San Antonio for Groups

The number one tourist destination in Texas is a longtime favorite with meeting planners as well. Over 1,391 conventions for a total of over half a million attendees called San Antonio home for a few days in 1996. As Memphis-based planner Linda Ashmore of Smith and Nephew attested, "Everyone loves San Antonio."

MEETING FACILITIES

San Antonio's prime meeting space is the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center which underwent a $187-million expansion program in 2000.

The improved facility will offer planners a ratio of 2.25-to-1 of exhibit space to meeting space, compared to the industry average of 3-to-1. This advantage is one that the facility hopes will enhance the size and scope of conventions that can be held in the Center.

The development is already increasing meeting business with many definite bookings set into the new millennium. "These are conventions that would have been too large for us to handle adequately in the existing facility," said Steve Moore, executive director of the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Another site option is the Alamodome, a Texas-sized facility located east of the convention center. This multi-purpose facility can handle groups as large as 77,000 participants; breakout meeting space totals 30,000 square feet. With the eastward expansion of the convention center, the dual use of both the Alamodome and the convention center will become more popular.
The San Antonio Municipal Auditorium and Conference Center is another popular meeting site. With a 4,904-seat auditorium, the property includes exhibit space and break out rooms.

RIVER WALK

The Paseo del Rio or the River Walk is a magical place located 20 feet below street level. Nestled behind tall buildings, away from street noise, the River Walk is the top meetings destination in town, with high-rise conference hotels and plenty of specialty shops and European-style al fresco cafes.

Top River Walk conference hotels include the 631-room Hyatt Regency San Antonio with 31,000 square feet of meeting space, the 500-room Marriott River Walk with 14 meeting rooms, and the 999-room Marriott Rivercenter, which soars up from the Rivercenter Mall and offers 60,000 square feet for meeting groups.

The popularity of this destination sometimes makes accommodation availability tight in this area. "I think San Antonio is a great destination with superb facilities, attractions, restaurants and a support system to hold conferences," explained Dan Meister, managing director of Meister Meeting Services, Inc. based in Boca Raton, Florida. "Unfortunately, due to its rightful popularity with the larger citywide conventions we have found space sometimes hard to find for smaller meetings and the prices have gone up as well which keeps some of our budget minded clients away."

BEYOND THE RIVER WALK

For budget considerations, space availability, and group cohesiveness, meeting planners often turn to alternative sites outside the River Walk area for small to medium-size groups. Throughout the city, meeting and reception venues are available in sites of historic and cultural interest--plus some that are just plain fun.

About five minutes from the River Walk area, Market Square offers the spirit of Mexico with two square blocks of plazas and restored buildings all patterned after a Mexican mercado. Groups of up to 350 attendees enjoy the south of the border atmosphere at receptions and dinners, followed by a Mexican dance.

Some of the city's oldest facilities are available to groups. At Mission San Jose, established in 1720, the Quadrangle is used for all types of outdoor functions, from mariachi dinners to Mexican fiestas. The Spanish Governor’s Palace, built in 1748, makes its garden available for groups for cocktail functions or seated dinners.

One site that combines history with fun is the Lone Star Brewery, about ten minutes from the center of town. Back in 1881 the Buckhorn Saloon opened as a Texas watering hole; today attendees can enjoy a few cold beers at the Buckhorn Bar, stroll through the site's two museums, have a barbecue beside the Texas-size springfed swimming pool or oompah in the German beer garden. Groups of up to 600 can be accommodated.

North of the city, groups of 20 or more try their luck at Retama Park horse track. Attendees watch the action from the air-conditioned clubhouse, the sports bar, or in the grandstands. Groups can have a race named in their honor and join the winning horse and jockey in the winner's circle for a trophy presentation and photograph.

DINING OPTIONS

Cuisine from around the world can be found in San Antonio. In San Antonio, many groups enjoy at least one Tex-Mex night, dining on the food that San Antonio has helped make famous. A favorite option for many groups are the dining cruises along the River Walk. Meals are served aboard the open-air barges that wind through the most popular area of the city.

About five minutes from the River Walk area, Market Square offers the spirit of Mexico with two square blocks of plazas and restored buildings all patterned after a Mexican mercado. Here groups of up to 350 attendees enjoy the south of the border atmosphere at receptions and dinners, followed by a Mexican dance. Market Square is also home to one of the city's most popular Tex-Mex eateries: Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery. This 24-hour restaurant is open every day of the year, packing in locals and visitors alike to enjoy traditional Tex-Mex fare as well as Mexican cookies in the adjacent panadaria or bakery. The restaurant has a group capacity of 250 attendees. Another popular choice is Mi Tierra's sister restaurant, La Margarita. Also located at Market Square, this restaurant has a capacity of 250 attendees and both indoor and outdoor seating.

THEME PARKS

About 20 minutes from downtown, where the city gives way to the Hill Country, Six Flags Fiesta Texas Theme Park draws meeting groups looking for a day of free time fun or a site for a reception, dinner, or party. Theme areas offer Hispanic, German, 1920’s Southwest, or 1950’s Rock n’ Roll atmospheres. A variety of sites accommodate groups of 250 of less at Pete's Pizza or as large as 5,000 at rollicking Lone Star Lil's.

Near Six Flags Fiesta Texas lies the Hyatt Hill Country Resort, a 500-room property that includes 27,000 square feet of meeting space as well as a championship golf course. That course was used by attendees at a January meeting held by Linda Ashmore, professional services manager. "The resort has a great golf course, and we had golf outings. We had a wonderful meeting there. The setting is terrific, and the staff is wonderful."

The Six Flags Fiesta Texas area is also the site of a 500-room Westin La Cantera Resort, under construction with completion scheduled for 1999. The new project is a joint venture of Westin Hotels and Resorts, Woodbine Development Corporation, and La Cantera Development Corporation. The entire La Cantera project includes the Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park, the La Cantera Golf Club (named one of the nation's best by Golf magazine), and approximately 1,000 acres of land available to corporate users and developers.

Also on the northwest side of town, Sea World of Texas is available for group fun as well. Whether it's a black tie event with the penguins, a private show with Shamu, or a dance under the stars, the park is available for groups and can accommodate up to 4,500 in the Shamu stadium. The marine park is located about 30 minutes from the downtown area.

Just north of San Antonio lies Schlitterbahn, the most popular seasonal waterpark in the United States. Schlitterbahn spans 65 acres and features over 30 rides and family activities across five themed areas.

MORE CHOICES

Group fun is easy to find in the Alamo City. One site that combines history with fun is the Lone Star Brewery, about ten minutes from the center of town. Back in 1881 the Buckhorn Saloon opened as a Texas watering hole; today attendees can enjoy a few cold beers at the Buckhorn Bar, stroll through the site's two museums, have a barbecue beside the Texas-size springfed swimming pool or oompah in the German beer garden. Groups of up to 600 can be accommodated.

North of the city, groups of 20 or more can try their luck at Retama Park horse track. Attendees watch the action from the air-conditioned clubhouse, the sports bar, or in the grandstands. Groups can have a race named in their honor and join the winning horse and jockey in the winner's circle for a trophy presentation and photograph.

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