Posts in Meetings & Groups

Category: Meetings & Groups

Two women talk at the registration table for Novi Summit 2026. There's a banner on the wall with an illustration of a campsite that reads, "Welcome to CAMP NOVI."

Q&A: Jenn Norman of Novi AMS

By Rachael Varner on Oct. 22, 2026

When professional associations require software to streamline operations, they turn to Novi AMS. When Novi AMS required a venue to host its annual conference, it turned to Visit The Woodlands. As VP of Customer Growth for Novi AMS, Jenn Norman manages the planning and execution of Novi Summit. For…

Fourteen people smile at the camera in front of a colorful Visit The Woodlands backdrop. From left: Ryan Greenwood, Vargo Williams, Rachael Varner, Ashley Fenner, Julie Quinn, Adam Lamb, Elizabeth Eddins, Nick Wolda, Cindy Heiser, Josie Lewis, Amber Parsley, Carla Twidell, Andrea Day, and Brooklyn Newell.

How It Began: Meetings & Conventions in The Woodlands

By Rachael Varner on Oct. 15, 2026

Flower arranging, live portrait painting, monogrammed bookmarks, and stationary for writing letters to one’s future self. These are just a few of the activations that Visit The Woodlands coordinated for An Afternoon in Bloom, the opening reception for LeadHERship LIVE: A Texas Women’s Conference…

How It Began: Vonlane in The Woodlands

By Rachael Varner on Jun. 18, 2026

Two cracked windshields in three years—that is ultimately why Vonlane pulled into The Woodlands. As Executive Director for Visit The Woodlands, Elizabeth Eddins travels extensively to entice business leaders to host their meetings and conventions in The Woodlands. Frustrated with the wear and tear…

The Lunar Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands Texas. A large ballroom is packed full of students and researchers of astronomy looking at each other's poster presentations. The central figure is a man in a tan jacket and checkered newsboy cap.

Q&A: Jamie Shumbera of the Lunar and Planetary Institute

By Rachael Varner on Feb. 19, 2026

Since 1970, the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) has been a hotbed for the field of astronomy. Every March, up to 2,000 planetary experts and students gather from around the world to share their research, discuss new theories, and plan future projects to better understand Earth’s solar…

A drone shot of The Westin and The Woodlands Towers at dusk. Surrounding buildings and trees along The Waterway glow with soft golden lights.

Q&A: Kim Lowe, Director of Visit The Woodlands

By Rachael Varner on Oct. 23, 2025

Kim Lowe has been a trailblazer of the hospitality industry for more than 30 years. Since joining The Woodlands community in 2007, she has spearheaded the development of two luxury hotels and ushered a third to new heights. Now Complex Director of Sales for The Westin, Embassy Suites, and The…

Three business leaders chat over dinner at a fancy restaurant. On the left are a white woman in a tan blazer and a black man in a gray suit. On the right is a white man in a navy suit. The table is set with steak, chicken, salad, and alcoholic drinks. A floor-to-ceiling wine display is on the wall behind them.

Plan Your Best Meeting with Visit The Woodlands

By Rachael Varner on Sep. 25, 2025

Do you want to host a meeting that everyone will be talking about? The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau (dba: Visit The Woodlands) is an excellent resource when it comes to planning a memorable event. From booking the hotel that best suits your needs to coordinating unforgettable…

The camera focuses on a play area within The Woodlands Children's Museum. The walls are painted with cartoon-like waves, a pirate ship, a giant octopus, and a smiling sun. In the back, there is a red-and-white striped lighthouse. On the right, there is part of a farmer's market exhibit visible.

Why The Woodlands: Blissful Waters, Children's Museum & More

By Rachael Varner on Jun. 30, 2025

The search for a place to call home has led many to discover The Woodlands. The close-knit community, the peaceful walking trails, and the vibrant shopping and dining scene have drawn in residents and visitors alike, but we were curious to hear from business leaders: Why The Woodlands? Melody…

The camera focuses on an expertly plated meal at The Waterway Marriott. It features a nearly rare steak, cut into strips, and it's topped with a BBQ-like sauce, long and skinny mushrooms, orange flower petals, and sprouts. It is served with several cooked carrots (yellow and orange) and cooked cauliflower, and it's served on a thick yellow saffron sauce.

Q&A: Michael Batke, Executive Chef of The Waterway Marriott

By Rachael Varner on Jun. 26, 2025

Michael Batke has been a shining star of the culinary world for over 30 years. After earning early acclaim with a Red Seal certification, he led kitchens in five-star hotels across North America, opened his own restaurant, and even cooked for royalty during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Since making The…

The camera reveals a wide-angle shot of the Xalisko dining room and bar from the front left corner of the building. There are a number of solid wooden tables that seat and are plated for four. The bar is covered in white, brown, and turquoise tiles shaped like flowers. In the back right of the frame is the rest of the dining room. The back wall features images of colorful corn cobs. On the ceiling is a long art piece of many interconnecting crocheted hexagonal panels. The panels alternate in colors of turquoise, lime green, dark forest green, and orange.

Why The Woodlands: Amrina, TSAE & Xalisko

By Rachael Varner on Feb. 20, 2025

The camera faces the Memorial Hermman The Woodlands Medical Center's "Proud Souls" art bench, which looks like two large metal waves or wings spreading inward over the bench. Sitting on the bench is Linda Nelson and her husband. Behind and around them are their three children with their partners and seven children. Everyone is dressed in dressy-casual clothes in some shade of white, gray, or pale blue, and everyone (except a few runaway toddlers) is smiling and waving at the camera. In the background is The Woodlands Waterway and a beautiful wooded area on the opposite shore.

Q&A: Linda Nelson, Chairman of Visit The Woodlands

By Rachael Varner on Feb. 18, 2025

Linda Nelson knew The Woodlands would be her family’s forever home when they moved from Houston in 1992. Since then, she has wholeheartedly dedicated herself to her community, taking on pivotal roles with Leadership Montgomery County, The Woodlands Township, March of Dimes and The Woodlands and…