From flying bats to sculpture gardens, Austin has it all
By Eming Piansay
The official slogan of Austin, Texas, “Keep Austin Weird,” is an all-encompassing statement that sums up the city’s distinctive style and personality.
Austin’s cornucopia of offerings, from Mexican free-tailed bats, numerous music festivals and a vibrant arts scene, guarantee every visitor with a once-in-a-lifetime experience to remember forever.
Insider’s Quote
“When it comes to meetings and conventions, Austin is a city that planners and visitors always agree on. Our state-of-the-art infrastructure, innovative meeting spaces and world-class hotels are nestled in the center, and the heart, of the city.
“Within a few walkable blocks you’ll also find the famous Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail, legendary live music venues and some of the best chefs and restaurants in the country. We pride ourselves on helping to create events that are authentically Austin—from local vendor suggestions to Austin musicians playing throughout your event.”
– Steve Genovesi, Executive Vice President, Visit Austin
5 Reasons Why Meeting Planners Love San Antonio/Austin
Located on a 30-acre site on The University of Texas Campus, LBJ Presidential Library contains 45 million pages of historical documents, 650,000 photos and 5,000 hours of recordings (including 643 hours of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s telephone conversations) that highlight the former president’s career in politics.
Have bat enthusiasts at your event? Austin is home to North America’s largest urban bat population. Starting in late March at sunset, guests can gather at Stateman Bat Observation Center, near Congress Avenue Bridge, to watch bats take flight over Lady Bird Lake. Guests can get a better look via Lone Star Riverboat or Capital Cruises.
River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, is San Antonio’s most visited tourist attraction. The River Walk connects local attractions such as Brackenridge Park and San Antonio Museum of Art. Guests can experience Riverwalk from different areas, as well as by cruise.
For the artistically curious, UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum hosts the work of Charles Umlauf and other various visual performing artists in the museum as well as the garden. The museum offers an intersection of nature, sculpture and the arts.
The Alamo is the historical site of a the 13-day stand off between 189 Texans and Mexican President, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. The Alamo offers guided and self-guided tours, as well as private tours.
5 Places to Meet
Fairmont Austin, found within the Central Business District, offers awe-striking views of the cityscape, Lady Bird Lake and the Texas State Capital. The hotel offers cabanas and day passes which includes access to the outdoor heated pool, tower service and complimentary Wi-Fi.
140,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 27 meeting rooms and 1,048 guest rooms.
Austin Convention Center offers complimentary and customizable high-density Wi-Fi. Up to 20,000 devices can be connected simultaneously.
369,001 sq. ft. of meeting space and 40 meeting rooms.
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa offers guests the chance to relax at the world-class Mokara Spa or tee-off at the four golf courses available.
76.192 sq. ft. of meeting space, 27 meeting rooms and 493 guest rooms.
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa is next to SeaWorld and 20 minutes away from San Antonio River Walk. The hotel also offers a 27-hole championship golf facility on property.
100,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor space, 33 meeting rooms and 502 guest rooms.
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center can be found in downtown San Antonio and is walking distance of the world-famous River Walk.
514,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, 86,500 sq. ft. of column-free multipurpose space and over 70 meeting rooms.
This article appears in the May 2024 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
