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Tyler Conventions & the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center
Tyler's geographic location, and easy accessibility from all of East Texas, makes the city a prime choice for conventions, conferences and exhibitions. Coupled with its location, the city has a wide range of attractions to visit year-round for visitors traveling to Tyler.
Situated about half-way between Dallas and Shreveport, Tyler is the largest retail, medical, and business center in East Texas. It is also the Rose Capital of America and the location of the Tyler Rose Garden, the nation's largest municipal rose garden. Tyler connects to nearby Interstate I-20 via Toll 49, U.S. 69 and U.S. 271.
The W.T. Brookshire Conference Center at the Rose Complex
Demolition of the 49-year old Harvey Hall Convention Center in Tyler began in August of 2021 to make room for a totally new $28 million facility to be operated by the City of Tyler.
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The overall plan designed by Tyler-based Fitzpatrick Architects for the new Tyler Rose Complex includes a new convention facility, the Rose Garden Center, East Texas State Fairgrounds, the old Mayfair Building, athletic fields and surrounding areas.
The new convention venue offers more than 60,000 square feet of meeting space. A large conference space is able to seat over 1,900 people in chairs, and 1,300 for banquet seating. The new center also has three breakout rooms that can be combined into one large room, and several large social spaces.
It is built further back from Front Street than the old facility, and located in the midst of a large green space in the front to create an inviting entrance to the complex. The vision of this plan is to increase mobility, parking and safety, entertainment, athletic facilities, and neighborhood connectivity, as well as beautify the area with green space and landscaping.
A 3.3-acre park and event lawn is planned along with an arbor tree park and a possible future connection to a food truck park on the west side of the complex. An iconic rose feature will be located in the middle of the park.
It was announced in June of 2022 that the facility will be named the W.T. Brookshire Rose Complex.
The grand opening of the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center was held on April 13, 2023 ... read more about the event on Facebook
| Views of the new W.T. Brookshire Conference Center (Photos courtesy of the City of Tyler / Fitzpatrick Architects) | |
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Map of the Brookshire Conference Center and Rose Complex in Tyler
For More Information About Tyler Conventions
For more information on meeting venues, or assistance with planning your convention in Tyler, we highly recommend you contact:
- The Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau Meeting Planning Services. Its website offers downloadable brochures about Tyler and its attractions.
- The City of Tyler's W.T. Brookshire Conference Center website for detailed floor plans and rental pricing for conventions and meetings.
Where to Stay When Visiting Tyler
 One of the many fine lodging options in Tyler ... the Residence Inn near South Broadway Avenue (Staff photo) |
Tyler offers a variety of hotels, motels, inns, extended-stay suites, RV parks, and other accommodations situated near the major tourist, business, shopping, and medical centers of the city. Bed & Breakfasts around the Tyler area offer exceptional amenities and services.
Many hotels are concentrated in the "South Broadway Avenue Corridor", near Tyler's main shopping, dining and business districts. Here you will find hotels such as the Hilton Garden Inn, Residence Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Best Western, Comfort Suites, and others.
Where to Dine When Visiting Tyler
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Tyler has a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, grills and other dining venues, from small local eateries to national chain restaurants.
With over 200 restaurants to choose from visitors will surely enjoy dining while in town for conventions or business meetings.
Cuisine choices include traditional American fare, Mexican, Tex-Mex, Italian, Bar-B-Que, hamburgers, seafood, Asian, Greek, and more.
And don't miss the best of Tyler, like Stanley's Famous Bar-B-Que on Beckham Avenue and Kiepersol at the vineyards.
Tyler Municipal Rose Garden
 All-America Rose selections in the Tyler Texas Rose Garden |
Established in 1952, the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is the nation's largest rose garden, spanning 14 acres. The gardens include over 38,000 rose bushes and over 600 different varieties, as well as reflecting pools, walkways and fountains.
The Rose Garden is across the street from the W.T. Brookeshire Conference Center, and open from dawn until dark, seven days a week. Admission is free.
It is one of 24 All American Rose Selection (AARS) test gardens in the country, and also includes a unique Idea Garden created and maintained by the Smith County Master Gardeners.