While the Austin Convention Center undergoes redevelopment starting in 2025, three of the city's many meeting hotels are working together to bring events to town.
Starting in 2025 in Texas, the Austin Convention Center will close for a long-awaited redevelopment and expansion project. Faced with the loss of room nights funneled from the facility to nearby hotels, three of the city's top properties are taking meeting matters into their own hands.
The 319-room Hotel Van Zandt, the 1,048-room Fairmont Austin and the 801-room Hilton Austin have launched Austin’s Red River Collection, a coalition intended to create a more effortless group-booking experience when the Austin Convention Center closes. Named for the street that connects the three hotels, ARRC will provide meeting planners with access to three of Austin’s top hotels to create customizable group experiences.
Teams at the three hotels will coordinate bookings across the properties, ensuring groups have access to ample meeting and event space, guest rooms, and F&B options. For example, groups could book rooms at the Fairmont, a meeting at the Hilton, and a curated dining and live music experience at Hotel Van Zandt.
Through ARRC, planners will have access to as many as 2,168 hotel rooms in downtown Austin and the central business district; more than 245,000 square-feet of customizable event space; multiple restaurants and banquet options; nightlife and live music venues; and health, wellness and leisure facilities.
“Austin’s Red River Collection is a response to the challenges our city will face during the convention center redevelopment, and is a testament to our community-focused commitment to elevating the group-travel landscape,” said Chris Guse, general manager of the Hotel Van Zandt. “This partnership embraces the collaborative, dynamic spirit of the city, harmonizing the strengths of three of Austin’s top hotels, while offering groups a diverse collection of experiences.”
Collective benefits for groups
The entrance to the Hotel Van ZandtThe Hotel Van Zandt offers:
- 13,000 square feet of meeting space with 11 dedicated meeting rooms;
- 13,000 square feet of additional unique event spaces with flexible indoor-outdoor options;
- Customizable catering menus designed by executive chef Sergio Ledesma;
- Group music offerings and experiences; and
- Nightly live music in on-property restaurant, Geraldine’s, a complimentary social hour and Trek bikes, a rooftop pool, and a 24-hour fitness center.
The Palm Court at the Fairmont Austin HotelThe Fairmont Austin features:
- More than 140,000 square feet of flexible event space with state-of-the-art technology;
- Over 4,500 square feet of outdoor event space;
- 27 breakout rooms;
- Four large ballrooms totaling more than 67,000 square feet; and
- A full spa, a rooftop pool, a Champagne-and-caviar lounge, and multiple food-and-beverage outlets.
The lobby at the Hilton AustinThe Hilton Austin provides:
- More than 95,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, on two floors;
- 41 breakout rooms including two ballrooms;
- The Reverbery, a recording studio–style space for small gatherings in a stylish environment; and
- A heated rooftop pool and hot tub, a 24-hour health club and F45 training studio, and multiple food-and-beverage options.