Dallas Meetings and Events

One of Dallas' trendiest boutique hotels is also one of Dallas' greenest. Hotel Palomar, a member of San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels, has embraced a new trend and made it standard practice through their EarthCare program. This company-wide philosophy is taking giant steps towards ensuring a more sustainable planet by practicing over 70 "eco-practices" on a daily basis, including industry firsts such as in-room recycle bins, environmentally friendly cleaning products, and energy efficient lighting.

This forward thinking mindset parlays over to the meetings side as well. With their EarthCare Meetings Packages, this Dallas boutique hotel infuses full-service functions with small yet crucial facets of eco-conscientiousness like recycled paper products, soy-based ink, and locally grown, organic ingredients. In addition, a portion of all proceeds are donated to Kimpton's EarthCare partner, the Trust for Public Land, which promotes greener urban areas like rooftop gardens and inner city parks.

All this combined with innovative meeting ideas can truly make for memorable meetings. If you're looking to take the bored out of boardroom for your next Dallas meeting, look no further than Hotel Palomar. This Dallas hotel offers a variety of packages that will stir imaginations and challenge expectations with some very creative approaches.

Take, for example, the Fun Worship Package. This package offers a clever assortment of playful distractions that add unexpected fun to your meetings by incorporating games and toys like Rubik's Cube, PlayDoh, and Legos. Another signature package to consider is the Elements of Wellness Package. This takes on a spa-like retreat by introducing aromatherapy, massage breaks, wii fit (yup!), and a healthy menu.

This Dallas event space offers the following:

• 9,000 square feet of usable Dallas meeting space (including pre-function space)
• a 6,500 square-foot Grand Ballroom that is divisible into four separate rooms
• numerous and flexible breakout and boardroom options
• in-house audio-visual professionals (no charge for sound patch or wireless)
• tables and linens
• 24 hour, full-service business center
• on-site secured garage parking

Hotel Palomar is located in the ultra-posh Park Cities area and is a quick trip from Dallas Love Field Airport. It also sits directly across one of the trendiest spots for dining, entertainment, and shopping in Dallas: Mockingbird Station.

View more information about Hotel Palomar Dallas on the Cvent Supplier Network

Are you in the midst of planning a holiday party and have yet to find the perfect venue? Or perhaps you've been tasked with the planning for the first time and have no idea where to begin? Don't worry!

Here are five lesser-known, yet totally great, Dallas event venues that will knock everyone's socks off! Most of these unique Dallas venues have a list of preferred vendors from which to choose Dallas catering, entertainment, etc. If not, they'll still gladly make recommendations to help get the ornament ball rolling.

The Apartment

This ultra-hip, modern space located on Dallas' famous Oak Lawn Avenue features suede banquettes, Venetian mirrors, and a 26-foot bar that can be glammed up or pared down for up to 250 people. Not-for-profit organizations are automatically given a 15 percent discount on pricing!

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Located in the heart of downtown Dallas, this multi-story venue boasts historical beauty mixed with contemporary cool. The 4,500-square-foot space features gorgeous original hardwood floors, exposed rafters with 12-foot ceilings, full-service restrooms and a service elevator.

Space Studios

Smack in the middle of Dallas' trendy Deep Ellum neighborhood, Space offers a unique, open flow that works with any design set-up or theme. The Dallas venue requires a three-hour minimum, but has no restrictions on catering.

Off the Grid

Formerly the Power & Light Substation for Dallas, this remodeled three-story building offers a hip industrial vibe that's perfect for companies with younger employees. With nearly 6,500 square feet of Dallas meeting space and a large outdoor patio,  Off the Grid promises an electrifying time to be enjoyed by all.

Bolt Space

Commercial photo shoot space by day, hip event venue by night. Bolt offers 10,000 square feet—divisible into three different studios—of flexible space just minutes from downtown Dallas. Bolt is currently running a meeting promotion on equipment rental based on studio rental.

To find more Dallas banquet halls and spaces for your events, visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Home to popular art and cultural events, a well respected branch of the University of Texas school system, and several large IT and Telecom firms, Richardson is a quaint, yet urban, North Dallas community. Located about 20 minutes north of downtown and perfectly situated in the center of it all is the Hyatt Regency North Dallas, a massive red brick structure with a distinctly pointed roof.

This large, luxury Dallas hotel has recently undergone a multimillion dollar renovation and now boasts 15,000 square feet of sophisticated Dallas meeting space. So whether you're looking for full-scale Dallas conference facilities or have large meetings requiring several breakouts, the Hyatt Regency North Dallas offers a multitude of options to suit your needs.

The hotel itself is gorgeous. Upon entering, guests are greeted by an elegant foyer lined with four-story windows and adorned with rich drapery. There are 342 remodeled guest rooms complete with high-speed wireless Internet, flat panel televisions with digital video-on-demand and cable services, huge work desks with comfortable chairs, and an iHome alarm clock perfect for iPods. As with any full-service luxury hotel, guests are met with all the amenities one would expect, such as in-room dining, laundry and dry cleaning services, turndown, and a multilingual staff.

Moving on to the meetings side, Dallas event planners won't be disappointed. There is an incredible 7,800-square-foot ballroom that can be broken into seven different sections, as well as a 2,700-square-foot junior ballroom that is divisible into four areas. In addition, there are six extra breakout rooms, 4,000 square feet of prefunction space, and two "lounge" areas to consider as well. The icing on the cake: The Hyatt Regency offers complimentary parking and shuttle service within a five-mile radius of the hotel.

With delicious catering options from their in-house, full-service restaurant, experienced sales and event managers, and on-site audio-visual techs ready to handle any request, there's no excuse not to consider the Hyatt Regency North Dallas as an excellent, and economical, option for hard-to-please clients while in Dallas.

View more information about Hyatt Regency North Dallas on the Cvent Supplier Network

You want big? Want trendy? Want everything at your fingertips? How about the Angelika Theater at Mockingbird Station in Dallas?

A theater, you ask? A theater. But not just any theater. The Angelika is one of Dallas's most beloved, most stylish film centers and is notorious for showing under the radar, Oscar-worthy films. Celebrities have been known to frequent the venue for premieres and hardened movie critics come for the atmosphere alone. This place is new world hip, with old world charm.

It's also perfect for any Dallas event! Whether you're looking for something different for the company meeting or you're planning a sassy soiree, the Angelika has the Dallas meeting space and expertise to make any event a success. From the wall-to-wall screens in the auditoriums with Dolby Digital Surround Sound, to the sophisticated lobby and cafe space with traditional movie snacks, to the endless catering options, this unique Dallas venue is sure to please even the pickiest client!

Aside from the obvious theater space, this Dallas hotspot sits atop one of the trendiest rail stops in the city where everything is, literally, a hop, skip, and a jump away. The luxurious Palomar Hotel is right across the street. Numerous restaurants and bars are within walking distance, such as Trinity Hall, an upscale Irish restaurant and bar where you can see everything from A-list celebs to World Cup Soccer matches to local Irish bands performances. It also offers easy, easy highway and airport access to Dallas Love Field.

Additionally, some of Dallas's biggest companies are within five miles in any direction of The Angelika. And one of Dallas's, and the country's, most prestigious law, business, and art schools, Southern Methodist University, is less than a quarter of a mile away.

This place has it all! Here is a list of notable features:

• 8 auditoriums with a variety of seating
• Available lobby and/or cafe reception space
• State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment including 35mm, 16mm, or digital projection
• Outside catering (bonus!)
• Personal attention from an Event Director
• Courteous and professional staff

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Wonderful words spoken by a truly inspirational woman in history; a woman who would surely appreciate this a Dallas event venue such as the Women's Museum at Fair Park.

A Smithsonian affiliate, this cutting edge Dallas attraction is housed within 15,000 square feet of state-of-the-art space, accented by exhibits that range from female Rock 'n' Roll Photojournalists to Catholic Sisters in America.

Whether you are planning an evening soiree or a brilliant boardroom showdown, the Women's Museum offers several different spaces and packages:

• The AT&T Gathering. This great Dallas banquet space features three-story ceilings and an "Electronic Quilt" at one end that can be designed to fit your specific event. The Gathering area has space for receptions as large as 800 attendees.

• The AT&T Auditorium. With theater seating for nearly 200 guests, this Dallas meeting space is great for for speakers, seminars and education programming. The room is equipped with a rear-projection system for presentations, as well as staging and audio equipment.

• Inside and Outside Balconies. Dallas meeting planners can opt to include the the inside and/or outside balcony areas to the AT&T Gathering space. This addition adds space for up to up to 100 extra guests.

• The Cathy Bonner Boardroom. The boardroom is perfect for smaller meetings. It can comfortably accommodate up to 21 people in round table seating.

• Cafe. The museum's cafe a perfect spot for smaller gatherings of approximately 30 people. Guests are treated to an amazing aerial view of the first floor and surrounding balconies.

The Women's Museum is on the Fair Park grounds and is only a few blocks east of downtown. It offers easy access to several downtown Dallas hotels such as the Sheraton Hotel Dallas, Magnolia Hotel Dallas, The Adolphus, Hotel Indigo, and Hyatt Regency Downtown Dallas.

Not that there aren't enough bridal shows and wedding extravaganzas in Texas, let alone Dallas, but the Great Bridal Expo held at the historic and beautiful Fairmont Dallas Hotel is an excellent opportunity to not only get out and see a slew of Dallas vendors, but a chance to check out the hotel's event space. The Expo is set to begin November 8 at noon and generally lasts anywhere from five to seven hours depending on crowds.

Here is a short list of featured exhibitors: 

Favorite Dallas florist Your Perfect Wedding Day by di Fiori will be on-site to demonstrate and discuss floral arrangements for any Dallas event. This mother/daughter team has event design experience ranging from full-service social affairs to large corporate luncheons.

The Creative Touch: Events by Lauren is a Dallas event planner specializing in not only weddings, but also lavish corporate affairs and business gatherings. Full-service event planning and day-of coordination are available.

Voted Dallas' Best Winery in 2009, Swirll Winery & Wine Bar will be presenting some fabulous options for off-site wine selections, as well as those for smaller, on-site cocktail events. This swank little wine dive is located in the heart of downtown and has fast become a Dallas restaurant hotspot for both the amateur wine lover and connoisseur alike.

Keith Evans Photography will also be at the Expo exhibiting some of his famous shots. Voted Ft. Worth's Photographer of the Year in 2008, Keith has a knack for capturing the perfect lighting for both formal or informal shots. He also knows some of the best Dallas venues and outdoor locales for amazing shoots.

MBEG, LLCis a multi-service company specializing in ground Dallas transportation. Whether you're in need of bus service to and from an event or a corporate car pick-up service, they are known to have some of the best rates for Dallas limo companies.

All these and more will be on-site to promote networking amongst Dallas area vendors. It's a great opportunity for Dallas meeting planners to seek out some lesser known, well-respected names in the Dallas event industry. And don't forget to visit the Cvent Supplier Network to search and find Dallas suppliers for your next event!

If you're planning a Dallas event in the upcoming holiday months, here are a few ideas to consider for guests and attendees. Whether you're entertaining just one or two corporate clients or planning an excursions for groups of 10 or more people, these are all sure to create some holiday spirit while visiting the Lone Star State.

• Gaylord Texan's Lone Star Christmas. More than a million lights, a life-sized gingerbread house, and electric train displays are just a few of the highlights of this amazing winter wonderland. This year, the Dallas hotel's 14,000-square-foot, hand-carved ICE! attraction is based on Dr. Seuss' holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

• Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie, Texas. This two-mile path takes guests on a journey through nearly four million twinkling lights, a Holiday Village complete with warm winter goodies and Santa, and light shows set to music. Large groups of nine to over 30 people can tour the path in a shuttle bus or van with rates starting at $40. Prairie Lights runs Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve.

• Threejays' Carriage Rides in Highland Park. This can be a romantic trip for two in a carriage or a fun outing for up to 12 guests in a wagonette. Adorned with elegant garland and lights and stocked with holiday music and cozy blankets, Threejays' rides are the perfect way to spend an evening exploring one of Dallas' oldest and loveliest neighborhoods famous for its Holiday lights. Reservations are required.

Dallas has several holiday festivals and one-day events if you can time your Dallas visit just right. Be sure to check back for more Dallas holiday events and festivals!

Are you in need of a quick getaway for a group of employees? Need a fun, easy, inexpensive option for a team outing? Or maybe you're simply looking for something a little different than the norm for your next Dallas business meeting? Consider Group Dynamix in Addison! If you've not yet discovered this excellent Dallas event venue, now's the time.

Owner and "Head Coach" Stephen Mackintosh, aka Coach Mack, has turned his love of team spirit and supportive play into one of the largest, most popular indoor team building centers in the country. His team focuses on group performance and reflection through unique and fun-filled activities that encourage 100 percent participation, 100 percent of the time.

When it comes to interactive team building in Dallas, these guys are pros. They will customize and facilitate events to your company's desired theme, timing, and scale. Whether you have 15 IT guys for half a day or 100 PR reps for an all-day rally, they have the space and means to keep any group entertained. Considering a group upwards of 500 people? No worries. There is 18,000 square feet of usable Dallas event space complete with a ropes course, laser tag, or beach balls ready to pump up and motivate even the most passive participant.

Located in the heart of Addison, close to one of Dallas' most notorious shopping, dining, and entertainment districts, Group Dynamix is easily accessible to several well known full-service and select-service hotels. The facility can accommodate simple team outings or full-fledged corporate events with packages that include use of on-site audio-visual equipment, including wireless microphone, video capabilities with screen (check out the 20-foot-by-20-foot movie wall!), and much more. Snacks and beverages can be provided, but outside catering is allowed and encouraged, so you to work within your budget with any Dallas caterer or restaurant—a rare find for Dallas venues these days.

If you're in the midst of planning a Dallas business trip for a large group and the budget is tight, don't fret! We've got some tips and ideas to help save money without skimping on the "umph" your event needs to be a success.

Tip #1: Use Cvent! Cvent is an excellent tool for submitting RFPs to a huge selection of Dallas hotels and allows you an edge when negotiating rates, rentals, and amenities for your upcoming Dallas event. There are plenty of great deals out there, so don't be shy in asking for flexibility with room rental, catering, and/or sleeping room rates—go for as many comp room nights as possible!

Tip #2: Use the hotel! Dallas hotels are great resources for seeking out popular restaurants, shopping and attractions. Some may even have coupons, passes, or connections at certain hotspots.

Tip #3: Use DART! Group passes, available for a minimal price per person, allow for travel all over Dallas via rail or bus. Generally, hotels offer complimentary shuttle service within a certain radius (usually five miles) and many are located near DART rail stations. This not only saves money on Dallas transportation for groups, but is friendlier to the environment as well.

Among the Dallas hotels centrally located near rail stations are: Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion, Sheraton Dallas Hotel, Dallas boutique hotel ZaZa, Hotel Palomar Dallas, Renaissance Dallas-Richardson, and Doubletree Hotel Dallas-Campbell Centre.

Tip #4: Be as flexible as possible! If dates aren't set in stone, flexibility in schedule can really help your bottom line. Many hotels have slower months and days where they have a bit more leeway with rates and package deals.

Tip #5: Don't forget about your rewards programs! Many times meeting planners don't consider the perks and benefits of using your preferred loyalty program as a bargaining tool. If the hotel is unable to go lower with price, but the package and hotel are too great to pass up, ask what they can offer in the way of points.

Tip #6: Enjoy Dallas! Be confident in your selection of Dallas as a meeting destination and enjoy the many wonderful venues, attractions and conveniences this city has to offer. Dallas is booming with business and arts and offers some great outlets for team building and relaxation for business travel.

Dallas is known for many things: the Dallas Cowboys, Southfork Ranch, American Airlines, and the Grassy Knoll, to name a few. But one little known fact this city is known for is having the most restaurants per capita in the nation. Dallasites love their food and are exposed to worldly fare on a daily basis such as Creole, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, and good ol' fashion BBQ. However, with such developed tasted buds, Dallas residents tend to be some of the harshest critics when it comes to catered affairs.

Keeping this in mind (along with the fact that the holidays are right around the corner), many Dallas caterers are in high demand and, though many have the ability to pull off large-scale events at the last minute, request a minimum of four to six weeks notice. After scouring the internet, reading reviews, interviewing caterers, and listening to experiences of past clients, I've come up with a list of 10 favorite Dallas caterers for your next Dallas event. Here they are, in no particular order:

• GEORGE Catering  

• Guess Who's Coming To Dinner Caterers  

• Wendy Krispin Catering

• Food Glorious Food

• La Duni

• Two Sisters Catering

• Gil's Elegant Catering

• Wynnwood

• Culinary Art Catering

• E Claire Catering & Events

So whether you're planning a small office shindig or are a corporate Dallas event planner for a Fortune 500, consider these as some of the best options in town. Many, if not all, offer full-service Dallas catering and event planning and are preferred vendors at several Dallas venues.

Centrally located in the heart of Dallas sits the newly renovated Hyatt Place hotel. Perfectly situated amongst a pleasant mix of urban Dallas residences, world-renowned medical facilities, and corporate success stories, the Hyatt Place Dallas/Park Central welcomes guests with a contemporary blend of modern decor, sleek lines, and stylish accents.

This Dallas hotel offers a long list of amenities that appeal to every kind of traveler. For the experienced Dallas business traveler who prefers to do things quickly, the hotel has a self check-in kiosk. For friends and family of the Dallas bride, there's a complimentary shuttle to Northpark Center for last-minute shopping emergencies. And for the university sports teams who compete at any one of four nearby colleges, there's 24-hour food service for late night carbo-loading. Hyatt Place Dallas/Park Central is truly a home away from home.

A result of years of focus studies on travel trends and preferences, Hyatt's first foray into select service hotels has produced the perfect meeting and lodging place for business AND pleasure. Offering economic lodging without foregoing the luxury, the hotel also offers complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary wi-fi, complimentary shuttle service, complimentary eRoom with secure printing, in-house Starbucks...the list goes on and on. All this topped with a friendly, helpful staff is all one needs to make this a great choice for Dallas accommodations.

For Dallas meeting planners, pay attention: Hyatt Place Dallas/Park Central is offering 25 percent off meetings and Double Bonus Points for all Hyatt Gold Passport members on all functions booked now through January 31, 2010. Even if the event itself doesn't take place until July 2010, this Dallas promotion is valid as long as it's booked on or before January 31, 2010. With 1,100 square feet of flexible meeting space, Hyatt Place Dallas/Park Central has a myriad of meeting packages ready to make your next Dallas meeting a success!

View more information about Hyatt Place Dallas/Park Central and other Dallas hotels on the Cvent Supplier Network

Dolce Hotels & Resorts has just announced a great new promotion geared towards meeting planners all over the world. The "Make Us an Offer... Anything Goes" promotion invites meeting planners to submit requested dates, F&B and other meeting requirements—and then state the price they would be willing to pay for the entire package at any of its 24 upscale hotels, resorts, and conference centers in North America and Europe.

This unique hotel deal gives meeting planners the opportunity to take advantage of some of great venues at competitive prices. The Dolce staff will take any offer and evaluate each request individually. Even if the offered rates are too low, they will map out exactly what can be done for such rates and present alternative and/or creative suggestions to help seal the deal.

This would be the perfect opportunity to try out Dallas' own Dolce spot, the American Airlines Training & Conference Center (AAT&CC). Located just five minutes from DFW International Airport and 20 minutes from downtown, the Dallas conference center is nestled on 30 wooded acres of pure Texas beauty. Known for its superb service and excellent facilities, the AAT&CC offers 75,000 square feet of high-tech, IACC-certified Dallas meeting space complete with ergonomically designed conference rooms, wi-fi throughout the entire facility, as well as a full spectrum of AV equipment with on-site professional help.

The Dallas Dolce property is smack in the middle of the two major cities that make up the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and offers easy access to several area attractions such as Six Flags Over Texas; the Rangers Ballpark at Arlington, home of Texas Rangers Baseball; the brand new Cowboys Stadium, home to the one and only Dallas Cowboys; and several nationally renowned golf courses! The AAT&CC has complimentary shuttle service to and from DFW Airport (a rare find in Dallas), as well as to any location within five miles of the grounds. AAT&CC is obviously a great choice for business meetings in Dallas!

Don't miss out on the "Day Meeting Sale," good for 30 percent off select meeting packages. This Dallas promotion and the "Make Us an Offer...Anything Goes" hotel deal are good through December 18, 2009.

View more information on the American Airlines Training & Conference Center on the Cvent Supplier Network

Once a major hub and Dallas meeting place for farming and industrial goods, leisure and business travel, and one of the largest points of exchange in the Southwest, Union Station is still a thriving center of activity in the heart of downtown Dallas. This working train station boasts not only a convergence of different train lines (DART Rail, Amtrak, Trinity Railway Express), but also allows underground access to half of downtown, including the Hyatt Regency Dallas hotel, Reunion Tower (or that famously lit ball in the Dallas skyline), the Dallas Convention Center, and some of the city's most famous sites such as the Sixth Floor Museum and the grassy knoll.

Built in 1916 in the acclaimed Beaux Arts Classicism style, Union Station underwent a massive $23 million renovation in 2008 and has since been painstakingly restored to its former glory. Beginning with colossal 48-foot ceilings in the Grand Hall, Union Station affords visitors the chance to admire a variety of downtown architecture thanks to its huge arched windows that span an entire wall.

A Dallas event planner favorite for large, lavish affairs such as weddings, launch parties, and political events, Union Station offers versatile floor plans for gatherings of 10 to 850 guests, not to mention an awesome backdrop to any photo op.

Internationally renowned Wolfgang Puck Catering is the exclusive Dallas caterer for Union Station. Whether your event requires elegant cuisine for 10 or 2,000 diners, Puck's trained chefs prepare all items "a la minute" with fresh, high quality ingredients. Incidentally, Wolfgang's newest Dallas restaurant, Five Sixty, is located at the top of Reunion Tower, which offers a rotating 360-degree view of Dallas and is only a quick walk from Union Station via the climate-controlled tunnel.

Don't forget—you can find more special event facilities in Dallas for your events at Cvent's Dallas venue directory.

Need to think outside the box? Planning on bringing a group of forward thinking, art loving, funky music grooving professionals to Dallas for meetings? Bring them to the always eclectic Deep Ellum neighborhood!

This revitalized warehouse district is known as one of Dallas' trendiest spots and is just a quick three-block jaunt east of downtown. It is home to some of Dallas' favorite bands, bars, and brick ovens. But don't let this take away from some very beautiful, very flexible historic meeting space. Deep Ellum is a fully functional urban community full of thriving businesses, state of the art residential living, and an abundance of unique shops.

Take, for example, Gallery 2910, located at 2910 Commerce Street. A relatively new fine art gallery, this gem is filled with original works from an eclectic selection of talented career artists. The gallery has limited hours to the public and makes an excellent option for corporate events, fundraisers, or cocktail affairs from 50 to 100 people, depending on room set-up.

A quick walk down Commerce takes you to a cute urban loft called Leroy Studios. This studio offers 2,000 square feet of unique space and is most commonly used for photo shoots, casting calls, tastings, and the like—perfect for smaller gatherings or business meetings in Dallas.

Another spot to definitely keep on the list is Space Studios, located at 2814 Main Street. This historic Dallas special event facility hosts everything from yoga classes (bikram yoga, no less) to CD release parties to Dallas weddings, and much more. There is plenty of open space for your corporate affair or launch party and a fully-equipped staff ready to help pull off even the most exclusive event. Top notch!

For more information on Dallas wedding venues, corporate facilities, conference centers and more, visit Cvent's Dallas venue directory.

Looking for posh and totally exclusive? Have clients you want to impress? Try The Joule Dallas!

One of the newest, most elegant Dallas boutique hotels, The Joule is the latest addition to the city’s push to reintroduce sophistication into its hospitality scene. Designed by Adam Tihany, the same man who did Le Cirque in NYC, this Neo-Gothic hotel spared no expense when it came to its design and amenities. Case in point: the in-room phone has a one-touch call button to the flagship Neiman Marcus right next door! This upscale hotel also includes a 1,500-square-foot deluxe gym, in-room spa services, a library, and more than 2,300 square feet of Dallas meeting space.

The Joule is also home to Charlie Palmer’s signature restaurant, Charlie Palmer at the Joule, as well as a retail wine shop Next Vintage, which serves the rooftop lounge. What’s so special about the rooftop lounge? That would be the boldly designed, cantilevered rooftop pool that actually juts out over the edge of the building with only a thick layer of glass separating swimmers from the earth below!

Don’t let this bit of luxury scare you, though. For those looking to truly impress important business clients, or for Dallas event planners who need to plan an upscale off-site event without those pesky getaway fees (like, say, airfare), The Joule is the place. It boasts the air of sophistication the best hotels of NYC, all from the heart of Texas!

View more information about The Joule Dallas on the Cvent Supplier Network

As summer slowly starts to loosen its sweltering grip on Dallas, prime real estate starts to heat up. And by prime real estate, I mean being anywhere with a decent patio. One such place is The Belmont Hotel.

This Dallas boutique hotel is supremely located west of downtown and just north of ubercool, and very beautiful, Kessler Park. Sitting atop a stone bluff hill, it boasts one of the best unobstructed views of the Dallas skyline. This mellow Dallas venue plays host to some of the city's hippest, most eclectic crowds who sip on famous Eco-tinis (made with organic vodka) while enjoying poolside music under the stars.

In addition to having undergone a major renovation, The Belmont is located right in the middle of an up and coming neighborhood that is also undergoing a little urban rejuvenation of its own. It’s perfectly situated along the Trinity River, which, once the Trinity River project comes full circle, will be a hub of activity, full of swanky bars, retail shops, and easy access to hiking and biking. With 68 rooms, most of which open onto gardens and courtyards, this Dallas hotel is a great place to bring smaller business groups or to use an an option for escaping the hullabaloo of downtown during busy conventions.

In addition to the hotel’s remodel, the restaurant formerly known as The Cliff Café has undergone a renovation and concept overhaul. The Dallas restaurant re-emerged as SMOKE, an homage to old fashioned barbecue. Bringing hardwood cooking from scratch and authentic Southern flavor to Dallas, SMOKE is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

With competitive rates that afford the close proximity to downtown without the jumble, The Belmont Hotel is definitely a hotel to consider for your meeting attendees when planning a Dallas event!

View more information on The Belmont Hotel on the Cvent Supplier Network

Blues festivals, auto shows, wine tastings, NCA championships, high school graduations...the list goes on and on. Where am I? The Dallas Convention Center of course.

This massive facility has been a staple in the heart of downtown Dallas since its construction in 1957. Over the years, it has been home to professional sports teams, annual cheerleading competitions and auto shows, in addition to hosting Texas-sized events such as the Texas Bridal Show (the end all, be all of Texas Bridal shows!) and the annual Mary Kay convention.

The convention center itself is over two million square feet and boasts more than one million square feet of exhibit space and a 203,000-square-foot, column-free space, making it an attractive spot for concerts, large-scale conferences, and sporting events. The complex also has a 1,740-person theater, more than 100 meeting rooms, two gigantic Dallas ballrooms, and what is rumored to be the world’s largest heliport. Pretty impressive!

With the impending addition of the 1,000-room convention center hotel, run by Irving-based Omni Hotels, the center's "hot" factor is set to skyrocket when hotel doors open in 2012. After all, the Dallas hotel's plans for connecting atriums and walkways will allow for better access to events, dining, and nightlife in the immediate area.

View more information about the Dallas Convention Center on the Cvent Supplier Network

Planning a fall meeting or business trip to Big D? September in Dallas brings some city-wide events that are excellent extracurricular activities for any group. Take, for example, Addison’s Oktoberfest,where Bavarian love shines in the form of polka, kraut, and Spaten Bier; the Greek Food Festival of Dallas, one of the city’s greatest and longest-running cultural events; and of course, the State Fair of Texas, an annual rite of passage into the depths of deep fried goodness. All perfect reasons to bring your clients, employees, members and more to Dallas for a little R&R after a set of grueling meetings!

Addison's Oktoberfest

Aim for mid- to late September to truly appreciate the energy in town beginning with Oktoberfest. This is an annual Dallas event. Located in Addison’s picturesque Addison Circle Park, this celebration offers four days of music, food, folk dancing and beer.

Greek Food Festival

Next in line is the ever-famous Greek Food Festival, which is in its 53rd year and boasts some of the best homemade Greek food in Texas. It also features an impressive market filled with art, jewelry, clothes, and more.

State Fair of Texas

And certainly NOT to be forgotten is the State Fair of Texas, which truly is an annual tour de force. This Dallas event is so large and feature-filled that it lasts an entire month. It is an all encompassing canvas of culture—Spanish, Polish, Irish, and German just to name a few; animals—livestock shows, rodeos, and prized pigs galore; entertainment—national acts such as Miranda Lambert and local Dallas entertainment such as The Killdares; and tons of kid-friendly activities and exhibits, car shows, and art.

Take note: try to avoid scheduling meetings or business travel to Dallas during early to mid-October as the town becomes home to millions of University of Texas and Oklahoma University students, fans, and alumni for one of the oldest feuds in college football: The Red River Shootout!