I’ve heard it said that in Texas, they do things in a big way, and in Arlington, Texas, a city with a
growing population of more than 395,000 residents, it is “oh so true.” For starters, there’s the
city’s new Arlington Convention Center (ACC). It opened earlier this year with 266,000
square feet of meetings and events space, including the Crystal Ballroom, the largest in the city
with 51,224 square feet. This sparkling new facility is extremely versatile and welcomes all
types of groups, from small board meetings of 12 directors to theater-style events of 5,000
or more delegates. Conventions, meetings, tradeshows, galas, banquets, private events – all
groups will find the new convention center a comfortable fit and its expert staff very
accommodating.
Physically, the Arlington Convention Center features three ballrooms, ample breakout
and reception space, and an astounding 27,000-square-foot outside lawn that’s a perfect
setting for memorable outdoor events, day or night. More than this, the center is connected to
the equally new 888-room Loews Arlington Hotel, the largest in the area, as well as the 300-
room Live! By Loews Hotel connected via skybridge. Other meeting-style hotels dot the area.
But it gets even better. A short walk away from the ACC is the ever-popular 30,000-
square-foot Esports Stadium. This venue claims to be the largest turnkey esports (short for
electronic sports) facility in all of North America and can readily accommodate 2,000 event
attendees. It features a state-of-the-art stage with incredible audio-visual tools for presentations,
tradeshows, meetings, events, and banquets, with in-house catering by Levy Restaurants.
Also in proximity to ACC are other unique venues, making this neighborhood even more
dynamic. These include Texas Live!, an entertainment venue with a concert pavilion, bars, and
restaurants. Also nearby are the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field, the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T
Stadium, and Choctaw Stadium, which is home to three professional sports teams, including
the Arlington Renegades (UFL), Dallas Jackals (Major League Rugby), and North Texas Soccer
Club (MLS Next Pro). All of these venues can handle thousands of delegates and customers for
off-site meetings, tradeshows, dinners, and events, so the possibilities are almost endless.
As for the Arlington CVB staff, it coordinates and simplifies a planner’s group agenda
expertly and, as one planner recently exclaimed, “I love it – that they are passionate about their
city, that they partner with us, and that they care about our success”
As an aside, it’s also appropriate to note here that the National Medal of Honor Museum
is under construction and expected to open next year. This inspirational museum will
honor more than 3,500 U.S. Armed Services veterans who received the Medal of Honor, like
General Patrick Brady received the Medal for his service as a helicopter ambulance pilot in
the Vietnam War.
So, as anyone can see, there’s a lot of excitement in Arlington, Texas, right now, and
rightfully so. For more information on Arlington, Texas, www.arlington.org.
