When considering venues for meetings or events, few kinds of spaces hit all the marks like convention and conference centers. Typically expansive in size and situated in major metropolitan areas, these centers provide many amenities under one roof—often including catering, audiovisual services, flexible meeting rooms, staging equipment and furniture, and loading docks—and sometimes directly connect attendees to nearby hotels, dining, and attractions. This long list of planner resources means that such venues accommodate a wide breadth of events, from intimate board meetings to large conferences and galas. In Texas, convention centers deliver in spades. While many differ in appearance and style, the centers all have one thing in common: They’re standout facilities for almost any meeting and event planner to consider for their group.
“Our team prides itself on genuine Texas hospitality,” says Melinda Adams, director of sales and marketing at the Waco Convention Center. “Planners consistently tell us our service is what keeps them coming back year after year.” Opened in 1972, the Waco Convention Center has undergone two renovations (2012 and 2021), and now offers more than 144,000 square feet of flexible meeting space spanning two exhibit halls, multiple ballrooms, breakout rooms, and outdoor spaces. In November 2025, the Texas Beekeepers Association activated the center for its 2025 Annual Convention, bringing in some 400 attendees for three days of educational workshops, scientific presentations, networking sessions, keynote speakers, and social events. “This convention made excellent use of our flexible event hall layouts, combining large general session spaces with multiple breakout rooms and an exhibit hall,” says Adams. “The flow between education, networking, and expo components highlighted how easily the center adapts to multiday, multiformat events. We even created an outdoor activation space where the beekeepers could bring in an actual beehive in a safely designed area for training and educational purposes.”
This level of event expertise and adaptability can be found at similar centers statewide, including the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. “Because of the building’s divisibility, the George R. Brown Convention Center accommodates anything from a conference of just a few hundred people to a major convention of more than 50,000 attendees,” says John Gonzalez, senior vice president and general manager at Houston First Corp., which manages the center. Currently, the venue is undergoing a major transformation that will add 700,000 square feet of space to the facility, in addition to dedicated rooms for nursing mothers and religious prayer. The project is slated to be completed in mid-2028.
That said, business is booming amid the renovations. Nearly 2,000 people gathered at the Houston convention center in December 2025 for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events 2025 Expo! Expo!, which featured more than 250 exhibitors, immersive learning zones, networking sessions, award celebrations, and more. “We [were] able to showcase what makes Houston attractive for these clients and why the George
R. Brown Convention Center is a great host facility,” says Gonzalez. “We conducted tours of the venue and also used [the event] as an opportunity to discuss the center’s expansion with current and potential clients.” Beyond its event rooms and noteworthy amenities, the center’s campus has plenty more to offer—most notably its walkability and connections to area hotels. The center is flanked by two major hotels (Hilton Americas–Houston and Marriott Marquis Houston) and the 12-acre Discovery Green public park, plus three professional sports stadiums—Shell Energy Stadium (home of the MLS’ Houston Dynamo FC), Daikin Park (home field for MLB’s Houston Astros), and Toyota Center (the NBA’s Houston Rockets’ home court). Pair these with nearby restaurants and cultural attractions, and events at the George R. Brown Convention Center transform into comprehensive experiences for attendees.
If planners wish to trade the downtown scenery for a stunning beachfront (without sacrificing venue quality), the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center might just fit the bill. “The best feature of the Galveston Island Convention Center is the view,” says David Townsend, director of the convention center. “Situated right on the beachfront, it overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, and its south wall is lined with windows that showcase the scenery.” Planners will appreciate the convention center’s more than 100,000 square feet of rentable event space, which includes the 15,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, the 43,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, and 11 meeting rooms ranging in size from 350 to 5,100 square feet. The convention center works with three primary hotels for lodging—The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center; Holiday Inn Resort Galveston; and the Hilton Galveston Island Resort—which all offer on-site event space and amenities. Townsend adds, “The convention center also is known for its outstanding service, exceptional food, and beautifully decorated event spaces.” The San Luis Resort exclusively provides catering, and six striking crystal chandeliers punctuate the convention center’s elegant decor.
These three convention centers offer a glimpse into the state’s thriving meetings scene, and there are plenty more to consider. The McAllen Convention Center is next to the McAllen Performing Arts Center, and, together, they accommodate most any gathering. Attendees also might enjoy McAllen’s rich Mexican American heritage given its location along the Mexico border. To the west, the El Paso Convention Center is housed downtown and features 133,100 square feet of event space for groups of up to 11,400 people, plus audiovisual equipment rentals, decorating services, and other amenities. In the heart of downtown Austin, the Austin Convention Center is embarking on a major renovation project expected to be completed in 2029, and it’s focused on expanding the convention center’s footprint to better compete for large, national events. The project also prioritizes many notable sustainability initiatives, including working toward zero carbon emissions. Although the convention center is closed until the transformation completes, planners should keep tabs on the venue as it undergoes this remarkable remodel. Regardless of the size, scope, or style of your meeting, there is a Texas convention center that can not only host it, but also delight attendees and boost your bottom line.
Get Connected
austinconventioncenter.com
experiencemcallen.com
grbhouston.com
sanluisresort.com
visitelpaso.com
wacocc.com
