Meetings in Harlingen:
An Interview with A Meeting Planner

Hotels in Harlingen

San Angelo, Texas-based Bobby Peiser, past president of the Native Plant Society of Texas, hosted an October 2000 meeting in Harlingen. The annual symposium of 200 attendees from across the state met at the Best Western Harlingen Inn, recently remodeled and renamed the Howard Johnson.

Why did you decide to host the event/meeting in Harlingen?

Ten years ago the board set a meetings schedule to cover each of the zones in Texas. During my time as president, the meeting I arranged was the Rio Grande Valley. I contacted each of the areas in the Valley and Harlingen CVB wanted us more than any other place in the Valley.

What surprised you most about Harlingen?

It was about what I expected. I went to Harlingen for two site inspections before the meeting and I’ve been back three times since then.

What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most about the event and/or the city?

Because of the uniqueness and the variety of native plants, I heard nothing but good comments. We had a side trip into Mexico and it was great.

Was anybody particularly helpful at a venue or property? How so?

At the Chamber, Ellie [Elida Aguirre, Sales Manager] was the main person I dealt with and she was great. She helped arrange two visits before the meeting.

Is there anything you wish you had known beforehand that would have helped in the execution of the event?

Everything went so well that I can’t think of anything.

What would you have done differently in retrospect?

Not really. I loved having it there. The price was ridiculously low and that’s one reason we liked it. The Valley is almost a foreign country for most people in Texas who had a sizable distance to go just to get there. The low cost of the meeting once people were in the Valley, though, made it very attractive.

Would you return?

In a heartbeat. I would recommend it to anyone because the weather is so good.

Do you have any advice to other planners that would be helpful if they wanted to bring a meeting to Harlingen?

Expect to have a good time and expect to be treated royally. I don’t remember a negative comment from anyone.

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