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College Station Meeting Planner Guide

inside:

Fun Fact: Texas A&M’s Century Tree, planted 100+ years ago, is said to bring everlasting happiness to couples who get engaged beneath it.

About College Station

Hotel Venues

1207 Event Center at Visit College Station

James A. Baker III Pavilion at GHWB Library & Museum

Hotels At A Glance

Eat & Drink

Activities & Attractions

About Visit College Station

Meet The Team

20 Next Steps

On behalf of the City of College Station, we want to thank you for considering us for your next meeting or event. We’re proud to call this city home and even prouder to share why it’s the perfect place to bring people together. Here in the Heart of Aggieland, legendary Texas hospitality pairs with the kind of venues and amenities planners need to succeed. From our full-service hotels with dedicated conference space to Texas A&M University’s world-class facilities and one-of-a-kind off-site experiences, you’ll find the flexibility to customize events of any size or style—whether it’s an intimate board retreat or a large-scale conference. But with so many choices in the marketplace, why College Station? It’s simple, it’s our people. Our hotel teams, venue staff, local restaurateurs, attractions and collegiate partners are all invested in making your event seamless, memorable and distinctively College Station, welcoming you with the genuine Aggie spirit that defines our community. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel the difference. As you explore these pages, imagine your attendees networking on a rooftop patio, raising a glass at the Historic Northgate District or walking across the iconic Texas A&M campus. And when you’re ready, our team will be right beside you, helping you each step of the way and making sure your event feels right at home in College Station.

- The Visit College Station Team

ONCE A RAILROAD STOP. NOW, A ROBUST CITY.

In 1876, Texas A&M University was inaugurated as the state’s first institution of higher learning. Then, in 1938, the residents living around the “college station” on the Houston and Texas Central Railroad that served the university decided to turn the area into a proper town…but kept the familiar College Station moniker. In the years since, College Station has made a name for itself in countless other ways. The city now has a population of over 130,000 residents and is expected to keep right on growing, earning the #3 ranking on a list of America’s Next Boom Towns in 2024.

M E E T C O L L E G E S TAT I O N . C O M

All that growth hasn’t changed the Aggie spirit of a place rooted in education, community and a commitment to service, however, and it remains a wonderful place to live and work today. The city was named the #1 Best Texas City for Young Families, the #3 Top US City for Fresh Graduates and among the Top 10 Cities for Retirees, showing College Station’s appeal to people of all ages. Hold your meeting with us, get to know some of the people who live here, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself thinking fondly of College Station long after you’ve departed. You wouldn’t be the first to arrive as a guest, become a friend and end up a local one day.

AMARILLO 40

27 35

LUBBOCK

DALLAS/FORT WORTH 20

3 HO

ODESSA

1.5 H OU R

MIDLAND EL PASO

COLLEGE STATION

AUSTIN

HOUSTON

SAN ANTONIO

37 35

WHERE YOU’LL FIND US Drive northwest from Houston, northeast from Austin or just about due south from Dallas, and in just a couple of hours, you’ll find yourself in College Station (approximately 90 min. from Houston, 2 hrs. from Austin, 3 hrs. from Dallas). If you’re coming by plane, you can fly into DFW, IAH, HOU or AUS and drive the rest of the way, or land right in College Station at Easterwood Airport (CLL) for the ultimate in convenience.

C O L L E G E S TAT I O N M E E T I N G P L A N N E R G U I D E

check out where you'll be checking in

Accommodations should be more than just a place to rest. They should inspire, delight and make each moment as pleasant as possible. Here, you’ll discover a wide variety of places to stay, and you’ll find that they perfectly suit any size of group or budget. From expansive conference center hotels with spacious on-site meeting venues to luxury boutiques to cozy motels, you’ll sleep easy knowing every attendee is well taken care of. Just as importantly, our bevy of hotel options makes it simple to stay close to wherever you may be meeting, eating, playing and visiting while in town. That keeps attendees close at hand so they can spend more time bonding and less time in transit. On-site dining, drinks and lounges are available at many properties as well, so relaxing together while reaching your business goals is as easy as a stroll down the hall to enjoy great food, drinks and company.

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hotel meeting venues:

THE TEXAS A&M HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER Situated on the Texas A&M University campus just across the street from Kyle Field, Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center is a College Station mainstay, offering one-stop shopping for anyone planning a meeting or event. From its 250 luxurious rooms and 1,400-car parking garage to three on-property restaurants ready to serve Texas-centric meals or offer locally inspired catering, it’s all here, including: • IACC-Approved Venue

• Brazos-Proper Texas Kitchen

• Spacious, Modern Rooms & Suites

•B lock T Bar & Grill •T he Junction Market & Café

• Multiple Meeting Spaces w/Natural Light & Ergonomic Seating

•R ooftop Pool & Cabanas MEETING ROOM CAPACITIES

ROOM

SQ. FT.

THEATRE

CLASS

BANQUET

U-SHAPE

CONFERENCE

SQUARE

Century Ballroom

8,205

800

300

500

Century I & II

4,103

300

160

240

Century III & IV

4,103

300

160

240

Century I & IV

4,103

300

160

240

Century II & III

4,103

300

160

240

Traditions

1,027

Hullabaloo

1,433

120

Reveille

1,477

120

Reveille, Sections I, II

724

Reveille, Section III

1,433

120

Corps, Ross

1,456

120

Corps, Sections I, II

728

Ross, Sections I, II

728

Oak, Laurel

710

Shield, Star, Saber

334

Eagle

606

Flag, Cannon

646

Existing Conference Table with Capacity for 10

Honor Boardroom

109

Existing Conference Table with Capacity for 15

State, Nation

Virtual Offices with Interview Set Up C O L L E G E S TAT I O N M E E T I N G P L A N N E R G U I D E

hotel meeting venues:

HILTON COLLEGE STATION & CONFERENCE CENTER Less than a mile from Texas A&M University lies our largest hotel—a sleek, modern property boasting luxury amenities groups are sure to appreciate. Its 301 guest rooms are spacious and well-appointed, while on-site fitness and business centers add convenience to every stay whether you’re meeting in one of the hotel’s many spaces or elsewhere. Additional offerings here include: • Outdoor Swimming Pool & Hot Tub

• Complimentary Hourly Shuttle

• Full-Service Restaurant & Bar

•L one Star Peak Performance Team Building Course

MEETING ROOM CAPACITIES ROOM

SQ. FT. THEATRE CLASS BANQUET RECEPTION U-SHAPE CONFERENCE SQUARE

Bluebonnet Grand Ballroom 11,360

1400

650

880

1500

Oakwood Ballroom

7,575

400

200

400

500

Brazos Amphitheater

3,504

100

Prefunction Area

6,000

500

Mockingbird Rooms

1,500

100

120

150

North & South Forty

1,320

100

Executive Boardroom

660

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hotel meeting venues:

Embassy Suites

With 162 two-room suites waiting to provide each attendee with plenty of space to stretch out, the Embassy Suites is an excellent choice for meetings and conventions. A variety of meeting rooms make getting business done simple, while complimentary made-to-order breakfasts, evening receptions, parking and WIFI keep budgets in check as well. Additional features include: • Complete Meeting Packages

•O n-Site Restaurant & Bar

• Indoor Swimming Pool

•F itness & Business Centers

MEETING ROOM CAPACITIES ROOM

SQ. FT. THEATRE CLASS BANQUET RECEPTION U-SHAPE CONFERENCE SQUARE

Reveille Ballroom

2,964

300

150

200

250

Reveille ll & lll

1,976

200

100

140

200

Reveille I & ll

1,938

200

100

140

200

Reveille ll

988

120

Reveille lll

988

120

Reveille I

950

120

Saber Private Dining Room

928

Chancellor Boardroom

440

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hotel meeting venues:

the george

Ideally situated in Century Square, The George is a luxurious hotel boasting 162 rooms adorned in warm, rustic décor. Equally impressive meeting spaces dot this boutique property, allowing for groups to conveniently gather in comfort. A wide variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment options are just steps away, and when the time comes for a nightcap, 1791 Whiskey Bar is a must-visit spot. Additional amenities include: • Outdoor Courtyard w/ Swimming Pool & Fire Pits • Same-Day Dry Cleaning Service

•C omplimentary WIFI •V alet & Self-Parking • Well-Equipped Fitness Center MEETING ROOM CAPACITIES

ROOM

SQ. FT.

THEATRE

CLASS

BANQUET

RECEPTION

U-SHAPE

CONFERENCE

The Statesman

5,236

500

260

320

500

Statesman I

2,959

300

150

200

300

Statesman ll

2,277

200

110

120

200

The Library

The Terrace

400

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hotel meeting venues:

CAVALRY court

Chic motel meets military aesthetics meets modern business location—that’s what you’ll find at Cavalry Court, one of College Station’s most unique accommodations. Surrounding a landscaped courtyard featuring a swimming pool, fire pits and rock walls, the 141 rooms at this boutique hotel located within Century Square are both luxurious and rustic, while stable-themed meeting rooms offer inspiring places to plan your future success. Additional offerings include: • Canteen Bar & Grill w/ Live Music

• Fitness & Business Centers

• Shops, Dining & Entertainment Within Walking Distance

• Complimentary WIFI & Bicycles

MEETING ROOM CAPACITIES ROOM

SQ. FT.

THEATRE

CLASS

BANQUET

RECEPTION

U-SHAPE

CONFERENCE

The Stables

2,870

250

120

180

300

The Stables I

1,435

125

150

The Stables ll

1,435

125

150

The Saddle Room

Pavilion (Outdoors)

1,500

100

150

1,900

150

100

190

The Parade Green (Outdoors)

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GATHER IN THE SHADOW

OF AGGIE GREATS Texas A&M University has its share of outstanding meeting venues, and Visit College Station has preferred access to many of them, making us the perfect partner to plan your next event. Our relationship with the City of College Station, Brazos County and the university itself gives us the ability to offer you access to spaces ranging from the intimate, 3,000-square-foot confines of the Presidential Lounge to the grandeur of the 33,000-square-foot Ford Hall of Champions. Thanks to our longstanding partnership with the university, we’re also able to arrange back-stage tours of the Kyle Field Complex. These 45–60 min. tours will take your group into areas not accessible to the general public, offering a look at luxury suites, the coaches’ booth, broadcast facilities and other behind-the scenes spaces critical to making Kyle Field the college sports icon that it is.

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Kyle Field Meeting & Event Spaces BANQUET

RECEPTION

8x8 EXPO BOOTH

170

250

500-1000

250

170

250

500-1000

7,156

120

250

332x88

32,792

1500

1100

1000

1500+

152

Heritage Lounge

48x50

3,336

150

100

110

120-150

Presidential Lounge

48x61

4,227

150

100

110

120-150

Press Box

48x11

8,410

150

Zone Club Ballroom

225x91

17,507

800

650

500

750

Legacy Club

98x70

15,000

750

ROOM

DIMENSIONS

AREA (SF)

CLASSROOM CONFERENCE

All-American Club North

98x85

11,167

250

All-American Club South

99x85

10,431

Lettermen’s Club

92x75

Ford Hall of Champions

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meeting venues:

1207 EVENT CENTER

AT VISIT COLLEGE STATION

Located in a building that once housed the city’s first fire station, and now hosts Visit College Station’s offices, this wide-open, welcoming venue offers 5,586 sq. ft. of flexible event space. Roll-up doors can be opened in temperate weather, with a lighted outdoor patio allowing for versatile event setups that seamlessly integrate indoor and outdoor spaces day or night. In addition, its neutral tones and industrial character are easily dressed up or down to suit the occasion. The venue also offers: • Room for gatherings up to 354 people • Dedicated Catering Kitchen

•A 9-Panel Video Wall, 4 Center-Facing TVs & Wireless Microphone •4 or 8-Hour Rental Periods

M E E T C O L L E G E S TAT I O N . C O M

Meeting Venue:

JAMES A. BAKER III PAVILION

AT THE GEORGE H. W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM

At 29,000 sq. ft., the James A. Baker III Pavilion is large enough to hold a Marine One helicopter, a Union Pacific locomotive and your next gathering. Truly a venue like no other, this exhibit space at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum is a stunning backdrop that can be outfitted for table seating or more casual standing affairs. Catering is available through the on-site cafe, Daisy’s Table, or approved outside vendors. The pavilion can comfortably host up to 450 people for a banquet or reception, and reservations here include: • 30 72” Round Tables

• 14 36” Cocktail Tables

• 300 Silver Chiavari Chairs with Black Cushions

• Limited Staging

Fun Fact: The museum’s Marine One helicopter frequently transported President Bush and his family during his time in office. It weighs 9,300 lbs. and is 72’ long.

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HOTELS AT A GLANCE Use this handy chart to scan through our numerous accommodation offerings,

TOTAL MEETING SPACE (SF)

# OF MEETING ROOMS

105

505

Baymont by Wyndham College Station

600

Best Western Plus College Station Inn & Suites

517

Cavalry Court

Yes

141

6,000

Comfort Suites Texas Avenue

372

Comfort Suites University Drive

Courtyard by Marriott

125

2,300

Days Inn- Texas Ave.

560

Days Inn- University Dr.

1,000

Drury Plaza Hotel College Station

160

1,122

EZ Travel Inn

Embassy Suites

Yes

162

3,500

Hampton Inn

133

198

Hampton Inn & Suites

1,056

Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham College Station South

400

Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham College Station

530

Hilton College Station Hotel & Conference Center

Yes

301

27,000

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

1,260

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Aggieland

116

3,500

Home2 Suites by Hilton

111

480

S -

M E E T C O L L E G E S TAT I O N . C O M

S S G

S -

S S

Fun Fact: College Station offers more than 4,500 hotel rooms—that’s triple the inventory since joining the SEC. Whoop! 14

SURFACE/ GARAGE PARKING

# OF ROOMS

Aloft College Station

RESTAURANT /BAR

PROPERTY NAME

FULL-SERVICE

then come say howdy to one that suits your group’s needs.

PROPERTY NAME

FULL-SERVICE

# OF ROOMS

TOTAL MEETING SPACE (SF)

# OF MEETING ROOMS

RESTAURANT /BAR

SURFACE/ GARAGE PARKING

Homewood Suites by Hilton

650

Hotel McCoy

Hyatt Place College Station

805

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham College Station North

584

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham College Station South

558

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham

1,066

Motel 6

110

Ramada College Station

800

Red Roof Inn College Station

114

Residence Inn by Marriott

726

Sleep Inn & Suites

Staybridge Suites

1,260

Super 8

Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center

Yes

250

35,000

The George

Yes

162

5,800

S G

Towneplace Suites by Marriott

Vineyard Court Designer Suites

650

voco College Station Aggieland

166

Wingate by Wyndham College Station South

350

Wyndham Garden College Station

135

4,800

S -

S S

Fun Fact: From soccer & baseball to 7-on-7 football & swimming, youth sports tournaments here bring in teams from across America. Game on! C O L L E G E S TAT I O N M E E T I N G P L A N N E R G U I D E

SINK YOUR TEETH INTO CENTRAL TEXAS

College Station is a Texas town through and through, and the culinary options you’ll find here make no bones about it. But mixed in amongst the mouthwatering BBQ and Mexican cantinas, you’ll also find more adventurous fare from the four corners of the globe. From authentic Italian dishes to expertly rolled sushi, steaming bowls of pho to smoky racks of ribs, there’s something to please every palate coming out of College Station’s countless kitchens. And we wouldn’t be proper hosts if we weren’t also pouring cold craft beers and marvelously mixed cocktails all across town too. Wrangle your group, make a reservation and let us turn your taste buds into our new best friends.

Scan For Our Visitors Guide 16

M E E T C O L L E G E S TAT I O N . C O M

SO MUCH TO DO,

your free time will need an agenda

You may be coming for business, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. Or, since you’re in College Station, a lot of fun. Whether your group is the adventurous type or more of a museum-visiting kind of crowd, you’ll find all manner of diversions to help your team build strong bonds and blow off steam. Even better, many of the best things to see and do change with the seasons, so there’s never a shortage of new experiences to be had. Take part in a team-building exercise at Lone Star Peak Performance, where you’ll scale a rock wall, complete aerial tasks and navigate obstacles. Stroll through history at the George

Fun Fact: Tony Luce, owner of The Cut Axe Throwing, is one of the best on the planet, placing 2nd in the World Knife Throwing Championships.

H. W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum, complete with a retired Marine One helicopter and replica of the Oval Office. Visit Santa’s Wonderland during the holiday season and marvel at millions of dazzling lights while experiencing true holiday cheer. Or, just head down the Historic Northgate District any time of year to pull up a bar stool, hear some great stories and make a few of your own.

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VISIT COLLEGE STATION: YO U R S E C R E T T O S U C C E S S

Visit College Station is the official

From multi-day conventions and

destination marketing organization for

regional meetings to university short

the City of College Station. Our mission

courses and conferences, our team is

is simple: to help you host exceptional

here to make your event seamless,

events in a city that blends tradition,

successful and uniquely College Station.

innovation and Texas-sized hospitality.

How? Well...glad you asked!

services One thing you’ll notice about College Station—you’re never alone. Everywhere you turn, friendly faces are ready to help with whatever you may need, and the same is true when planning an event here. Visit College Station is your local partner, supporting you every step of the way with services like:

• Site Visit Coordination • Venue & Hotel Recommendations

• Custom Itineraries & Activity Recommendations • Registration Assistance

• Room Block Assistance

• Hotel Welcome Signage

• Special Event Planning

• Volunteer Recruitment

• Vendor Referrals

• City Liaison Support

• Speaker Suggestions & Local Business Connections

• Welcome Bags

• VIP & Speaker Gifts

M E E T C O L L E G E S TAT I O N . C O M

MARKETING We don’t just help you plan your event, we’ll help you promote it too, using a suite of marketing tools to help elevate both your

MEET THE TEam Remember those friendly faces we mentioned? Meet our Visit College Station sales team who are ready to assist in any way possible.

brand and your attendance numbers. These include: • Welcome Materials & Visitor Guides (Print/Digital) • Access To High-Res Images, Video Assets & Written Content • Local Media List Creation

Jeremiah Cook Assistant Director, Tourism

JoBeth Wolfe Conventions Sales Manager

Taylor Carr SMERF Sales Coordinator

Keilah Parand Association Sales Coordinator

Kallie Disharoon Texas A&M Sales Coordinator

Payton Johnson Servicing Coordinator

• Event Listing On VisitCollegeStation.com (If Applicable) • Social Media Collaboration & Co-Promotion (If Applicable)

HOT GRANTS = REAL SAVINGS Visit College Station administers the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT). Why does that matter to you? Because if your event includes overnight hotel stays, it may be eligible for HOT funding. That can help cover your marketing, facility rentals, food & beverage, transportation or other direct expenses. Here’s how to apply:

Questions or ready to schedule a site visit? Contact us at 979.764.2625 or email us at visitcs@cstx.gov.

1. Submit a HOT Grant Application through the Visit College Station website. 2. Provide a detailed budget, marketing plan and proof of hotel room block or anticipated bookings. 3. All applications are reviewed by the Tourism Committee. 4. If approved, funding is awarded post-event, based on meeting performance metrics.

Fun Fact: College Station is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, booming not just with coeds, but thanks to a mix of tech, education, sports and lifestyle development. C O L L E G E S TAT I O N M E E T I N G P L A N N E R G U I D E

MEETING PLANNER WORKBOOK

Now that you’ve found the right destination, let’s start you on the first steps toward getting here. This workbook will help you put one foot in front of the other, and remember—we’re with you every step of the way. EVENT SNAPSHOT

Event Name: ....................................................................................................................................................................... Date(s): .................................................................................................................................................................................. Estimated Attendance: ................................................................................................................................................ Preferred Venue: .............................................................................................................................................................. Room Block Needs: ........................................................................................................................................................

Key Deadlines: Save The Date: ....................................... Registration Opens: ........................................ Need help with venues or tours? We’ve got you.

BUDGET BASICS

ATTENDEE EXPERIENCE

C AT E G O RY

E S T I M AT E

(Check all you require)

Venue

.................................

 Visitor Guides

Catering

.................................

Lodging

.................................

A/V or Tech

.................................

Marketing

.................................

Ask us about HOT grants to support marketing and event costs.

 Swag Bags  Itineraries  Maps Let us help make the guest experience memorable.

HOT GRANT APPLICATION

HOW TO APPLY: 1. Submit Application 2. Include Budget + Room Night Estimates 3. Post-Event Report Required Contact Us

Already have the basics of your event mapped out? Just scan the code to contact us, submit your request for proposal and let us bring your meeting to life.

M E E T C O L L E G E S TAT I O N . C O M

YOU’VE REACHED THE END, BUT IT’S JUST THE BEGINNING Now that you’ve had a chance to explore College Station and Learn Why You’ll Love It Here, don’t say goodbye—reach out and say hello instead. We can’t wait to answer any additional questions you may have and to help you work through the details of your upcoming event. So, jot down any notes you may have, scan the code and call or email us today!

notes

C O L L E G E S TAT I O N M E E T I N G P L A N N E R G U I D E

To l e a rn m o re , g o to M e e t C o ll e g eSt at i o n . co m Connect with us @VisitCSTX