San Antonio is 'the best city in the country' for meetings and conventions, according to an online financial technology company, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The study looks at a number of factors, from the number and size of hotel and their proximity to convention facilities like the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and the Alamodome, as well as costs and even crime rates.
Richard Oliver with 'Visit San Antoino,' the city's privately governed Convention and Visitor's office, says the city has worked hard to achieve this.
"Not only because of our transformative business center and all that it offers, but all that we know about San Antonio...the walkable downtown..how affordable it is."
Number two was Las Vegas, followed by San Diego.
"Though not hyped nearly as much as New York, Los Angeles and other major U.S. cities, the Alamo City offers plenty of unique attractions—including the River Walk, The Alamo and arguably the best Tex-Mex cuisine in the country," said Smartmeetings.com. "The city also boasts Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, which provides more than 200,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. And the city is amazingly affordable: For example, the average cost of a three-course meal is $17.50, less than half the cost in New York City."
Oliver says recognition like this is critical for the city's travel and tourism industry."Tourism and hospitality, visitation, is almost a $14 billion industry for us each and every year," he said.
He says in addition to providing major income to the city in the form of room and facilities rental feels, conventioneers patronize local businesses and many fall in love with San Antonio and decide to open operations here.