Plano Travel and Things to Do Guide

A popular suburb just north of Dallas, Texas, Plano is quickly proving there is not just one shining star in the so-called Lone Star State. With a population of over 273,000 residents, Plano is the 9th largest city in Texas and has racked up an impressive set of well-deserved accolades. In 2010, Plano was number one on a list of "America's Safest Cities" compiled by Forbes magazine.

Praise for Plano as both a leisure and business destination is easily understood. The city offers convenient access, entertaining attractions, an impressive dining and nightlife scene and state-of-the-art meeting facilities. The Plano Centre is the premier convention venue in the city, offering 86,400 square feet of space on a beautifully-landscaped campus near Historic Downtown Plano. With column-free exhibit space, breakout rooms and banquet services, the Plano Centre is a perfect spot for any number of Plano conferences and meetings.

For smaller seminars and special banquets and galas, Plano also has several unique venues that provide plenty of space, top-notch amenities and a heaping dose of Texas charm. Just minutes outside of Plano, Southfork Ranch, famous for being the filming location of the hit television show Dallas, offers more than 63,000 square feet of elegant indoor space and acres of picturesque ranchland for events.

Within the city itself, groups and conventions can find plenty of spots to enjoy a post-conference cocktail reception or spend a weekend afternoon of team building. Plano's latest event space, event1013, resides in a 110-year-old building in the Historic Downtown District and features 3,800 square feet of versatile space, with catering and bar services and proximity to restaurants, hotels and a DART light rail station. Numerous downtown hotels and restaurants themselves offer ample private event space. The Marriott at Legacy Town Center, Bob's Steak & Chop House and Jasper's are among the places to meet and mingle with fine food and drinks.

Plano serves as the corporate headquarters for a number of sizeable and well-reputed organizations. Ericsson, Inc., Dell Services, JCPenney, Frito-Lay, HP Enterprise Services and Dr Pepper Snapple Group are among the companies calling Plano home. In addition, the schools in Plano rank as some of the highest in the nation, and two campuses of Collin College are in Plano.