VISIT DALLAS SPECIAL REPORTDALLAS LOOKS TO MAKE
THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE

VISIT DALLAS SPECIAL REPORTHow one of the top U.S. cities
for meetings is thriving with amaverick, can-do spirit.

Recently ranked by Cvent as one of thetop four meeting destinations in North
America, Dallas is about to stand eventaller as a group business powerhouse.
With a new convention center underconstruction, thousands of new hotel
rooms in the pipeline, two acclaimed
international airports offering unparalleled convenience, the nation’s largest
arts district, abundant opportunities for groupactivities and a creative culinary scene, Dallas
has everything it takes to make any meeting
succeed.

Convention Center Transformation
Certain to be a huge inducement for planners
looking for a fresh destination, the Kay Bailey
Hutchison Convention Center Dallas will
emerge as an all-new venue that will anchor abustling entertainment district with restaurants, shopping, lodging and entertainment.
The prospect of a new and expanded facility
is already having an impact on business, withover 40 major events booked for 2029 andbeyond.
The 2.5 million-square-foot venue will offer
over 800,000 square feet of exhibit space,
260,000 square feet of meeting space and170,000 square feet of ballroom space. Otherfeatures will include a rooftop event space with
spectacular views, an onsite rail station withcovered access to the convention center andaccessibility features for visitors with mobility,
hearing and vision impairments.
“This expansion is a monumental step
toward fostering a sustainable and inclusive
future for Dallas,” says Craig Davis, CEO of Visit
Dallas. “By focusing on connectivity, workforce

BY MARIA LENHART
development and tourism, we are laying thegroundwork for a flourishing, vibrant Dallas.”Accommodations
Top-notch convention facilities are supported
by a hotel inventory that represents all of thenation’s top brands and ranges from intimate
boutique properties to large convention
hotels. With over 35,000 hotel rooms within
the Dallas city limits and more than 10,000 in
the walkable downtown, attendees will find aproperty to suit every preference and budget.
When it comes to new hotel development,
Dallas leads the U.S. market with a staggering
24,627 hotel rooms in the pipeline. Amongthe exciting new properties on the horizonis the InterContinental Dallas opening in thereimagined CityPlace Tower in 2025 withsweeping city views, a rooftop infinity pooland over 21,000 square feet of meeting andevent space. Others include The Knox, anultra-luxury property from Auberge du Soleil
opening in 2026, and the Four Seasons Turtle
Creek opening in 2027.

Maximize Your Budget
Value and affordability are what really sweeten
the deal. Thanks to low labor rates and a strong
economy, Dallas is the top choice for meetingsand events of any city in Texas.
Here’s just a sampling of how Dallas keeps
costs in line without compromising quality andexperience.

••

Competitive labor and material handlingrates offers substantial savings.
Texas is a “right to work” state, which
lowers your event production costs so
you can focus more budget on attendee

VISIT DALLAS SPECIAL REPORT••

engagement and experience.
Competitive hotel room rates deliver
unsupassed quality and savings.
Exhibitors can maximize their returnon investment by taking advantage of
cost-effective convention services inDallas.

Accessibility
With two international airports and serving
as the global headquarters for AmericanAirlines and Southwest Airlines, Dallas has
direct access to every major city in the continental U.S. within four hours. Compared withthe nation’s top 20 meeting destinations,
Dallas has the greatest air access, with 2,272
daily flights and 250 destinations.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport(DFW) serves over 72 million passengers
annually and ranks No. 1 in customer service
among large airports from Airports Council
International. DFW is constructing a sixth

terminal as part of the new $1.63 billion
Terminal F project, which will provide an additional 15 gates. Dallas Love Field is highly
recognized for its first-class services, having
won the ASQ Award for Best Airport in North
America and named one of the Top 10 Domestic Airports by Travel + Leisure magazine.
When passengers arrive at DFW, there’s
convenient and affordable access todowntown Dallas on DART light rail. Once
downtown, visitors enjoy free rides on thehistoric McKinney Avenue Trolley.

Entertainment and attractions
With its abundant green spaces, walkableneighborhoods, an iconic sports scene with
10 professional sports teams, 26 golf courses
for all skill levels and a multicultural culinarylandscape led by James Beard Award-win-ning chefs, Dallas promises nonstop entertainment for attendees, day or night. TheMICHELIN Guide has announced that Dallas
is being reviewed for starred restaurantsthat will elevate the rich and diverse culinary
landscape.
Here are a few attractions and uniquevenues that make Dallas a top choice formeetings.
AT&T Discovery District. Combining
technology, art, entertainment, shoppingand dining, this vibrant downtown destination with a stunning media wall has indoor
and outdoor spaces available for concerts,
movie screenings, watch parties for sportingand entertainment events, art exhibits andmore. The district is available for a wide variety of private events, including buyouts.
American Airlines Center. A premiersports and entertainment venue with topnotch facilities and an electrifying atmosphere, American Airlines Center hosts majorconcerts, Dallas Mavericks and Stars games
and a wide array of events.
Dallas Arts District. Named “America’sNo. 1 Arts District” by USA Today, the 68-acre
Dallas Arts District enriches downtown
and elevates meetings with innovative andinspiring museums, performance spaces,galleries and more.
Klyde Warren Park. Bridging downtown
with the Arts District, this vibrant community hub is a popular green space offering foodtrucks, activities, events and scenic views.
Gilley’s. This legendary entertainment
venue offers live music, dance floors andmechanical bull riding. Hosting concertsand events, it provides an authentic Texas
experience in a lively atmosphere.
Fair Park. Known for its epic festivals,
Art Deco architecture and lush gardens, Fair

Park is a cultural oasis where history andentertainment meet.
Bishop Arts District. Known for itsartsy vibe, attendees will enjoy its quaintboutiques, artisanal eateries and cozy cafes
nestled amidst historic storefronts.
Margarita Mile. This self-guided tour isa spirited journey leading to the city’s best
margaritas, featuring iconic cocktails fromdiverse venues and celebrating the city’s
vibrant culinary scene.

Neighborhoods
Downtown. With convenient access to theconvention center and thousands of hotel
rooms, Dallas’ walkable downtown is highlighted by the celebrated Dallas Arts District
that spans 20 blocks filled with cultural
attractions and the sensory experience of
the AT&T Discovery District.
Uptown. Lively local restaurants line
McKinney Avenue, all easily accessible via
the McKinney Avenue Trolley. Uptown is also
home to the historic Warwick Melrose Hoteland Oak Lawn, a hub for LGBTQ+-owned
establishments filled with trendy shops,
dance clubs and bars, including Sue Ellen’s,
the state’s oldest lesbian bar.
Deep Ellum. Rich with the heritage ofblues music, Deep Ellum is one of Dallas’
must-visit neighborhoods. Music lovers cancatch live performances at large venues like
The Bomb Factory or quaint establishments
like Adair’s Saloon. “The Traveling Man”
sculpture is a popular selfie spot, while Pecan Lodge serves some of the best barbecuein Texas.
Harwood District. This compact andwalkable enclave is big on attractions
such as the Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller
Museum: The Samurai Collection. Guests
can check into the 22-story Hotel Swexan, aluxury boutique hotel fusing Swiss eleganceand Texas charm and offering 12,000 square
feet of event space.
South Dallas. South Dallas blends richcultural history and modern recreation atFair Park, which hosts the annual State Fairof Texas and boasts the largest collection ofArt Deco buildings in the country. It’s also
home to the Bishop Arts District, perfect forsipping, shopping and strolling among thedozens of boutiques and coffee shops lining
the streets.
Learn more at visitdallas.com.

Casablanca,
Bishop Arts District

MAKING “SALT
OR NO SALT”
A DISCUSSIONTOPIC.
‘cause we can
Scan here to bring theMargarita Mile to your meeting

Tell the team there will be margaritas and youmight see a bump in attendance. Tell them there will bea “Margarita Mile,” and you’ll have yourself a full house.
Dallas’ Margarita Mile offers a tour of the best margaritas
in town, and the ultimate post-meeting ice breaker.