Conference center is IACC certified
The adjacent conference center’s 19 meeting rooms include three ballrooms, boardrooms, conference rooms and an 85-seat amphitheater. With the exception of two small meeting rooms, meeting space is on the lower level.
“We have ergonomic chairs; hard-surface tables, which are good for writing; and tackable walls, which are great for presentations,” said John Hamati, general manager. The center is certified by the International Association of Conference Centers.
An 11,500-square-foot atrium, adjoined by ballrooms, is a natural for receptions or overflow trade-show space.
The resort’s largest ballroom, the Americas, is, at 9,500 square feet, the first choice for exhibits or multimedia presentations. It can be divided into three rooms.
For formal events, planners pick the 4,144-square-foot Venice Ballroom, with 15-foot ceilings adorned by stunning chandeliers.
The 7,380-square-foot Versailles Ballroom dazzles in a different way.
“It has a wall of windows that overlook the lake and marina,” said Dunnaway. “Well, we no longer have a marina,” she corrected. “We had a big drought in 2011 and 2012, and the cove where the marina was had to be mowed. It has water again and is now a protected area for group team activities and nonmotorized sports, and it connects to a sandy beach.”
Because of its beach, its golf course and the lake, the resort has varied team-building options, among them water Olympics, wacky miniature golf and boat cruises for up to 110 passengers.
All aboard for a cruise
“We can do dinner, lunch, cocktails. Not many resorts around here can take guests out on a cruise on water,” said Dunnaway.
Laura Popp, director of corporate communications for Germania Life Insurance Co., had brought groups to Del Lago and now is bringing them to La Torretta.
She is pleased with the changes the resort has made, from adding an outdoor water park and redoing its hotel and conference center to redesigning its golf course.
“I’m very impressed by the renovations,” she said.
Germania Life, based in Brenham, Texas, has its annual sales conference each September for qualifying agents and spouses, rotating at Texas properties. The company met at Del Lago in 2003 and at La Torretta in 2010 with 88 attendees and 2013 with 73 attendees.
One component the group has always required has been a golf course, she said.
“But once I came on board, I insisted on a spa for the women,” said Popp. “This is the biggest spa I have ever seen.”
