191-seat Philanthropy Theatre; and The Alcantar Sky Garden, a private rooftop venue. There’s also McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre and Pavilion, nestled in the majestic Franklin Mountains. More than 9,000 hotel rooms are available citywide. El Paso also offers a wide variety of
historical and cultural attractions. History buffs will appreciate a visit to Tigua Indian Reservation at Ysleta, while “culture vultures” can hear a concert or watch a performance at the Chamizal National Memorial. Scenic views beckon during rides on the Wyler Aerial Tramway, on the links at Butterfield Trail Golf Club, and at the world-famous Hueco Tanks State Park. Another option for meetings in Big Bend
Country is Odessa, where groups are accom- modated in facilities that range from college
Guadalupe mountains national park, pine springs
campuses, to hotels, to cultural venues. Post-meeting activities in Odessa can put delegates in the audience of a Shakespearean play at the Globe Theatre, in the cockpit of a World War II fighter, or in the heart of the
second largest meteor crater in the nation. Odessa’s sister city, Midland, was established in the late-1800s as a railroad water stop, and became a hub for farming and ranching, until oil was discovered here in the 1920s. Meeting space is easy to find: There are more than 26 hotel properties, with additional hotels in the pipeline, and nine of them offer meeting space. In ad- dition, groups can rent space in 13 off-site meeting venues in unique settings, such as the elegant Turner Mansion, which is on the National Registry of Historic Homes.
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY Rolling hills, lakes, and rivers dominate Hill Country, which begins in West Texas
and extends east to state capital Austin. CONTINUEd ON pAgE 23
Abilene
welCome to abilene: The Hunter Welcome and Conference Center at Abilene Christian University.
A Whole Lotta Texas Goin’ On
Hotel rooms: 3,300 citywide
Convention facilities: The Abilene Civic Center offers approximately 13,000 square feet of convention space, 29,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 2,142-seat auditorium, eight meeting rooms, and a VIP room. The ACU Hunter Center has 57,000 square feet of meeting space.