Meetings and Events City Profiles

CITY SEARCH RESULTS

Gulf Coast Getaways

Image:

Population: About 600,000 combined

Nearest airport: Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport (BRO) or McAllen-Miller International Airport (MFE).

Conventions centers/Large event spaces:
South Padre Island Convention Center
South Padre Island, TX 78597

Galveston Island Convention Center
5600 Seawall Blvd
Galveston, TX 77551

American Bank Center
1901 North Shoreline Boulevard
Corpus Christi, TX 78403-3040

McAllen Convention Center
1300 S. 10th St
McAllen, TX 78505

Overview and highlights:
Few things clear the mind better than a walk along the beach. The best meetings give attendees a fresh look at things, a revived interest in problem solving and goal getting. Especially for folks who are landlocked most of the time, consider one of Texas' many cities along the Gulf Coast and serve up a little slice of stress relief with a salt-water spray.

Kemah/Galveston Bay
Kemah is cozy, quaint and convenient. Its main attraction is the delightful Kemah Boardwalk.

>> The elegant yet cozy 52-room Boardwalk Inn sits in the middle of the Boardwalk. Literally a few steps outside its doors are 10 restaurants, most overlooking the water. Have your team convene in one of the Boardwalk Inn's meeting spaces, and when business is complete, take them for a thrill of a ride aboard The Beast. A spin on this 70-foot, open-deck speedboat pumps the adrenaline for your thrill seekers, but offers a secure enough experience that anyone can enjoy.

>> South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center offers 30,000 square feet of conference space, including 25 meeting rooms.
800.442.5005

>> Nearby attractions include the Space Center Houston at the NASA/Johnson Space Center, as well as golf, fishing excursions and dinner cruises.

Galveston Island
Less than an hour from Houston, Galveston is a step back in time with some gorgeous examples of 19th century architecture. But Galveston's accommodations rival its big-city neighbor.

>> The luxurious 482-room Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center boasts 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 60,000-square-foot ballroom quality exhibition center. Outdoor spaces are often used for receptions, too.

>> The indoor/outdoor Schlitterbahn water park is a huge attraction that caters to groups.

>> San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center sits on Galveston's seawall, and offers well-appointed rooms and 40,000 square feet of meeting space.

Rockport/Fulton
The cities of Rockport and Fulton provide a relaxing getaway at a slower pace.

>> Rockport's Lighthouse Inn at Aransas Bay offers 78 rooms with the comforts of an upscale retreat, perfect for busy executives.

>> The oft-used Saltwater Pavilion is located at Rockport Beach Park, Texas' first certified Blue Wave beach, which means it is committed to environmental protection.

Port Aransas
Beachy, kitschy and muy calming. For small groups, and larger ones up to about 200, get your group out of Dodge and into Port A. Private charters, sunset cruises and loads of fresh seafood provide the setting for a meeting that will beg to be repeated.

>> Port Royal Ocean Resort and Mayan Princess Resort both offer picturesque pool areas and easy beach access.

Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi features great beaches and water activities, waterfront restaurants and 255 days of sunshine a year.

>> Schedule a special interest tour at nearby King Ranch or a reception aboard the most famous aircraft carrier in U.S. history, the USS Lexington, which is docked in the bay.

>> Rent space at the Texas State Aquarium--or reserve the whole thing just for your group and the fascinating creatures of the sea.

South Padre Island
South Padre Island is known for being an excellent vacation spot, but is also fully equipped to handle meetings, events and conventions.

>> You and about 650 of your closest friends can get together for a convention at the 240-room Bahia Mar in South Padre. Do teambuilding on the beach, parasail or watch dolphins. Any way you look at it, you'll know you're not at the office.

>> For an economical and complete change of scene, head to nearby Sea Turtle Inc. This volunteer-run sea turtle refuge provides a fun and educational break for the ecologically minded.

McAllen and Brownsville
While neither of these cities technically qualifies as a coastal town, if you're going to travel to the southern tip of the state, it's not worth quibbling over the few extra miles. McAllen is located in the Rio Grande Valley, and Brownsville is the southernmost city in Texas.

>> Brownsville Event Center accommodates nearly 800 people banquet style, with dance floor and stage.

For more information:

Galveston CVB // 866.505.4456

This article has been re-edited for the Web. Article originally by Barbara Wray.