INDING A MEETINGS DESTINATION with plenty of updated accom- modations and flexible meeting space, while not sacrificing char- acter, can be a feat. But Grapevine, Texas, with more than 800,000 square feet of meeting space and 11,000 guest rooms within 15 minutes of downtown, rises to the
challenge. Home to a quaint downtown full of spe- cialty boutiques, wineries, and an eclectic restau- rant scene, Grapevine offers all the amenities of a large convention city but maintains the charm of a small Texas town. Grapevine’s collection of luxury meeting hotels
✱ NEW DIGS: The Grand Hyatt
DFW, located at the Dallas/Fort Worth
Airport’s Terminal D, recently completed
a $13-million renova- tion of its 298 guest
rooms, meeting space, Moka restaurant, and M Lounge. Highlights include guest rooms updated with a more residential feel as well as a new boardroom.
includes the renowned Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center on Lake Grapevine, with 1,511 rooms and more than 400,000 square feet of meet- ing space. Other standout hotels include the 811- room Hyatt Regency DFW, the 329-room Embassy Suites Dallas–DFW Airport North Outdoor World, the 395-room Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Confer- ence Center, the 298-room Grand Hyatt DFW, and the 605-suite Great Wolf Lodge. When it’s time to take a breather from the boardroom, attendees
will find downtown Grapevine a delightful respite. History buffs can travel aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for a taste of the Old West, and those looking to relax can wander through the area’s shops,
Grapevine offers all the amenities of a large convention city but maintains the charm of a small Texas town.
galleries, restaurants, and wineries. If that’s not enough retail therapy, attendees will find more than 180 shops and restaurants under one roof at the Grapevine Mills mall. Outdoor enthusiasts can opt for one of three golf courses in the area — two of which are ranked among the top 50 public courses in the United States — or just get back to nature at Lake Grapevine, an 8,000-acre lake offering boating, water skiing, and nine miles of wilderness trails. Grapevine also has two brand-new attractions to experience: the LEGOLAND Discovery Cen- ter Dallas/Fort Worth and the SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium.
pcma convene November 2011
The Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau serves meeting professionals as a one-stop meeting-planning resource. The CVB’s award-winning destination-services team can help with everything from registration assistance and convention promotional materials to media relations and spouse programs. n
AT A GLANCE
Convention facilities: The Grapevine Convention Center offers 23,500 square feet of space. Citywide, Grapevine has more than 800,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. Hotel rooms:More than 5,000 citywide Attractions: LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium, 200 restaurants, Main Street shops, historical sites, 81 holes of golf within 15 minutes of all downtown hotels, and easy access to Dallas/Fort Worth–area attractions, including Six Flags and professional sports
For more information: Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau, 636 S. Main Street, Grapevine, TX 76051; (800) 457-6338; www.grapevinetexasusa.com