ART CREDIT

emerging destinations JW Marriott Austin A meeting destination that sizzles

Location is a key component of every meet- ing or conference, and the buzz around Aus- tin has the destination at the top of every media hot list and top of mind for both meet- ing planners and their attendees. In 2015, the JW Marriott Austin will open as the city’s larg- est hotel, further cementing Austin’s status as the country’s next must-visit city. “Austin is a hot market for business trav-

elers and conventioneers. It has a young, vibrant, sexy feel and appeal to it,” said Jay Spurr, the director of sales and marketing for the JW Marriott Austin, which will offer 112,012 square feet of meeting space just two blocks from the Austin Convention Center. As the host city for innovative conferences like South by Southwest, and headquarters for companies like Whole Foods and Dell, Austin is growing in rank and influence. For two years in a row, Forbes has named Austin

America’s fastest-growing city, and earlier this year, Business Insider ranked it as one of the top 10 most innovative cities in the United States. Beyond its savvy business acumen, Aus-

tin is a destination that is known for being friendly, delicious, and delightfully weird. Newsday recently highlighted the city as both a foodie and a family-friendly destina- tion, and in July 2012 Forbes called it one of

“America’s Coolest Cities to Live In.” And from breakfast tacos to food trucks to Iron Chefs, Austin’s culinary scene is an endless buffet of gastronomic discoveries. Travel + Leisure named Austin one of “America’s Best Burger Cities” in June 2012, and last year, Sher- mansTravel ranked Austin No. 1 on its list of

“Top 10 Cities for BBQ.” Of course, one cannot visit the “Live Music Capital of the World” without hearing

a few tunes. Even if meeting attendees have a packed schedule, Austin gives visitors the chance to rock out almost anywhere, from the airport to the nearly 200 live-music ven- ues that fill downtown. And whatever attendees decide to do in their off time, planners won’t have to worry

— this past February, Austin ranked the fourth lowest in the nation among cities with more than 500,000 people on CQ Press’ 2013 City Crime Rankings report.

For more information: JW Marriott Austin — Jay Spurr, Director of Sales and Marketing; (512) 474-4777; jay.spurr@whitelodging .com; jwmarriottaustin.com

Rooftop oasis The 1,012-room JW Marriott Austin’s outdoor pool deck will overlook the hustle and bustle of downtown Austin when the hotel opens in 2015.

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Coffee break Groups can meet and mingle in the JW Marriott Austin’s cozy lobby, complete with fire pits and a coffee shop.

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