News

142nd annual convention attracts 86,228 to downtown Houston

HOUSTON – The National Rifle Association has announced record attendance of more than 85,000 for the 142nd NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits held over the weekend of May 3-5 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.  

Marriott Marquis developers target groundbreaking in 2014, opening in 2016

HOUSTON – Progress on Houston’s second convention center hotel has reached new milestones with the completion of the development agreement to build a 1,000-room Marriott Marquis next to the George R. Brown Convention Center.

New man at Houston’s downtown convention center comes from Miami   

HOUSTON – Luis Sepulveda has been appointed general manager for food and beverage operations at the George R. Brown Convention Center. 

March 2013 Launch of Houston B-cycle Expansion

Mayor Annise Parker today announced Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) has committed $750,000 to expand Houston B-cycle, sharing the City’s commitment to provide healthy transportation alternatives to residents.

Put on your boogie shoes and ring in 2013 at New Year’s Eve Houston with Grammy® Award winner KC and the Sunshine Band. Celebrating his 40th anniversary, the “king of disco groove” will bring his infectious party music to the city’s annual fun-filled, FREE and family-friendly night for some booty shakin’ and gettin’ down in Discovery Green’s “disco lawn.” 

HOUSTON (December 12, 2012) – The Houston City Council today moved forward with a proposal by RIDA Development Corporation and Houston First Corporation for a 1,000-room convention center hotel connected to the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston.

read more ...

Houston First Corporation is offering a premier downtown block next to the future hotel development near the George R. Brown Convention Center for residential and retail use.  Houston First has engaged Holliday Fenoglio Fowler to market this site.

The local government corporation, which manages the George R. Brown and several other downtown properties owned by the City of Houston, has control of the 110,000-square-foot tract bounded by Capitol, Rusk and Crawford streets and Avenida de las Americas.

 read more ...

Nau launches capital campaign with $8 million personal gift

HOUSTON, Oct. 4, 2012 – Mayor Annise Parker, Houston First Corporation and John L. Nau, III, Chairman of the Board, The Center for Texas Cultural Heritage, are proud to announce the newest vision for downtown Houston, The Center for Texas Cultural Heritage – an educational and inspirational venue where visitors will be invited to explore and experience the history and culture that built and continue to define this city, region and state.

read more ...

Houston First has selected Rida Development Corporation to enter into exclusive negotiations to build a 1,000-room convention center hotel near the George R. Brown Convention Center. The hotel is to be developed on the block immediately north of Discovery Green and attached via a skybridge to the convention center.

Houston, TX (June 15, 2012) – Free and convenient transportation in downtown is now available, with the Greenlink buses officially on the streets. Running Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., the buses will span a 2.5 mile route with 18 stops, connecting major office buildings along Smith and Louisiana streets to METRO transit stops, the convention corridor, hotels, restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

Mayor accepts Community Award from local San Jacinto Council

HOUSTON – The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council on Thursday presented its Community Award to the George R. Brown Convention Center for continuing support of the organization’s initiatives.
 

read more

Houston First to evaluate RFQ respondents for project near George R. Brown

HOUSTON – Houston First Corporation has received 11 responses to a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a developer and design team to build a second convention center hotel near the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB).

read more

Development hinges on best proposals for enhancing convention business

HOUSTON – An increased number of downtown hotel rooms is the most immediate objective of the George R. Brown Convention Center’s newly released 2025 master plan, which calls for an expanded Convention District with more retail and residential development to attract more convention business to Houston.

read more