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​​​For many people, Texas evokes images of cowboy culture and country music. Dallas, however, shines as a bustling hub for art and culture — not to mention picturesque outdoor attractions. The city’s food scene is impressive, as well. These attributes make it a strong contender for the location of your next corporate meeting.  

From a practical standpoint, you will have your pick of hotels and meeting spaces. Dallas is also conveniently located near two major airports that offer direct flights to approximately 250 destinations in total. (1) As a result, many places in the U.S. are a short four-hour flight from this metropolitan locale.  

CLIMATE AND SEASONS IN DALLAS  Average Temperature: 

70℉ 

 
Like many destinations in the southern United States, Dallas is most comfortable from late fall to early spring. Temperatures and humidity both start climbing as spring makes its way into summer. That said, the city offers many indoor attractions you can enjoy during even the most sweltering months. 

 

 

Why visit Dallas? 

 

Although it is a thriving big city, Dallas offers many outdoor activities to experience when the heat eases its grip on the area during the cooler seasons. These attractions include the sprawling and bloom-filled Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, the whimsical Bishop Arts District, and the adventure-fueled Trinity Forest Adventure Park. 

 

 

 Seasonal Temperatures: 

  • 43℉ – Winter (Dec- Feb) 
  • 68℉ – Spring (Mar-May) 
  • 85℉ – Summer (June-Aug) 
  • 75℉ – Fall (Sept-Nov) 

MORE TO LEARN AND ​​EXPLORE 

Savor the Food Scene 

One major advantage of holding an offsite meeting in a big city is the unparalleled access to a wide range of first-rate dining options. Yes, Dallas does have some solid barbecue restaurants – but it has far more dining options than that.  

Several restaurants perched atop buildings offer diners an expansive view of downtown from an unforgettable vantage point. Crown Block and Sky Blossom are ranked among the best of these sky-high establishments, with the former a swanky option and the latter a more casual bistro-style eatery.  

No trip to Dallas would be complete without sampling its legendary barbecue dishes. Pecan Lodge is widely considered to serve the best barbecue in the city, with extensive meal options and meat smoking performed onsite. Fans of the eatery rave about the flavor balance and texture of the dishes, declaring both to be perfection. 

The presence and high quality of Tex-Mex cuisine available in Dallas rival that of its barbecue counterparts. Trying the tortilla soup at upscale Mansion restaurant is a must, as is noshing on Mexican food and sipping iconic margaritas in the laid-back, casual atmosphere found at Mariano’s Hacienda Ranch. 

MAKE YOUR MEETING ​​MEMORABLE 

Feel the Flower Power 

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden makes an appearance on many “best of” lists – and for good reason. Located on the scenic shores of White Rock Lake, this renowned attraction features tranquil plant and flower displays. You may want to consider signing your attendees up for one of the educational programs offered to adults. The children’s interactive garden, featuring a treetop canopy walk and treehouse, can also serve as a bonding experience for your group. If the meeting is planned in the spring, the Dallas Blooms festival – featuring more than 500,000 flowers — is a must-see experience your attendees will not soon forget.  

Explore a Charmingly Eccentric Art Community 

Quirky shops await your travelers in the Bishop Arts District, a walkable neighborhood that is home to bungalows built in the 1920s. From authentic Japanese art and stationery at We Are 1976, from wine paired with books at The Wild Detectives, there is no end to the niche interests fulfilled in this part of the city.  

Get Adventurous with Team Building 

The Great Trinity Forest, located south of downtown Dallas, lives up to its name. It is among the largest urban forests in the U.S. Most importantly, for meeting planners’ purposes, the site includes Trinity Forest Adventure Park – where your meeting attendees can entertain their adventurous side while executing team building activities such as zip lining, obstacle courses, and rope courses. 

Travel Through Portals 

Treat your attendees to The Real Unreal, a funky art installation featuring immersive experiences that include solving a series of clues to uncover what happened to a fictional family that vanished into thin air. The scene is set at their abandoned home and the fantastic realm they travel to after unlocking portals to a fantasy world. The weird, wacky, and wonderful backstory offers excellent team building opportunities against an otherworldly backdrop. 

Dallas is among U.S. cities that have a place where visitors can take in sweeping views of the downtown skyline. Reunion Tower Geo-Deck provides bird-eye views from its 470-foot-high indoor and outdoor observation deck. Additionally, your group can learn interesting facts about Dallas by utilizing the innovative Halo system, which is available for this purpose. The building’s two rotating restaurants beckon visitors to enjoy the view a bit longer as they feast on delectable cuisine. It is an excellent spot for dinner at the end of a productive day. 

Hit the Links 

Playing golf together is a great way to encourage bonding among colleagues, and Dallas is home to several excellent public golf courses.  

Fields Ranch East was literally created with champions in mind. The PGA of America hired Gil Hanse to design a challenging course, complete with a unique hilly landscape, at the site of the organization’s new headquarters. Imagine the excitement golf fans on your staff will feel when they get to play on this special course.  

Less experienced and beginner golfers will fare well at Sherrill Park golf course, a more forgiving site than Fields Ranch East. And do not worry, your more experienced and skilled golfers will not get bored here, thanks to the variety of hole lengths that require just about every club they own. Five sets of tee boxes make this course a strong contender for golfers at all skill levels.  

WHY IS DALLAS APPEALING FOR A MEETING? 

Holding a meeting in Dallas gives you access to many different lodging and meeting venue options, first-class amenities, and activities that appeal to a large variety of interests. Whether your attendees prefer outdoor adventures, fine dining, art, or history, they will find it here. Groups and meetings in Dallas have access to the exceptional amenities and perks that only a metropolitan area can offer. 

Some things to consider when planning your meeting in Dallas: 

​​​1. Before heading out to scheduled activities, check the status of where you are going. It is wise to have an alternative plan in case the activity is canceled or closed, has exceeded capacity, or there is a detour with heavy traffic. Making a backup plan is always a good idea. 

  1. Meeting planners may want to consider options for box lunches and collaborate with local vendors to provide food delivery services. Taking these measures can be especially helpful on days when outdoor activities are planned.
  2. You may want to consider designating a specific place as the central meeting spot for each activity. Examples include the hotel lobby where attendees are staying or a similar public space.

What are your meeting objectives? Some examples: 

  • Many company retreats are designed to improve productivity and “refocus” on employees’ efforts. Dallas offers an ideal destination to escape the confines of an office and experience the adrenaline rush that comes with exploring a big city. It can inspire fresh ideas and introduce colleagues to new perspectives beyond their own. 
  • Team building can also happen through interactive attractions, whether they entail solving clues, working together to overcome physical obstacles, or completing a complex puzzle. 
  • Incentive travel and meetings can be valuable for companies, key stakeholders, and top performers. Dallas provides unique, memorable experiences and an outstanding destination for exchanging information with colleagues that accelerates growth, solves problems, and engages change-makers. 

As you can see, Dallas is an ideal destination for an offsite meeting. It offers plenty of opportunities for team building and provides no shortage of memorable experiences. In addition to boosting engagement levels, a meeting in this thriving metropolis will give attendees a positive connotation with your organization.  

Do you need help planning a corporate meeting or incentive travel reward to Dallas? Contact Gavel International for more information. 

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SOURCE:  

  1. https://www.visitdallas.com/plan/transportation/
Jim Bozzelli
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