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ROCC BOOKINGS BOOSTING BOTTOM LINES
The Rockport Conference Center seeing increases in events and attendance; new website launched
ROCKPORT, Texas (April 14, 2025) — Beyond achieving its immediate goal of attracting and hosting a variety of successful events, Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC) is steadily pushing towards achieving an even bigger goal of becoming a key economic driver in the Coastal Bend.
Part of the $12.5 million Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) capital project, The ROCC is located on the 1.2-acre RCA campus adjacent to Aransas Bay in the heart of downtown.
Since opening in November of 2022 when it hosted the Rockport Film Festival, the 8,000-square-foot facility has welcomed thousands of guests for a myriad of public and private events, including musical performances with artists such as Bruce Robison and Tish Hinojosa, culinary events featuring regional and James Beard Award-nominated chefs, meetings, conferences, auctions, weddings and other special events.
More than 800 guests attended various events at The ROCC in the first quarter of 2025, a 5.5% increase over the same quarter of 2024. Of those 800-plus guests, nearly 40% came from out-of-town, translating to hundreds of room nights in local hotels and dollars spent in shops and restaurants while generating additional occupancy and sales tax revenue.
“A partnership between Rockport Center for the Arts and the City of Rockport, The ROCC has been a huge success and coupled with the art center and sculpture garden, has become a catalyst for increasing business tourism,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “Rockport has always been a community treasured by so many, but the ever-increasing slate of popular events has drawn visitors to Rockport like a magnet.”
The ROCC has launched a new and expanded website providing more detailed information on facilities, services, and more to assist the increasing number of those interested in booking events.
“As the number of events and guests are on the rise, word of mouth has also increased and we are staying busier than ever,” said Darryl Meadows, venue manager for The ROCC. “We’re happy the new website has launched as it will provide more in-depth information and ideas for those hoping to book the venue. It will save time by highlighting what’s possible, allowing for more event pre-planning.”
As a creative space beginning with the end in mind, events at The ROCC are custom-designed to create an immersive, inspirational experience, including arranging for or otherwise assisting clients with preferred vendors, including catering, advanced AV/technical, entertainment, excursions to local attractions, valet parking, lodging — even hands-on art and culinary experiences — to create the perfect event.
The ROCC offers a variety of meeting spaces, including Randall Ewing Kemper Hall, a 4,400-square-foot ballroom, which can be configured into four smaller breakout rooms; the 1,300-square-foot Estelle Stair Foyer; and the flexible AEP Foundation Culinary Arts Kitchen. In addition to the formal event space, the rooftop Kelly and Scott Biar Terrace on the visual arts building, and the adjacent 16,000-square-foot Patricia Bennett Moore Sculpture Garden, featuring 11 sculptural works by artists with state, national, and international recognition, can also be utilized. Many amenities are also included, such as Wi-Fi, tables and chairs, AV and support.
For information and booking events at The ROCC, contact venue manager Darryl Meadows by calling (361) 450-8033 or at darryl@the-rocc.com.
About Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC)
Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC) is located at 106 S. Austin St. on the 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts campus. Perfect for small conferences and board meetings, team-building events, live performances, family reunions, wedding receptions and more, the one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center features a 4,400-square-foot ballroom (Randy Ewing Kemper Hall), 1,400-square-foot reception area (Estelle Stair Foyer), a fully equipped AEP Foundation Culinary Arts Kitchen, and state-of-the-art AV and Wi-Fi throughout. For general information or to book an event, visit the-rocc.com, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, or call (361) 450-8033.
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