As leading Texas group destinations commit billions of dollars to next-generation convention centers alongside concurrent investments in hotels, airports and other infrastructure, the Lone Star State is gaining serious competitive muscle both internally and on the regional, national and international stages. Here are key group and tourism projects that are positioning Texas for long-term economic opportunity, growth and stability.
Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
Continuing a remarkable year-over-year hot streak, Dallas once again leads the nation in hotel development.
According to Lodging Econometrics’ most recent “U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report,” Dallas closed out Q2 2025 with the most hotels in the pipeline with 199 projects and 24,497 rooms; most projects (78 hotels/8,603 rooms) scheduled to start within the next 12 months; and most projects (89 hotels/12,090 rooms) in the early planning stage. Additionally, Dallas has the second-most projects (32 hotels/3,804 rooms) currently under construction in the total pipeline and is on track to maintain pole position in these and other development metrics heading into 2026.
The hotel surge aligns with the future uptick in demand from the new 2.1 million-square-foot Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas.
After breaking ground in June 2024, the project, designed to create a cohesive, centralized, walkable convention and entertainment district that brings surrounding neighborhoods into the fold, is now in the implementation and construction phase. Scheduled for 2029, highlights include 181,000 square feet of meeting space and 750,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space. Plus, a mighty 105,000-square-foot ballroom, scenic outdoor event terraces and much more.
Opened in 1968 and significantly expanded in 2023, the nearly 400,000-square-foot Fort Worth Convention Center is undergoing a two-part upgrade. Taking shape as it nears its scheduled completion in early 2026, phase one, valued at $95 million, most visibly straightens the building’s Commerce Street flank to make way for a new hotel. Other enhancements include an expanded southeast entrance, modern food and beverage facilities, and 13 loading docks (up from seven).
Aiming for early 2030, a second $606 million investment, following a fresh design based on customer input, will replace the center’s outdated arena with modern meeting and ballroom space, and renovate the existing exhibit, meeting and ballroom space.
Turning 20 this summer, Grand Hyatt DFW Airport inside Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal D, offering 20,000-plus square feet of meeting and event space including a 6,600-square-foot ballroom, is undergoing a $34 million transformation to create a more refined hotel experience for guests, travelers and groups.
Targeting completion by late 2025, the multiphase renovation includes expanding the key count from 298 to 315 guest rooms and suites. Groups will have a new top-floor executive boardroom and unique indoor/outdoor rooftop space overlooking the airport runways. Other refinements include newly designed restaurants, lounges and bars.
Targeting completion by 2026, DFW’s new $1.6 billion Terminal F will add 15 new gates, with plans for a second phase to follow. The revamp of aging Terminal C, DFW’s busiest terminal, is targeting 2028.
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Houston
As group excitement builds around the visionary redevelopment of Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, Houstonians are already catching FIFA World Cup fever. According to the Houston Chronicle, 75% of local voters are excited that Houston is a host city, with the same percentage supporting investment in major upgrades to aging NRG Stadium, which is hosting seven World Cup matches next year.
Another landmark with fresh group appeal is POST Houston. Reimagining the iconic Barbara Jordan Post Office as a dynamic LEED Gold-certified, mixed-use hub in 2021, the building incorporates group venues including 5,000-capacity 713 Music Hall, which hosted the inaugural Texas Michelin award ceremony last November, and five-acre Skylawn rooftop farm and park.
The latter will soon feature two new innovative special event venues, the Penthouse and Skylawn Room. Slated for the end of 2025, these fully glass-enclosed, weather-resistant pavilions, featuring high-tech lighting and AV capabilities, are respectively ready-made for galas, business meetings and other group functions.
Austin
As Austin lays the foundation for a new era of group market prominence with the unprecedented shutdown and reinvention of the Austin Convention Center, the city is also going full steam ahead with mobility and transportation upgrades to meet current urban expansion and future demand. Signature projects include the I-35 Capital Express Central Project and $4 billion, multiyear expansion of Austin Bergstrom International Airport.
The project, which kicked off in September 2024, includes an expansive, multistory arrivals and departures hall, and at least 20 more gates in new tunnel-connected Concourse B. Plans also call for a potential light rail connection to the airport.
[Related: How Good, Old-Fashioned Hyper-Personalization Fuels Irving’s Conventions Service]
San Antonio
With local son and industry veteran Mario J. Bass now leading Visit San Antonio as president and CEO, Alamo City is also looking expansively to the future. First reported locally last summer, exploratory discussions are underway for a multibillion-dollar downtown sports and entertainment district called “Project Marvel.”
Based on feedback provided by consultants hired by the city, the development plan could include a 200,000-square-foot expansion of the Henry B. González Convention Center, which currently offers 514,000 square feet of meeting, exhibit and ballroom space. Last renovated in 2017, the venue is a primary engine of San Antonio’s $21 billion visitor industry. Other major components include Alamodome renovations, a second headquarter hotel and new arena for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs.
Airlift is another major focus. Under Elevate/SAT, a $2.5 billion expansion and capital improvements program, San Antonio International Airport is adding a new 850,000-square-foot terminal with up to 17 domestic and international gates to accommodate projected growth through 2040. Targeting mid-2028, the new building will include larger gate areas, centralized passenger screening, roadway work to ease congestion and improve traffic flow, and River Walk-like beautification efforts. The City of San Antonio expects the terminal development to have a $2.8 billion economic impact over the course of the project.
[Related: How South Texas Events Offer Up-Close Encounters With History]
South Texas
Located in the heart of South Texas, Laredo celebrated its 270th anniversary May 15. Blending the culture, language, culinary influences and ambiance of Texas, Mexico and the U.S., this evocative border city founded in 1755 inspires a vibrant tapestry of experiences and is internationally recognized as a top birding destination. Historic venues for meetings and events include the 206-room Posada Hotel, an 1800s time capsule offering 15,000-plus square feet of flexible space.
Next year sees another milestone as fabled Route 66, which once ran approximately 2,449 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Among the best-known stops along the “Mother Road” is Amarillo, Texas, home of the iconic Cadillac Ranch and group venues including the Big Texan Steak Ranch and Microbrewery. From June 4-13, 2026, the city will be the “ultimate destination for dreamers, road trippers and Americana lovers” when hosting the centennial edition of the annual Texas Route 66 Festival.
In regional developments, Dallas-based Omni Hotels & Resorts recently announced a luxurious new 135-room hotel for the heart of downtown Midland, Texas. As part of the ongoing revitalization of Midland’s city center, Omni’s 12th Texas property will offer 15,000 square feet of versatile meeting space and a 7,000-square-foot ballroom. Amenities will include a rooftop pool.
“We have envisioned a new convention center hotel downtown for nearly a decade,” stated Midland Mayor Lori Blong in a release. “This development opens up endless possibilities for more conferences, conventions and events at the Barbara and George H.W. Bush Convention Center.”
Fredericksburg and other Texas Hill Country groups will soon have twice the wonder for guided hikes, stargazing and other activities at Enchanted Rock State Park after Texas Parks and Wildlife recently purchased an adjacent 3,073-acre property. While the opening date has yet to be set, the new land will reportedly offer new vantage points on the park’s iconic namesake pink granite dome, one of the most beguiling sights in all of Texas.
Closed since 2019 for extensive renovations, Battleship Texas is scheduled to reopen next year as an event-capable ship-museum in its new home of Galveston. The historic vessel served in both world wars and housed thousands of sailors and Marines during its 34 years of service.
