5 Reasons Meeting Profs Love Greater Houston-Galveston

Easy airlift: Houston is easy-peasy to get to from almost anywhere, with two major airports—George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)—that service all major U.S. and many international carriers. Galveston and Laredo also have international airports.

Exurban nature: Conroe, for example, is bordered by 22,000-acre Lake Conroe, Sam Houston National Forest and W. Goodrich Jones State Forest—and it’s just 40 miles north of Houston. Even closer, The Woodlands, a luxurious, master-planned community, boasts Lake Woodlands, 220 miles of hike and bike trails and 150 parks. A bit further away, Laredo boasts Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, with trails and a fish-filled lake.

Between-session zhuzh: The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands consistently ranks in the Top 10 outdoor amphitheaters in the world, attracting the biggest touring artists. Conroe’s live music scene has earned it a Music Friendly Community designation. And Meow Wolf has recently brought its mind-bending interactive art installations to Houston.

First-rate meetings hotels: You won’t have to settle for limited-service properties beyond big-city limits, unless that’s what you want. The major hotel brands have long ago seen the appeal of these visitor-friendly locations, and many offer ample convention and modern meeting space.

Big Texas charm: To kick back in the real Texas, forego big city skyscrapers for historic Main Street. They’ll not only be welcomed by super-friendly locals, but a bar crawl or gallery tour can be topped off at the cute local bakery with that perfect cupcake.

5 Places to Meet & Play

The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center in Conroe is a fantastic venue for large events, with modern amenities and flexible spaces that include an expo arena and fairgrounds.

56,000 square feet of convention space, a 23,200-square-foot ballroom, 5,000-seat open-air arena.

For 50 years, people have been falling in love with the legendary La Posada Hotel along the banks of the Rio Grande in downtown Laredo; it’s been voted the No. 1 hotel by the Texas Chamber of Commerce.

15,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 206 guest rooms.

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott offers a newly renewed lobby and is a heartbeat away from great shopping, restaurants and entertainment in Town Center.

Nearly 70,000 sq. ft. of event space (largest space is over 32,000 sq. ft.); 348 guest rooms.

Elegant, upscale meeting rooms and event spaces await at Hyatt Regency Conroe. It’s close to everything, including the revitalized downtown, Lake Conroe and Lone Star Convention Center.

41,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including 14,003-square-foot Regency Ballroom; 250 guest rooms.

The longest bar in Texas is ready to serve your attendees at Kirby Icehouse in The Woodlands, with 60 beers on tap and meeting space for up to 1,000 guests; cater your event, or food trucks await.

 Over 28,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor space.