Dotted with mountain ranges including the Davis Mountains and the Guadalupe Mountains, the western region of Texas is varied and surprising. Snowfall on the peaks in winter and forests that grow along the slopes stand alongside the arid northeastern part of Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert. This vast land covers 38,000 square miles and sees less than 10 inches of rain per year on average.
One of the country’s largest national parks, Big Bend National Park is a favorite of hikers and nature lovers, as well as stargazers who visit the park for its low light pollution and view of the night sky. The park spans more than 800,000 acres and is bordered on the south by the Rio Grande, which also serves as the border between Texas and Mexico.
In Guadalupe Mountains National Park, about 100 miles east of El Paso, stands Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,749 feet above sea level.
West Texas’ rugged terrain stands in sharp contrast to the coastal portions of the state
or the humid, green, and tree-filled spaces you find in the east. Instead, you will be greeted by cactuses, mesquite trees, grasslands, and striking mountain or river views in the west. In addition to fewer large cities than other areas of the state, West Texas is also home to abundant wildlife, including pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and jackrabbits.
The region’s scenery offers attendees the chance to interact with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of a busy city. But don’t let the visions of sprawling grasslands fool you into thinking there aren’t any venue spaces suitable for gatherings. With four sizable cities—El Paso, Midland, Odessa, and San Angelo—there are plenty of event spaces to consider.
Way Out West
“Set in the heart of West Texas and the beautiful Chihuahuan Desert, El Paso and the surrounding region are ideal for meetings and conferences,” says Adam Gautreaux, general manager of the Hotel Paso Del Norte, Autograph Collection, in El Paso. “With over 300 days of sunshine year-round, the El Paso region offers a warm, scenic backdrop with stunning mountain views and a vibrant downtown.”
El Paso International Airport has direct flights to many U.S. cities. Only a few minutes from the airport, the Judson F. Williams Convention Center features more than 130,000 square feet of space across three halls and 17 breakout rooms. Several hotels are within walking distance of the convention center, including the Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park with 7,600 square feet of meeting space in a newly restored 90-year-old building.
Another option is the Hotel Paso Del Norte, Autograph Collection. “Hotel Paso Del Norte offers a truly seamless experience for gatherings, with over 32,000 square feet of versatile event space, from an elegant 7,300-square-foot ballroom to a selection of breakout rooms and boardrooms,” says Gautreaux. “Our dedicated staff and state-of-the-art audiovisual setup ensure every event leaves a lasting impression.”
More Than Just Oil
East of El Paso, Midland is a hub for the oil industry, but it is also a cultural center with several museums, 50 parks, a minor league baseball stadium, and lively nightlife. The city’s numerous event venues offer more than 250,000 combined square feet of event space. The city’s Barbara & George H.W. Bush Convention Center has five exhibit halls, three ballrooms, and three meeting rooms, totaling 30,000 square feet of meeting space. Local hotel options include the TownePlace Suites Midland with a meeting room for up to 160 attendees, and SpringHill Suites Midland Odessa with over 2,600 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom for up to 180 attendees.
Some 20 miles to the west of Midland is Odessa. With Midland International Airport, traveling to both Midland and Odessa is simple and straightforward. Known for its importance to the oil industry and the TV series “Friday Night Lights,” which was set in the Texas town, Odessa serves as a welcoming location for your conference. Around a meeting schedule, attendees might check out the Permian Basin replication of Stonehenge or catch a Broadway show or concert from the West Texas Symphony at the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center.
The Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center boasts 30,000 square feet of indoor meeting space with a capacity of up to 1,000 attendees, plus 215 guest rooms and suites. The MCM Grande Hotel & Fundome is another spacious venue with 19,000 square feet of gathering space.
Oases in the Desert
Located in West Texas’ Concho Valley, San Angelo provides breathtaking scenery. Admire the splendor of the Concho River or visit San Angelo State Park to hike, bike, or ride on horseback down the 50 miles of trails. Other things to do in this vibrant city include visiting the Chicken Farm Art Center, the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, or the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. San Angelo’s meeting spaces can accommodate small- to medium-size conferences. With its 12,000 square feet of space, McNease Convention Center can accommodate as many as 1,200 attendees or up to 700 for banquet-style events. Its large meeting room can also be divided into smaller spaces as needed. In proximity to the convention center, the Pearl on the Concho SureStay Collection by Best Western offers a 4,000-square-foot conference room and a ballroom that accommodates up to 200 attendees.
The Big Bend region of West Texas promises gorgeous views and historic sites that complement meetings. One notable venue to consider is the new Cultural Events Center at the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine. “The Museum of the Big Bend is an ideal space to hold a conference event in beautiful and rugged far West Texas,” says Rebekah Antrosio, interim director and event coordinator at the museum. “The clean, modern lines of the Cultural Events Center with soaring views of the Davis Mountains provide an inspiring venue for groups of all ages and interests.”
Antrosio notes the event center and patio’s ability to host groups of up to 300 people; the first-rate audiovisual systems for presentations, music, and more; and on-site catering. “While at the Museum of the Big Bend, guests are able to view our amazing exhibits displaying both the history and archeology of the Big Bend along with world-class art shows in our temporary galleries,” she says.
In addition, Chris Ruggia, the director of tourism for the City of Alpine, notes that, “One of the things that Alpine is really good for is intimate side adventures into the community.” He highlights a local establishment, The Ritchey, which offers an old-time saloon feel. He explains that when the sun sinks just below the peak of the two-story building and shades the courtyard, the “space becomes just magical. It’s comfortable. Even on the hottest summer day, as soon as the sun just tips right behind the peak of that roof, it’s like the best place to be.” The venue opens daily at 4 p.m.
Travel less than 30 minutes southwest of Alpine and you will find yourself in Marfa. While the city has a population of just over 2,000 people, nearly 50,000 people visit this Texas art hub each year. Hosting a conference in Marfa promises attendees the opportunity to immerse themselves in the art scene during free time between meetings. Planners might book the 4,000-square-foot lounge at The Capri or the Para Llevar Outdoor Cactus Garden that accommodates up to 100 guests.
Del Rio is about four hours south of Midland and boasts nearby Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site with its centuries-old rock art, and Laughlin Air Force Base, the largest pilot-training base in the U.S. Air Force. The small city offers several venues suitable for small- to medium-size groups. The City of Del Rio Civic Center features a 2,000-square-foot banquet and exhibit hall, two spacious ballrooms—each over 8,000 square feet in size—and two meeting rooms. With its eight meeting rooms and 6,000 square feet of space for up to 300 guests, the Ramada by Wyndham Del Rio is another spacious option.
Pecos Bill might be a larger-than-life fictional character from the days of cowboys and westward expansion, but the charm and intrigue of Pecos is genuine. This Texas city—home to the world’s first rodeo—is about 200 miles east of El Paso. Hosting an event in Pecos will enable attendees to visit the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame or even attend a rodeo in person.
The city’s Reeves County Civic Center offers a conference room, dance hall, and outdoor pavilion for groups. The conference room can be used as one large space or split into four separate rooms for smaller conferences or meetings if desired. The Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham Pecos is 10 minutes from the civic center. Its 220-square-foot meeting room makes it another potential location for smaller conferences.
When looking to West Texas for your meeting, discover the variety of venues with sunset views and modern amenities—you likely will be pleased at how much these destinations serve up for gatherings.
bestwestern.com
bushconventioncenter.com
discoverodessa.org
discoversanangelo.com
exploredelrio.com
marriott.com
mcmgrandeodessa.com
museumofthebigbend.com
plazahotelelpaso.com
visitalpinetx.com
visitelpaso.com
visitmarfa.com
visitmidland.com
visitpecos.com
wyndhamhotels.com