With dozens of event spaces, unique attractions and award-winning restaurants, Fort Worth, Texas, is the perfect spot to host your next meeting, incentive trip, conference or event.  Meeting planners will love the city’s first-class amenities and robust meeting services staff and attendees will enjoy the rodeos and cowboy culture that make Fort Worth a one-of-a-kind destination. Ready to put on an unforgettable event? Here are the top five reasons to host your next conference or meeting in Fort Worth.

 

1. The Food

Your guests will be wined and dined in style in Fort Worth. The city’s food scene is as rich as its heritage, with some of Texas’ best chefs using local ingredients and international flavors to create a diverse mix of Tex-Mex and fusion favorites. At Fixe Southern House, Chef James Robert takes Southern dishes like fried chicken, deviled eggs and grits to new heights by putting a modern twist on traditional recipes. The restaurant has several boardrooms that can accommodate up to 40 guests, perfect for an intimate executive dinner. Or host a business lunch at Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine. Your attendees will love the attention to detail Chef Jon Bonnell applies to classics like fire-roasted chile relleno and tomato and jalapeño soup. Chef Bonnell is a big fan of the local game, so your guests will taste only-in-Texas delicacies like wild antelope. Finally, don’t miss the chance to host a “Wagyu experience” buffet at B&B Butchers and Restaurant. Guests will savor the filets and rib-eye steaks paired with wines from around the world. To taste the best of all of the area’s restaurants, distilleries and wineries, host your event during the annual Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival.

 

 

2. The Music

Fort Worth has given rise to some of America’s greatest musical artists. Saxophonist Ornette Coleman to producer T-Bone Burnett and singer Leon Bridges have called the city home. Fort Worth’s downtown area, with its diverse selection of music and concert halls, was voted one of the best in the country. And in 2017, the Texas Music Office designated Fort Worth as the state’s first music-friendly city. From frequent live performances in Fort Worth’s Sundance Square to nightly concerts in the Stockyards District, which is home to a host of Western-style saloons, there’s music to be found every night of the week. Billy Bob's Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk, is a nearly three-acre venue where your guests can let loose on the Texas-sized dance floor. Visit on a Friday or Saturday for live bull riding at Billy Bob’s indoor arena. The on-site restaurant serves favorites like pizza, burgers and fried chicken.

 

 

3. The Sports

Sports rule in Fort Worth. Several legends, including baseball great Rogers Hornsby and golf star Sandra Palmer, have either lived or spent significant time in the city. Fort Worth is also the site of Nike Golf’s research and development facility, “The Oven.” Here, Nike’s designers test and build the golf clubs and balls used by PGA TOUR players from Tiger Woods to Rory McIlroy. To get your guests in the game, host a night on the town at Globe Life Field, home to the American League’s Texas Rangers. At the nearby AT&T Stadium, you can treat your guests to a private VIP tour of the stadium’s press box, post-game interview room, and the Cowboys’ and Cowboys Cheerleaders’ locker rooms. Fort Worth’s cowboy culture and heritage also make it a hot spot for some of the country's best equestrian events. At Will Rogers Memorial Center, your attendees can catch dog and horse shows, rodeos and tournaments. The memorial center’s unique art deco style has expansive meeting spaces, which makes it a popular venue for conferences and trade shows.

 

 

4. The Hotels

No matter your party size, budget or theme, Fort Worth offers a variety of accommodation options perfect for every group’s needs and style. You’ll find the highest concentration of hotels in downtown. Here, your guests can enjoy easy access to some of the city’s best shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Molly the Trolley, Fort Worth’s free downtown shuttle, also makes getting around Fort Worth a breeze. In the coming months, Fort Worth will also see the addition of more than 1,000 new guest rooms with the opening of hotels like the The Sinclair, Marriott Autograph Collection. Set in the historic 1930s Sinclair Building in Sundance Square, this new hotel has 164 guest rooms, a basement restaurant and swanky rooftop bar. The Hotel Drover, another Marriott Autograph Collection brand, will open soon in the Stockyards District. When it does, this 200-room hotel will wow your guests with its lush pool area, landscaped creekside walking trails and cozy lounge spaces. The Destination Education familiarization tours will help you find the best lodging option for your group. You’ll also get to meet the hospitality teams dedicated to making your guests feel at home during their stay.

 

 

5. The Venues

One of the most popular new event spaces is Dickies Arena located adjacent to the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Featuring more than 94,000 square feet of customizable meeting space, the arena is equipped to host large trade shows, exhibitions, banquets and galas. The arena’s expansive viewing pavilion windows let in plenty of natural light, making it a great space for an all-day affair. Another popular spot for large-scale events is the Fort Worth Convention Center. Located within walking distance to all of downtown’s hotels and amenities, the convention center offers more than 250,000 square feet of exhibit space. Take your pick from the 28,160-sq.-ft. ballroom, the 13,500-seat arena or any of the 38 breakout rooms.

 

 

Fort Worth is also home to a variety of historic buildings that provide a unique backdrop for meetings, cocktail parties and more. The Ashton Depot was built in 1899 to serve the city’s growing railroad industry. Today, the terminal—with its soaring stained glass windows and barrel-vaulted ceilings—is a full-service event space capable of accommodating groups of up to 900 people. The Black Eyed Distilling Co. is another Fort Worth original. Built in 1911, the distillery has served as a fire station and now operates as a vodka distillery. With four rooms offering more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space, it’s the perfect place for an atmospheric awards night or farewell party.