WHAT'S NEW The state of Texas wants to raise the bar in the meetings industry, giving planners and attendees more than they expect. To do that, many of the state's meeting and convention facilities are not only adding new services but also building large neighboring entertainment, dining, and shopping properties.

“We want to see surprise and delight on planners' faces,” said one convention center staffer. “After you can offer 2 million square feet of space, there is still more that you can do. We're doing it.”

One good example is in downtown Houston, where the 12 acres in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center have been set aside for Discovery Green, a park that will feature an interactive fountain, a one-acre pond, and enough green space to change the ambience of downtown when it opens in early 2008. And by the end of that year, the three city blocks just north of Discovery Green and the GRBCC will emerge as the upscale Houston Pavilions development, where entertainment such as a House of Blues music venue, chic Lucky Strike Lanes bowling, restaurants, and 350,000 square feet of shopping are planned.

North of Houston, The Woodlands — which is home to the 345-room Woodlands Waterway Marriott and the 490-room Woodlands Resort & Conference Center, as well as six smaller properties, golf, an outdoor amphitheater, and other amenities of interest to meeting planners — launched The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau in January to promote the destination.

Austin's vibrant Second Street district expects the new W Austin Hotel & Residences to come online by 2010, offering 250 guest rooms and 200 residential condominiums. Its 2,000-seat live music and event venue will be the new home of the world-famous “Austin City Limits” public television music show. Also planned for the area is the new Austin Children's Museum, as well as about 25,000 square feet of shopping, dining, and extensive outdoor space.

In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the Grand Hyatt DFW Hotel has arranged a pilot program to make more entertainment and shopping available to visitors. Sanctioned by the Transportation Security Administration, the program allows qualifying hotel guests to proceed through security screening at Terminal D, which is linked to the hotel, to gain access to the 2 million-square-foot terminal's unique architecture, soaring 80-foot ceiling, paintings, restaurants, and retail shops. And as another unusual service, the Grand Hyatt has opened an Epicurean Studio, an interactive culinary learning venue complete with film recording studio and set, in the middle of the hotel's main kitchen.

Arlington is building the new $650 million Cowboys football stadium, seating 75,000 fans and with expanded seating for 90,000. City plans include development of an entertainment, dining, and shopping area that will neighbor the new stadium as well as Ameriquest Stadium, home of the Texas Rangers baseball team.

Irving is planning a multi-use meeting facility in Las Colinas Urban Center, which is expected to open in late 2009. Plans call for a 50,000-square-foot exhibition hall, a 20,000-square-foot ballroom, and 22,000 square feet of additional meeting space. The facility will be part of Las Colinas Live!, an entertainment complex that will include a 6,000-seat concert hall, an outdoor arena, a 120-room Watermark Hotel and Spa, themed restaurants, and retail-lined streets.

The San Antonio River Walk, one of the state's best-known convention/entertainment districts, soon will have a new property. The 1,000-room Hyatt Hotel on the River Walk, adjacent to the downtown convention center, will open in 2008. Away from the River Walk, but with 36 holes of golf, the Westin La Cantera Resort opened its upscale, 1.3 million-square-foot Shops at La Cantera.

FACILITIES UPDATE

ARLINGTON

• The HILTON ARLINGTON has finished renovations of its 252 rooms. The hotel has 11,000 square feet of meeting space and a redesigned restaurant and lounge.

• The WYNDHAM ARLINGTON at DFW Airport South, surrounded by theme parks, has renovated its 310 rooms. The property has 21,200 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a 6,000-square-foot ballroom and a 3,000-square-foot exhibit hall. The hotel's outdoor pavilion includes a 4,300-square-foot poolside plaza.

• LA QUINTA CONFERENCE CENTER and LA QUINTA INN & SUITES HOTEL, near The Parks at Arlington Mall, have been renovated and feature 178 guest rooms and 3,000 square feet of contiguous meeting space.

AUSTIN

• The W AUSTIN HOTEL plans a 2010 opening with 250 guest rooms in the Second Street District. The mixed-use development will have 25,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, and outdoor space.

• The HYATT REGENCY LOST PINES RESORT & SPA near Bastrop opened in summer 2006. The 491-room resort is 13 miles south of Austin Bergstrom International Airport. It has 50,000 square feet of indoor function space, an 18-hole golf course, a spa, and eight restaurants. The resort's amenities include canoeing and fishing on the Colorado River with hiking and equestrian trails in a 1,100-acre nature park.

• The 211-room LAKEWAY INN CONFERENCE RESORT OF AUSTIN is renovating its grand lobby entrance; upgrading 168 of its rooms, including 16 spa guest rooms; and redesigning its 5,500-square-foot spa and fitness center. The resort's Travis restaurant will be remodeled as well. Overlooking Lake Travis will be a new 5,200-square-foot ballroom. The property has 20,000 square feet of meeting space.

• Marriott International opened a 449-room hotel last fall adjacent to the Austin Convention Center. The hotel combines two brands under one roof. A 270-room COURTYARD property and a 179-suite RESIDENCE INN share 6,600 square feet of meeting space.

• The SHERATON AUSTIN opened next to the capitol in January with 365 guest rooms and 16 meeting rooms.

DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREA

• In January 2006, the Wyndham Anatole was reflagged as the HILTON ANATOLE and announced a major renovation stretching over two years. The hotel, located on 45 acres just north of downtown Dallas, has 1,606 guest rooms and 341,000 square feet of meeting space. Its five restaurants include the five-star Nana on the 27th floor, overlooking the Dallas skyline.

• DORAL TESORO HOTEL AND GOLF CLUB has added a 5,500-square-foot event pavilion as part of a major expansion and renovation. Located across the street from the Texas Motor Speedway, the hotel has 286 guest rooms, high-speed Internet access, 28,000 square feet of event space, 10,000 square feet of outdoor event space, and an 18-hole championship golf course.

• The 120-room MANDARIN ORIENTAL, DALLAS will open in the city's new Vic-tory Park development in 2009. The hotel will have 9,000 square feet of meeting space, multiple dining venues, and a spa.

• The renovated 185-room HOTEL PALOMAR DALLAS, formerly the Mockingbird Hilton, has a spa, a restaurant, and 8,555 square feet of meeting space, including the 6,815-square-foot Opus Ballroom.

• Later this year, the RITZ-CARLTON, DALLAS is scheduled to open in Uptown. The 216-room hotel will include a restaurant, 14,000 square feet of meeting space, a 10,000-square-foot ballroom, and a 12,000-square-foot spa and fitness center with an indoor pool.

• In the West End, the W DALLAS VICTORY HOTEL is open with 251 rooms, 11,000 square feet of meeting space, a restaurant, a pool and fitness center, and a 10,000-square-foot spa.

• HOTEL INDIGO opened its fifth property in Dallas last fall — a 170-room, 1925 historical landmark previously known as the Holiday Inn Dallas?Aristocrat. The hotel offers 3,300 square feet of meeting space and wireless Internet service in its public spaces.

• After $47 million in upgrades, the 430-room SHERATON FORT WORTH HOTEL AND SPA plans to open in late 2007, replacing the Fort Worth Plaza Hotel.

• The 600-room OMNI FORT WORTH HOTEL broke ground in August 2006, adjacent to the Fort Worth Convention Center. It is expected to open in 2008 with 48,000 square feet of meeting space.

• The 294-room HILTON FORT WORTH, previously operated as a Radisson, opened in 2006 after a $10.5 million renovation. The hotel's 35,000 square feet of meeting, pre-function, and ballroom space have been completely renovated.

• HOLIDAY INN NORTH and HOLIDAY INN SOUTH in Fort Worth are now part of Allegiance Hospitality Corp. and are being redesigned. Fully renovated, each hotel will have 247 guest rooms, a restaurant, and 12,000 square feet of conference facilities.

• THE HILTON DFW LAKES EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE CENTER in February completed the initial phase of a $10 million renovation project. The center offers 63,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.

• FOUR SEASONS RESORT AND CLUB DALLAS AT LOS COLINAS in Irving has added 40 new villas, bringing its total number of guest rooms to 397. The 400-acre resort has 31,675 square feet of multipurpose conference and function space. Its new outdoor event space has opened, and the expansion and remodeling of the Sports Club and new golf pro shop are complete.

• In Irving, the Harvey Hotel DFW Airport has been reflagged as the WESTIN DALLAS FORT WORTH AIRPORT HOTEL. The Westin has 38,000 square feet of meeting space, with 31 breakout rooms and a 10,521-square-foot ballroom. Its 506 rooms have been upgraded.

• In Frisco, the 125-room SHERATON STONEBRIAR will open in January 2008 at a mixed-use development called Stonebriar Commons on Legacy. It will have wireless Internet service throughout and 12,000 square feet of meeting space.

• The new 120-room HOLIDAY INN FRISCO STARCENTER opened this summer with 1,780 square feet of meeting space, plasma-screen televisions, and wireless Internet service.

GRAPEVINE

• GAYLORD TEXAN RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER offers 1,511 rooms and a 400,000-square-foot convention center, which includes a 180,000-square-foot exhibit hall and three ballrooms. The resort also offers a 25,000-square-foot spa and fitness center with indoor pool and 18-hole championship golf at the adjacent Cowboys Golf Club.

• LAKESIDE RESORT & RESIDENCES will be built on Lake Grapevine in Flower Mound. The 289-room property, managed by Benchmark Hospitality, will open in fall 2008.

HOUSTON

• The 131-room HOTEL INDIGO, with more than 2,000 square feet of meeting space, opened less than a block from the Galleria in summer 2006. Complimentary high-speed wireless Internet is offered throughout the hotel.

• The GRANDUCA HOTEL opened in fall 2006 in the Uptown Park development. The six-story Italianate hotel offers 130 residential-style suites with full-service kitchens and state-of-the-art electronics. The hotel has 2,500 square feet of meeting space and a full business center.

• In the Museum District, the HOTEL ZAZA, formerly known as The Warwick, opened in July. The hotel has 315 rooms, suites, and bungalows; a resort-style pool complete with private cabanas; and a spa. Meeting space includes the Phantom Ballroom, with space for 500 guests, and five meeting spaces on the 11th floor.

• The 314-room HOTEL DEREK opened six “Business Loft” guest rooms in 2006, outfitted with work space, a personal computer, a flat-panel monitor, a laser printer, other business essentials, and some not-so-essential items including a putting machine and an Etch-A-Sketch.

• Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide plans to open three hotels as part of the Memorial City Project, a mixed-use community in West Houston. Construction is expected to begin this summer on the 250-room WESTIN HOUSTON, MEMORIAL CITY and the 155-room SHERATON HOUSTON, MEMORIAL CITY. The Radisson Suite Hotel Houston West is expected to open as a 170-room FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON HOUSTON, MEMORIAL CITY this summer. The Sheraton is scheduled to open in the first half of 2009, while the Westin opening date has not been announced.

• The GEORGE R. BROWN CONVENTION CENTER is celebrating its 20th anniversary year and offering new concierge desks to assist conventiongoers and a FedEx Kinko's with full services.

SAN ANTONIO

• The 1,000-room HYATT HOTEL ON THE RIVER WALK, adjacent to the downtown convention center, will open in 2008. The hotel will offer 79,300 square feet of meeting and ballroom space, plus a River Walk restaurant that will seat 350 guests.

• The 500-room HYATT REGENCY HILL COUNTRY RESORT AND SPA has renovated guest rooms, two restaurants, and more. The hotel has 33,000 square feet of function space, a full-service spa, and a 27-hole Arthur Hills golf course.

• In winter 2007, SOLIS HOTELS AND RESORTS will open a 150-room hotel with meeting and banquet facilities near Dominion Park on the city's northwest side. It will feature a Mexican architectural theme.

• WESTIN LA CANTERA RESORT has completed renovations on its Casita Village. The 508-room resort has more than 39,000 square feet of function space and 36 holes of golf.

• The 306-room EL TROPICANO RIVER WALK HOTEL has renovated and added a new fitness center. The hotel has 37,000 square feet of meeting space and a 12,000-square-foot ballroom.

• The Tournament Players Club of San Antonio is developing a golf resort on a 2,855-acre tract. It will have an 800-room JW MARRIOTT RESORT Hotel and two 18-hole golf courses. PGA Tour will operate the golf facilities. Both the hotel and courses are scheduled to open in 2008.

• The 305-room DRURY PLAZA HOTEL SAN ANTONIO RIVERWALK finished its renovations and opened in February. The hotel has 11,000 square feet of meeting space.

• The WESTIN RIVERWALK went smoke-free in 2006, also expanding its meeting space and updating its guest rooms.

• In 2008, the 91-room HOTEL INDIGO AT THE ALAMO will open in downtown San Antonio.

ASK THE CVB

ARLINGTON CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
(800) 433-5374
www.arlington.org
Total Hotel Tax: 13%

AUSTIN CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
(800) 926-2282
www.austintexas.org
Total Hotel Tax: 15%

CORPUS CHRISTI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
(800) 678-6232
www.corpuschristicvb.com
Total Hotel Tax: 15%

DALLAS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
(214) 571-1000
www.visitdallas.com
Total Hotel Tax: 15%

EL PASO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
(800) 351-6024
www.visitelpaso.com
Total Hotel Tax: 15.5%

FORT WORTH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
(800) 433-5747
www.fortworth.com
Total Hotel Tax: 15%

GALVESTON ISLAND CONVENTION &VISITORS BUREAU
(800) 425-4753
www.galvestoncvb.com
Total Hotel Tax: 15%

GREATER HOUSTON CONVENTION &VISITORS BUREAU
(800) 365-7575
www.visithoustontexas.com
Total Hotel Tax: 17%

IRVING CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
(800) 247-8464
www.irvingtexas.com
Total Hotel Tax: 13%

SAN ANTONIO CONVENTION &VISITORS BUREAU
(800) 447-3372
www.sanantoniovisit.com
Total Hotel Tax: 16.75 %

THE WOODLANDS CONVENTION &VISITORS BUREAU
(281) 363-2447
www.town-center.com
Total Hotel Tax: 13%n

PHANTOM PLANNER

• Houston's “Six in the City” cab program allows you and your colleagues to take a taxi anywhere in the downtown area for only $6. The one fare applies regardless of the number of riders; however, there can be only one pickup and one drop-off. The fare is $6, even if the meter reflects a different amount.

• The Trinity Railway Express takes you to and from DFW International Airport for a fraction of the cost of taxi fare. Just take it to CentrePort/DFW Airport Station and transfer to the DFW Airport bus, serving airline terminals. Airport buses meet all trains, departing every 15 minutes Monday through Saturday. There is no Sunday service. Bus service between the rail station and the terminals is free.

• Austin has free motorcoach parking for the State Capitol, Texas Governor's Mansion, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, and surrounding attractions. The special area is on Trinity Street between 12th and 18th streets.

Special Venues

• CORPUS CHRISTI insiders frequent WATER STREET MARKET, a block away from the bay, where they can drop in on the free-admission Texas Surfer Museum, stroll past the stars on the South Texas Music Walk of Fame, or hear live music at the casual Executive Surf Club. The neighborhood includes the Water Street Seafood Co., a restaurant with a banquet room for 80 seated guests; and the Water Street Oyster Bar, offering private dining areas on its second floor. (361) 882-2211, www.waterstreetco.com

• GEORGE RANCH HISTORICAL PARK near HOUSTON has offered a truly Texan experience for group gatherings for more than a century. Host a fandango — an evening of entertainment and music — for up to 4,000 people. (281) 343-0218, www.georgeranch.org

• THE AZTEC ON THE RIVER, in SAN ANTONIO, is a restored 1926 movie theater from the movie-palace era. It once offered 2,500 seats but has been reconfigured down to 483 — ensuring that every seat has an unobstructed view of its five-story-high screen. Private gatherings are hosted on the mezzanine level, overlooking the dramatic special-effects show in the lobby. Other group-friendly space includes a 1,400-square-foot meeting room. (210) 227-3930, www.aztecontheriver.com

• The ambience at THE HANGAR, a Hill Country conference center in FREDERICKSBURG at the Gillespie County Airport, flies you into the wild blue yonder. It all happens in two Quonset huts that seat 750 inside. The facility offers 10,000 square feet of air-conditioned space and an additional 10,000 square feet of exhibit area. (830) 997-9990, www.hangarhotel.com/conference.htm

• At Houston's John P. McGovern Texas Medical Center Commons in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, TREVISIO serves contemporary Italian cuisine as well as views of two 64-foot waterfalls. Its conference center has seven rooms that accommodate groups of five to 500. (713) 749-0400, www.trevisiorestaurant.com

• EL PASO'S historic PLAZA THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, whose stage has seen the likes of Ethel Barrymore, Mae West, and John Wayne, reopened last year after a $38 million restoration.

• THE CAPTAIN KIDD, a 55-foot schooner, docks on the boardwalk in KEMAH near Galveston and offers daytime or sunset charter cruises on the Texas Gulf Coast. The Captain Kidd is a US Coast Guard?inspected vessel that can carry a maximum of 28 passengers. (281) 334-5433, www.tropicalexpress.com

• STUDIO MOVIE GRILL opened in ARLINGTON in January across the street from Pizza Hut Park (home to FC Dallas, a Major League Soccer team). Groups can use the nine-screen theater facility, which offers a state-of-the art viewing experience, high-quality food, and sophisticated audio and video equipment for presentations or meetings. The Grill has in-theater table service, full-bar service, and leather recliners. (972) 964-3789, www.studiomoviegrill.com