Codi Missimo knows a thing or two about hosting meetings in Texas. As the National Sales Manager for the Grapevine CVB, Codi Missimo, works tirelessly to help her clients create the best meetings possible. From the sprawling Gaylord Texan, to the lovely Hotel Vin, there are a variety of places to host your next meeting in Grapevine. We sat down with Codi to learn why Grapevine is the premier destination for meetings in Texas and beyond!
What’s one thing you enjoy about Grapevine?
I love my job and I feel truly honored to represent a destination like Grapevine that lives and breathes hospitality. The warm and welcoming spirit of Grapevine is evident wherever you go. From the staff at the front desk to the smiling faces that greet you around every turn, visit once and you’ll understand why guests love coming to Grapevine.
What recent (and upcoming) developments in Grapevine are noteworthy for meeting planners?
It’s always been a wish of mine to have a marquee hotel that’s within walking distance to Historic Downtown Grapevine. My wish came true with the development of the Grapevine Main Station and its adjacent Hotel Vin, a six-story, 120-room Marriott Autograph Collection property.
Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine, the 42,000-square-foot Grapevine Main Station consists of Harvest Hall, a European-style food hall with seven globally-inspired kitchens; Third Rail, an indoor/outdoor entertainment and event venue; a 38,000-square-foot expansive outdoor plaza; and a 150-foot-tall Observation Tower with 360-degree views of the city. Steps away from the Trinity Metro TEX Rail platform is a 27-mile commuter line that offers a 10-minute ride to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport and also connects to downtown Fort Worth.
This development is an invaluable part of how our team will continue to connect people to Grapevine as a premier destination for meetings for years to come!
What makes Grapevine a convenient destination for meeting groups?
Being centrally located in the United States with proximity to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport is a major draw for meeting planners who are looking for convenience. Couple that with 1,800 daily flights and being less than a 2.5-hour flight from either coast, and getting to Grapevine is a breeze.
How has Grapevine been able to safely accommodate meetings and events since the pandemic began?
Grapevine has always been committed to the health and safety of our guests. In fact, we’re working collaboratively with all our hotels, attractions, meeting venues and historic Main Street to become accredited under the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC). The STAR Accreditation will ensure Grapevine continues to be a safe destination for meetings and beyond.
Our efforts were on display at an international level with MPI’s WEC conference in November of 2020 at Gaylord Texan. Each and every detail was covered to make our guests feel safe and welcome. The rave reviews from the attendees was a testament to our dedication and the hospitality that our destination is known for.
Can you tell us about a couple of recent successful meetings and events that were held in Grapevine?
One of my favorite recent events has to be Kubota Connect. Kubota’s National Convention welcomed dealers from all over North America, including stakeholders from Japan. Close to 2,300 attendees gathered for a memorable reception at the Cotton Belt Depot that included food and beverages from locally-owned businesses along Main Street.
What can attendees do in Grapevine when not in session?
We love to fire things up with our attendees at Vetro Glassblowing Studio. This group-friendly art studio is a must for those who want to see art come to life before your eyes. Don’t forget to enjoy the Urban Wine Trail with seven unique wine tasting rooms that will surely satisfy your palate.
Tell us something about Grapevine that would be of interest to groups but isn’t widely known.
You don’t need to head off to the country to get a dose of cowboy culture. In fact, Austin Ranch at Hilton DFW Lakes offers a dude ranch vibe without leaving the comforts of the big city.
I bet you didn’t know The Cowboys Golf Club is the only NFL-themed golf course in the country. Not only is it a fun and challenging course, but it’s possible you may run into a former Dallas Cowboy on the greens.
What makes Grapevine stand out as a meeting destination?
Grapevine has a down home charm with all the amenities that the big city has to offer. We have a clean, safe and walkable space for attendees to walk through and enjoy day or night.
And just when you thought Grapevine couldn’t get any better, there are still several notable projects in the future which will include two new full-service properties, an AC Hotel and a 300-room Renaissance property at Silver Lake Crossing. The new developments will add even more meeting space and an additional 500 new rooms that will be available soon!
To learn more, contact Codi Missimo at (817) 410-3533 and CMissimo@GrapevineTexasUSA.com
