A rendering of the future Austin Convention Center, which will feature new pedestrian streetscapes and green spaces. Photo courtesy Austin Convention Center.
Austin has always been synonymous with innovation. Now, that spirit is reshaping how the city welcomes meetings. A new world-class Austin Convention Center is well underway, set to transform its surrounding urban landscape. But even more is unfolding in the sky, on the water, and in the neighborhoods attendees will be strolling through in between sessions. Here’s a closer look at six exciting developments transforming Austin into a next-generation premier meetings destination.
1. New Flights
Delta is launching a new nonstop flight from Austin to Paris in March 2027, adding another direct connection to continental Europe alongside British Airways (BA), Lufthansa, and KLM. And on the ground? Delta and Southwest are investing heavily in Austin-Bergstrom International, with a new terminal with 20-plus gates expected to open around 2030, followed by 12 additional gates planned for 2030 to 2035 to accommodate the airport’s continued growth.
Fair Market offers an indoor-outdoor event space on Austin’s Eastside. Photo courtesy Nick Simonite.
2. New Hotels and Off-site Venues
Austin’s newest hotels are raising the bar for group stays. 1 Hotel Austin pairs serious style with serious function, with scenic lake views, a rooftop pool, and more than 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Launching in late 2026, Hotel Trinity, the city’s only downtown Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, will offer 258 luxury rooms and residential-style amenities. Beyond the hotels, planners can tap the new AEG arena (opening 2027) or Austin City Limits’ Moody Theater for fresh options for everything from arena-scale events to intimate buyouts.
3. The World’s First “Zero Carbon Convention Center”
Unconventional ATX, the $1.6-billion redevelopment of the Austin Convention Center, remains on time and on budget for its grand reopening in 2029. The project is targeting a headline distinction as the world’s first “Zero Carbon Certified convention center,” with an all-electric building — including the kitchen — powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Developers are also pursuing LEED Platinum, the highest level of green-building certification, recognizing exceptional energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable design.
The Confluence on Waller Creek, which runs between 4th Street and Lady Bird Lake, features an 800-foot-long boardwalk and pedestrian paths. Photo courtesy Roger Ho.
4. A 13-acre Urban Park and Trail System
This summer, Austin unveiled the second phase of Waterloo Greenway, a 13-acre stretch of trails, bridges, and green space called The Confluence. It connects Rainey Street, a lively strip of bars and restaurants just east of downtown, directly to scenic Lady Bird Lake. The revamped waterfront district gives planners a walkable extension of downtown for receptions and breaks.
5. A Streamlined and Reimagined Sixth Street
After a public design process, Austin is reimagining historic Old Sixth as a more walkable, all-day entertainment district. Plans call for wider sidewalks, space for outdoor cafés, and shade trees, all while preserving the corridor’s iconic character. The transformation is already moving forward: private restoration projects are currently underway to bring new restaurants and businesses to the street in 2027, complementing major public streetscape construction set to begin that same year.
6. A Growing Medical and Life Sciences Ecosystem
Austin’s growing reputation as a leader in health care innovation just got a major boost from a $1-billion commitment from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. The investment is helping create the UT Dell Campus for Advanced Research and UT Dell Medical Center, an AI-native medical facility where health care, research, and technology converge. The new complex will also house UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, while the recently opened Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital adds 178 beds for expanded maternal and neonatal services.
Explore more new and notable developments in Austin at austintexas.org
