Texas Slides

Sheraton Dallas has welcomed Pierre Daval as the hotel’s new executive chef. Daval has more than 25 years of culinary experience, including 20 years with Marriott International. Originally from France, Daval started his culinary career in the United States at the Marriott Tan-Tar-A Resort in Missouri in 2000. His most recent role was at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in Illinois as the executive chef and food and beverage director where he personally managed an apiary and a two-acre farm. He also previously worked at the Chicago Marriott O’Hare and the Chicago Marriott Downtown.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has broken ground on its new extended-stay brand in Plano. The all new-construction brand, operating under the working title "Project ECHO," has 72 hotels in the development pipeline as of the end of the second quarter. The purpose-built, 124-room Project ECHO prototype is just over 50,000 square feet, with individual rooms averaging 300 square feet. 

The historic Austin hotel, The Driskill, has appointed Nori Meisner to its staff as historic tour guide and special events concierge. In her new role, Meisner will bring to life the stories of the hotel, which was built by cattle baron Colonel Jesse Driskill in 1886. Among the many memories she’ll share with guests on the history tour is the first date between former President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird. The two met over breakfast on that fateful day.

The Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre completed its $24 million renovation of the entire hotel and conference center. Renovations began in 2020. 

The North Dallas conference center hotel renovation includes a full redesign of all 503 guest rooms, lobby and public areas, and food and beverage outlets. Additionally, the hotel’s 55,000-square-feet of meeting space was updated with new furnishings, technology upgrades, and the addition of a new 6,600-square-foot Lakeside Ballroom. 

When it comes to meeting at the Austin Convention Center, the numbers are forever in your favor. Let’s start with six. That’s how many full city blocks the convention center extends in the heart of the downtown business district. Or 12,000—the number of hotel rooms within a two-mile radius of the venue. Twenty-thousand is how many wireless devices that can be simultaneously connected, ensuring all of your guests won’t miss a meeting, Zoom call, presentation or email.  

Keep your eye on the skyline of Austin. The sustainably focused hotel brand, 1 Hotels, is coming to a mixed-use hotel, residential and retail project currently under construction at the meeting of Waller Creek and Lady Bird Lake. The property will be the tallest tower in Texas and will overlook the historic Rainey Street district.  

Located on the River Walk, the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk has completed its $38 million renovation just in time for its 40^thanniversary. The renovation broke ground in December 2021. The hotel’s 602 guestrooms and 28 suites were redesigned to reflect an upscale urban experience.  

The City of Bryan has announced that Jamie Cox will be the general manager of the Legends Event Center, a 122,300-square-foot indoor event facility scheduled to open in late 2022. Most recently, Cox served as general manager of the Publix Sports Park in Panama City Beach, Florida. 

Omni PGA Frisco Resort, scheduled to open in spring 2023, is now open for group booking requests. 

Located in Frisco, 30 miles north of Dallas, the 500-room resort will feature more than 127,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces, including a 22,000-square-foot grand ballroom, an 11,500-square-foot junior ballroom and a 5,000-square-foot event pavilion.

Moody Center, a multi-purpose venue located in downtown Austin, opened its doors this past April. The sold-out grand opening show was a Texas-sized celebration featuring artist George Strait with special guests Willie Nelson & Family and Randy Rogers Band.