Quick Tips: New & Noteworthy

new improved

ISTOCK.COM/SHOTSHARE

A recent report from Lodging Econometrics found that Dallas’ pipeline of hotel projects was well ahead of every other U.S. metropolitan area. Projects number 165 – that’s just shy of 20,000 rooms. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty afoot in the rest of the Lone Star State …

Worth it. The Worthington was among the exciting projects that revitalized Fort Worth’s downtown back in 1981. These days, it’s the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth and, having just celebrated its 40th birthday, spent about $8 million on a renovation that took it from the ‘80s into the new millennium. The four-year facelift saw sweeping changes to banquet spaces, rooms, suites and more, including a gorgeous re-do of the lobby and bar.

Houston, we have a property. It’s about 30 miles southwest of Space City – a fitting nickname to use for this intro – and comes in the form of the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Houston SW in the city of Rosenberg. The 85-room property features daily complimentary breakfast and boasts an outdoor pool, hot tub, patio with fire pit and more.

Life is but a dream. Especially for folks in Frisco, which is about 30 miles north of Dallas, the Dream Hotel Group has announced plans to open Dream Frisco. The boutique, 200-room property will be part of the Firefly Park mixed-use development. Dream Frisco will feature a signature restaurant and nightclub, lobby bar, fitness center and several other food and beverage offerings, plus an expansive rooftop pool deck and bar. It’s set to be the centerpiece of the 230-acre development and is expected to open in 2026.

You Need Meetings, TOO

Many of us are in need of a little facetime. While planners have been going nonstop to preserve the sense of connection associations and their related events afford members, many of us put our own professional development and education on the back burner to ensure that that of our members didn’t languish.

There’s no better way for busy association executives to reclaim their own leadership growth than registering for two events coming up this fall: TSAE’s New Ideas, taking place September 11-13 in Irving, Texas, and the ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, August 20-23 in Nashville, Tennessee. Connect with your fellow association professionals and partners to exchange ideas, forge new relationships and build on the ones we already have. Both events will also help you toward your goal of CAE certification or renewal – New Ideas offers 7 CAE credits, while ASAE’s Annual Meeting offers 16.5 qualifying hours.

New and Noteworthy

Near dark in San Antonio. Halloween may seem miles away, but for planners poking around at events come spooky season, San Antonio’s newest bar – Near Dark – could be a fit. It’s open year-round, though, and one with classic cocktails, limited seating and what its proprietors bill as an “alternative atmosphere.” Most of that’s created with dark hues and neat props and art suitable for an oddities emporium. Grown-up Goth and art-school kids will appreciate the aesthetic. Everyone else will dig the posh drinks in vintage glassware. instagram.com/neardark_sa

Beer in Boerne. There’s food and fun at the family-run Tusculum Brewing Co., set into historic digs in downtown Boerne. Most importantly, though, there’s beer. Your guests can sample it in flights of five or go all-in on a pint of choice, even if making said choice is difficult. Of course, for planners looking for event space with proximity to San Antonio, you can make the choices for them. Tusculum is available for events of up to 215 people. Spaces include the main building (96) and beer garden (70) or a smaller version of the latter, which accommodates up to 50. tusculum.beer

That’s the spirit, Corpus Christi. The spirit, in this case, is bourbon. Or rum. Or gin. Or génépi, the lovely version of green chartreuse they’re making at Aerodrome Distilling in Corpus Christi. What’s more, the distillery’s tasting room is available for “spirited” corporate events, too. aerodistilling.com

Eat at Joe’s. Planning an off-island trip to the Port Isabel Lighthouse on a South Padre jaunt? Bring your small group to the exceptionally unfussy Joe’s Oyster Bar for a local’s kinda experience, featuring po’ boys and baskets and of course, juicy, fresh-shucked oysters. Don’t be deceived by its humble digs, this is local seafood of the highest order – and it’s a lunch and early-dinner affair. Come hungry.

Get high in Laredo. There are few places better to do it than the Rooftop Lounge, with airy breezes and cool drinks and live music to further “elevate” the experience. Pizza, too. rockandrollpizzeria.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*