Irving, TX Event Planning

Key Highlights

Hotels	66
Total Sleeping Rooms	11,572
Committable Sleeping Rooms*	491
Committable Meeting Rooms*	28
Convention Center Space	100,000 Sq. Ft.
Largest Exhibit Space	50,000 Sq. Ft.
Largest Ballroom	20,000 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate	USD $113
Average Daily Meal Cost	USD $71
Average Weekly Car Rental	USD $368
*Maximum for a single hotel

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Irving, TX Meeting Planning Overview

Welcome to Cvent's Meeting and Event Planning Guide to Irving, a city guide for meeting professionals. The gateway to Dallas and Fort Worth, Irving offers the very best when it comes to meeting location, amenities, entertainment and service. The city boasts a new convention center and 200,000 square feet of hotel meeting space, the only 5 Diamond resort in Texas and multiple Fortune 500 companies. A perfectly situated mid-sized city, Irving offers a central location in the heart of the Metroplex that's between Dallas and Fort Worth and is extremely convenient to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport.

In fact, Irving sits adjacent to the sprawling Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which serves approximately 158,000 daily passengers and 191 worldwide destinations. As an American Airlines hub, the airport ranks fourth in operations and eighth in passengers worldwide, offering two on-airport hotels and more than 100 specialty shops and 120 food and beverage outlets. Situated about 15 minutes outside of Irving, Dallas Love Field offers easy access to Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas and serves as home base to Southwest Airlines. The airport operates more than 100 intrastate and regional flights daily, as well as offers a range of dining and retail options. Both Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport offer direct access to Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) service. DART operates daily commuter rail, bus and light rail service throughout Dallas and 12 surrounding cities, while DART's Trinity Railway Express (TRE) connects downtown Dallas and Fort Worth with stops in the Mid-Cities and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and two Irving stations. DART provides service to the Irving Convention Center at Los Colinas via its light rail service, and will connect Las Colinas Urban Center with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport by 2014.

Situated on a 40-acre tract in Las Colinas Urban Center, the new Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas features nearly 100,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space throughout three flexible levels. The center's three main levels include an Exhibition Hall Level, which houses the 50,000-square-foot exhibit hall for up to 4,500 guests or, as well as a show manager's office overlooking the show floor. The Meeting Rooms Level features prefunction space, a business center and 20 breakout rooms, each approximately 1,000 square feet, as well as eight meeting rooms grouped to create an 8,000-square-foot junior ballroom. The Ballroom Level spans a 20,000-square-foot ballroom and prefunction space, as well as offers south and east vistas to the Dallas skyline. Part of the first phase of Las Colinas' multi-use entertainment district, the center is within 10 minutes of 75 hotels, six miles east of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and attached to an 800-space parking facility. Travelers can hop on Los Colinas' Area Personal Transit System, a free elevated people mover that operates between four stations in Las Colinas Monday through Friday.

Aside from its cutting-edge Irving Convention Center at Los Colinas, Irving is home to a number of special event venues perfectly designed for group functions and events. The 10-acre Irving Arts Center complex houses two fully equipped theaters, four galleries, meeting, classroom, reception and rehearsal facilities and a scenic sculpture garden. Guests can hold events throughout the center's more than 91,500 square feet of performance and visual arts space, including the 710-seat Carpenter Performance Hall, 257-seat Dupree Theater and 275-peson IAC Rehearsal Hall, among many other spaces. Irving's National Scouting Museum serves as the official museum of the Boy Scouts of America and offers huge collection of Scouting-affiliated artifacts, one of the world's largest Norman Rockwell collections and interactive activities, as well as three meeting rooms for up to 225 guests.

Situated within a short drive of Irving, the Dallas Museum of Art is lauded as one of the country's leading art institutions, as it features more than 22,000 works spanning 5,000 years, innovative exhibitions and educational programs for all ages and experience levels. Also in Dallas, the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden is home to 66 acres of display gardens, as well as more than 12 garden venues. No trip to Irving is complete with a stop at the nearby Southfork Ranch in Parker. Made famous by the Ewing family of the Dallas television series, this former authentic Texas ranch is now a popular attraction.

Irving, TX Area Destinations

Dallas, TX	Addison, TX	Arlington, TX	Cultural District, Fort Worth, TX
Downtown Dallas, TX	Farmers Branch, TX	Fort Worth, TX	Frisco, TX
Garland, TX	Grand Prairie, TX	Grapevine, TX	Mesquite, TX
Richardson, TX	Stockyards, Fort Worth, TX	Sundance Square, Fort Worth, TX	Victory Park Dallas, TX

About Irving, TX / Additional Info

Irving is much more than a fantastic meeting locale – it's also an easygoing Texas destination bursting with recreational activities, family fun, unique shopping, nightlife and delicious dining. With its central location between Dallas and Fort Worth, it's easy to enjoy the best attractions and entertainment of all three cities. In fact, Irving itself is home to five 18-hole golf courses, as well as dozens more within a 20-minute drive. Irving is also home to museums, ballet and theater companies, symphonies, green spaces and a world-class equestrian center.

Irving (author Washington Irving was its namesake) was first visited by settlers in the 1850s and incorporated in 1914. The city progressed rapidly, becoming a center for cotton growing, truck and dairy farming and poultry production. Irving served home to the Dallas Cowboys at its Texas Stadium from 1971 to 2009, and with the 1973 opening of Las Colinas, a master-planned 7,000-acre community and urban center, Irving evolved into a thriving urban destination.

Today, Las Colinas serves as Irving's business, retail and dining destination. It's also home to the breathtaking The Mustangs of Las Colinas, one of the largest equestrian sculptures in the world. A must-see for visitors and residents alike, the sculpture portrays nine mild mustangs crossing a stream and sits adjacent to The Mustangs of Las Colinas Museum, which tells the story behind the eight-year process invested in creating the sculpture. Other nearby museums include Fort Worth's Kimbell Art Museum, which houses European, Egyptian, Near Eastern, Greek and Roman antiquities, as well as Asian, Mesoamerican and African arts. In fact, the Kimbell Art Museum recently acquired its first painting by Michelangelo, which is the only work by the artist located in North America. Situated in Dallas' Dealey Plaza, the Sixth Floor Museum chronicles the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy, and showcases a 40,000-item collection on his life, legacy and assassination, as well as 1960s culture. The museum is housed in the sixth and seventh floors of the early 20th-century warehouse formerly known as the Texas School Book Depository, where significant evidence of a sniper was found on Kennedy's assassination date.

Irving is within easy reach of landmark Texas attractions, including Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. Once a livestock market, the 98-acre district is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, nightclubs, rodeos, stock shows, historic landmarks and events set amid original bricks and mortar and wood corrals. Popular attractions include Stockyards Station, which features historic walking tours and unique dining and shopping, as well as Stockyards Championship Rodeo, the world's first indoor rodeo, with live rodeo action every Friday and Saturday year-round. The district is also known for Billy Bob's Texas, the world's largest honkytonk, featuring great country music and a family-friendly atmosphere, as well as weekly live bull riding, concerts and dance lessons, in addition to its on-site dining and shopping.

The Irving area is well-positioned to satisfy a Texas-sized appetite, thanks to its varied dining scene, ranging from elegant cuisine to comfortable Southwestern fare. The Ranch at Las Colinas serves a true taste of Texas with its specialty local beers, locally sourced flavors and farm-to-fork mission. Also in Las Colinas, Sfuzzi resembles a New York City pizzeria that has turned up the volume, thanks to its varied soundtrack, outdoor patios, and fresh pizza and pasta creations. Las Colinas' Via Real brings together Mexican, Spanish and Native American culinary practices in its Southwestern fare and relaxed Santa Fe atmosphere. Irving's i Fratelli Ristorante & Wine Bar serves authentic Italian fare in an Art Deco setting, while Dallas' Cool River Cafe is a popular steakhouse and southwestern grill with an elaborate bar, billiards tables and cigar room graced with a handmade humidor.

Irving, TX Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Central Time (CT)
Convention Center(s):

Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas

Hotel at Convention Center? No
Sleeping Rooms 1 Mile from Convention Center: 2,554

Airport(s):

Special Event Venues
22
Population
216,290
Restaurants
13
Country Code
1
Sales Tax
8.25%
Currency
U.S. Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
15-20%
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Official Languages
English

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Irving, TX

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Wichita Falls, TX	121 mi	2 hrs 07 min	45m	USD $242+
Oklahoma City, OK	183 mi	3 hrs 2 min	1 hrs	USD $243+
Shreveport, LA	184 mi	3 hrs 2 min	1 hrs	USD $292+
Austin, TX	185 mi	3 hrs 7 min	1 hrs	USD $219+

Irving, TX Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°F)	0	16	20	25	29	33	36	36	31	26	19	14
Avg. Low (°F)	0	10	6	11	16	21	23	22	18	12	5	1
Rec. High (°F)	32	36	37	38	42	44	44	46	44	41	34	32
Rec. Low (°F)	-21	-21	-14	-4	2	8	13	11	3	-7	-10	-22
Rainfall (in)	33.0	38.0	48.0	61.0	94.0	77.0	56.0	52.0	73.0	72.0	40.0	36.0

Irving offers a moderate, year-round climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers. Irving's average annual temperature is 65°F, while January serves as its coldest month with an average high of 54°F and an average low of 33°F and July as its warmest month with an average high of 97°F and an average low of 74°F. Irving sees an average of 35 inches of rain each year, with the most occurring in the fall months, as well as an average of just three inches of snow per year.

Irving, TX Area Destinations

Dallas, TX	Addison, TX	Arlington, TX	Cultural District, Fort Worth, TX
Downtown Dallas, TX	Farmers Branch, TX	Fort Worth, TX	Frisco, TX
Garland, TX	Grand Prairie, TX	Grapevine, TX	Mesquite, TX
Richardson, TX	Stockyards, Fort Worth, TX	Sundance Square, Fort Worth, TX	Victory Park Dallas, TX

Meeting Planning in Irving, TX

Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas

Boasting a flexible, stacked design, the cutting-edge, 275,000-square-foot Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas can host several types of events concurrently. Opened in January 2011 and conveniently situated on a 40-acre tract in Irving's Las Colinas Urban Center, the center features almost 100,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, which includes a 50,000-square-foot, column-free exhibit hall, 20,000-square-foot ballroom and 20,000 square feet of breakout meeting space. The center's three main levels include an Exhibition Hall Level, which houses the 50,000-square-foot exhibit hall for up to 4,500 guests, as well as a show manager's office overlooking the show floor. The Meeting Rooms Level features pre-function space, a business center and 20 breakout rooms, each approximately 1,000 square feet, as well as eight meeting rooms grouped to create an 8,000-square-foot junior ballroom. The Ballroom Level spans a 20,000-square-foot ballroom and pre-function space, as well as offers south and east vistas to the Dallas skyline.

As Phase I of Las Colinas' multi-use entertainment district planned to include a convention center hotel, Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas is currently within 10 minutes of more than 75 hotels, as well as six miles east of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and attached to an 800-space parking facility. Delegates can easily reach the center via Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail service, which connects Las Colinas Urban Center and the Irving Convention Center with downtown Dallas and Dallas Love Field Airport; DART will connect the Las Colinas Urban Center with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport by 2014.

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Irving, TX Airport Information

Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW)

Approximate taxi fare: $32.66 USD

Conveniently located adjacent to Irving, the sprawling Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport serves approximately 158,000 daily passengers, providing service to 191 worldwide destinations. As an American Airlines hub, the five-terminal, 155-gate Dallas/Fort Worth International ranks fourth in operations and eighth in passengers worldwide. Passengers have their pick from more than 100 specialty shops and 120 food and beverage outlets, as well as two on-airport hotels, Grand Hyatt DFW and Hyatt Regency DFW. Dallas/Fort Worth International offers valet, terminal, express and remote parking options, as well as direct access to Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Trinity Railway Express public transportation service.

Airline carriers serving Dallas Fort Worth International Airport:

Aeromexico
Air Canada
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
American Eagle
British Airways
Cayman Airways

Delta Air Lines
Emirates
Frontier Airlines
jetBlue
Korean Air
KLM
Lufthansa

Qantas Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Sun Country Airlines
TACA Airlines
United Airlines
US Airways
Virgin America

Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)

Situated about 15 minutes outside of Irving, Dallas Love Field Airport serves as Dallas' "in-town airport," offering easy access to Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas. Serving as home base to Southwest Airlines, Dallas Love Field Airport operates more than 100 intrastate and regional flights daily, as well as offers a variety of on-airport dining and retail options. Passengers have access to 7,500 garage parking spaces, as well as Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) public transportation service.

Airline carriers serving Dallas Love Field Airport:

American Airlines
American Eagle

Continental Express Jet

Southwest Airlines

Irving, TX Public Transportation

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) operates daily commuter rail, bus, and light rail service throughout Dallas and 12 surrounding cities, including Irving. DART serves more than 220,000 daily passengers across a 700-square-mile service area, and runs to such landmarks as Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport. DART fare is $2.50 per ride for all buses and trains running between Dallas' Union Station and the CentrePort/DFW Airport Station, and $5 per ride for regional service. Passengers may purchase DART day passes, which cost $5 for local service and $10 for regional service. Delegates can easily reach the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas via Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail service, which connects Las Colinas Urban Center and the Irving Convention Center with downtown Dallas and Dallas Love Field Airport; DART will connect the Las Colinas Urban Center with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport by 2014.

Trinity Railway Express (TRE)

Operated by DART, Trinity Railway Express (TRE) connects downtown Dallas and Fort Worth with stops in the Mid-Cities and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Running Monday through Saturday, TRE operates along 34 miles of track and 10 stations, including two Irving stations. The Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing station, located at 201 Rock Island Road, and the West Irving Station at 4200 Jackson Street both connect with bus service. TRE fare is $2.50 per ride for service between Dallas' Union Station and the CentrePort/DFW Airport Station and $5 per ride between stations in Dallas County and Tarrant County.

Area Personal Transit System

A free elevated people mover that operates between four stations in Las Colinas, Irving's Area Personal Transit (APT) System makes it easy to get around the urban center's restaurants, offices, shops and canals. The APT operates Monday through Friday from 10:30 AM to 2 PM.

Amtrak (Dallas)

Dallas' Union Station, located at 400 South Houston Station, serves as the closest Amtrak station to Irving. Open daily from 9:15 AM to 4:30 PM, Union Station is served by Amtrak's Texas Eagle service, which runs daily between Chicago and San Antonio and offers connecting service between San Antonio and Los Angeles three times a week via the Sunset Limited route.

Greyhound

The Dallas Greyhound station, located at 205 South Lamar Street, serves Irving; the station is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Rental Cars

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport's Rental Car Center represents Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z Rent-A-Car, Hertz, National, Silvercar and Thrifty, while Dallas Love Field Airport houses rental car counters for ACE, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.

Taxis

Passengers traveling to Irving via Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport should expect to pay about $30 in taxi fare, while those traveling via Dallas Love Field Airport should expect to pay about $20.

Distance To...

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Wichita Falls, TX	121 mi	2 hrs 07 min	45m	USD $242+
Oklahoma City, OK	183 mi	3 hrs 2 min	1 hrs	USD $243+
Shreveport, LA	184 mi	3 hrs 2 min	1 hrs	USD $292+
Austin, TX	185 mi	3 hrs 7 min	1 hrs	USD $219+