Visitors have ample time between sessions to see Houston’s best, brightest

HOUSTON, Texas (November 1, 2002) – If other cities follow the lead of Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, they just might discover that their convention center is an ideal venue for community-wide exhibitions.

The Houston Hall of Fame was officially unveiled on October 18 amid the World Space Congress taking place in the building. The permanent exhibition features 12 wall-mounted display cases flanking the main entry to the George Bush Grand Ballroom. Each case consists of a plaque, portrait and personal artifact depicting the achievements of each honoree.

After exploring other high-profile locations, including City Hall and Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston city leaders determined that the George R. Brown Convention Center was best suited for the exhibition because more than 1 million people annually visit the building.

Based on initial reviews, the Houston Hall of Fame is receiving plenty of positive attention.

“Convention attendees have been giving our Hall of Fame a good, long look,” said Dawn Ullrich, director of the convention center. “You’ll see them read one plaque, then sidestep on to the next one and so on down the line. Because they often have spare time between sessions, they’re not in a hurry and can fully enjoy the exhibit.”

Ullrich stressed that convention centers must strategize about how to properly locate community exhibits so that they do not interfere logistically with plans that clients may have for the building.

“We keep our building pristine to allow our clients the maximum utility for decorating and move-in and move-out,” Ullrich said. “If we had paintings, advertisements or free-standing artwork throughout the building, invariably meeting planners would tell us to remove them for their show because they conflicted with their needs and/or their sponsors’.

“In its present location outside the Bush Ballroom, we have chosen a site that is both prominent and yet does not conflict with other activities. As an attraction, we think the Hall of Fame adds another point of interest to our clients’ events.”

Ullrich added that the convention center is a good host for the Hall of Fame because of the international nature of those who attend events in the building.

“Visitors from other countries are interested in those Houstonians who have helped shape our city,” she said. “The Hall of Fame has tourism appeal.”

The convention center affords the Hall of Fame great visibility on a local level, too.

“The Bush Ballroom regularly hosts many of Houston’s most important social events,” Ullrich said. “Placing the Hall of Fame outside the ballroom doors gives the Hall of Fame members additional recognition among their peers. ”

Members of the Houston Hall of Fame are former Secretary of State James Baker, former U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen, superconductivity scientist Dr. Paul Chu, heart surgeons Drs. Denton Cooley and Michael DeBakey, basketball star Clyde Drexler, former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, former Secretary of Commerce Robert Mosbacher Sr., Olympic champion Mary Lou Retton, television journalist Sylvan Rodriguez and astronaut John W. Young.

Contact:

Pete Radowick
713-853-8077
peter.radowick@cityofhouston.net