Galveston: an Island adventure.

Galveston's charm is evident throughout the island, but its revitalized downtown is where guests really find out how delightful it can be.

Galveston's historic downtown is home to two of the island's most precious treasures--The Strand National Historic Landmark District and the Post Office Street Arts and Entertainment District.

The Strand offers a variety of unique shops and factory outlets within walking distance of each other that offer everything from antiques and vintage jewelry to art and clothing. Just three blocks away is the Post Office Street Arts and Entertainment District, offering even more shops and art galleries--all housed in brightly colored historic buildings. The historic districts also offer more than 50 restaurants.

The big news for the Galveston meetings package is that city officials recently approved a plan for a $30 million convention center to be built on the beachfront. The 114,000-square-foot Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort will open by the end of 2003 with 40,000 square feet of meeting space, a 15,000-square-foot ballroom, and 14 breakout rooms.

The 241-room San Luis Resort recently opened a $2.2 million day spa, salon, and fitness center offering a wide array of topnotch health and beauty services.

MOODY GARDENS: A TROPICAL GARDEN PARADISE

Moody Gardens is the ideal getaway destination for a variety of meetings. The lush tropical paradise, located on Galveston Island only 45 minutes south of Houston, offers luxury meeting facilities and outstanding leisure attractions.

The new Aquarium at Moody Gardens has quickly become one of the resort's favorite places for group functions. The $50 million, three-level pyramid is one of the world's largest aquariums with more than 1.5 million gallons of seawater housing in excess of 10,000 aquatic creatures.

"We host associations and other group functions at the aquarium every week," says Jamie Sheehan, director of sales and marketing for the Moody Gardens Hotel next door. "We can host a private function for 200 or up to 800 guests in the entire aquarium."

The heart of the Moody Gardens meetings package is the Moody Gardens Hotel. The elegant hotel, which opened in 2000, impresses guests from the moment they enter the front lobby with its cascading waterfalls and colorful tropical plants. The hotel features 303 guest rooms, the 15,000-square-foot Frances Anne Moody Ballroom, flexible meeting rooms, business center, and fine dining. The hotel also has an exotic outdoor pool with swim-up bar and waterfalls, as well as a full-service salon, spa, and extensive fitness center.

Directly connected to the hotel is the Galveston Island Convention Center at Moody Gardens, which features 37,500 square feet of exhibit space and 9,500 square feet of meeting rooms.