TOP 5 REASONS TO MEET IN SAN ANTONIO

1. RIVER WALK. The world-famous River Walk is one of the top visitor destinations in Texas and a cornerstone of our robust meetings industry. Also known as the “world’s largest hotel lobby,” it’s the perfect place for networking, nightlife and entertainment.

2. SLEEPING ROOMS. From downtown convention hotels to Hill Country resorts, San Antonio provides more than 43,000 sleeping rooms in a Texas-sized variety of accommodations. More than 13,500 rooms are available downtown. About 6,500 are within walking distance of the convention center, with 3,000 rooms within a block.

3. CONVENTION CENTER. The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on the River Walk features more than 600,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including more than 430,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit hall space. General Session options include three of the largest ballrooms in the city and a 2,410-seat theatre. Plentiful natural lighting indoors and beautiful outdoor venues such as the River Walk Grotto, Waterfall Patio and Plaza Mexico provide many popular options for networking and hospitality events.

4. WALKABILITY. San Antonio’s compact downtown meeting package provides great savings on transportation with hotels, restaurants and attractions located conveniently within walking distance via street level or the River Walk. River taxis and trolley cars are fun, unique options for those who’d rather ride than walk. And “four ride for the price of one” taxi fares save attendees even more.

5. EXCEPTIONAL HOSPITALITY Specialized tools like SanAntonioMeetingsOnline.com offer exceptional service and help planning events needing 50 rooms per night or fewer with our staff standing by to help with larger needs, as well. Our hospitality partners are united with a "one voice, one vision" mission under the In the Heart Meetings initiative. We are a city that extends our hearts to provde a persoanlized and genuine San Antonio experience to meeting professionals and attendees for events of any size. In San Antonio, the rubber stamp approach is not permitted -we bring a deeper level of commitment to group meetings.

Of course, there are many more great reasons to meet in San Antonio. So here are a few more:

• CENTRAL LOCATION. San Antonio is centrally located between both coasts so attendees don’t have to fly across the country to get here. Once arrived, the airport is just eight miles from downtown.

• WEATHER. Great weather makes San Antonio a top destination for those looking for solutions to seasonal weather challenges in other parts of the country. Over 300 days of sunshine and an inland location provide worry free planning options year round.

• CVB SERVICES. Award-winning CVB services are provided by an experienced, professional team dedicated to helping meeting professionals achieve higher attendance and successful events. Online tools including professional templates, images and other resources enhance marketing and attendance-building efforts.

• THE ALAMO. No trip to San Antonio is complete without a visit to The Alamo, an enduring symbol of courage and freedom recognized worldwide. Located in the heart of downtown, The Alamo hosts more than 2.5 million visitors a year and is a must see for visitors to the Alamo City.

• DINING. Dining in San Antonio is foodie heaven! Attendees can’t wait to get here to try innovative Tex-Mex options, but also quickly discover the incomparable Bar-b-que, steaks and burgers cooked to perfection with a taste of Texas. All the favorite brands are here as well, alongside renowned local chef-owned eateries and upscale options for every taste.

• NIGHTLIFE. Ready to hit the town after dark? Quiet wine bars, well-known watering holes, lively dance halls and a dueling piano sing-along are just some of the many popular stops available on the River Walk or within a short walk of downtown hotels. Other hot spots like Southtown and points north are easily accessible by taxi.

• CULTURE. A culture with roots in Mexico, Germany and the Old West combine to provide an “only in San Antonio” experience. Unique museums feature special collections, such as Latin American Art and Western Art, while the Southtown area near downtown is home to a thriving arts community.  Historical sites such as The Alamo and The Mission Trail (the largest concentration of missions in North America) entice history buffs, as does King William, the state's first historic district. This 25-block neighborhood near downtown, settled by prominent German merchants in the late 1800s, was the city’s most elegant residential area – many of the homes are featured on the area’s popular self-guided walking tour.

• GOLF. Great year round weather and the gently rolling Hill Country terrain combine to make San Antonio an exciting golf destination. More than forty courses provide a wide range of styles and prices for all levels of golfers and make planning a successful golf event quick and easy.

• THEME PARKS/FAMILY FUN. The world's largest marine life park, SeaWorld San Antonio, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park offer outstanding entertainment options for groups seeking a large venue or for family fun.

• HILL COUNTRY. San Antonio is the perfect place to start a Texas Hill Country adventure. Those looking for the Texas experience will enjoy a visit to a working ranch and perhaps a trail ride, while wine lovers can follow the Texas Wine Trail to discover the thriving wineries in the nearby hills.