-party supplier Marco Ideas Unlimited helps companies find local, Made in USA products near their meeting locations, which benefits small businesses and cuts down on shipping. Packed with Purpose sources quality gifts from small businesses, women- and minority-owned companies, and mission-driven organizations. Other options? Consider donations in attendees’ honor to a cause that resonates with your group or offer attendees a choice of several gifts — so they can get something they want or need — and have the gifts shipped directly to their homes.
One significant way to be more sustainable is to lean harder on vegan and vegetarian dishes. Studies show plant-based foods produce half as many carbon emissions as animal-based foods. There are other advantages, too, including lower costs, fewer allergy issues and wider acceptance among various faith communities and world cultures.
There are some do’s and don’ts about serving more vegan and vegetarian dishes. Planners say it is best to make them the first offerings in the buffet line because people choose plant-based dishes more often when they are placed there. Also, use appetizing descriptions. “Asparagus lemon rotini” definitely has more appeal than “vegan pasta.”
Making the shift away from traditional meat and potatoes is usually best done gradually, with the understanding that it can be difficult to change diners’ expectations. For example, GreenBiz, which does sustainability conferences, has made a big shift to plant-based entrees but does serve cheese or white meat on the side.
BY MAC LACY
Autumn in southwest Texas is a season everyone should enjoy at least once. The Small Market Meetings Conference moves to that resplendent region in October when delegates gather in El Paso, known appropriately as Sun City and as one of America’s most authentic showcases of Southwestern cuisine, grandeur and hospitality. With a metropolitan area population of nearly 900,000, El Paso may be the state’s sixth largest city, but our Visit El Paso hosts look forward to extending a friendly “small market” welcome to attendees October 6–8, during what is sure to be a gorgeous fall season in the Lone Star State.
“El Paso is where friendliness, rich culture and genuine hospitality meet,” said Brooke Underwood, executive director of Visit El Paso. “For first-time visitors, it’s a city that feels both vibrant and approachable. Our city’s cross-cultural heritage creates an experience that is distinctly Southwestern yet uniquely El Paso. Visitors often arrive curious, then leave inspired and eager to return.”
Home to The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and a doorway to sprawling Big Bend National Park, this Texas favorite is already well known to many professional meeting planners who have brought delegations previously. The 2026 Small Market Meetings Conference is sure to introduce dozens more to the appeal of this proud city that enjoys introducing guests to its numerous museums, theaters, historic neighborhoods, outdoor murals and authentic Mexican traditions.
“We always encourage visitors to experience El Paso beyond the meeting room,” said Underwood. “Our city offers a rare combination of outdoor adventure, performing arts and a nationally recognized culinary scene. For outdoor lovers, Franklin Mountains State Park offers scenic hiking trails with stunning desert views.
“Entertainment enthusiasts can enjoy performances at the beautiful and historic Plaza Theatre or concerts and events at the Abraham Chavez Theatre,” she said. “Visitors also love exploring the El Paso Mission Trail, dining at locally owned restaurants that showcase border flavors, and taking in sunset views along Scenic Drive or Transmountain.”
EL PASO’S COLORFUL CULTURE WILL CAPTIVATE CONFERENCE ATTENDEES.
“When El Paso told us they wanted to host the 2026 conference, we thought about shutting down early to go somewhere and celebrate,” said Small Market Meetings Conference general manager Jennifer Ferguson. “It’s such an iconic part of Texas, and I can tell you that their convention center, convention hotels, walkable downtown and dynamic street appeal are going to make it hard to keep our delegates indoors. Luckily, we know how to handle business first then enjoy the highlights of a great city. That’s exactly what we plan to do in El Paso.”
The El Paso Convention Center is a landmark venue in downtown, just a few minutes from the El Paso International Airport. It features more than 133,000 square feet of total useable space, including 80,000 square feet that are column-free. The center offers three halls and 17 breakout rooms and is across the street or within an easy walk from several convention hotels and two of the city’s best-known theaters. On-site food service options are available for meeting delegates. For many conventions, attendees can step outside to enjoy El Paso’s Southwestern cuisine in time to be back for afternoon sessions.
El Paso’s elegant Plaza Theatre, built in 1930 and meticulously restored in 2006, holds National Historic Building status and is one of the city’s most revered landmarks. Its 2,000 seats rest beneath a brilliantly lit ceiling and are spread across its orchestra pit, orchestra, mezzanine and balcony sections. The Plaza is within easy walking distance of the El Paso Convention Center, making it a venue that meeting planners should prioritize for a site inspection while in the city.
The Abraham Chavez Theatre projects an unmistakable aura in downtown El Paso, as its three-story-high, glass-windowed entry illuminates the surrounding area and its sombrero-inspired architecture creates a distinctly Southwestern presence. The theater features 2,500 seats spread across four sections and offers planners state-of-the-art lighting and audio capabilities for their delegates. The theater is adjacent to the convention center, making it a convenient off-site venue for a superb special event.
For a spectacular reception or event beneath a darkening Texas sky, the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater offers meeting planners an almost unparallelled opportunity. This 1,500-seat venue in the nearby Franklin Mountains is the perfect place to wow your delegates with a Southwestern sunset or starlit evening. With 57 ADA-accessible seats and an accessible parking lot, this outdoor venue offers everyone in your delegation a chance to enjoy an evening they’ll never forget.
No trip to El Paso is complete without diving into some of America’s best Southwestern food. Authentic Mexican and its more recent derivative, Tex-Mex, are both staples in many of the city’s favorite eateries. Fans of red or green chiles and enchiladas will not be disappointed, nor will those who insist on discovering the most authentic dishes in any area to which they travel. Due to El Paso’s proximity to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, delegates can find authentic Mexican fare that highlights mole, fresh salsas and other favorites. A good rule of thumb while you are in El Paso is to forget about your favorite local Mexican restaurant and ask a local where they go for great food.
El Paso is a city rich in outdoor art. In one of its best-known historic districts, El Segundo Barrio, numerous murals have been created to depict the city’s vibrant cultural heritage. Visitors can view many of these authentic art forms while walking in El Segundo Barrio and in other El Paso locales. Local artists have visually enhanced office buildings, bridges, warehouses and other downtown surfaces with all types of art that draws on the city’s rich Chicano heritage and other inspirations. The Only in El Paso app offers a great walking tour and street map orientation for delegates who enjoy great public art.
HIKING IS A FAVORITE PASTIME IN THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAINS.
El Paso earns its description as the Sun City due to a bright Southwestern climate that encourages residents and visitors alike to get outdoors. There are numerous scenic areas for hiking or just taking a walk, including favorites like Big Bend National Park, where the striking Chihuahuan Desert stretches beneath and around the Chisos Mountains. Santa Elena Canyon, Franklin Mountains State Park and many other local favorites offer wonderful options for delegates who want to spend an afternoon outside. Noted botanical gardens to see while in El Paso include Chihuahuan Desert Gardens on the UTEP campus, El Paso Municipal Rose Gardens, Feather Lake Wildlife Sanctuary and several more.
The El Paso Mission Trail Association preserves and publicizes three historic missions that date as far back as the 16th century and depict generations of life in and around El Paso. These majestic structures address topics including the settlement of the area, Christian missionary efforts, Old West legends like Billy the Kid, and other heritage elements that offer a fascinating glimpse into this colorful region of the United States.
For delegates who prefer driving over walking, El Paso’s Scenic Drive is a 2-mile route that many visitors follow to see some of the area’s most stunning landmarks. Scenic Drive offers gorgeous views of the city, the Southwestern landscape and the surrounding mountains. Designed to include some stretches that wind upward into the mountainsides, Scenic Drive includes pullover stops and shows off some of El Paso’s most beautiful homes as well.
By Andy Austin
Add some fall color to your business this year and register now to attend the 2026 Small Market Meetings Conference in El Paso. visitelpaso.com
Sydney Lowe is the senior manager of events at Heartland Forward, based in Bentonville, Arkansas. She followed a nonlinear path into the events industry, first moving to Hawaii to work as a travel coordinator after graduating high school. She had several event and wedding planning apprenticeships in Manhattan before landing an event management role at Heartland Forward, where she was later promoted to senior manager of events. She attended Arkansas State University from 2022–2025 to obtain a degree in communications while working full-time.
When you’re talking about nontraditional pathways to success, what does that mean to you?
A:
To me, I’d say nontraditional pathways are paths that aren’t linear. That can look like so many different things — career pivots, time away from school, travel, even learning through hands-on experience, trades, all those things. And then, within the events industry, I think it matters because it changes who we see as capable and who we invite into the room for gathering. So lived experience, I find, often brings as much insight — if not more — than a title or credential.
QAt what point did you realize that less traditional pathways were assets, not liabilities?
A: It wasn’t until I started working full-time that I saw that the skills I built doing travel, logistics, hospitality to some degree and then bartending were not details or detours, but they were more of the true foundation that I actually needed. And I didn’t realize I needed them at the time. It made me a lot more confident in designing rooms differently. I don’t automatically assume the best voice is the one with the most polished resume, but instead I look for things like perspective, curiosity, truly lived experience and adaptability. I think people who’ve taken nontraditional paths are often stronger at reading a room and handling pressure and connecting across differences.
We discussed how that can bring about lots of contrast within events. Why is that contrast valuable instead of something to just ignore or sweep under the rug?
A:The value is that it makes the conversation real. I think when you elevate voices that aren’t just usual titles, you get insight that’s grounded in lived experience, not just theory. I think the best conversations have contrast. If everyone in the room thinks the same way, the conversation tends to stay comfortable. But if it does that, it doesn’t move forward. For example, at the Heartland Summit, which is Heartland Forward’s flagship event, we invite people, and our tagline is “Meet in the middle.” And that phrase has a few different meanings. One is quite literal; we gather in the middle of the country in Bentonville, Arkansas. But it also speaks to that contrast, where it also means creating space for people with different backgrounds and viepoints, where they can come together and truly learn from one another. And I think when that’s designed well, it doesn’t create division; it actually creates more of an honest, dynamic conversation where ideas move forward.
When it comes to event design, what’s one small change that can make a difference in how inclusive a gathering feels, or how much contrast it has, to use your word?
A:One small design change that we are using at Heartland Summit is creating smaller curated spaces within a larger convening where people can contribute to lived experiences. So, specifically at the Heartland Summit, we do this through what we call “salon-style dinners.” Each dinner is centered around a specific topic, and guests can join a conversation where they have true, real perspective that they can bring. At Heartland Summit this past year, in 2025, we had 11 dinners happening simultaneously. And, because we bring together 350 guests total, it gave a chance for these smaller dinners based on what and where people are coming from. I think the dialogue gets more honest, and the connections tend to last well beyond the event when you make it really curated. Another thing is speakers. We’ve had amazing speakers with incredible titles, but it’s always so intriguing to me to hear where they started.
Is there anything else more broadly that you can recommend to other planners who are attempting to design events that are inclusive to those who followed nontraditional paths?
A:If I could leave one little piece of advice, I would say before you design the format or build the agenda or finalize any invite lists, one thing to do is to get crystal clear on what you want the guests to leave with. I don’t mean anything tangible or a gift, but rather, what do you want people to walk away having learned, felt or gained? So, if the goal of the convening is to experience stronger connections and ensure that your guests feel that, then you need to lean more into intentional guest experience, such as studying the guest list, understanding people’s backgrounds and being really thoughtful about who should meet, and then connecting those people. Or if the goal is stronger content, then design for the audience specifically in the room and understand what sectors are represented and then build those sessions on what actually matters to the folks in the room, not what looks good on paper.
BY RACHEL CRICK
Need to phone a friend?
Every seasoned planner knows that CVBs and DMOs are the best friends they could possibly turn to when planning a meeting. The information and resources these types of agencies provide help planners stick to their budgets and bring the wow factor to their events. But while these organizations’ standard services are common knowledge, some planners may be unsure how to maximize CVB offerings. What questions should they ask CVBs to provide more than the basics and determine if a destination is the best fit? How can they ask CVBs to go above and beyond for their meetings? And how can they ensure they’re fostering positive relationships between themselves and CVB reps?
Here’s what three experts had to say about communicating with CVBs.
The needs of each meeting will vary depending on what the client wants, so before a planner begins communicating with CVBs, he or she should be crystal clear on what the client is looking for from a destination. That goes beyond just the capacity and hotel tier and extends to everything from downtime activities to how close the group wants to be to the airport.
“I would remind planners to create their own RFPs based on their clients’ needs and to know what those top three needs are,” said Kimberly Wyckoff, owner of KW Meetings & Events. “And make sure the CVB understands them because if they can’t accommodate the top three needs for your client, you’re wasting your time.”
Once planners know those needs, creating an RFP that is outlined on a single document can streamline the selection process by eliminating a lot of back-and-forth with CVBs.
If a destination meets a client’s major criteria, it’s important to look at other key information, like ease of access, available hotel types and venue sizing.
“When I’m first contacting a CVB, what I’m mostly doing is trying to find a hotel home for one of my conferences,” said Abby Freeman, founder and principal planner of Mitchell Meetings. “So all my questions are around how many hotels you have that I can fit in, what do they look like, where are they, that kind of thing.”
“I value CVBs greatly because they make your job much easier .… A good relationship with one means I can give them honest information, and they give me honest feedback.”
The Graddy Group Experience: 34 years
“Technically, what you’re doing is you’re making your CVB your insight, your on-site middleman and sales manager, so you need to make sure that sales manager knows all the information they need to know so that they can best act on your behalf.”
Even when destinations meet an event’s main requirements, there’s something about them that can’t always be captured in a simple proposal. A destination’s culture and overall feel — or its “vibe,” as Gen Z might describe it — can be the difference between whether attendees make happy memories or don’t remember a destination at all.
Asking about a city’s walkability, its nightlife, demographics and even factors like crime are all important to determine how an attendee will feel while in the city. This is especially imperative to consider if the target attendee has extra factors to consider, like safety or accessibility.
“We’re trying to provide our clients and attendees with an experience outside of just the hotel,” Wyckoff said. “I’m really working with my CVBs asking, ‘If we’re downtown, what all do you have downtown? What’s going on during this time?’”
Kimberly Wyckoff
OWNER
KW Meetings & Events
Experience: 21 years
One of the best ways for planners to determine the feel of the city is to see it for themselves. It’s common for CVBs to offer site inspections to planners, and even sometimes for planners and their clients, to see the city in person.
An in-person visit can reveal a lot about a destination, including how valid the initial proposals were.
“I need to make sure everything I requested is actually offered,” said Cynthia Graddy, independent event planner at The Graddy Group. “I have a lot of groups that want golf outings, and there are some very beautiful places that only have nine-hole golf courses, and that just doesn’t work for my groups. I need to go and see the quality of the courses for myself.”
An in-person visit lets planners experience everything from a destination’s traffic to the demeanor of its people toward visitors. A CVB rep might act as a friendly ambassador at conferences, but if a planner or client feels unwelcomed by locals, they might determine the city is not a good fit for their group.
“A good CVB is going to show me and my clients the best side of the city and the best parts of it so that we can get a better sense of it,” Freeman said. “Will they give me transportation and take me around the city and make suggestions not just for a hotel, but for some off-site venues?”
Another important factor that a site visit can reveal is a destination’s accessibility. A planner without accessibility training can bring along an accessibility coordinator to see how easily hotels and venues meet accessibility standards.
The typical amenities CVBs offer, such as providing information on the city and helping planners source vendors, is helpful, but some CVBs are willing to go above and beyond — planners need only ask.
In addition to vendor sourcing, many destinations can offer rebates and special deals on hotel room blocks in the initial stages of planning, as well as marketing support before the event and even staffing support during the event. A CVB can also go above and beyond by assisting with negotiations when it comes to local vendors, from A/V to transportation.
“They can offer coupons for local restaurants; microsites, which are websites that we can use about the city; and all kinds of literature about the city that we can share with our participants,” Freeman said. “I like to use them for everything.”
It’s often the small details that grab the attention of attendees. Small details like welcome signage, polite volunteers and knowledgeable tourism ambassadors can be the difference between an average attendee experience and a great one.
“It really is the little things sometimes,” Graddy said. “Because they took the time to do that, that’s what gets noticed, and it makes people feel special.”
The best planner-CVB relationships are based on honest, two-way communication that goes beyond a sales pitch. While every CVB wants to sell their destinations, the good ones know that a planner will only be happy if the destination is truly a fit and the meeting goes well.
Fostering a good relationship with CVBs is the first step toward that honesty, so attending industry shows is a must. At conferences or events, while networking with CVB reps, planners can ask for honest, no-frills, “off-the-record” feedback about hotel properties, like which ones will or won’t be a good fit.
These events are also a good way for planners to determine who their strongest contenders are; CVBs that are proactive and can respond to RFPs quickly stand out.
“I generally like the CVB that will reach out to me, if we’ve gone to a trade event,” Wyckoff said. “I have a process where I take their card, screenshot it and send it to my admin team with notes so I remember the details.”
Planners should also be sure to ask for references from CVB reps to determine how strong the fit is for their meeting group.
“I ask other people who’ve been there before, and I tell them, ‘I want your references,’” Graddy said. “If they don’t give me references, that says something.”
Graddy recommends asking destinations for connections with similar groups to see what other planners have to say about how the destination handled their meeting. Failure to provide references can indicate lack of experience with a certain type of group or a history of poor experiences. Either way, knowing this upfront can save planners headaches later.
“I just try to keep the relationships alive just because I never know — maybe my client didn’t choose a city this time, but they might next time, so I keep that same relationship with that same CVB rep.”
Abby Freeman
These destinations are riding the ‘bleisure’ wave
BY RACHEL CRICK
Gone are the days of all work and no play. Many attendees are interested in turning their meetings into family vacations or simply enjoying some downtime exploring destinations after the main event. To make business travel more enticing and to boost attendance, meeting organizers have gotten creative with the destinations they choose, opting for places that seamlessly blend business and leisure.
Here are five destinations across the country where attendees can get their bleisure fix.
Renowned as a Midwestern hub for family-friendly entertainment, Branson, Missouri, combines the joy of live entertainment with the beauty of the Ozark Mountains. This compact town draws more than 10 million visitors every year to enjoy attractions like Silver Dollar City theme park, the Titanic Museum, and Sight & Sound Theatres. Attendees can enjoy these singular attractions and many live performances in downtown Branson after their meetings.
The Branson Convention Center is in the heart of downtown, with beautiful views of Lake Taneycomo. It features 220,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 48,000-square-foot exhibit hall and the 22,700-squarefoot Taneycomo Ballroom. The ASM Global facility is attached to the AAA Four Diamond Hilton Branson Convention Center, which has 293 rooms. Just across the street, a Hilton Promenade has 242 guest rooms and an additional 1,800 square feet of event space. Branson’s many resorts offer all-inclusive options for meetings; Chateau on the Lake features 301 guest rooms and 53,000 square feet of event space, while Big Cedar Lodge has 260 guest rooms and is home to the 22,000-squarefoot Grandview Conference Center.
Coming soon to join Branson’s list of properties is the Silver Dollar City Resort, adjacent to the legendary theme park. It will include 262 rooms, 17,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a full-service restaurant and a long list of amenities, including indoor and outdoor pools. The resort is still under construction but is taking bookings for summer 2027 and beyond.
explorebranson.com
Coming soon to join Branson’s list of properties is the Silver Dollar City Resort. It will include 262 rooms and 17,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The resort is is taking bookings for summer 2027 and beyond.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, drawing millions of people each year to see its misty mountains. The city of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, directly adjacent to the park, has more than 16,000 sleeping rooms, over 500 shops, 100-plus restaurants and dozens of distinct, wholesome attractions. It’s an appealing destination for meeting attendees to bring their families along, whether they want to spend a few days on hiking trails or combing through Gatlinburg’s main strip, where Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and charming village shops await. Other attractions showing off the region’s natural beauty include Anakeesta, Ober Mountain Adventure Park and Ski Area, and Gatlinburg SkyPark, which offer thrilling amusement rides, scenic gondola and chairlift rides, and unmatched mountain views.
The Gatlinburg Convention Center offers upwards of 160,000 square feet of event space, including a 67,000-square-foot Great Hall, the 17,000-squarefoot Tennessee Ballroom and the 8,800-square-foot Mills Auditorium. More than 4,000 guest rooms can
Gatlinburg scenes, clockwise form left: An arts and crafts demonstration; Gatlinburg Convention Center; Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort
be found at hotels within walking distance of the convention center, including the Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort, with 164 sleeping rooms and around 8,000 square feet of meeting space; the Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown, with 128 guest rooms and 2,500 square feet of meeting space; and the Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg, which features 162 guest rooms and 6,200 square feet of meeting space.
gatlinburg.com
A town built on chocolate is the perfect spot for a vacation, but its meeting offerings might just surprise planners. When combined with nearby Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s capital, the city of Hershey becomes as irresistible as its signature sweet treat.
“Milton Hershey didn’t just build a factory and a chocolate brand; he built an entire town,” said Allison Rohrbaugh, director of communications and content for Visit Hershey & Harrisburg. “So when Hershey and Harrisburg scenes, clockwise from left: A ride at Hershey’s Chocolate World; welcome to Chocolate World; historic King Mansion
people come here for meetings, they then get to spread out and enjoy those things that all kind of came about from that. There’s a beautiful theater, a wonderful museum that tells his life story, Chocolate World that dives into the history of chocolate and then, of course, Hershey Park.”
Within a three-hour drive of major metropolitans like Baltimore and New York City, and near an Amtrak and Harrisburg’s international airport, Hershey is easily accessible for many groups meeting in the Northeast. The Hershey Lodge Convention Center has around 100,000 square feet of event space and can accommodate both large conferences and smaller meetings, while the Hilton Harrisburg is another nearby hotel with meeting space. Unique area venues include the Antique Auto Museum, Tröegs Independent Brewing, the region’s largest brewery, and Chocolate World. History buffs will enjoy The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, which can also host meetings.
visithersheyharrisburg.org
The stunning, snowcapped mountains, fields of wildflowers and abundant wildlife of Glacier National Park draw over 1 million visitors to Whitefish, Montana, every year. Each season brings a range of different amenities, from skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months to hiking, kayaking and paddleboarding when it’s warm. Going-to-the-Sun Road provides prime opportunities for visitors to see wildlife and some of the park’s most iconic scenery, and the road is extremely popular during the warmer months. When not exploring Glacier National Park, Whitefish offers visitors plenty of shopping and a small-town performing arts scene for a well-rounded leisure experience. When it comes to meetings and events, the two most popular lodging spots are The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, with stunning lake views, 225 guest rooms and a 300-person banquet capacity, and Grouse Mountain Lodge, a cozy ski resort with 144 rooms and a 225-person banquet capacity. The Hampton Inn & Suites Whitefish can accommodate up to 50 people in its conference room and has 76 guest rooms. The Whitefish Performing Arts Center is available to rent for private meetings and events and seats 472, while Whitefish scenes, clockwise from left: Sightseeing inside Glacier National Park; downtown Whitefish; a backcountry fishing expedition
the O’Shaughnessy Center has private auditorium space for up to 417. Several restaurants and brewpubs offer full buyouts, including Great Northern Bar & Grill and Craggy Range. Many other boutique hotels and venues are available for small to midsize meetings. explorewhitefish.com
The red rocks and majestic vistas of Zion National Park are just a short drive from St. George, the largest city in southern Utah. It’s the seat of Washington County, an area surrounded by the scenic beauty of the Southwest and jam-packed with capable meeting and event venues. One of the largest is the 100,000-square-foot Dixie Convention Center, which has recently undergone upgrades, from refreshed carpeting and painting to new signage. The county is home to a range of lodging options, from all-inclusive resorts to select-service properties. The newest to join the list are Black Desert Resort, which hosted the 2024 PGA Golf Tournament and features
a stunning golf course and more than 400 rooms, as well as the Residence Inn by Marriott St. George, which opened in late 2025 and has 120 rooms.
After their meetings, attendees can choose from an abundance of leisure activities. More adventurous attendees may want to hike in nearby Snow Canyon State Park or race through the desert on dune buggies. For more relaxing activities, visitors can shop in St. George’s quaint downtown, golf at one of its many nearby 18-hole courses or visit a spa. But most people find they can’t skip a stop at the country’s second-most-visited national park.
“With Zion National Park just 45 minutes away, you can work Zion into your agenda for your meetings in so many different ways,” said Joy Schroeder, meetings and conventions specialist at Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office. “It could be a pre- or post-meeting option, if an attendee is bringing family or friends, or you can have that be part of your agenda with team building or an unusual breakout session.”
greaterzion.com
Meet in Chicagoland’s Best Location, less than 15 miles from downtown and both airports. 1,600+ Hotel Rooms. Your budget goes further here...
a scenic and eco-friendly way to explore Tucson and surrounding Pima County.
FBY ELIZABETH HEY
lanked on both sides by Saguaro National Park, Tucson — Arizona’s second-largest city — boasts more than 300 days of sunshine annually. Top-notch resorts and city life intermingle with surrounding mountain ranges, stately saguaro forests, red-orange sunsets and infinite opportunities for stargazing. Coyotes and javelinas can be seen while hiking, horseback riding or even playing golf as the animals sun themselves on a championship course. In 2025, Tucson celebrated its 10th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
LOCATION: Southern Arizona
ACCESS: Tucson International Airport; interstates 10 and 19
HOTEL ROOMS: 16,708
CONTACT INFO: Visit Tucson 520-624-1817 visittucson.org
TUCSON CONVENTION CENTER
BUILT: 1971, renovated 2024
EXHIBIT SPACE: 233,000 square feet total
OTHER MEETING SPACES: Tucson Arena, The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, Leo Rich Theater
MEETING SPACES
Tanque Verde Ranch
BUILT: 1968, The Barn added in 2019
MEETING SPACE: 23,776+ square feet, one-acre Cottonwood Grove for outdoor events
Tohono Chul Gardens, Galleries and Bistro
BUILT: 1985, started renovations in 2025
MEETING SPACE: Four indoor and outdoor spaces for 50 to 410 guests
MEETING HOTELS
JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa
GUEST ROOMS: 575
MEETING SPACE: 115,182 square feet
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
GUEST ROOMS: 398
MEETING SPACE: 37,000 indoor square feet, 46,000 square feet of outdoor venues
The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
GUEST ROOMS: 487
MEETING SPACE: 64,000 indoor square feet, 45,000 outdoor square feet
Tucson’s moniker, “The Old Pueblo,” refers to its history as an ancient settlement and Spanish presidio.
Walking tours highlight the re-created Spanish fort built in 1775 and Barrio Libre, the largest collection of 19th-century adobe houses in the nation. Guided tours of the still-active San Xavier del Bac Mission showcase the “White Dove of the Desert.” As Arizona’s oldest European structure built in 1692, it’s a masterpiece of Spanish Colonial architecture.
“For over 4,000 years, Indigenous people have grown crops, and our cuisine reflects our large Native American, Mexican and Chinese communities,” said Mo Olivas, communications manager for Visit Tucson. “Our robust food scene reflects our culture and history.”
Outdoor diversions lie at Tucson’s doorstep. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area offers hiking for beginners and experts. Opt for a stroll along the paved Sabino Canyon Trail, hop a tram or hike the moderate Seven Falls Trail that rewards trekkers with natural pools for wading or swimming. Mountain biking is popular for all skill levels, and horseback riding allows visitors to explore the desert and mountain landscape.
More than 300 movies and TV shows have been created at Old Tucson, located between Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park. This working movie set and cultural heritage village hosts living history presentations, museum exhibits, stunt shows, saloon musicals and tours in its locomotive steam engine.
Pima Air & Space Museum hosts events among more than 400 vintage and modern aircraft. Numerous event spaces include Flight Central in Hanger No. 1, which accommodates up to 300 guests with in-house catering. The newly opened Tucson Military Vehicle Museum welcomes casual events surrounded by more than 65 vehicles and tanks. Tram tours and Humvee rides are available.
Dining options abound. El Charro Cafe, founded in 1922, reigns as the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by one family. Credited for the invention of the chimichanga, El Charro serves traditional Northern Mexico-Sonoran and Tucson-style Mexican dishes featuring ranch-to-table natural beef and chicken. Casual dining and pickleball go together at Corbett’s, where quirky indoor and outdoor event spaces accommodate 20 to 1,000 attendees.
“Whiskey Del Bac makes their whiskey on-site and is great for smaller groups or private tastings,” Olivas said. “Tours are popular, and the entire distillery can be rented out for a group event.”
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum hosts receptions and dinners with mountain panoramas for groups under 150. The museum combines a zoo, botanical garden, art gallery and aquarium, and its Raptor Flight program offers a bird-centric team-building experience. Named one of the World’s 10 Best Botanical Gardens by Travel + Leisure Magazine, Tohono Chul’s paths wind through themed gardens providing lush event spaces with in-house catering. The permanent collection features more than 350 objects ranging from ceramics to sculpture and paintings. Offerings include bird walks, nature journaling and live music under the stars.
Downtown, the Tucson Convention Center offers an 8,962-seat indoor arena, two performing arts venues, 233,000 square feet of new and remodeled event space, and in-house catering. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the complex showcases Brutalist architecture and innovative landscape design.
Nestled in Tucson Mountain Park, the 575-room JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa is surrounded by the area’s densest saguaro forest. Guests gather around glowing firepits for the nightly “Legend of Arriba Abajo” tequila toast on the expansive terrace overlooking the cityscape. Renovated meeting facilities with floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious patios bring the outdoors inside. Southern Arizona’s largest ballroom provides 19,836 square feet. Amenities include six restaurants; hiking trails directly from the property; a heated pool with lazy river; complimentary morning yoga; and a daily golf clinic and range privileges at the resort’s 27-hole Arnold Palmer signature course. In 2026, guest room renovations will be completed.
Tucked into the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, the 398-room Loews Ventana Canyon Resort exudes laid-back luxury. Highlights include two heated pools, a paved nature trail leading to an 80-foot waterfall and Hole No. 3 on one of two Tom Fazio-designed championship courses played across a canyon of cacti. Renovated guest rooms boast generous balconies or patios. Facilities include three ballrooms, meeting rooms with spectacular views and the outdoor Coyote Corral, featuring a stage, open grill and barbeque menu. Complimentary activities range from drop-in pickleball and tennis to stargazing, fitness classes and yoga.
The 486-room Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa recently completed a multimillion-dollar meeting and guest room renovation. Meeting space totals 109,000 square feet, with outdoor terraces and lawns affording panoramic mountain views for events ranging from several thousand attendees to private wine dinners for 35 guests. Complimentary shuttle service is available within a 3-mile radius, and daily shuttles take guests to Sabino Canyon and shopping experiences. Perks include three heated pools, live music on the patios, theme nights, two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses and complimentary morning meditation, fitness classes and stargazing.
Tucson’s exceptionally dark skies and minimal light pollution earned its place as DarkSky International’s headquarters. Attendees can opt for a night under the stars using Tucson’s downloadable self-guided Astro Trail or with a guided tour. From Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium on the University of Arizona campus to Kitt Peak National Observatory, home to one of the world’s largest collections of optical telescopes, stargazers will be enthralled.
The six-block Historic Fourth Avenue shopping district is home to more than 100 funky shops, restaurants, coffeehouses and nightclubs. On Tucson’s west side, the Mercado District boasts more than 20 locally owned shopping and dining options.
“The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase takes place in February and around Labor Day with smaller shows throughout the year,” Olivas said. “More than 6,700 vendors at 50 locations sell at all price points.”
Colossal Cave Mountain Park’s crystal-filled caverns once sheltered stagecoach robbers but are now open for guided tours six stories underground. Horseback lunch rides or sunset trail rides through the park’s La Posta Quemada Ranch follow the old National Mail Stagecoach Route. Further south, guided tours at Kartchner Caverns State Park showcase massive, multicolored cave formations via paved walkways.
Day trips to the nearby towns of Tubac, Tombstone and Bisbee tout specialty shopping and historic attractions. Tubac, an artist colony 45 miles south of Tucson, supports more than 90 shops and galleries as well as the Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Company. Tombstone celebrates Old West appeal. Bisbee’s copper-mining history is chronicled at the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, and the Copper Queen Mine conducts tours.
BBY CYNTHIA BARNES
lessed with a rich cultural heritage and spectacular architecture, St. Joseph, Missouri, is an unexpected delight for planners seeking a central location and small-town charm with modern conveniences. The city is where both the Pony Express and the outlaw Jesse James kicked off (in very different ways), but that’s only the beginning. In the 1880s, St. Joseph was home to more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the country. The prosperous manufacturing city gave rise to grand mansions, beautifully landscaped parks — including a 26-mile parkway that ribbons through the city — and a lively arts scene, all located less than 40 minutes from the new terminal at Kansas City International Airport.
LOCATION: Northwest Missouri
ACCESS: Kansas City International Airport, Interstate 29, State Highway 36
HOTEL ROOMS: 1,100
CONTACT INFO:
St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau 816-233-6688 stjomo.com
ST. JOSEPH CIVIC ARENA
BUILT: 1980
EXHIBIT SPACE: 19,000 square feet
OTHER MEETING SPACES: Four breakout rooms
Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center
GUEST ROOMS: 129
MEETING SPACE: 15,000 square feet
Great Plains Grower Conference ATTENDEES: 500
Pony Express STOL ATTENDEES: 500
Lions Club ATTENDEES: 200
St. Joseph got its start as a frontier trading post. Fur trader Joseph Robidoux established the Blacksnake Hills Trading Post in 1826, and the settlement was incorporated as a city in 1843. It became the last “civilized” outpost before people gold-rushed west — in 1849 an estimated 50,000 travelers came through — and the pretty city on the bluffs of the Missouri River grew into a manufacturing and mercantile powerhouse. By 1886, St. Joseph boasted an economy larger than Kansas City and Omaha combined. That wealth remains visible in the city’s architecture, which includes more than 60 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Planners will appreciate a city that balances historical charm with modern amenities, and a central location that’s conveniently accessible from anywhere in the country. “Each group gets the red carpet rolled out and are treated like they’re the only meeting in town,” said Christian Mengel, director of communications and marketing for the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau. “They aren’t just another event on the calendar. Our hospitality and services really provide a noticeable difference.”
“Each group gets the red carpet rolled out and are treated like they’re the only meeting in town. They aren’t just another event on the calendar. Our hospitality and services really provide a noticeable difference.”
— Christian Mengel, St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau
The St. Joseph Civic Arena is the city’s largest venue, with 40,000 square feet and seating for 2,300. Its meeting room complex has flexible arrangements for groups ranging from 25 to 200 attendees. The Fulkerson Center at Missouri Western State University can seat up to 500 people, and the leafy campus offers numerous spaces to accommodate a variety of events, including the Walter Cronkite Memorial. The memorial acts as a museum that pays tribute to the legendary CBS anchor who was born in St. Joseph in 1916, and it offers attendees a fascinating setting for breaks or social gatherings as well as group tours.
Just off the interstate, the 129-room Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center provides another convenient option. Six meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology can accommodate up to 1,220 people, and the hotel has more than 15,000 square feet of flexible event space, with breakout areas including spacious patios and cozy fireplace lounges.
At the emPowerU Mosaic Campus, planners will find a variety of meeting spaces, including a 2,728-square-foot central auditorium with stadium seating for 164 and the 2,236-square-foot Innovation Room, which has table seating for 74 and a kitchenette. Both rooms offer A/V systems with podiums and wireless microphones. The 2,500-square-foot Grand Ballroom at the riverboat-style St. Jo Frontier Casino has seating capacity for 200 attendees, while the 16,000-square-foot lawn and deck area offer picturesque views of the Missouri River.
Planners can host events in the same buildings where history occurred. The Pony Express National Museum is housed in the original 1858 Pikes Peak Stables where the first rider departed in 1860, inaugurating mail service along an 1,800-mile route from St. Joseph to Sacramento, California. The museum has a community room with kitchen that can accommodate large groups of about 200.
The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art boasts one of the Midwest’s finest collections of 18th- through 21st-century American art, including works by Thomas Hart Benton, Mary Cassatt and Jacob Lawrence. Elegant spaces in the 1930s mansion can entertain up to 250 guests for cocktail receptions. The intimate wood-paneled art library and speakeasy is particularly stunning, with space for up to 20 people, and a modern 21,000-square-foot addition holds a 144-seat theater.
The Missouri Theater is one of the city’s many architectural gems. Completed in July 1927, the ornate theater combines art deco and Moorish elements and seats 1,200. It hosts tours and is available for private events and presentations. The Gilded Age parlors of the 1879 Wyeth-Tootle Mansion also provide an elegant setting for private dinners and receptions. Built by prominent businessman William Wyeth and designed to evoke the castles along Germany’s Rhine River, the Gothic sandstone mansion dazzles with oil-on-canvas ceiling paintings, ornate walnut woodwork and imported stained glass. The property can accommodate groups of up to 250 people. The Stables Ballroom at the 1887 Benton Club is an elegant space that can accommodate up to 200 guests.
Guided tours of the city’s opulent historic districts take groups past landmark homes like the Shakespeare Chateau and the Isaac Miller House. The Patee House Museum, opened as a luxury hotel in 1858, has exhibits including an 1860 locomotive and a vintage carousel. The Glore Psychiatric Museum — deemed one of the 50 most unusual museums in the country — is located in the former surgery and outpatient building of what once operated as State Lunatic Asylum No. 2. Established in 1874, the museum holds a fascinating collection of artifacts from centuries of psychiatric treatment, providing an unforgettable experience.
In August, sports fans can watch practices and score autographs at the Kansas City Chiefs Summer Training Camp. The Remington Nature Center contains a 7,000-gallon aquarium that features fish from the Missouri River along with replicas of the woolly mammoths that once roamed the region.
The newly opened InspireU Children’s Discovery Center is fun for all ages, and private events for up to 350 attendees can be arranged in the event space and rooftop deck.
Why settle for ordinary meeting spaces when you can host your event where history was made? In St. Joseph, Missouri, remarkable venues rich with character not only tell the stories that shaped America but are open for your small meeting. From historic Victorian homes to museums and memorials, you’ll find inspired places to inspire your attendees.
Beyond the venues, St. Joseph awaits discovery. From the Pony Express to the final chapter of Jesse James’ legendary story, your guests can explore museums, historic trails, and landmarks that tell the tales of those who shaped the West.
Let St. Joseph’s storied spaces turn your next small meeting into something extraordinary—start planning today at stjomo.com.
BY ZACH CHOUTEAU
Sitting in the shadow of scenic San Francisco, the city of Berkeley, California, simply doesn’t receive the praise it deserves as a potential meetings destination. But groups and planners who experience the unique East Bay city — nestled between the mountains and the bay— will be rewarded with history, culture, top lodgings and some of the best dining in the country.
“Berkeley is the home of the free speech movement, flower power and California cuisine,” said Shelbi Walker, director of sales for Visit Berkeley. “This is where the Bay Area really feels human — such brilliant minds, and historical and cultural relevance.”
Much of the city’s singular personality revolves around the University of California, Berkeley, home to nearly 180 acres of time tested architecture that includes the towering Campanile bell tower and famed Sather Gate. UC Berkeley’s appeal to groups can include taking in a Bears football, basketball or baseball game, plus numerous cultural offerings like Zellerbach Hall, the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA), and the university’s numerous public lectures and performances.
The campus brings a built-in sense of innovation and intellectual energy that many planners find ideal for retreats, leadership meetings and academic focused gatherings.
Beyond the university, Berkeley’s compact footprint and walkable districts make it easy for attendees to explore between sessions. And outdoor-focused attendees can take advantage of the city’s hillside parks, bayfront trails and postcard worthy views from Berkeley Marina.
“One thing people don’t know about is all the water activities and the hiking and biking in Tilden Park,” Walker said.
And with three BART stations, planners appreciate how seamlessly groups can move between Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco without relying on cars.
For planners seeking a destination with character, creativity and a proudly independent spirit, Berkeley serves as a refreshing alternative to the state’s larger, more conventional hubs. It’s a setting where ideas spark easily, conversations linger longer, and groups leave feeling like they’ve tapped into something well out of the everyday.
East Bay, directly across the bay from San Francisco
Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport and San Francisco International Airport; interstates 80 and 580
MAJOR MEETING SPACES
UC Berkeley campus venues
ROOMS
1,500‑plus across boutique, waterfront and downtown properties
VENUES
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA), The Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
Visit Berkeley’s Walker highlighted the lure of the city’s lodging landscape, saying its hotels are “as unique and quirky as Berkeley itself,” with something for everyone, be it association professionals, corporations, friend groups or family reunions.
A favorite for groups, and corporate events specifically, is the Residence Inn by Marriott Berkeley in downtown, which she touted as the largest Residence Inn in the nation and host to 19,000 square feet of meeting space and a rooftop bar. Another excellent choice is the nearby Hotel Shattuck Plaza, with its historic character and boutique hotel vibe. Groups wanting to get away from it all should consider the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina, set on the city’s waterfront.
Attendees exploring Berkeley in their downtime will discover a variety of neighborhoods with vastly different personalities. Downtown and Telegraph Avenue offer a funky, edgier vibe spurred by their proximity to the UC Berkeley campus. Fourth Street is a more upscale retail haven that includes plenty of dining spots as well. “That’s where all the shopping goes on,” Walker said.
In the city’s northern neighborhoods, groups can stroll Solano Avenue, which has an array of shops and restaurants, or the charming Gilman District, home to a cluster of local wineries and their welcoming tasting rooms.
For a city of its size, Berkeley boasts a sensational restaurant scene bolstered by the famed Chez Panisse and its founder Alice Waters. The casually elegant culinary hot spot is known as a foundation of California cuisine and the farm-to-table movement. Planners are encouraged to reserve well in advance due to its proven popularity.
Other restaurants that Walker recommended include Jupiter, with upstairs meeting space, a sprawling outdoor patio and elevated pub fare; Gather, known for its own unique take on California cuisine; and downtown’s Revival Bar & Kitchen.
For groups craving fresh air and movement, Berkeley delivers an impressive range of outdoor adventures. Tilden Regional Park offers miles of hiking and biking trails, serene picnic spots and sweeping views of the bay. Down at the waterfront, Berkeley Marina offers kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing lessons and sunset strolls along the shoreline. Even casual walkers will appreciate the city’s leafy neighborhoods and pedestrian-friendly districts, not to mention the verdant UC Berkeley campus.
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
From beautiful white sand beaches on the Texas coast to the prairies, hills and valleys of Central Texas, event planners can discover beautiful full-service resorts that cater to their every whim. These five Texas resorts offer plenty of outdoor recreation and exciting group experiences alongside first-class meeting and event venues.
The Woodlands Resort is nestled in the Texas Piney Woods, less than 2 miles from The Woodlands township and about a 30-minute drive northwest of downtown Houston. The 402-room hotel overlooks the property’s beautiful forests, water features and the Forest Oasis Waterpark with its lazy river, whirlpools and slides. Guests can play golf at the resort’s two championship golf courses, practice on the putting green or driving range, or take private golf lessons. There are tennis and pickleball courts, outdoor pools, a fitness center and six restaurants on-site.
The resort is also less than 2 miles from The Woodlands Waterway, which wends its way through the township’s center before spilling into Lake Woodlands. Visitors can kayak or rent swan boats on the waterway as they explore the waterfront. Market Street, with its plethora of dining options and shops, and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater, are also within a couple miles of the resort.
The Woodlands Resort has 36 meeting rooms and 70,506 square feet of event space. The 13,430-square-foot Grand Ballroom is the resort’s largest event space and can host up to 980 for a banquet or 1,240 theater style. It can be divided into three smaller rooms. The Woodlands Ballroom is 6,000 square feet and can seat 430 for a banquet. It can be divided into two equal spaces that can host banquets of 220 each.
hilton.com
The historic Grand Galvez Resort in Galveston transports visitors back in time to the 1920s and 1930s with its Great Gatsby-inspired design. The 219-room resort faces the Gulf of Mexico with 350 feet of shoreline beach. Resort guests can explore the surrounding area and downtown Galveston — only a mile from the resort — by taking advantage of the hotel’s complimentary stable of pink old-fashioned bicycles or enjoy the heated swimming pool and the full-service spa with its massages, steam showers and relaxation rooms.
Meeting planners have their choice of several beautifully appointed rooms decorated with soothing colors and elegant chandeliers. The 5,000-square-foot Music Hall overlooks Centennial Green and features the original historic wooden Galvez lobby bar, which is considered Galveston’s last speakeasy. The hall can hold up to 300 guests. Centennial Green is an outdoor space with a pergola and great views of the Gulf that can host 300 guests.
The Terrace Ballroom and Veranda offer 5,000 square feet of space that can accommodate 300 for a seated dinner. The veranda features floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the Gulf. Two small parlors are perfect for 60 seated dinner guests, and groups wanting to host events outdoors can take advantage of the Center Lawn and Oleander Garden. Groups can also host events on the beach, bringing in a stage and food trucks. There is a gourmet espresso bar, The Founders Bar and Monarch Restaurant on-site. The resort also offers Sunday brunch and high tea.
grandgalvez.com
Horseshoe Bay Resort, in the Texas Lake and Hill Country northwest of Austin, is known for its four award-winning golf courses, golf academy, 18-hole Whitewater Putting Course, waterfront spa and lakeside views.
Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay Resort, in the Texas Lake and Hill Country northwest of Austin, is known for its four award-winning golf courses, golf academy, 18-hole Whitewater Putting Course, waterfront spa and lakeside views. The resort offers several types of lodging, including 250 classic tower rooms and suites, 99 villas for families and groups, spacious lakeside condos and 16 private homes.
Meeting groups have their pick of 37,500 square feet of indoor event space and more than 36,000 square feet of outdoor event space. The Granite Ballroom offers 12,000 square feet of flexible space. The Live Oak Pavilion offers 10,000 square feet of space, and Live Oak Lawn offers 25,000 square feet of event space. The Lady Bird II Dining Yacht can accommodate groups with 30 to 85 passengers on Lake Lyndon B. Johnson. It offers gourmet catering and live entertainment.
There are eight dining options on-site, and groups wanting to add some fun to their events can add on experiences such as Breakfast with the Birds, a Bronco Hills & Thrills Off-Roading Experience or fun at Splash Safari Aqua Park. The marina has a fleet of boats for wakeboarding, skiing and surfing, and it offers pontoon boat charters and fishing expeditions. Kayaks, paddleboards and jet skis are also available for fun on the lake.
Bayside Spa offers massages, body treatments and professional beauty services, all situated at the lakeside.
hsbresort.com
Waco
Moon River Ranch is a 600-acre exotic game ranch near Waco that offers safaris and ATV trails that encompass the entire ranch along the Brazos River. The property has a beach area along the river, and meeting groups can enjoy kayaking, ATVs, archery, hatchet throwing, skeet shooting and horseback riding.
The ranch can accommodate 185 guests. Master Penthouse Lodge & Suites is perfect for large groups with 20 bedrooms and 20 bathrooms. It can sleep 50. The ranch also features six covered wagons along the river that were converted to lodgings and can each sleep three to five guests; a riverfront boathouse that sleeps eight; and seven new “Modern Vessels,” which are contemporary pod homes with kitchens and spacious porches. Several smaller cabins and hotel-style lodging pepper the property.
The ranch has several event spaces for groups, including the Party Barn, which can seat 250 in a rustic barn setting, and The Old West Town, a new event center that can host a variety of gatherings. Multiple outdoor areas, including the Grand Ceremony Pavilion, Pecan Grove and The Chapel, can accommodate groups of more than 300 guests. There’s a general store on property and a restaurant that serves ranch-style meals.
The ranch works with three outside caterers and helps meeting groups plan team-building activities, such as stick horse races, scavenger hunts and a meal-style cook-off.
moonriverranch.com
Cat Spring
In Cat Spring, an hour west of Houston, BlissWood Bed and Breakfast Ranch sits on 350 acres of ranchland that features live oaks, small lakes, outdoor recreation and exotic wildlife, such as zebras, bison and several varieties of deer. Small groups of 30 can host retreats on the property. Lodging includes houses, cabins and suites. But if event planners just want to enjoy the property for the day, larger groups are welcome.
BlissWood offers team-building exercises, including horseback riding, kayaking, archery, tomahawk or knife throwing, and trap shooting. Groups can compete against each other to see who can catch the biggest fish or take part in the Red Rider Range experience, where they use BB guns instead of shotguns to shoot targets.
“I tell people I sell joy and relaxation and resting and rejuvenation close to the city but out in the country,” said Carol Davis, owner of BlissWood.
Groups can plan a Ranch Winery Experience where they ride horses to a neighboring wine cellar for a wine tasting or participate in a 45-minute guided exotic animal safari where they can get close to zebra, bison, blackbuck antelope, fallow deer, red deer and axis deer, some of which come up to the all-terrain vehicle and eat out of guests’ hands.
blisswood.net
Moon River Ranch is a 600-acre exotic game ranch near Waco that offers safaris and ATV trails that encompass the entire ranch along the Brazos River. The ranch can accommodate 185 guests.
Why settle for four walls when you could collaborate at sea?
On The Island, catamaran sails replace conference tables and networking feels like a night out. From large-scale meetings to small incentive groups, South Padre Island makes work feel less like work — and a whole lot more like discovery.
Scan to plan
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
Texas is so vast that it encompasses many different natural environments — and that gives meeting planners plenty of options when it comes to hosting outdoor events. From Beaumont, which sits on the border of Louisiana, to the rolling hills of west-central Texas, there are plenty of outdoor venues that add an element of serenity or sport to even the most urban environments.
Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa in Johnson City blends the natural beauty of Texas Wine Country with the rolling hills of west-central Texas. The property is well suited to host small to midsize gatherings, retreats and incentive programs with 78 suite-style villas and flexible meeting and event spaces for up to 2,000 guests. Expansive lawns and outdoor gathering spots offer a scenic setting for receptions, team-building activities or evening events. The Pavilion can host groups of 500 for a banquet, and the Pavilion Lawn can accommodate groups of 650 for a banquet or 2,000 for a reception. More intimate outdoor spaces include the Mulberry Patio for 60 guests and the Reception Deck, which can host 125 for a reception. The Oak Tree Lawn is perfect for large receptions with up to 400 people. The Live Oak Ballroom is the largest indoor space, which can hold 160 for a banquet.
Carter Creek provides full in-house catering led by an experienced culinary team. Menus range from relaxed, Hill Country-inspired fare to elevated, plated meals that can be paired with the winery’s wines and beers.
Groups can enhance their meetings with wine tastings, brewery experiences and team-building activities. The resort spa offers spa treatments and options such as outdoor yoga. The culinary team also leads food-focused team-building events, including friendly competitions and hands-on cooking sessions.
cartercreek.com
Amarillo
Amarillo Botanical Gardens in Amarillo covers 4 acres and offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for business meetings, parties, banquets and weddings. Groups can reserve sections of the gardens for their events or rent out the entire facility.
The botanical gardens are considered an oasis in the Texas Panhandle, which is not known for its plants and botanicals. The region has a dry climate, so the property’s curated gardens are unique to the area and play host to festivals, concerts and a well-attended Christmas in the Gardens event. The Tropical Conservatory is home to tropical plants and a waterfall. The gardens don’t offer in-house catering or decorations; it is strictly a rental venue where meeting and event groups can bring in their own food and event vendors.
There are several indoor and outdoor spaces available for rent, including the outdoor amphitheater, which can seat groups of 320 for a banquet on grass tiers and a concrete patio at the bottom. The space can hold 600 without tables. The entrance patio can accommodate 80 guests at tables, and the Sybil B. Harrington Terrace can seat 64 for a meal. The Wedding Lawn can hold groups of up to 200 at rounds, and the Pavilion & Learning Garden can accommodate 96 people at tables.
The indoor ballroom can seat 216 at round tables, while the Conservatory Atrium, Gallery, and Japanese Tea House can host groups of 20 to 80. Groups that rent space at the gardens can enjoy walking through the property as part of their events. amarillobotanicalgardens.org
Wichita Falls
River Bend Nature Center is an urban nature center that has connected people to the rolling plains of Wichita Falls for 31 years. Situated on 21 acres, including 18 acres of bottomland forest, the facility offers a wetland trail and a 7,000-square-foot meeting pavilion. Groups meeting at the center can visit the Ruby N. Priddy Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, the River Bottom Forest Trail and the United Children’s Garden as part of their events.
An outdoor pavilion features electricity, lights, Wi-Fi and gates to section off different parts of the structure. The space can
River Bend Nature Center offers a 7,000-square-foot meeting pavilion, which features electricity, lights, Wi-Fi and gates to section off different parts of the structure. The space can hold more than 500 people.
hold more than 500 people. A carriage house next to the pavilion has party lights and gives off a more patio-esque vibe, surrounded by trees and vegetation. The backdrop is the three-story conservatory building.
The conservatory recently underwent a renovation, so there isn’t room in the building for events. The learning center has permanent exhibits and animals that can be used for parties. Groups that rent space at the center can include a creature feature in the middle of their event. For corporate events, the center offers guided tours and custom field trips, or guests can wander the exhibits and trails at their own pace. Rental of the Elizabeth Prothro Pavilion includes the use of the J.S. Bridwell Terrace, Forest Ceremony site and the Rotary North Library. riverbendnaturecenter.org
Beaumont
5 Under Golf Center in Beaumont is a large entertainment complex that offers food and drinks and several ways to enjoy the game of golf without actually getting on a green. The center offers four Topgolf Swing Suites that include a golf simulator for interactive golf and games along with lounge seating and an accompanying dining booth. The four suites can accommodate 32 guests.
The simulator uses Full Swing technology that allows participants to play through many of the world’s top golf courses as well as play golf games, challenges and interactive games, such as dodgeball, baseball, hockey, soccer, football and carnival games.
The facility can accommodate more than 336 guests with special event permits. The driving range, which extends 176 yards with nets on all sides, can be used for concerts and banquets. The dining area and bar can seat 60 while the covered outdoor patio offers seating for 40 and is an extension of the indoor dining experience. Outside, there are 20 driving range bays with Toptracer Range technology that offer a fun mix of golf courses to play on screen and golf games, such as Angry Birds, that offer detailed data readings. This area can serve 120 guests. In addition, there are high-top tables behind the downstairs bays for extra seating near the patio.
The driving range can host tournaments for groups that want to rent the outdoor covered patio and golf suites. A small meeting room can hold 16 people.
5undergolf.com
Grand Prairie
Asia Times Square is a unique shopping and cultural event destination in Grand Prairie, located between Dallas and Fort Worth. The complex, which opened in 2008, converted former Walmart and Sam’s Club buildings into a 250,000-square-foot hub for Asian businesses and restaurants. The owners built an 11,000-square-foot addition to connect the two properties when the facility began running out of space.
The property houses Asian restaurants, banks, beauty salons and the Hong Kong Marketplace, which offers Asian groceries and goods. Asia Times Square hosts many large events, including a Lunar New Year Celebration that attracts 125,000 visitors annually. The outdoor plaza was created specifically to host outdoor events, such as the Asian Heritage Fest. It features the largest outdoor 24-hour clock in Texas that keeps track of the time as well as the 12 signs of the zodiac. The plaza also boasts a 350-square-foot screen that the facility has used for movie nights. Groups can rent the space for events of up to 2,000 guests.
Inside, the Grand Ballroom can seat 500 for a banquet. The Pagoda can host groups of 1,200 standing or up to 700 for a sit-down event.
Whenever possible, Asia Times Square prefers to cater events through the many Asian food vendors on-site, including Filipino, Thai, Cambodian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Mongolian and Korean cuisine. Other food outlets include two bakeries, coffee and tea shops, a place that serves Mochi donuts, and a Japanese ice cream parlor. asiatimessquare.com
5 Under Golf Center can accommodate more than 336 guests with special event permits. The driving range, which extends 176 yards with nets on all sides, can be used for concerts and banquets.
