New development spurs meetings in Greater Dallas/Fort Worth
Few cities in the United States are able to deliver a wide selection of hotels, top-tier convention facilities, efficient public transportation and unique attractions—all with a reasonable price tag. Affordability and accessibility go hand in hand in Greater Dallas/Fort Worth. But there’s an even bigger reason that planners are choosing to hold meetings in the region.
More than 64 million travelers pass through Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) each year, making it the fourth-busiest airport in the world. In the last decade, 22 international destinations and 12 other airlines have joined the airport, making DFW a global travel hub. But if one major airport isn’t enough, there’s also Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL).
“Dallas is home to two major airports with more domestic nonstop flights than any other U.S. city,” says Frank J. Librio, vice president of communications for Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We’re just three hours from each coast, so doing business in Dallas is clearly a good business decision.”
The presence of two airports has brought more than $37 billion annual economic impact in Greater Dallas/Fort Worth, which in turn is revving up meetings infrastructure. Progress on several new hotels, venue improvements and entertainment complexes is under way and set for completion in the next few years.
It’s no wonder the cities of Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving and Plano tout their proximity to both airports, which are bringing droves of visitors to North Texas for business, meetings and a side of cowboy culture that can’t be found anywhere else.
Omni Dallas Hotel
Dallas
Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau’s motto is “big things happen here.” And it’s true. Dallas is home to world-class shopping, the largest urban arts district in the country, a cutting-edge culinary scene and one of the longest light rail systems in the United States. But Dallas is just getting started.
More than $20 billion is being invested into new developments, a dozen hotels and restaurants. Dallas is one of the fastest-growing cities for business and leisure travelers—bringing more than 22 million visitors annually—and its rapid progress is not going unnoticed.
Earlier this year, Dallas was named among the top 10 cities on Cvent’s 2015 list of the best meeting destinations in the United States.
“One of Dallas’ best selling points is the city’s affordability. It’s a tier 1 city with an amazing price tag,” Librio says. “While many local businesses host their meetings in Dallas, many groups not based in Texas find Dallas a convenient location to travel to.”
More to Come
Construction is resurging north of downtown in Victory Park, the entertainment complex surrounding American Airlines Center. The $100 million redevelopment is bringing more than 10,500 sq. ft. of new restaurant and retail space to reinvigorate the area. Next door to Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Omni Dallas is introducing a 16,000-square-foot dining complex with four new restaurant concepts.
Big things are also happening on the hotel front. Dallas’ newest hotel is The Westin Dallas Downtown, which opened last month with 326 guest rooms. The 33-story building offers more than 31,000 sq. ft. of event space, including a ballroom that overlooks the Trinity River.
Hilton is taking over the historic Statler Hotel & Residences, which had been empty for more than a decade. Following a $175 million conversion, the property is slated to open this fall with 161 guest rooms and a 14,500-square-foot ballroom.
By 2018, Dallas will have its own Virgin Hotel. Located in the Design District, the trendy lodging will offer 200 guest rooms, luxury suites, restaurants, a bar, meeting spaces and a rooftop terrace with a pool, gym and spa.
Fort Worth
For cities similar in size to Fort Worth, existing meetings infrastructure often is more than sufficient. But the status quo just doesn’t cut it for Cowtown. More than 6.5 million visitors descend on the city each year, making it one of the top tourist destinations in Texas. The popularity of area attractions such as Sundance Square and the Stockyards are driving a need for more hotels and larger meeting venues.
“Plans are underway for $2 billion in investments, including a 14,000-seat multipurpose arena and $175 million in enhancements to our world-famous western district,” says John Cychol, vice president of meeting sales for Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This growth ensures Fort Worth will continue to be a leader in the market.”
Bigger is Better
To accommodate downtown growth, it was determined that Fort Worth requires more than 1,400 hotel rooms and a revamped convention center arena.
Plans are in place to break ground on up to 300,000 sq. ft. of additional exhibit space through 2022. But a new 1,000-room convention center hotel could come as soon as January 2017. Fort Worth Convention Center already offers more than 250,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space.
Will Rogers Memorial Center alone attracts more than 2 million visitors each year. The home of various livestock shows, including the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, it will also undergo extensive renovations.
By December 2019, $450 million in updates will be completed at the multipurpose arena, which provides 94,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, a 14,000-seat arena and more than 2,500 horse stalls and 2,250 cattle ties.
One of Fort Worth’s best outdoor venues is the result of several ongoing projects surrounding the Trinity River. Panther Island Pavilion is a 40-acre area and is the only waterfront stage in the state.
Performances, festivals, boating events and bike races are regularly held at the venue, which also offers water sports, including kayaking and paddleboarding year-round. It is connected to 72 miles of trails within Gateway Park, one of the largest urban parks in the nation.
The Shops at Legacy, Plano
Plano
When Thursday night rolls around, rows of outdoor patios on Bishop Road become a lively scene. To say that the area is a local hotspot is putting it mildly, and it’s also proving to be popular with meeting attendees.
“Plano’s eclectic shopping areas filled with unique boutiques and chic dining, music and entertainment locations give meeting attendees plenty to do,” says Millerann Moya, marketing manager for Visit Plano.
After Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center opened in 2000, few anticipated the development that would mushroom around the hotel. The Shops at Legacy have grown into 2,600 acres of boutique retail stores and restaurants, condominiums and hotels. And there’s more to come.
Visitors can look forward to even more dining, shopping and nightlife in Legacy West, a $2 billion project that will complete the other half of the complex. What’s become the biggest construction project in North Texas will offer an artisanal food hall, retail and office space, and a Renaissance Hotel opening early 2017 with 304 guest rooms and more than 100,000 sq. ft. of conference space.
Business is Booming
In the last few years, Plano has appeared on the radar of major multinational corporations that are choosing to base their headquarters alongside several existing Fortune 500 companies. Recently, Toyota and Liberty Mutual recently joined the roster, bringing even more jobs and people to the state. Plano is consistently noted as one of the fastest growing communities, boosting the county population by more than 59 percent in the last four years.
Irving Convention Center
Irving
Not many convention centers look like Irving Convention Center, with its geometric facade and industrial copper patina. The LEED Silver certified building was designed as two boxes stacked and rotated on top of each other to provide shaded outdoor areas and lots of natural light inside.
“The building’s unique architecture, vertical design and interior finishes have created a new niche in the marketplace,” says Lori Sirmen, communications manager for Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Five years ago, Irving Convention Center took over the former grounds of Dallas Cowboys Stadium. While the old stadium is missed, the multilevel convention center has brought additional business to Greater Dallas. There is nearly 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, including column-free ballrooms, meeting rooms and ample prefunction space.
By the end of 2017, business travelers will be able to stay next to the convention center—a 350-room Westin hotel with 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting space will be connected via skybridge.
Expanded Entertainment
Across from the convention center, Music Factory is scheduled to open in spring 2017. The complex will offer an 8,000-seat Live Nation performance venue and a 50,000-square-foot outdoor plaza. Around 250,000 sq. ft. of entertainment, retail and restaurant space will include a comedy club, bowling alley, movie theater and night clubs.
“This 40-acre district will provide a wide range of entertainment and dining options to fill open nights on the convention schedule, as well as an excellent venue for events,” Sirmen says.
DART Around Town
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) covers all visitor travel needs, from airport transit to area attractions. Light rail and bus service connects downtown to 12 other cities in the Greater Dallas area. Take DART to museums, games, shows and more.
Watch the NBA Dallas Mavericks play at American Airlines Center. Accessible via DART Rail Green Line and Orange Line and Trinity Railway Express to Victory Station.
Through Feb. 21, the “Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence” exhibit at Perot Museum dives deep into the light phenomenon. Accessible via DART Rail Red Line, Blue Line, Green Line or Orange Line to Akard Station.
On the first and third Saturday of each month, The Arts District Stroll offers a 90-minute architectural tour of Dallas Arts District. Tours begin at Dallas Museum of Art. Accessible via DART Rail Red Line, Blue Line, Green Line or Orange Line to Pearl/Arts District Station.
At Dallas Zoo, groups can experience special exhibits, animal encounters, group safari tours and more. Accessible via DART Rail Red Line to Dallas Zoo Station.
Catch a headlining act at historic Majestic Theatre in the city’s historic entertainment center. This month, stand-up comedian Patton Oswalt and country musician Kacey Musgraves perform at the venue. Accessible via DART Rail Red Line, Blue Line, Green Line or Orange Line to St. Paul Station.
Fort Worth Stockyards
The last civilized stop on the Chisholm Trail is the Fort Worth Stockyards. The National Historic District was first established in 1849 as a trading outpost and processing plant for livestock. But earlier this year, it received an alarming designation on the Most Endangered Historic Places list by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Property owners and preservationists have discussed plans to redevelop the 98-acre area while preserving its historic attributes.
In July, final details of the $175 million project were unveiled. Plans include more than 180,000 sq. ft. of new mixed-use areas and festival districts. The Marine Creek district will have additional restaurants and a hotel, and more dining and shopping outlets are proposed for the historic Mule Barns. The Swift-Armor meat packing plant could be converted into space for hotels and meeting venues. Around 20 new buildings could be added, and more green space is in the works.
Groups can experience the stockyards in several cowboy-themed entertainment and shopping venues. At Maverick Fine Western Wear and Saloon, patrons can don premium western wear and enjoy a cold beer. Billy Bob’s Texas bills itself as the world’s largest honky-tonk and has hosted legendary country musicians, such as Willie Nelson. The stockyards is also the only place where traffic stops twice a day for the Fort Worth Herd, a cattle drive made up of 15 Texas Longhorns.
Grapevine Vintage Railroad
There’s More to Grapevine than Grapes and Wine
When visitors think of Grapevine, an image of sipping the region’s wine in a train car comes to mind. While Grapevine is known for its wine trails and tasting rooms, being in the fifth-largest wine producing state, there are a range of offsites and venues that make this destination a top choice for meetings and conventions.
From the Fort Worth Stockyards, groups can ride in authentic Victorian-era coaches on Grapevine Vintage Railroad. The locomotives traverse the historic Cotton Belt Route and are available for private coach or train charters. The trains pull into Historic Main Street, where visitors can stroll past Art Along the Trail, a public art exhibition. There’s also a variety of stellar performance venues, such as Grapevine Opry, Texas Star Dinner Theater and Palace Arts Center.
Groups will inevitably stumble upon the Urban Wine Trail, home to several award-winning wineries and festivals, including GrapeFest—the largest wine festival in the Southwest. Local wineries offer award-winning wines and rustic spaces for events and receptions. For the novice and expert, Wine Fusion Winery makes the tasting experience approachable with step-by-step wine blending classes. It is available for buyouts.
Wine aside, Grapevine also delivers meeting facilities for every size. Grapevine Convention Center is a multiuse building with more than 14,000 sq. ft. of space for up to 900 people. At Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, there’s shopping, dining and recreational activities, plus 4.5 acres of indoor gardens. It offers 1,511 guest rooms and 400,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and is about to embark on a $120 million expansion. Great Wolf Lodge combines business and family fun with its 80,000-square-foot water park. It has 605 guest rooms and 20,000 sq. ft. of function space.
Resources
Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau
visitdallas.com
Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau
fortworth.com
Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau
grapevinetexasusa.com
Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau
irvingtexas.com
Visit Plano
visitplano.com
Major Meeting Venues
Dallas
Hilton Anatole Hotel
Boasts largest hotel art collection, with more than 1,000 art and antique pieces; 1,606 guest rooms; 79 meeting rooms; more than 500,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 4,000-square-foot pool to include lazy river and swim-up bar in summer 2016.
Hotel ZaZa Dallas
Uptown neighborhood hotel with Mediterranean accents; 169 guest rooms; 8,458 sq. ft. of venue space, including art house and social gallery; Dragonfly restaurant and lounge.
Hyatt Regency Dallas
Located in 50-story Reunion Tower; 1,120 guest rooms; 60 meeting rooms; 160,000 sq. ft. of function space; Asian cuisine at Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck; 24-hour gym.
Omni Dallas Hotel
Connected via skybridge to Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center; LEED Gold certified; 1,001 guest rooms; 110,000 sq. ft. of event space; Mokara spa; heated infinity terrace pool.
The Adolphus
Beaux Arts style hotel built in 1912; 422 guest rooms; 24,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 5,300-square-foot ballroom; AAA Five Diamond French Room restaurant.
The Highland Dallas
Upscale boutique hotel; adjacent to Mockingbird Station; 198 guest rooms; 13,490 sq. ft. of event space; Knife steakhouse; heated infinity pool; 24-hour fitness center; Exhale spa.
The Joule Hotel
Neo-gothic 1920s landmark; next to Dallas Arts District; 161 guest rooms; more than 30,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space; 8,000-square-foot spa includes yoga and fitness studio; upscale retail boutiques.
Fort Worth
Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Hotel & Golf Club at Champions Circle
Close to Texas Motor Speedway, Grapevine Mills Mall and Kimbell Art Museum; 18-hole Jay Moorish golf course; 276 guest rooms; 22,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 16 event rooms; outdoor pool.
Hilton Fort Worth
Historic downtown property; walking distance to Sundance Square and Fort Worth Convention Center; 294 guest rooms; 25,000 sq. ft. of space; free Wi-Fi.
Omni Fort Worth Hotel
Four Diamond hotel across from Fort Worth Convention Center; 614 guest rooms; nearly 68,000 sq. ft. of function space; fitness center.
The Stockyards Hotel
Rustic Old West decor; 52 guest rooms; four meeting rooms include Longhorn Room, with capacity for 90; Marina Creek Terrace holds 40 outdoors; H3 Ranch steakhouse.
The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel
AAA Four Diamond hotel in Sundance Square; 504 guest rooms; more than 57,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 24 meeting rooms; 10,530–square-foot ballroom; Vidalias restaurant.
Irving
Aloft Las Colinas
Located near Irving Arts Center and Irving Convention Center; 136 guest rooms; 525-square-foot boardroom; free Wi-Fi; W XYZ Las Colinas Bar; outdoor patio area; gym.
Dallas Marriott Las Colinas
Between Dallas Love Field and Dallas/Fort Worth Airports; 361 guest rooms; 27,294 sq. ft. of meeting space; 15 event rooms; fitness center; American and Mediterranean cuisine at Bistro Fiera.
Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas
Sits on more than 400 acres; TPC Four Seasons 18-hole, par-70 golf course; 431 guest rooms; 34,000-square-foot conference center; 6,000-square-foot fitness center.
Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas
Located in Las Colinas Urban Center; 421 guest rooms; 31,000 sq. ft. of flexible space; 16,701 sq. ft. of outdoor space; ADA-compatible pool.
The Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport
Near Six Flags Over Texas and AT&T Stadium; 506 guest rooms; 38,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 24-hour fitness studio; outdoor pool; business center.
Plano
Cambria Hotel & Suites Plano–Legacy
Close to Shops at Legacy; 129 guest rooms; 2,500 sq. ft. of meeting space; free Wi-Fi; outdoor pool with fire pit; state-of-the-art fitness center.
Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center
Steps away from Shops at Legacy; 356 guest rooms; 35,000 sq. ft. of conference space; 23 meeting rooms; 14,000-square-foot ballroom.
Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park
Hotel in Granite Park complex opened in 2014; local commissioned artwork on display; 299 guest rooms; 30,000 sq. ft. of event space, including two ballrooms; 24-hour fitness center.
NYLO Plano
Flagship NYLO hotel; uses wind renewable energy; 176 loft-style guest rooms; 9,096 sq. ft. of event space; 6,000-square-foot courtyard; Locl bar and restaurant.
Plano Centre
Convention center with 122,500 sq. ft. of flexible space; accommodates up to 5,000; 21,600 sq. ft. of column free exhibit space; 17 breakout rooms; state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment.