Laredo, Texas at a Glance
Location: Approximately 140 miles southwest of San Antonio
Access: Laredo International Airport, Interstate 35, U.S. Highway 59
Major Meeting Spaces: Sames Auto Arena
Hotel Rooms: Approximately 3,000
Off-Site Venues: Max A. Mandel Municipal Golf Course, Laredo Water Museum, Casa Ortiz
Contact Info:
Visit Laredo
956-795-2200
visitlaredo.com
Laredo, Texas, is a border town with a robust Tex-Mex culture all its own. The city of about 250,000 sits on the banks of the Rio Grande, boasting not only views of our southern neighbor, but also endless Mexican fare and flair. The city’s surprising accessibility and affordability make it convenient and cost-effective as well.
“Laredo is a border town known for a unique Tex-Mex heritage that can give groups an awesome experience,” said Sofia Soto, sales account coordinator with Visit Laredo Texas. “We’re a unique city because we offer groups that blend of cultures they can’t find anywhere else.”
This cultural combo is not only infused into the tasty local cuisine, where numerous Latino restaurants offer spicy standouts, but also into its architecture, attractions, outings and experiences. Whether your attendees are into historic cultural doings, singular sporting diversions or dynamic shopping shindigs, they’ll find it in this vibrant city — where planners also have their choice of event settings overflowing with south-of-the-border ambiance.
“We have lots of experiences throughout the year,” Soto said. “Birding is huge, as is golfing, and we really have a little bit of everything.” She added that the city’s affordability is another huge bonus for budget-conscious groups striving to get the most bang for their buck.
Soto was eager to clear up any misconceptions about Laredo’s accessibility. Some may think the city is a remote locale that is difficult to get to, but she emphasized that Laredo — the nation’s third-largest border city, behind only San Diego and El Paso — is a two-hour drive from San Antonio and reachable via daily direct flights from Dallas and Houston on major carriers.
Visit Laredo Texas embraces the opportunity to work with meeting and event groups in any way possible, from coordinating site visits and organizing attendee welcome bags to helping with promotions and registration, Soto said. This friendly hospitality, as well as the city’s unique charm, has made it a popular choice for all sorts of groups throughout the year, she added, with corporate and government events among the most frequent visiting groups.
Regardless of your group’s background, they’re likely to find common ground in Laredo, a city known to make meetings memorable with its colorful culture and warm welcomes.
Eclectic Event Settings
Sames Auto Arena sprawls across 178,000 square feet and stands ready for everything from huge expos to concerts and sporting events. Other options include cultural settings like the modern Laredo Water Museum and portals to the past like the Webb County Heritage Museum and historic Casa Ortiz, a meticulously preserved Spanish Colonial Mansion operated by Texas A&M International University. Another possibility is the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, set on the grounds of La Posada Hotel, which partners with the museum to host events.
Growing Hotel Scene
For groups seeking charm and elegance, it’s tough to top La Posada Hotel, a historic property nestled in downtown by the banks of the Rio Grande. The property has 206 guest rooms and 15,000 square feet of event space that includes a pair of ballrooms and a scenic courtyard setting. The Embassy Suites Laredo is home to 154 two-room suites and more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space, which includes a grand ballroom with a capacity of 300. On the hotel horizon is a new DoubleTree by Hilton that will bring 199 guest rooms and over 14,000 square feet of meeting space when it opens this fall.
Good Sports
Laredo offers a variety of sporting fun that attendees can participate in or simply watch, with venues that offer planning options as well. Three gorgeous golf courses include the popular Max A. Mandel Municipal Golf Course, a riverside wonderland with plenty of rentable spaces, such as a 220-capacity formal dining room. For an unforgettable baseball experience, head out to Uni-Trade Stadium to see the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos, the only Mexican League team to host games in both the U.S. and Mexico.
Downtime Delights
When attendees have a break, Laredo’s culture comes through again with unique ways to have fun. A particularly popular option is shopping along San Bernardo Avenue, the city’s original Main Street, with 40 blocks of colorful retail options — mostly import shops overflowing with treasures from Mexico. And for those looking for some evening fun, the city has unveiled its very own signature cocktails. The tequila-based Sol de Laredo and Border Breeze drinks can be enjoyed at the lively On the Rocks Tavern, the Palenque Grill eatery, or seafood restaurants El Pescador and Mariscos Costa Azul.
