Throughout Texas, there are cities that sit close together, creating an area where citizens and visitors can share resources, traveling easily from one city to the other. These twin cities offer planners opportunities to expand their options beyond what one city might provide. From venues and hotels to services and travel access, increased options mean more flexibility for planners.
When planning on a budget, for example, what might be too costly in one city could be more affordable in the adjacent city. Large conferences held in one city might take advantage of amusement parks, sporting events, or other activities in the neighboring city. And smaller groups or retreats could find the right-size resources amid the options of smaller twin cities.
Hosting meetings and conferences in one of the state’s city duos will not only expand the resources planners have, but it also can enhance the leisure and team-building options for attendees. And luckily in Texas, this variety of options means that planners can select just the right ambience they’re looking for—urban hubs like the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex provide gatherings with a lively city backdrop, while smaller groups looking to infuse their event with true small-town Western charm can consider places like Temple and Killeen, or Sherman and Denison.
Whatever destination duo ends up being your choice, Texas Meetings + Events has the information you need, rounding up some of the Lone Star State’s most popular twin-city combos to highlight their offerings and how you might best take advantage of each city in one meeting itinerary.
Big City Made Bigger
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is the most well-known of the Texas twin cities. Surrounded by suburbs that have become large cities in their own right, Dallas and Fort Worth create an area ripe with potential for meeting planners and attendees.
“Dallas has a unique, can-do spirit, where bold and innovative ideas come to life,” says Craig Davis, president and CEO at Visit Dallas. “Whether you’re meeting in a high-tech ballroom or grabbing appetizers and drinks in one of our many unique neighborhoods, it is a city that inspires connection and creativity.”
With a population over 1.3 million, Dallas boasts a hotel construction pipeline of 194 projects, which exceeds every other city in the U.S. as of the third quarter last year, according to the “Q3 2024 U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report” from Lodging Econometrics. Downtown hotels like the Hilton Anatole and Sheraton Dallas Hotel offer ample meeting space, and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas expansion project is currently underway, with a completion date of 2029. Myriad dining options, services for every budget, and activities for any interest make Dallas a prime choice for meetings and conferences.
“With two international airports, getting here is incredibly easy for attendees from all across the country—but once they arrive, our hospitality is what sets us apart,” says Davis. “Dallas offers an incredible mix of venues and hotels, and our team and partners make the planning process incredibly smooth.”
While Fort Worth is only 30 miles from Dallas, the city has a flair and flavor all its own, thanks to its historic role in the cattle industry and active downtown art scene. “Home to five world-class museums, visitors can see a wide range of art, from priceless masterpieces to impressionist milestones,” says Amy Brown, senior vice president of sales and services at Visit Fort Worth. The Fort Worth Stockyards is a year-round draw due to historic hotels and a daily cattle drive, while the Fort Worth Convention Center expansion is set to be complete next year. “Fort Worth, ‘The Unexpected City,’ blends Western culture and history with the sleek and modern architecture of the Cultural District,” Brown says.
Host in the Hill Country
Central Texas is a popular region for meetings since it’s easily accessible from most of the state’s major cities. The twin cities of Temple and Killeen offer planners the ease of big-city proximity with the warmth of small towns.
“Temple’s location between Austin and Waco makes for an ideal setting to host a conference, meeting, or trade show,” says Teresa Anderson, destination marketing division director at Discover Temple. “The major transportation portal of Interstate 35 provides attendees the ease of navigating comfortably to the area’s unique venues and facilities.” The 30,000-square-foot Frank W. Mayborn Civic & Convention Center, as well as smaller venues like the Santa Fe Depot, offer space for meetings in a variety of sizes. “Temple’s venues are economical while still delivering a top-notch experience not only for the planner but also for the attendees,” says Anderson.
The nearby city of Killeen is home to the 63,000-square-foot Killeen Civic & Conference Center, and the Killeen Special Events Center offers 59,000 square feet of exhibit space. Book up to 8,700 square feet of meeting space at the Courtyard Killeen and up to 1,500 square feet of space at the Holiday Inn Killeen–Fort Cavazos Area, An IHG Hotel. Both Temple and Killeen are near Fort Cavazos, making them popular choices for military events.
To the southeast, the cities of Bryan and College Station boast all the energy and vibrant growth of university towns combined with typically Texan amenities. “With resources like Texas A&M University offering academic opportunities, dynamic speakers, and engaging tour options, as well as the dedicated support of our convention services team at Visit College Station, you will have everything you need to elevate your event and create an unforgettable experience,” says Jo Beth Wolfe, sales manager at Visit College Station.
Wolfe cites College Station’s affordability of room rates, dining, and vendors. The 301-room Hilton College Station Hotel & Conference Center is open while undergoing a $20 million renovation expected to be complete later this year. Next door, the 160-room Drury Plaza Hotel College Station began taking reservations in February. Two Valencia Hotel Collection properties, the 162-room George Hotel and the Texas-style 141-room Cavalry Court, offer meeting space in the city’s vibrant entertainment district, Century Square. Most hotels are convenient to the popular 29,000-square-foot Pavilion at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, which accommodates up to 600 attendees.
The city of Bryan, 10 minutes away from College Station, offers an additional 1,600 guest rooms. The 50,000-square-foot Brazos County Expo Complex provides a spacious exhibit hall for trade shows and conferences, and the multiuse Brazos Center boasts 39,000 square feet of flexible meeting space amid 50 acres of beautiful wooded landscape.
Coastal Combinations
The Texas coast is a draw for meeting attendees looking to combine business with beach time. On the border between Louisiana and Texas, the Beaumont and Port Arthur area combines Louisiana culture and cuisine with Texas seaside fun. “We have that Southern charm that Texas is famous for mixed with a dash of that Cajun/Creole hospitality that makes Beaumont unique,” says Shannon Mires, senior convention sales manager at Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“Beaumont is where Texas friendly meets bayou fun,” adds Freddie Willard, executive director at Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It’s where meetings are affordable, and your attendees will feel welcome and have a great time.” Beaumont is easily accessible, located on Interstate 10, and offers Doggett Ford Park Arena with 34,000 square feet of exhibit floor space, as well as the Downtown Event Centre, with indoor and outdoor event spaces for various group sizes.
Port Arthur is located along the banks of the Sabine River. “Port Arthur is the ‘Cajun Capital of Texas,’ and the perfect place for inspired meetings and conferences,” says Tammy Kotzur, executive director of the Port Arthur Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center offers more than 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, and Kotzur says it’s surrounded by nontraditional spaces like the Texas Artists Museum. “Meet in historical spaces at the Museum of the Gulf Coast, the Department Club, or a historic home for a more casual atmosphere. The new Press Building offers a more high-tech meeting option, overlooking the subcourthouse, park, and seawall area.”
Keep heading as far south as you can and you will land in the Brownsville and Harlingen area, which creates a welcoming atmosphere along the Mexico border. “Located at the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, the Harlingen Convention Center offers the perfect blend of accessibility, modern amenities, and exceptional service for your next conference or event,” says Cassandra Consiglio, tourism manager at Visit Harlingen. The Harlingen Convention Center offers 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. “With a variety of versatile meeting spaces and a prime location near hotels, dining, and local attractions, it’s the ideal destination for both business and leisure,” Consiglio adds.
Nearby, the Brownsville Events Center can accommodate up to 1,200 people theater-style in the main ballroom, which also can be split into five smaller meeting rooms. Attendees will enjoy Boca Chica Beach, about 10 miles away, home to the SpaceX South Texas launch site.
Small-Town Twins
For meetings best suited for small-town hospitality, the Sherman and Denison area is located along the Oklahoma border and offers abundant scenic lake views and locally made beer and wine. The area’s 20,000-square-foot Texoma Event Center is adjacent to the 130-room Hilton Garden Inn Denison/Sherman/At Texoma Event Center. In Sherman, smaller groups will find space at the 5,000-square-foot Municipal Ballroom or the 1,300-seat Kidd-Key Auditorium.
In Denison, attendees also might enjoy the Hidden Hangar Vineyard with space for up to 125 attendees and located in a one-time airport on nearly 300 acres. The city sits just south of Lake Texoma, where attendees might bond over water sports, fishing, and hiking. A $6 billion development, anchored by a 3,100-acre Margaritaville resort on Lake Texoma, is expected to double the footprint of the city upon its completion slated for next year.
The Midland and Odessa area in West Texas brings cowboy culture along Interstate 20, located about halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso. Midland’s Barbara & George H.W. Bush Convention Center provides 29,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. The 118-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Midland, TX, and the 107-room Four Points by Sheraton Midland provide 1,500 square feet of meeting and event space each.
In Odessa, the 245-room MCM Grande Hotel & Fundome Odessa can host meetings or conferences in 20,000 square feet of event space. The 215-room Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center offers 33,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, including an 18,000-square-foot ballroom for up to 2,000 attendees and 19 breakout rooms.
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fortworth.com
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visitdallas.com
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