Plan Your Meetings

Watch for:

• La Posada Hotel & Suites completed a $15 million renovation in 2007, upgrading rooms, its 15,000 square feet of meeting space, and infrastructure to provide complimentary WiFi and wired Internet to guests.
• The Imaginarium of South Texas is in a temporary home in the Mall del Norte; a permanent facility is under construction and will be submitted for LEED certification upon completion.
• Attendees traveling to Mexico will need to have a passport, or a government-issued ID, plus proof of citizenship (e.g. voter ID card, birth certificate), to re-enter the United States.

Want to shake up a meal function?

Create dinner and a show with entertainment from mariachi or a folkloric dance group at El Rancho Su Majestad El Taco, which has four private ballrooms accommodating up to 600 people for banquets and receptions. Hunting in Laredo is a popular activity; groups can hunt for wild game, then bring catches to Cosmos Bar & Grill for Chef Pete Mims to transform into four-course dinners. Planners also may create progressive dinners crisscrossing the Mexican border.

Want unusual meeting amenities?

The Texas A&M International University can provide speakers, seminar leaders, performance groups, facilitators and unusual venues, such as the Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium, which hosts presentations, stargazing workshops and receptions. The Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau helps planners organize cooking classes with local chefs and functions across the border.

Want a nightclub venue?

Dance clubs include Kush Lounge (top-40 and hip-hop), Tonic Lounge (Reggaetón, Tejano, hip-hop) and Las Cananas Revolution Bar (Reggaetón, electronica). Live rock music clubs include Old No. 2 and Cold Brew. Cosmos Bar & Grill has a full kitchen and signature cosmopolitans.

Want to keep it green?

The new Imaginarium of South Texas is being constructed to LEED-certification standards. The Audubon Society of Laredo offers eco-tours of Laredo’s birding and butterfly attractions, and hosts an annual birding and butterfly festival in February.

Want to meet in a place with history?

Casa Ortiz, in the Villa Antigua district, was built in the 1700s and is a Spanish-style house with rooms built around an interior courtyard. The Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum has gallery space and exhibits on the different ethnic groups who settled the area. The Republic of the Rio Grande Museum tells the story of the 1840 republic and is the point of departure for Webb County Heritage Foundation historic trolley tours.

Want to surround your group with culture?

Laredo Center for the Arts houses an arts league, a theater and art exhibits; event spaces include three galleries, an atrium, classrooms and a patio. The Laredo Entertainment Center hosts concerts and touring shows, and can arrange special seating and programs for groups. Exhibits of local and international contemporary art enhance events held at Gallery 201.

Want group dining?

Agave Azul is a Mexican restaurant that doubles as a nightclub when the sun goes down. Hal’s Landing serves Tex-Mex food alongside arcade games and other entertainments. Alegria Bistro & Wine Bar can create tastings and wine dinners.

Want groups to get active?

Groups can boat, fish, water ski, picnic or pick up a game of golf at Lake Casa Blanca State Park. Group golf lessons are available at the Casablanca Golf Course, where greens fees start at $8. An upscale option is the Laredo Country Club’s private course. The Laredo Hunt Club leads white-tailed deer, Mexican dove, quail, elk and bow hunting expeditions.