Trade Show News

The Hilton Palacio del Rio, located directly across from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on San Antonio's River Walk, is highlighted as an exceptional venue for conferences. It offers modern conveniences and an ideal location for business events, including the International Conference on Business Innovation and Strategic Leadership (ICBISL). The hotel's proximity to the convention center makes it a key hospitality asset for the city's meeting industry.

In preparation for future annual meetings, San Antonio has secured approximately 2,400 hotel rooms across four hotels, with 600 rooms each, indicating the city's capacity and planning for large conventions.

San Antonio's walkable convention district, centered around the Henry B. González Convention Center and the River Walk, offers significant advantages for meeting planners. The proximity of hotels, restaurants, attractions, and venues simplifies logistics, reduces transportation costs, and enhances the attendee experience by providing flexibility and easy access to the city's offerings.

Hotel Contessa in San Antonio, a freshly renovated all-suite hotel on the Riverwalk, is highlighted for its more than 10,000 square feet of event space across 15 unique venues. The hotel is positioned as ideal for team-building events, brainstorming sessions, and multi-day meetings, offering views of downtown and the River Walk.

A Facebook post from October 5, 2026, references the "2026 Cobblestone Hotels Conference San Antonio," suggesting a recent or ongoing event for hotel owners. This indicates activity within the hospitality sector relevant to the trade show industry.

TSNN's October roundup of trade show industry personnel moves highlights Annette Gregg's appointment as the first female CEO of the World Trade Centers Association. Other notable changes include Lisa Staszewski joining AVIXA as Show Director, bolstering its 2027 trade show lineup.

UT San Antonio has formed a task force to develop recommendations for a new School of Hospitality, aiming to expand educational opportunities and support the city's growing hospitality, tourism, and events industry. The initiative builds on the success of the existing Hospitality and Events Management program and seeks to prepare students for careers in the field.

Hundreds of skilled trades professionals recently gathered in San Antonio for the Nexstar Network 2026 Super Meeting, focusing on leadership, financial strategy, and emerging technology in trades businesses. Additionally, new 'San Antonio Trade Shows + Networking Mixers' are being launched for construction and real estate professionals to foster networking and business growth.

Casandra Matej, former President and CEO of Visit San Antonio and Executive Director of the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, was recognized as one of Orlando Magazine's 50 Most Powerful People in Orlando in her current role as President and CEO of Visit Orlando. Her career includes leading complex destination marketing programs in San Antonio and other major cities.

Hundreds of skilled trades professionals convened in San Antonio for the Nexstar Network 2026 Super Meeting. The four-day event, themed 'Design What's Next,' featured educational sessions and discussions on leadership, financial strategy, hiring, culture, and emerging technologies relevant to trades businesses. This gathering aimed to address issues shaping the future of the industry.

The TIADA Conference & Expo, organized by the Texas Independent Automobile Dealers Association, is scheduled for 2027 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. This premier event will cover a range of topics including marketing, financial mastery, BHPH strategies, OCCC compliance updates, and the application of AI in collections.

Kawacon, a San Antonio anime and gaming convention, announced on October 9, 2026, its decision to cease operations for the foreseeable future after five years. Organizers expressed heavy hearts, noting that the event had grown into a thriving community that brought thousands together through their shared love of fandom. The last Kawacon event was held in July 2026 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

The Academy of Business Research Fall 2026 International Conference is scheduled to be held at the Drury Plaza on the San Antonio Riverwalk. Abstract submissions were due by September 15, 2026, with acceptance decisions made by September 22, 2026, indicating an upcoming academic business event.

The Grand Hyatt San Antonio is set to host several key conferences in late 2026, including the 2026 IEEE International Test Conference from October 13-15, and the ASPPA Annual 2026 from October 18-20. Additionally, the 2026 Annual R3 Conference and Innovation Expo is scheduled for November 18-19, indicating a busy season for the hotel's convention business.

The Expo San Antonio Conference is scheduled for December 3-4, 2026, at the Hilton Palacio Del Rio. This premier event aims to bring together industry leaders and innovators from various sectors to explore the latest trends and developments, offering keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.

San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh announced changes to Project Marvel, the downtown sports and entertainment complex, including the removal of a proposed parking garage and highway connection. The project still includes makeovers for the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and Alamodome, with consultants estimating a $9.4 billion economic impact over 30 years, primarily from convention, hotel, and housing growth.

San Antonio's Henry B. González Convention Center is planning a significant expansion, aiming to add 200,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit hall space, bringing the total to 700,000 square feet. This expansion would enable the city to host two large conventions simultaneously, enhancing its competitiveness with other major cities. The project, funded by hotel occupancy taxes and state hotel revenues, is considered a cornerstone of a broader Sports & Entertainment District strategy.

A proposed expansion of the Henry B. González Convention Center aims to add 200,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit hall space, increasing the total to 700,000 square feet. This expansion would allow San Antonio to host two large conventions simultaneously, significantly boosting tourism and the local economy. The project is slated to be funded through hotel occupancy taxes and state hotel revenues.

San Antonio is planning a multi-billion dollar Sports & Entertainment District, which includes an expanded convention center with exhibit space set to triple and a 1,000-room hotel tower. The first phase, encompassing the arena and convention center, is targeted for completion within five years.

San Antonio is embarking on a multi-billion dollar Sports & Entertainment District, a downtown transformation that includes a new Spurs arena, an expanded convention center with exhibit space tripling in size, and a 1,000-room hotel tower. The first phase, encompassing the arena and convention center, is targeted for completion within five years.