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Worthy Convos: Visit Fort Worth on New Ideas
Visit Fort Worth is like the impassioned mascot on the sidelines of every game. Come rain or shine, this organization is cheering on its city, pumping up the fan base and looking to convert a few skeptics all the while. This marketing powerhouse has doubtlessly helped Fort Worth secure its rankings as the 12th largest city in the country and the fastest growing city to boot (pun intended), which explains why The Unexpected City was not so unexpectedly chosen to host the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) New Ideas Conference last month. For three days, hundreds of executives from all industries gathered to exchange information against the backdrop of a city that’s leading the charge for Texas.
Why was Fort Worth the perfect city to host this year’s TSAE New Ideas Conference?
The timing was perfect to experience Omni Fort Worth’s renovation, new hotels, like Hotel Drover, and the Mule Alley development was the perfect stage for the kick-off the welcome event in the Stockyards. Fort Worth was slated to host in 2020 and we’re so glad TSAE rebooked so we could highlight all the new, unexpected amenities we have to offer.
TSAE represents the association industry. Who are members of this industry?
TSAE represents the association industry across the state, which contributes roughly $3 billion to the Texas economy every year and supports over 124,000 jobs. The New Ideas Conference brings together C-suite professionals, meeting and marketing experts representing a vast array of industries as well as affiliate partners.
What were the numbers from this year’s conference?
This year’s New Ideas Conference attendance was 522 attendees, the second highest attendance ever. Fort Worth was a big draw.
What part of this year’s programming was especially inspiring?
The opening night party took place in Mule Alley, and a day of excursions featured attractions across the city including the Fort Worth Zoo, National Cowgirl Museum and Acre Distilling Co.
It’s always inspiring to see association professionals dedicated to professional development and TSAE’s innovative nature allows for collaborative learning and tangible takeaways.
How in recent years has Visit Fort Worth helped promote and guide the growth of this city?
As one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., Visit Fort Worth’s role is to continue to raise the profile of Fort Worth on a large scale to support and grow the visitor economy – a $3.6 billion annual economic impact supporting more than 30,000 jobs. There are more reasons than ever before to visit Fort Worth – conventions, sports, music, art, shopping, recreation, western heritage and more. We work with our partners to enhance visitor experiences, focus on facility needs and support transportation infrastructure to increase connectivity. We also work with local neighborhoods and stakeholders to understand how tourism can benefit people who live here. All of this to ensure that tourism remains a vital part of our economy.
If you have a first-time visitor in town, where do you like to take them?
It’s hard to list one spot but the Fort Worth Stockyards are a must! It’s where the West began and now the Modern West is exemplified. You can experience the twice-daily cattle drive, dine in local restaurants and two-step to local artists. Some unexpected, hidden gems are the five world-class museums located in the cultural district or the Near Southside neighborhood filled with local merchants and eclectic restaurants.
Any other big events coming up for your organization?
Phase I of the Convention Center expansion is underway, and we are excited for future meetings and events. In 2024, we have big sports coming to town, leading up to the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Especially the USA Gymnastics Championships at Dickies Arena. And we should soon learn more about how the 2026 World Cup will take shape in Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington.
