In your company, are you responsible for booking venues, facilities, restaurants and organizing transportation for meetings and events?
Galveston Island: A Meeting in Paradise
Moody Gardens Hotel Spa & Convention Center – With 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting space that can host large conventions to corporate meetings and exhibits, Moody Gardens is one of the most sought after meeting facilities in the region. This space includes a 15,180 square foot ballroom, a 60,000 square foot exhibit hall and a 9,100 square foot ballroom. This versatile meeting venue can be the perfect place for an intimate dinner, a small meeting, an exhibit hall or a convention of 2000 people. For more information contact Moody Gardens at (800) 582-4673 or visit www.moodygardenshotel.com

Hawthorne Suites at The Victorian Resort &Conference Center – Guests can stretch out in any of The Victorian’s spacious one- and two-bedroom condominiums. The Conference Center has over 10,000 square feet of meeting facilities, accommodating groups of 12 to 400. The Grand Salon alone is comprised of over 4,000 square feet of meeting space, divisible into four (4) separate meeting/banquet rooms as needed. Contact The Victorian at 409-740-3555 for booking information.

Dazzling Meeting Facilities and Event Venues
The hardest part about planning a meeting in Galveston is choosing a venue! Galveston Island offers dozens of meeting facilities and event venues that are sure to please even the most unique requests. From historic museums to classic homes to modern theme parks, Galveston is the perfect place to plan a meeting or event.

1859 Ashton Villa – One of Galveston’s great Broadway mansions, the 1859 Ashton Villa offers an enchanting setting and a lifetime of history. As the first brick home ever to be built in Texas and the first mansion in Galveston, the Ashton Villas is a landmark in the city. The ballroom can hold 300 for a stand-up function or 200 for a seated dinner. For information call 409-762-3933.

1861 Custom House – After a recently completed six-month restoration that returned it to its original glory through the Galveston Historical Foundation, the 1861 Custom House has become a prime meeting facility in Galveston. Rental rates can be arranged for the second floor including the courtroom, veranda and hallway, which can accommodate 250 people for a seated function. The courtroom itself can accommodate 120 people seated. For information call 409-762-3933.

Moody Gardens Hotel Spa & Convention Center – Moody Gardens features 242 acres of breathtaking gardens and majestic pyramids. Near the Rainforest Pyramid is the Rainforest Overlook, Garden Lobby, Garden Veranda and other reception rooms. The Rainforest Overlook can accommodate 80 guests for standing receptions. The Garden Lobby can hold 350 guests standing or 240 seated. The Veranda holds 150 guests standing and 104 seated. Four gardens are also available for receptions. They include the Garden of Life, which holds 50 guests standing; Flamingo Terrace, which holds 50 guests standing; Oleander Bowl, which holds 500 guests standing; and the Herb Garden, which holds 400 guests. For information call 800-582-4673, ext. 215 or 409-744-4673, ext. 215.

Moody Mansion & Museum – Restored to its turn of the century splendor, the 28,000 square-foot, four-story structure was completed in 1895. Today, guests visit 20 rooms on a tour that depicts the home life of a powerful Texas family. The elegance of the ballroom, the adjacent front hall and covered porches provide an enchanting setting for special events. The ballroom accommodates 75 people and the kitchen can accommodate a group of up to 48 seated. For information call 409-762-7668.

The Grand 1894 Opera House – Designated as “the Official Opera House of the State of Texas by the 73rd Legislature,” The Grand 1894 Opera House offers an elegant and unique setting for a reception or ball. This glamorous theater has been elegantly restored and is the perfect setting for receptions and other gatherings. The theatre can accommodate groups from 50 to 1,000. For information call 409-763-7173.

Texas Aviation Flight Museum – This unique venue houses exhibits and artifacts that document the rich history of aviation in Texas in a 22,000-square-foot building. With the recent expansion, the museum can accommodate up to 1,500 guests for a stand-up reception and 800 guests for sit-down dinner. The Museum offers more than 50,000 square feet of exhibit space. For information call 409-740-7722.

Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum – At this one-of-a-kind venue guests can step aboard an offshore rig and experience how oil and gas is produced offshore. Videos, interactive displays and models take patrons to offshore locations all over the world. The Rig is available for meetings, luncheons, theme parties and receptions. Rental options include the Conference Room, the Theater, the Third Floor or the entire Rig and can accommodate a group size of up to 500 people. For additional specifics, call 713-975-6442 or 409-766-STAR.

The Texas Seaport Museum & 1877 Tall Ship – With moonlight silhouetting the masts of the 1877 tall ship ELISSA, Texas Seaport Museum provides a romantic, outdoor setting for weddings and receptions. The capacity on the ELISSA and museum site is 500 for a standing reception and 300 for a seated dinner on the pier. For information call 409-763-1877.

   
1
2
3
Submit an Article
If you have expertise in a particular area relevant to planning meetings and or events, you may submit a 400 to 750 word "how-to" article for possible inclusion in any of our magazines and/or our websites.

If accepted, your submission will be edited for length and clarity. There is no monetary payment if your item is used; instead, you can publicize yourself through a five-line biography with your contact information that will appear at the end of the article.

Send submissions to
editorial@MeetingPlannerResources.org. We will contact you if your submission is chosen.