While sandy beaches, tall palm trees, and crashing ocean waves might not be the first things that come to your mind when you think of Texas, this is the alluring reality along the state’s 367-mile-long border with the Gulf of Mexico. When looking for destinations that will inspire attendees, look no further than the coast. With beach destinations as popular as they are among vacationers, it’s an easy leap to consider the same places for hosting meetings and events.
Blue spaces—such as those with a view of the Gulf—have been shown to correlate with a reduced risk of depression and improved overall mental health. For meetings, this translates into a more positive experience for attendees and a relaxed, upbeat atmosphere. When they’re at ease and enjoying themselves, attendees are more likely to stay motivated, focused, and productive than if they feel stifled or bored in a less scenic environment.
“Gulf breezes and miles of beautiful beaches combined with unique venues, attractions for all ages, abundant natural resources, and world-class dining—especially fresh Gulf seafood—make the Texas Gulf Coast attractive to meeting planners and attendees,” says Bryan Kunz, director of sales and services at Visit Galveston. In fact, hosting a meeting in a destination that is usually reserved for vacations tends to attract higher attendance than other locations, as attendees look forward to some downtime and even bring their partners or families along for some bleisure time.
Moreover, the region’s mild winters make it suitable for events year-round. Even in January, the average high temperatures are typically in the 60s, thus activities and excursions are available in any season. Winter activities on the coast include fishing from the beach or on a charter boat, bird watching during annual migrations, and enjoying leisurely strolls along the shoreline.
In summer, beach life will entice even the most serious attendee to enjoy sun, fun, and waves. Outdoor activities span surfing, sailing, bike riding along the beach, horseback riding, and more. For those who prefer to enjoy the sunshine through windows, nearby art museums, natural history exhibits, and aquariums beckon. From the living rainforest at Moody Gardens in Galveston to the lively nightlife of South Padre Island, there’s something for everyone.
Convention Convenience
Those planning large events might take advantage of the several convention centers located in Gulf Coast cities. The Galveston Island Convention Center, which is about an hour away from George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, can accommodate varying conference and meeting needs. “Its dramatic beachfront setting and floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico,” says Kunz. “Over 100,000 square feet of meeting space, an on-site parking garage, complimentary Wi-Fi, and shuttle transportation to contracted hotels combine to make the facility ideal for meetings and conventions of all types.”
The convention center is part of the 32-acre San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center, which features 250 rooms that overlook the Gulf. “What makes The San Luis Resort unique is its palpably rich history,” Kunz adds. “The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center is built on the foundation of Fort Crockett, which was used as an assembly point in World War I and training grounds for coastal artillery in World War II. Connecting with the history of Galveston is compelling to many attendees.”
In addition to The San Luis Resort, there are several other nearby hotels, including the Hilton Galveston Island Resort, with more than 66,000 square feet of meeting space, and the Holiday Inn Resort Galveston–On the Beach, An IHG Hotel, offering guest rooms with balconies that overlook the Gulf.
South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center in League City is another venue option, with a 238-room hotel and adjacent convention space. Located midway between Houston and Galveston, the conference center sits on the edge of Clear Lake, affording attendees with gorgeous waterfront views. The venue offers 25,000 square feet of event space, including a ballroom with a 1,000-person capacity and several smaller rooms that accommodate between 120 and 200 people. For overflow, another hotel within 15 minutes of the convention center is the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake, with 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and 242 guest rooms.
Entertaining Events
If you’re looking for a location that will double as a meeting space and an entertainment venue, the Texas Gulf Coast can deliver on that as well. One option is to hold your meeting or conference at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi. The convention center offers 138,000 square feet of space for exhibits, meetings, and other events. With the option to partition the space into 10 ballrooms or 27 meeting rooms, its flexibility suits a range of needs.
When you hold your event at the American Bank Center, you also might arrange entertainment for your attendees using either the 10,000-seat adjacent arena or 2,500-seat Selena Auditorium connected to the center.
The Texas State Aquarium, also in Corpus Christi, features several venues, each offering lovely views accompanied by customizable ocean-themed experiences. The Gulf of Mexico Experience puts your event in the middle of the Dolphin Bay Underwater Observation Area and provides you with access to the Water’s Edge Boardwalk and Living Shores exhibit. This experience accommodates 550 seated or 900 standing attendees. Planners with smaller groups of up to 150 participants (or 200 standing participants) might consider booking the H-E-B Caribbean Shark Exhibit. This venue offers up-close underwater views of the aquarium’s top predator.
“Surrounded by 242 acres of breathtaking gardens and majestic pyramids, the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa, and Convention Center is Galveston Island’s premier meeting destination,” says Kim Connor, Moody Gardens sales manager. Moody Gardens features good options for small- to medium-size conferences with its available spaces. “Combined with the Moody Gardens Convention Center, the Moody Gardens Hotel offers 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a business center, a Starbucks ‘Grab & Go,’ complimentary Wi-Fi in the meeting and guest rooms, and free self-parking,” says Connor. The event space is just one of the draws of this venue, however. In addition to the heated indoor pool, indoor lap pool, on-site dining, and full-service spa, Moody Gardens promises a truly unique experience for attendees with its Rainforest Pyramid. With 1,700 exotic plants and live animals—including a Saki monkey, Komodo dragons, and sloths—the tribute allows visitors to experience rainforest habitats up close.
To share Texas history with your attendees, consider The Bryan Museum in Galveston, which houses documents, artwork, and other artifacts showcasing stories of the American West. Some of its exhibits trace back more than 12,000 years, proudly displaying ancient Native American life and customs, while others highlight artifacts from the 21st century. Beyond its incredible collections and displays, The Bryan Museum also offers venue space, allowing participants to learn more about the history of Texas and the American West around their meeting schedule. Six venue spaces are available to accommodate smaller gatherings and larger social events. The Grand Lobby, for example, holds up to 150 standing attendees, while the Wine Cellar offers a more intimate space for up to 14 seated attendees.
New and Noteworthy
Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island is a newer addition to the Texas Gulf Coast. The beachfront resort, which opened in June 2023, offers unbeatable views, event space, entertainment, and so much more. “With over 300 days of sunshine a year and 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space, Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island is a year-round destination for seaside corporate or business gatherings,” says Daniel Haughan, general manager of Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island.
The venue features two ballrooms and a meeting room with a conference table that seats up to 15 people. Haughan notes how the flexible floor plans and plentiful audiovisual equipment can help event planners easily organize meetings and conferences. After meetings end for the day, participants might grab a bite at one of the on-site restaurants, check out the pool, book a service at the spa, or venture into town to explore.
Of course, planners can’t overlook the location—and its unquestionable appeal to potential conferencegoers. As Haughan says, “You won’t have trouble getting attendees to come when you host your conference at the Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island.”
americanbankcenter.com
thebryanmuseum.org
hilton.com
ihg.com
margaritavilleresorts.com
moodygardens.com
sshr.com
texasstateaquarium.org
visitcorpuschristi.com
visitgalveston.com