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continued from page 11and operator Omni Hotels. The projectis expected to break ground soon and isslated for completion in 2011. The aloftDallas Downtown Hotel, a Starwood Hotels& Resorts Worldwide property, will open itsdoors this fall with 193 guest rooms and astylish, urban façade.Dallas’ renewal extends beyond hotelproperties. With new venues and restaurants,there are always new attractions thatconventioneers may visit during free time.The Trinity River Audubon Center opened inOctober 2008. The flagship development ofthe Trinity River Corridor Project opened itsfacilities in the 6,000-acre Trinity Forestand offers hike/bike trails, guided tours andeducational classes. In October, the highlyWith a centrallocation, competitiverates and topattractions, Dallasdraws business andleisure travelers alike.anticipated Dallas Center for the PerformingArts will begin a weeklong grand opening. Thecenter’s venues will complete the Dallas ArtsDistrict expansion. In addition, two impressive,upscale restaurants opened in February:Kent Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen and FiveSixty by Wolfgang Puck. Local celebrity chefStephan Pyles will debut his new restaurant,Samar, by the end of the year.Exciting festivals bring fun and glamourto the city all year long. June 12-14, theCity Arts Celebration will kick-off its sixthyear in the Dallas Arts District. The festival,sponsored by TXU Energy, showcases theincredible performing, visual and culinaryarts with free concerts, food, demonstrationsand exhibits. In addition, this is theonly time of the year that all museums willbe open and free to the public. In July,the West End historic district comes alivewith Taste of Dallas. The largest outdoorfood festival in the city attracts more than275,000 visitors with its restaurant andretails booths and music.◗204 Alamo PlazaSan Antonio, TX 78205www.mengerhotel.comNext to the Alamo and RiverCenter Mall, gatewayto The River Walk and all the fun of San Antonio •Meeting rooms for groups of 5 to 500 • 316 guestrooms • Full service spa, fitness center,Texas-size heated pool • Privileges atarea golf courses • Twoblocks from the SanAntonio ConventionCenter; just 15minutes tothe airport.Call for fullinformation orarrange a siteinspection:(800) 345-9285.Pure TexasHospitalityStay at the very birthplace of Texas foryour San Antonio meetings. The CrockettHotel – just 18 steps from the Alamo.Every room has been refurbished in shades of soothingsage, furnished in traditional styles. Be sure to see our newExecutive Board Room and adjacent top-floor suites, idealfor hospitality and small team meetings.Schedule a site visit at(800) 292-1050 today.New this year: The Menger and the newly renovatedCrockett Hotel across the street give you combinedaccommodations totalling over 450 rooms & suites!Crockett Hotel320 Bonham, at CrockettSan Antonio, TX 78205(210) 225-6500crocketthotel.com12 CURRENT www.mpidfw.org357679_Menger.indd 112/1/07 1:37:15 PM