In the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Irving makes meetings convenient, with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport right in its backyard and easy access to hotels, venues, and group activities. A large draw of the city is nearby Las Colinas, an urban district north of downtown Irving built around Lake Carolyn, with Venetian-style canals for waterfront strolling. Having access to both Irving’s downtown and Las Colinas provides planners with the opportunity to immerse attendees in multiple parts of the city that each have their own feel, offerings, and community cultures.
Vibe: “Summers in Irving are classic Texas,” says Lori Fojtasek, vice president of sales and services at Visit Irving, the city’s convention and visitors bureau. “They’re sunny, warm, and best enjoyed with a pool nearby. Evenings cool down nicely to the middle to upper 70s, which makes it great for outdoor receptions and waterfront dining along the canals.”
Transportation: Whether attendees are coming in from out of state or elsewhere in Texas, Irving is easy to get to via Dallas Fort Worth International and Dallas Love Field airports—both of which provide many domestic and international flights, including to and from other Texas hubs like Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. State Route 183 runs between both airports and downtown Irving, with North O’Connor Road going between downtown and Las Colinas.
Hotels: “Irving’s hotel inventory is quite diverse, but a few properties stand out for meetings and events,” says Fojtasek, specifically mentioning The Ritz-Carlton, Las Colinas, with 427 guest rooms and 39,000 square feet of event space; Omni Las Colinas Hotel, which has 421 overnight rooms and 50,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor gathering space; and The Westin Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, connected to the convention center for ample meeting space between the two properties.
Venues: Within the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas is nearly 100,000 square feet of function space for groups of up to 4,000 attendees. The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory is home to an 8,000-seat amphitheater, while the Irving Arts Center provides a Smithsonian-affiliated venue with theater and classroom spaces. Add Dallas skyline views at The Constellation Club on the 26th floor of The Towers at Williams Square, which works best for executive dinners and intimate receptions.
Restaurants: When it comes to dining, the options range from East Coast seafood at Hudson House to Italian pastas at Monaco. The former has a private dining room for up to 18 attendees, and the latter has flexible options for various group sizes. Via Reál Restaurant has been a Las Colinas institution since 1985 and serves up Southwestern and Mexican fare, and planners will find four private dining rooms on-site. At Pacific Table, attendees can dine on West Coast-inspired dishes like cedar plank salmon and San Francisco cioppino; the restaurant has capacity for private groups of 10 or more people.
Must-Sees & -Dos: Fojtasek notes standout team experiences, including paddleboarding or kayaking on Lake Carolyn, bowling and laser tag at Pinstack, and comedy nights at Punch Line Irving. Horse and art admirers can check out “The Mustangs of Las Colinas,” one of the largest equestrian statuaries in the world, in Williams Square. The team at Visit Irving also can help planners coordinate scavenger hunts throughout Las Colinas or customize charity team-building activities.
