June 2008 | Insider's Guide | By D. Fran Morley
Fort Worth
A Cowboy City That's Unique, Even For Texas
Jeanne Hoppe, events manager for AdvoCare International, a health and wellness marketing company, said Fort Worth, Texas, meets all of her group's needs. "The CVB is a joy to work with; they're incredibly professional but with plenty of old-fashioned Texas charm. We couldn't be more pleased."
The company signed a three-year agreement to hold two conventions a year at the Fort Worth Convention Center and is already planning to extend that contract for another two years. "We expect between 3,000 and 4,000 attendees," Hoppe said. "In the past, we've had to shuttle from the hotel to the convention center, which was fine, but we're very excited about all the new hotels that are open or opening soon within walking distance."
Fast growing and vibrant, Fort Worth offers a unique niche to planners, according to David DuBois, president/CEO of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). "When planners come for a site visit, they see we have something very special. We are the 'City of Cowboys and Culture.' We're unique, even for Texas."
And the city is growing. Several hundred new or renovated hotel guest rooms have opened in the past two years, and within the next nine months, nearly 1,000 new guest rooms will open adjacent to the convention center, the CVB reports. To support the new rooms, the Fort Worth Convention Center completed a $75 million expansion in 2003 and has 253,226 square feet of exhibit space with a 28,160-square-foot ballroom, 41 meeting rooms, and a 13,500-seat arena.
Planners will enjoy a new $2.7 million events plaza adjacent to the convention center, the Water Gardens, DuBois said. "This is a great outdoor venue for up to a couple of thousand people for a concert or reception. And, now, with the plaza, you can walk right from the convention center and into the gardens."
One of the new hotels, the 607-room Omni Fort Worth Hotel is set to open adjacent to the convention center in January 2009. The hotel's 68,000 square feet of event space includes two ballrooms and 29 meeting rooms "with all of the latest and greatest in technology," said Larry Auth, director of sales and marketing. Also in January, the Omni is set to take over catering operations at the Fort Worth Convention Center, Auth said. "We'll also work with our planners to book extra meeting space at the convention center if they need to spread out."
Also adjacent to the convention center, the 430-room Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa is opening this month after a repositioning and re-branding of the former Plaza Hotel Fort Worth. When completed, "our $46 million transformation will 'wow' meeting planners," said Shannon Hopper, director of sales and marketing. "And planners will appreciate our 22,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space." On-site amenities include Shula's 347 Grill and the Spa Beaubelle.
Key Info · Sales Tax: 8.25 percent
· Hotel Tax: 15 percent (6 percent state, 9 percent city)
· Transportation: Trinity Rail Express offers community rail service between downtown Fort Worth and downtown Dallas with connections to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. One-way fares start at $1.50. |
Within a few minutes' walk of the convention center, planners will find the 156-suite Embassy Suites Downtown, which opened in April 2007. "We offer just more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space, including two boardrooms with state-of-the-art technology, and we can seat up to 130 for dinners," said Dhruve Devani, director of sales and marketing.
The newly re-flagged Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Hotel and Golf Club at Champions Circle, formerly the Doral Tesoro, is completing renovations to all 286 guest rooms and public spaces and adding additional event space, a new fitness center and a concierge lounge, according to Jim Campbell, general manager. "Coupled with a multimillion-dollar renovation, the Marriott will be positioned perfectly to be market leader in guest service and amenities," he said, adding that the resort is set to complete renovations in March 2009. The property offers 16 meeting rooms and 22,000 square feet of function space.
A few miles north of downtown, at Alliance Business Park, the 247-room Radisson Hotel Fossil Creek is putting final touches on a major renovation that includes all new guest rooms and 11,000 square feet of meeting and banquet facilities, said Sergio Cardenas, director of sales and marketing, who added that the hotel has a fully renovated restaurant and lounge with a new steakhouse opening this fall.
The Ashton Depot, the city's former Santa Fe Train Depot and a unique venue for off-site events, was renovated "to keep the integrity of the original 1899 building," said Darren Moll, president. "We feature 37-foot arched tin ceilings, original marble floors and original wood interiors." Moll said the facility accommodates up to 500 for receptions or 400 for banquets.
The newly opened Hyatt Place Fort Worth Historic Stockyards offers 101 guest rooms and 1,300 square feet of meeting space, according to a hotel representative. The hotel works closely with nearby Stockyards Station, home to numerous event facilities.
Additional hotels in the area include the historic 294-room Hilton Fort Worth, which was fully updated in 2006 with $10.5 million in renovations; the DFW Marriott Airport South, which has 295 guest rooms and 14,000 square feet of event space; and the 150-room Residence Inn by Marriott with meeting space for up to 45 people.
