7 Reasons to Choose Waco for your Next Convention
Waco has been hosting meetings and conventions since its founding in 1849. Situated on the Brazos River in the “Heart of Texas,” there are some great reasons to make it your next choice for a convention or meeting.
1. Central Location in Texas
Located just 100 miles from both Dallas and Austin, on I-35, its central location within the state of Texas has made it a top choice for meeting planners. With Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston all within reach, the Texas state association market and Texas-based corporate meetings find Waco an ideal place to “meet in the middle.”
2. Waco Convention Center
The Waco Convention Center is 144,000 sq. ft., with its largest hall, Chisholm Hall, offering a whopping 33,300 sq. ft. for exhibits or assemblies. Its signature ballroom, Brazos Ballroom, overlooks the Brazos River, Indian Spring Park, and the historic Suspension Bridge. The ballroom accommodates 750 for a banquet and can be subdivided into two smaller halls. The McLennan Hall offers 15,000 sq. ft. The lower level has fourteen breakout rooms of various sizes. This convention center is right-sized for meetings from 30 to 3,000.
3. Nearby Hotels
The Waco Hilton is the largest hotel, coming in at 196 rooms, and is conveniently connected by a covered walkway to the Waco Convention Center. Across the street is the Courtyard by Marriott, with 153 rooms. Four blocks away is the Hotel Indigo with 111 rooms. There are over 4,000 hotels in the market, and 1,288 under construction or in the planning stages. Two new hotels opened in 2018: a Hilton Garden Inn, and a La Quinta.
4. Downtown Walkability
We are told many times each year that one of the things attendees love about Waco is they can park their car and leave it there for the entire convention. Downtown Waco is very walkable, with ten restaurants located across the street from the Convention Center. Plus there’s plenty of shopping, attractions, and additional restaurants and clubs in the Cultural District, which extends up Austin Avenue and Elm Avenue on either side of the Convention Center.
5. Tours and Attractions for Spouses
With over 1.6 million people visiting Waco to see Magnolia Market at the Silos, new tours have sprung up that your attendees can take advantage of. Some concentrate on showing places related to Chip and Joanna Gaines and the “Fixer Upper” show. Others show off Waco’s many attractions, including the Texas Ranger Museum, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Cameron Park Zoo, Waco Mammoth National Monument, Dr Pepper Museum, and more. There are even two riverboat tours available. See more at https://destinationwaco.org/things-to-do/tours/.
6. Brazos River and Cameron Park
The natural beauty of this area is epitomized in the Brazos River, which runs through the heart of downtown, and Cameron Park, which boasts 100+’ bluffs overlooking the river. Scenic outlooks, especially Lover’s Leap, are made for selfies and group photos!
7. Booking Incentives
For groups using at least 300 hotel rooms peak and 500 hotel rooms total, booking over certain dates, incentives may be available to help defray the cost of the convention center rental, transportation, or other needs. Contact Rhonda Sullivan, Director of Sales, at the phone or email below to discuss your needs and check date availability.
Contact Information
Rhonda Sullivan
Director of Sales
Waco Convention Center/Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau
254.750-5814
Email: [email protected]