If you would like to find out more about what we offer for incentives and events management in Texas, please get in touch as we’ve just given you a mere taster of what we can do in this vast state.
For more information, please give us a call on +44 (0)203 131 2623 or enquire here.

Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, Austin

Diners are in for an experience to remember here at Stubb’s, one of the most entertaining venues in the state. Even thinking about the food makes us drool. With meat falling off the bone, it simply is to-die-for. If the food alone wasn’t enough, the entertainment sure creates the ultimate package. One of its specialities are the Sunday Gospel Brunches with live gospel music and its world-renowned buffet featuring items such as southern-style grits, fried catfish and their famous BBQ brisket. Top it all off at the ‘make your own’ Bloody Mary bar. Stubb’s knows how to throw a party and be warned: they have been known to pull guests up onto stage for a sing-along…

Republic of Texas Steakhouse, Corpus Christi

Not only is the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel Bayfront Tower one of our favourite hotels in Texas, it also houses one of our top dining destinations. Situated on the 20^th floor it showcases unbeatable panoramic views over the beautiful coastline. The Republic of Texas Bar & Grill is universally agreed to be one of Corpus Christi’s most regarded treasures and promises an unforgettable evening. This is also a prime drinking spot with an award winning wine list. The Piano Lounge is the perfect setting for sipping on some cocktails and enjoying the captivating sunset over the bay.

French Room, Dallas

If you’re after exquisite dining in Downtown Dalllas, there’s no better place than the French Room in the extravagant Adolphus Hotel. In fact, it has been voted that there’s nowhere better throughout America! Having been awarded the coveted AAA Five Diamond Award for 23 consecutive years – the only restaurant in Texas to hold this high designation – the restaurant has been described as “a Louis XV fantasy on the prairie…indisputably the most striking and sumptuous restaurant in Dallas.” Here, internationally trained chefs create distinctive cosmopolitan dishes that compete with the finest restaurants throughout the world.

Margarita Bar and Iron Cactus, Dallas

Iron Cactus makes a great urban venue for special dining events. Overlooking the famous Pegasus Plaza, the restaurant itself is comprised of three stories of Texas limestone, glass, steel and a remarkable rooftop patio with a waterfall and 22-foot chandelier. Iron Cactus offers numerous dining options – two dining rooms on the ground floor, The Tapas Bar and cocktail lounge on the second floor, and a skyline dining experience on the rooftop – all tailored to different group sizes and different moods. With a truly traditional Mexican feel, the upscale cuisine assembles tastes from various regions throughout Mexico and the Southwest. If you’re after a special themed evening, Iron Cactus’ murder mystery dinners and casino nights cannot be topped.

The Margarita Bar at Iron Cactus is well worth a visit alone, promising a great view over Downtown Dallas. The bar serves signature margaritas and tequila-influenced cocktails, including ‘El Agave’, named the best margarita in Dallas. With a selection of over 100 tequilas, it is clear to see that Margarita Bar sure knows its drinks.

The Living Room at W Hotel, Dallas

The Living Room at the world-renowned W Hotel can best be described as ‘cowboy cool’; with an art wall covered in cowboy and horse figurines, a sleek lounge area, and a DJ booth pumping out the tunes later on in the night, this bar provides something for everyone. Showcasing some of the most delicious cocktails in Texas, guests can sip under the stars taking their drinks out onto the trendy terrace.

BEST OF THE REST:

• Underbelly, Houston
• La Condesa, Austin
• House of Blues, Dallas

Wildcatter Ranch, just west of Dallas & Fort Worth

Located only 90 miles northwest of Fort Worth, the ranch encompasses 4000 acres of unspoilt wilderness. Built on one on the tallest hills around, Wildcatter Ranch boasts impressive panoramic vistas of the hills, valleys and the Brazos River. Over the years the area has starred in numerous western movies, including those of John Wayne, the ultimate cowboy. Opening its doors in 2005, it fast became pinned as one of Texas’ top resorts. Built with the outdoor enthusiast in mind, this is a perfect destination for your next corporate meeting or group incentive, with a tonne of adventurous activities on offer. As well as canoeing, golfing, mountain biking and fishing, here you can also try your hand at archery, to see if you are as good as the American Indians who once inhabited the area, or don those cowboy boots and hat and head down to the stables to enjoy the trail up to Kisinger Mountain, before heading back to the resort to relax in the hot tub and pool or hit the Sage Spa for a massage.

Hotel ZaZa, Houston & Dallas

The Hotel ZaZa brand successfully blends the best of business travel with the luxury and sensuality of a boutique urban hotel. With every glamorous room uniquely decorated with creative and exciting prints and furniture, guests are in for an unexpected feast for all senses. Found in both the fashionable Uptown Arts District of Dallas and in the heart of the vibrant Houston Museum District, both Hotel ZaZa resorts provide award-winning restaurants and are found in excellent locations to enjoy buzzing nightlife. Whether you stay for work or pleasure, Hotel ZaZa promises to provide an enriching experience, with some of the funnest and most colourful rooms we have ever seen.

The Adolphus, Dallas

Named one of the top 10 hotels in America is The Adolphus, long known as the grandest of the Dallas luxury hotels. Since beer baron Adolphus Busch opened its doors in 1912, and for years being the tallest building in the state, this baroque masterpiece continues as a reminder of early twentieth century extravagance. Here you will witness a flamboyant celebration of the past in this historic Downtown Dallas palace, combining luxury, elegance and grandeur. Every guest is treated like royalty, just like the many guests who preceded them – from Queen Elizabeth II to U2, Donald Trump, and Oscar de la Renta. The hotel also boasts the exquisite French Room, named one of ‘America’s Top Tables’.

Lake Austin Spa & Resort, Austin

Awarded North America’s Number 1 Destination Spa, Lake Austin Spa & Resort provides the definitive relaxation experience, set in some of Texas’ most beautiful grounds. Surrounded by tranquil waters and lush gardens, guests can fully unwind and escape the everyday stresses with over 100 spa treatments and dozens of classes to choose from. But don’t be fooled by the calm exterior, there are also plenty of exciting adventures to embark on for group incentives. Cross creeks on a scenic canyon hike, kayak down Lake Austin for a wonderful way to enjoy the fresh air, or come onboard the resort’s own cruise boat for a scenic trip along Lake Austin’s shores and venture to a nearby cove where you will then step ashore to explore the beautiful parklands. Wouldn’t that be a picture-perfect setting for a corporate meeting or gala dinner?

Omni Corpus Christi Hotel Bayfront Tower, Corpus Christi

Located in the lively Marina District of Corpus Christi, this Four Diamond hotel offers exquisitely elegant suites with spectacular views over the beautiful Corpus Christi bay, Texas’ top coastal destination. Situated along Texas’ 131 miles of coastline, the hotel is just minutes away from a plethora or water sports activities including snorkeling, sailing and some of the world’s best deep-sea fishing. The hotel also boasts a glamorous ballroom ready for a gala dinner to remember, and two of the area’s top dining destinations. Most notably is the brilliant Republic of Texas Steakhouse, located on the 20^th floor of the Bayfront Tower, offering an unforgettable dining experience with unbeatable panoramic views over the Corpus Christi bay.

Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion, Dallas

Discover one of Dallas’ most luxurious Four Diamond hotels, ideally situated just minutes from the city’s infamous shopping meccas, the Dallas Convention Centre and nearby the city’s top sporting venues. The hotel’s landmark 50-storey tower offers unparalleled views over Dallas’ spectacular skyline. If this wasn’t enough, its 30,000 square foot ballroom would make an exceptional venue for a corporate event, making it one of the most popular business hotels in Texas.

BEST OF THE REST:

• Joule Hotel, Dallas
• W Dallas Victory Hotel, Dallas
• The Westin Stonebriar Resort, just outside Downtown Dallas

November 2012 saw Austin’s The Circuit of The Americas host the US Grand Prix for the first time. After this year’s huge success, this is now settled as one of Texas’ biggest events and top attractions. Some of 2013’s events include the MotoGP Championship (April 19-21) and the V8 Supercars Championship (May 17-19), not forgetting the Formula 1 US Grand Prix again (November 15-17). Offering exclusive tickets and VIP access to legendary experiences at the Circuit, this would make an unforgettable highlight to a Texan incentive trip, getting right into the heart of the racing action. This year saw a tonne of events leading up to race day including festivals celebrating the sport and racing spirit with live music, food and fun, as well as a spectacular official after party in the Texas State History museum. You can be sure that every year will continue in such exciting style, making it a top destination to entertain your top achievers.

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Being the original cowboy state, Texas sure knows how to throw a rodeo. Houston Rodeo is one of the state’s finest and sees the best riders in America descend on Texas for 3 weeks (coming February 25 – March 17 2013) for one of the most entertaining events the country has to offer. Houston’s Rodeo boasts Rodeo’s greatest athletes, world-renowned entertainers, and some of the best food Texas has to offer, all amid a fun carnival atmosphere with games and rides. In 2012 the Houston livestock show had over 25,000 entries and saw over 60,000 spectators descend on the ground each night to witness rodeo at its finest.

SXSW Music Festival

The music scene throughout Texas is incredible. It all converges in Austin every March for the world-renowned, hotly anticipated South by Southwest festival, celebrating all things music. The SXSW Music & Media Conference returns for its 27^th year in 2013. By day, thousands of people attend the SXSW Trade Show conferences within the Austin Convention Center listening to discussions from some of the industry’s key players. By night, over 200 global musicians take to the stage, including both upcoming unsigned acts and world-famous household names. Following in the epic footsteps of last year’s Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl will give the keynote speech at next year’s festival. While the music festival dates March 12-17, Austin also hosts interactive displays (March 8-12) and film showcases (March 8-16). After last year drawing in some of the largest crowds the festival has ever witnessed with some of the best hip-hop and alternative artists around, 2013 is set to be yet another unforgettable year with a lot to prove.

Sporting Seasons in Dallas

Take your pick from Texas’ sporting greats, year-round. Whether that be watching the NHL Dallas Stars defend their title (Oct – April), the NBA Dallas Mavericks stepping up to the next level (October – April), the MLB Texas Rangers (March – Dec), the NFL Dallas Cowboys (Sep – Dec) or the NFL Dallas Cowboys break even more records (August – Dec), there is a game for everyone at any time of year. It is easy to see why Dallas has been named the number one US city for sports, being one of the cities to host all five sports, making it one of the world’s greatest destinations for sporting enthusiasts – perfect for an incentive trip wanting to catch some action.

Commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of JFK’s Assassination in Dallas

22^nd November 1963 saw the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dealey Plaza, Dallas – one of America’s principal bits of history. Next year Dallas is planning major commemorations to mark the 50^th anniversary of his death. Not only will a major public memorial ceremony take place in the spot of his death at Dealey Plaza, but throughout Texas events and tours will be held in his honour. One of the most talked about is the ‘Hotel Texas: An Art Exhibit for the President and Mrs John F. Kennedy’. This art show will recreate the private exhibition that was set up in JFK’s hotel suite in Hotel Texas, where he spent his final night. The exhibition is set to open at the Dallas Museum of Art May 26^th 2013, before travelling west to the Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, where it will be on display until January 12^th 2014. With a strong arts and gallery culture throughout Texas, the anniversary year is set to open its doors to even more visitors and culture displays.

BEST OF THE REST:

• Star of the Texas Fair and Rodeo, Austin (March 8-23 2013)
• Auditorium Shores, Austin (March 29-30 2013)
• Austin Film Festival, Austin (October 18-25 2013)

Texas offers a unique alternative to the better-known American destinations of New York and LA, without any compromise; much more for your money, a safe place with high standard of living, and some of the friendliest people in the country. The cowboy state provides a slice of the real America delivered in a way that is easily accessible to incentive groups and conferences. The state’s major geographical and cultural contrasts ensure something for all types of group with plenty of varied activities – from surfing and horse-riding along the beach in Corpus Christi, or watching the unexplained phenomenon that is the Marfa Lights in the cool and trendy Marfa, to trekking through the remote Big Bend National Park and living like cowboys in Fort Worth. Texas is also somewhat-surprisingly renowned for its impressive shopping, making it one of the state’s greatest assets. Shop tax-free in any one of Texas’ huge malls, promising a far more relaxing shopping experience compared to New York for example.

While Dallas, Houston and Austin are Texas’ most talked about destinations, the state has plenty more to offer if you’re after colourful culture or tranquillity by the beach. San Antonio is arguably Texas’ most fascinating city. Being where Mexicans first settled, the area still boasts a strong Mexican culture with some of the state’s most delicious cuisines. Galveston Bay is also worth a trip, just south of Houston. The quiet coastline of Kemah (meaning ‘wind in my face’ in Indian) is a relaxing destination with a constant breeze and endless entertainment, offering water sports, exquisite dining, boundless shopping, and some of Texas’ most relaxed inhabitants. From here you can also enjoy a picture-perfect cruise out to explore Galveston Island.

The sports mecca that is Dallas has also been named the number one US city for sports, being one of the country’s only cities to host all five sports. With the NBA Mavericks, the NHL Stars, NFL Cowboys, and the MLB Rangers, groups will find plenty to cheer for. The new Formula 1 Circuit of the Americas has just firmly established Texas as one of the world’s greatest destinations for sporting enthusiasts, making it an exceptional choice for group incentives keen to catch some action.

We hope you are all well and have recovered from your adventure in Berlin!

Can we ask you to spare a few minutes to let us know your thoughts on the whole experience, as it is really important to us at The Black Tomato Agency and at Lyreco that we learn from every event we operate, so that we can continue to improve and build on the success of the previous trips.

You can either fill in the form below to leave feedback or email Clemmie Stanley or Carol Shinton directly.

Many thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

The Black Tomato Agency.

We hope you are all well and have recovered from your adventure in Marrakech!

Can we ask you to spare a few minutes to let us know your thoughts on the whole experience, as it is really important to us at The Black Tomato Agency and at Virgin Media that we learn from every event we operate, so that we can continue to improve and build on the success of the previous Cream Incentives.

You can either fill in the form below to leave feedback or email Clemmie Stanley or Chris Holmes directly.

Many thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

The Cream Incentive Team.

In need of some destination inspiration?

Dubai is a great choice for groups that require a varied programme. If you are looking for a city/desert/beach option, the sprawling urban metropolis of Dubai set against the desert backdrop, coupled with beautiful beaches is a great option.

Get involved in a number of high-octane activities as well as a good amount of chill-out time.

For further details on this incentive or any other, do give us a call on give us a call on or enquire here.

Marketing Internship (3 months)

Do you want to get some experience in a dynamic and creative incentive agency? Do you love travel? Are you a marketing guru in the making?

If the answer is yes to these three, we’d like to hear from you. It would also be handy if you have:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• An eye for detail
• Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe experience
• Word Press skills
• Social media experience (Twitter, Facebook)
• A general can-do approach to life!

2016 – RIO DE JANEIRO

• We will organise a totally bespoke Olympic programme for the 2016 games. With our in depth knowledge of the region, we will work in all the top city activities coupled with VIP tickets to all the big events.
• A full day sailing experience – where your delegates will be taken on an unforgettable sailing experience through the same waters that will host the Olympic sailors in 2016.
• Many of the players who make up the Brazilian football Olympic team honed their football skills on Copacabana Beach. Your delegates will head there to watch the talented locals show off their skills and even get a chance to take them on in a game.
• Head to Ipanema Beach, where the Olympic volleyball will be held. We will organise a private lesson from one of the city’s top volleyball coaches.
• For a unique experience that few tourists get to do, we can arrange a visit to Sugar Loaf mountain, where your delegates will be able to climb up the rock face for a truly thrilling day, with simply jaw-dropping views below.
• No trip to Rio would be complete without its electrifying nightlife. In the evenings we can escort the group across the city with access the hottest Samba clubs for the chance to party in true Latin style.

2020 – ISTANBUL

• A treasure hunt in the Grand Bazaar; the world’s biggest bazaar with over 4000 shops and 300 small streets. Explore this enormous market in groups, with each team competing to achieve set tasks including bartering for certain souvenirs, belly dancing lessons with a local and a spicy culinary challenge. With its rich collection of handmade carpets, jewellery, leather and souvenirs, the group will also have time for a spot of shopping too.
• Depart from Istanbul and head out to the Princess Islands on magnificent sailing boats. With a professional sailing teacher for each boat, every delegate will be able to try their hand at re-enacting that ‘Ben Ainslie’ gold medal moment.
• Head to a traditional Turkish bath to get a rub down like an Olympic champion.

2020 – TOKYO

• Take a visit to a Traditional Fish Market with a top end Sushi chef. Join him on his daily morning shopping trip choosing the catch of the day. That evening head to the restaurant and sample the freshest sashimi & sushi imaginable.
• Get front row seats at one of Japan’s most ancient sports, Sumo Wrestling match. Watch these giants take part in this ancient sport, getting to grips with all the rules and traditional skills required to out-wit your opponent.
• Get your group to take part in a traditional Tea Ceremony. Understanding the country’s culture and tradition is a fantastic element to any incentive in Japan.

2020 – MADRID

• We will sort out tickets to the hottest football game at the iconic Bernabeu Stadium including VIP hospitality, private box, and waitress service. You will not only get a private tour of the stadium, but we can also arrange for you to meet with the players after the game.
• No trip to Madrid would be complete without a visit to the famous Prado Museum. We will organise a private viewing of the latest exhibition with a champagne reception.
• Brush up on your basketball skills and have a master-class from some of the Men’s Basketball silver medallists from the London 2012 Games. From dunking to lay ups, you will shoot hoops with some of the greatest athletes alive today.