About Austin
Austin is the capital of the “Lone Star State,” Texas, and its fourth most populous city, with over 960,000 people who call it home. Its history started in the 1830s when the Anglo-American settlers arrived in the area and founded the riverside village of Waterloo. In 1839, it was chosen as the site for the capital of Texas and named to honor the Father of Texas, Stephen F. Austin. The city has then evolved into a pleasant, vibrant community, offering its residents and visitors myriads of wonderful opportunities.
When it comes to conventions and meetings, Austin is a favorite place among planners and organizers. They enjoy its innovative spaces, high-end hotels, and state-of-the-art infrastructure conveniently nestled in the heart of the city.
Professionals also love that they are close to many iconic live music venues, restaurants, and fantastic accommodations. So if you’re looking to book a convention venue in Austin, you’ll have many incredible options to consider.
Convention Venue Options in Austin
If you don’t have a proper plan, it’s easy to overlook some critical details of organizing a meeting. Be sure to create a list of requirements and hire reliable vendors when setting up an Austin convention venue.
- Catering
Check if the venue has a kitchen and can provide catering to the event. If not, you’ll have to contact a caterer in Austin to take care of the food and beverages for the participants. Work closely with them when planning for the menu and always check the food in advance.
- Furniture Rentals
Some convention venues in Austin already have chairs, tables, and desks. Use what they have to save effort and money, but be sure it matches the setting and theme. In some cases, you’ll have to hire a rental company to provide additional furniture and equipment, like linens, dinnerware and booths.
- Audio-visual Services
You’ll need audio-visual equipment to create unique environments for your event by stimulating everyone’s senses using innovative visuals, lighting, and sounds. So to make your conference impactful, hire experienced AV specialists and technicians to provide comprehensive AV solutions in Austin.
- Creative Designer
The key role of creative designers in Austin is to make your event and organization look good by putting together all visual designs for web and printed materials. They create impressive advertising materials so people will want to be part of your event and remember it.
- Security
Emergencies may be rare, but you must always prepare for anything unexpected. Check the venue’s safety procedures and ensure there’s a safety plan in place. You might have to hire a security team for everyone’s peace of mind.
Convention Venue Companies in Austin
So, you’ve finally identified the services you’ll need for your Austin convention venue. Now, it’s time to find companies that can help you set up a memorable event.
- Austin Catering
Austin Catering is a full-service catering company offering personalized event planning and custom menu design services. It focuses on flawless event execution, artistic presentation, and high food quality. Whether it’s a boardroom breakfast or a luxury cocktail party, Austin Catering will create a perfect menu that will complement your organization’s professional image.
- Meeting Tomorrow
Meeting Tomorrow is the leading full-service audio-visual and event technology partner to various agencies, associations, and major corporations. It offers event production services in Austin and other cities in the United States and Canada, including Stage Design, Event Technology, Audio-Visual equipment, and technical support.
- Saba Graphix
Saba Graphix will take care of your event's banner, website, brochure, and poster designs. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an established company or a new organization that needs to promote your business or attract more participants to your event. Saba Graphic delivers cutting-edge designs to help elevate your brand.
Pros and Cons of Convention Venues in Austin
Austin is not only a prominent destination for leisure, but it’s also famous for meetings and conferences. But before choosing any convention venue in Austin, it’s necessary to learn about its benefits and drawbacks.
Advantages
- Outdoor adventures
This Texas capital is a year-round playground for outdoor enthusiasts. So after doing your business in the city, don’t leave without exploring its scenic trails and crystal-clear lakes or participating in an exciting tour.
- Education
Austin is the quintessential college town home to top-notch universities and educational institutions, including The University of Texas. It also offers some of the country’s best public school districts.
- Strong economy
The city is known for its booming tech industry, opening tons of employment opportunities to job seekers. It’s also a great place to start a business and conduct corporate events with its state-of-the-art spaces.
Disadvantages
- Sweltering heat
Though Austin winter is generally mild, its summer can be hot and muggy. So if your convention or meeting is in summer, be sure to stay out of the scorching sun.
- Cost of living
Sure, housing, rent, and food are less expensive in Austin than in California or New York. But they aren’t exactly cheap. The cost of living here is higher than the state and national average.
- Lack of sports entertainment
Perhaps, you want to watch professional sports in Austin after the meeting. Sadly, the city had no major professional sports team before the debut of Austin FC in 2021.
Famous Locations in Austin
- Texas State Capitol
Before going anywhere else in Austin, whether you’re here for work or recreation, make sure you stop by the Texas State Capitol. It offers a free thirty-minute tour to take pictures, walk its historic walls, and learn about the state’s past. It’s one of the country’s most distinguished state capitols and a historical landmark, with gorgeous grounds, fun exhibits, and ornate architecture.
- Zilker Botanical Garden
Also referred to as “the jewel in the heart of Austin,” Zilker Botanical Garden is a stunning sight to behold with colorful blooms in the themed gardens. It offers a quiet place to stroll and enjoy specialty gardens with unique features, such as ponds, serene waterfalls, sunny lawn areas, shaded hideaways, and thousands of cultivated and native plants.
- Austin Zoo
Enjoy an up-close experience with happy and healthy rescued animals at Austin Zoo. The zoo was founded as a goat ranch and animal zoo in 1999. But it now has developed into a sanctuary that provides rehabilitation and care for retired zoo and research animals, exotic animals, and more. Currently, it houses more than 300 animals across a hundred different species.