MEDIA CONTACT:
Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager
(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com
THE ROCC ON A ROLL WITH MEETING AND EVENT BOOKINGS
The Rockport Conference Center provides a boost to local cultural scene and economy
ROCKPORT, Texas — The vision behind a modern new conference and event center in Rockport was to create a facility that would take art programs to new levels while expanding offerings to include the culinary and performing arts, meetings, conferences, and special events. The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC) has accomplished that and more, hosting dozens of public and private events and providing a boost to the local economy.
A partnership between Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) and The City of Rockport, The ROCC has created a new segment of tourism, generating more than 1,000 new visitors to the area every quarter since hosting its inaugural event, The Rockport Film Festival, in November of 2022.
“Although Rockport is a popular tourist destination, we were excited by the prospect of increasing business tourism to our area,” said Darryl Meadows, venue manager for The ROCC. “Socially, we enrich the lives of our guests and event participants, while economically, we serve our community through increased revenue to area businesses as visitors spend on dining, hotel, and shopping during their stay.”
The 8,000-square-foot conference center is located on RCA’s 1.2-acre campus adjacent to Aransas Bay in the heart of downtown, part of the $12.5 million RCA capital project that also established the adjacent 14,000-square-foot visual arts and education building which officially opened in December 2022, hosting a variety of art exhibitions and classes throughout the year.
Conveniently located within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, attractions, nightlife, and Rockport Beach on the Texas Gulf Coast, The ROCC has hosted weddings and family events, corporate functions, in-service trainings, banquets, educational summits, book readings, team building seminars, and board meetings and retreats, as well as concerts, performances, and festivals, with numerous other events scheduled for 2024-2025, such as dance and culinary arts classes, including a Young Chefs program.
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. In addition to the formal event space, a rooftop terrace in the visual arts building, and the adjacent 16,000-square-foot Patricia Bennett Moore Sculpture Garden, featuring 10 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, and standard AV and support.
“The ROCC is quickly establishing itself as a premiere conference facility here in the Coastal Bend with its multi-use space and state-of-the-art technology,” said Meadows. “Having this beautiful meeting space on the RCA campus provides so many opportunities to those looking for something out of the ordinary and It’s exciting to be part of what draws people to our community.”
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.
“This is a place where guests can escape their everyday routines and encounter one another in new ways: surrounded by thought-provoking art, stimulated by creative excursions and activities, and delighted by local cuisine,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “The ROCC provides a canvas for groups of all shapes and sizes to create the masterpiece event they envision.”
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 Center for the Arts
The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space, or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.
About The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC)
Located at 106 S. Austin St. on the 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts campus is The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC). Perfect for small conferences and board meetings, team-building events, 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 catering and 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, or call (361) 450-8033.
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07/2024