Nearly 100 years ago, the citizens of Lubbock rallied for the establishment of Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech) in what was then a small West Texas hamlet. Today, the city boasts a quarter of a million residents and continues to thrive as a bustling college town with a student population of more than 36,000.
But aside from the draw of Big 12 athletics and campus activities, Lubbock is famous in its own right for a host of attractions that draw meeting attendees and visitors from all over the world, such as the Buddy Holly Center, which pays tribute to the cherished rock ‘n’ roller and Lubbock native. And he’s not the only star to rise from the area: The West Texas Walk of Fame honors other West Texas music legends, such as Waylon Jennings, Tanya Tucker, Jimmy Dean, Roy Orbison, Joe Ely and more.
Meet & Stay
Overton Hotel & Conference Center offers the distinction of being the only AAA Four Diamond hotel in West Texas and recently completed a $3 million upgrade to its guest rooms, says Shannon Baker, director of sales and marketing for the property. The hotel offers 20,000 square feet of total space with 11,250 square feet of convertible column-free ballroom and exhibit space with sound-deadening walls. The second-floor meeting space includes four smaller meeting rooms and two executive boardrooms, with planned upgrades to the A/V system this year. The hotel restaurant and lounge, the Pecan Grill, features a top-tier culinary department with custom menus available, as well as music by local musicians five days a week.
“We are the premier hotel for downtown, Texas Tech University and the Medical Center, and, at 15 stories, Overton Hotel and Conference Center is one of the tallest buildings in the city,” says Baker. “The views of downtown and Texas Tech University cannot be beat. West Texas is known for sunsets, and the guest rooms are the perfect spot to catch one.”
Eberley Brooks Events is a family-owned special events facility that offers elegant and airy space for corporate events of all sizes. Located in West Lubbock, the facility’s central space is the 9,600-square-foot timber frame barn for groups of up to 300. For groups of up to 60, the Great Room & Courtyard is a smaller space with a designer kitchen, stone fireplace and timber-lined vaulted ceilings, as well as a courtyard and fire pit. The Pond is a stunning outdoor space featuring a three-quarter acre pond with fountain, extensive landscaping, windmill, fire pit and special décor.
“We love that the barn can hold small gatherings of less than 100 while still feeling intimate and small, but it can also hold parties of 300 or more with ease and success,” says co-owner Misty Brashier. “Our very favorite feature of the barn is the attendants and staff who work the events. We pride ourselves on great service and attentive, respectful and helpful staff.” Brashier adds that they offer a day-of coordinator for every type of event booked in the barn to assist with set-up and any other details that might come up during the event.
In January, the family launched two new additions to the facility, a chapel and a new Frenchinspired venue with room for 200 guests. This new space offers tall ceilings, arches, brick-and-wood accents and a full-size antique bar. Three sets of patio doors lead out to a large covered porch.
Meet & Eat
For upscale dining, residents and guests look toward The West Table Kitchen and Bar. The restaurant’s private dining space, The Coffee Shop, is a fully enclosed space that seats up to 40 guests and is adjacent to the restaurant. The menu showcases local ingredients, and the restaurant’s central location is a great way to show guests what Lubbock has to offer, says Mike Nghiem, general manager. “Lubbock is a rapidly growing city with unique culture, rich heritage, burgeoning culinary scene, and friendly and hospitable people,” says Nghiem. He adds, “We also own and operate The Brewery LBK, which is located adjacent to The West Table and is one of Lubbock’s only craft microbreweries.”
The McPherson family has been in the grape-growing and winemaking industry for more than 40 years, and winemaker Kim McPherson’s Texas wines have won more than 450 medals in state, national and international wine competitions.
The McPherson Cellars event space is located in an old Coca-Cola bottling plant in downtown Lubbock’s historic Depot District and can accommodate up to 250 guests. “McPherson Cellars is a wonderful venue for truly any event. We are most complimented on our décor and design the facility upholds, so it looks gorgeous for any occasion without all the effort,” says Kim. His wife, Sylvia McPherson, is the owner and designer of La Diosa Cellars, located just a few steps from the McPherson Cellars, which offers a private dining room for smaller groups and is “a wonderful slice of Spain right here in Lubbock.”
“The most embracing feature of La Diosa is by far the décor and atmosphere,” says Kim. “[Sylvia] truly designed her décor with extreme intent for uniqueness, making La Diosa a one-of-a-kind lovely dining experience. La Diosa, of course, features McPherson Cellars’ wines, keeping the local theme and promoting the Texas wine industry.”
Meet & Play
The American Windmill Museum is the largest public display of windmills and windmill-related artifacts in the world and offers two unique meeting spaces, says Tanya Meadows, director of marketing. The Christine DeVitt Classroom can accommodate 40 people in a classroom-style setting, with A/V equipment provided. The United Commons Patio is a 6,000-square-foot enclosed patio that can be set up as a large classroom facility or a more relaxed banquet type setting, Meadows explains. The room can also be used as a smaller classroom with areas for break-out sessions for seminars. Tables and chairs are provided for up to 200 people, and there is a full-service kitchen for caterers to use.
“I personally love the history behind some of the windmills,” Meadows says. “Our oldest mill was made in 1867, and we have one that the history behind goes back to 1621. There is also a 3,000-foot model train layout that teaches the relationship between the railroad companies and the windmill companies.”
