September 2022
Houston Recognized as One of America’s Best Cities in 2022
The city climbs up six spots from 2021 ranking, achieving high marks for diversity, culture, education and its expansive culinary scene
HOUSTON, TEXAS, (September 19, 2022) – Houston has once again garnered global attention as one of the best places to live, work, invest, and visit, according to the ...
Houston Theater Week Recap by the Numbers
The 1st annual Houston Theater Week is worthy of a standing ovation! Thank HOU for supporting the performing arts!
HOUSTON, Texas (August 31, 2022) – Preliminary numbers are in and the first annual Houston Theater Week is a hit! The largest collaboration between performing arts groups in Houston’s history allowed ...
August 2022
Houston First Corp. Launches First-Ever Theater Week
Performing arts lovers will have access to exclusive deals and discounts
HOUSTON, Texas (August 11, 2022) – The first annual Houston Theater Week is the largest consumer promotion celebrating live theater and performing arts in Houston’s history. For one week only, August 22-29, 2022, theater enthusiasts and novices alike can ...
July 2022
Beyond soul food: The chefs and innovators behind Houston’s Blac
In Texas’s largest city, Black chefs and entrepreneurs are revitalizing the food and drink scene across an estimated 600-700 Black-owned restaurants, bars, food trucks and coffee shops. Sheryl Nance-Nash makes a reservation.
Houston Convention Center Gains LEED Gold Certification
Houston First Corp., the Texas city's destination management organization that manages the George R. Brown Convention Center, has announced that the facility has achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
20 Affordable Family Vacations You Haven't Thought Of Before
Wanna trick the littles into learning something while they're out of school? First, get plant proficient at the 120-acre Houston Botanic Garden with a variety of workshops (Meditation With Herbs and monthly plant-based cooking classes) or by enrolling in immersive BotaniCamp (for kindergarten through fifth grade).
The city wants both Republicans and Democrats to come to Houston
City Council on Wednesday voted 14-2 to pass a resolution in support of hosting the 2028 Republican National Convention, with the hopes of adding another blockbuster event to the city’s portfolio. Council members Abbie Kamin and Robert Gallegos voted no, saying their constituents are negatively affected by the GOP ...
June 2022
Last Minute Coast to Coast 4th of July Trips
Enjoy six hours of festivities, tradition, and live concerts, at Freedom Over Texas on July 4th. The event will feature local, regional, and national entertainment and will be concluded with a “Texas-sized” fireworks finale.
AVENIDA HOUSTON TO UNVEIL ITS LATEST SUMMER ART INSTALLATION
This summer Houston First Corp. will welcome an exciting new feature to its entertainment and convention district with the installation of its latest work of art, “Roseaux,” which debuts Friday, July 1 at Avenida Houston.
Hugo Ortega, primer chef mexicano ganador de premio James Beard
Conoce la historia de Hugo Ortega, el chef mexicano que cumplió el sueño americano en Houston Texas al convertirse en el primer connacional que gana un premio James Beard.
Mayor Sylvester Turner Announces 2022 State of the City
Mayor Sylvester Turner will deliver his seventh annual State of the City address on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. at Hilton Americas-Houston Grand Ballroom before an audience of Houston’s business and community leaders.
WELCOME TO GALVESTON ISLAND, THE BIRTHPLACE OF JUNETEENTH
Black Enterprise retraced the footsteps of Texas’ Galveston Island’s formerly enslaved inhabitants to experience historical sites that stand to tell the story of emancipation.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 because of many instrumental leaders. Among those involved were: U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, former State Rep ...
George R. Brown Convention Center Achieves First-Ever LEED Gold Certification
HOUSTON, Texas (June 23, 2022) – Houston First Corp. continues to lead the charge in building sustainability as the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) recently achieved its first-ever LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
This year marks a tremendous milestone for the GRB as the ...
TOP CHEF’S DAWN BURRELL CAPTURED THE FLAVOR OF FREEDOM IN FOODS
What does freedom taste like? Bravo Top Chef Season 18 finalist, Chef Dawn Burrell, commemorated Juneteenth with a five-course Juneteenth Jubilee dinner at Ronin Art House in Houston, Tex., Friday, June 17. Black Enterprise was invited to the jubilee which featured a lineup of Black chefs, winemakers, distillers, growers, and ...
Houston First Joins Partners to Celebrate Juneteenth: The Journey to Freedom at Miller Outdoor Theatre
HOUSTON, Texas (June 16, 2022) - This year Houston First Corporation is partnering with Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City of Houston, Miller Theatre Advisory Board, KTSU 90.9 FM, and presenting sponsor, Wells Fargo to celebrate Juneteenth, Sunday, June 19, 2022 at 8 p.m. at Miller Outdoor Theatre with ...
Where Nicole A. Taylor Finds Inspiration in the Amer
The first time I went to Houston, I was lucky enough to go to Emancipation Park on the day they were having Sunday jazz in the park, so I got to see this beautifully renovated public park and community center. But what's even more special, I was literally standing ...
A Guide to Exploring Houston’s Cool, Walkable Museum District
While mourning the death of my grandmother recently, I made my first visit to the Rothko Chapel in Houston. The octagonal, minimalistic sanctum, anchored by a reflective pool, looked nothing like a conventional house of worship, yet it drew me in immediately. Something healing flowed out.
HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION EARNS TOP HONORS AT 43rd ANNUAL TELLY AWARDS
Houston’s DMO awarded a Bronze Telly for its ‘Houston Best City” video
HOUSTON – Houston First Corporation (HFC) continues to garner worldwide recognition as Houston’s official destination marketing organization after receiving a Bronze Telly Award in the category for “General: Corporate Image.” This latest win marks a total of ...
The Ultimate 'Top Chef' Houston Location Guide
As the fourth-largest city in the U.S., it's almost surprising that Top Chef hasn't shot in Houston before. But when the cheftestants and judges finally made their way to Space City, season 19 did justice to Houston's culinary scene. Beyond highlighting the ingredients and dishes that ...
May 2022
Celebrate the Asian Communities Across North America
Houston’s immense immigrant population conglomerates into an incredible diversity. One in four Houstonians is from another county, and the sprawling city is home to almost every Asian culture, including Indian people, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and the third-highest Vietnamese population in the nation.
(Top 20) Botanical Gardens You Must See This Spring
From guided meditation classes, wellness walks, fairy gardening, plant-based culinary classes, a theatre where you can hear sounds that reflect the weather forecast, art installations from local Houston artists, Sunday Concert Series, the Houston Botanic Garden is home to so much discovery on its 120-acre property.
How do you bottle the essence of a region? Why honey is the best
Even the most well-traveled cannot resist buying a souvenir from each place they visit.
Houston First Corp. to Celebrate AAPIHM with Cultural Experience
Event will feature special performances, a fashion exhibition, Asian vendors
How To Make A Perfect Mint Julep
Each year, nearly 120,000 mint juleps are served over Kentucky Derby weekend at Churchill Downs Racetrack. If you’re planning a celebration of your own, you’ll need two things: an amazing hat and a delicious mint julep cocktail.
HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION EARNS 2022 GREAT PLACE TO WORK CERTIFI
Houston First Corp. (HFC) has earned the prestigious 2022 Great Place to Work® certification. This recognition is based solely on feedback provided by the company’s employees and what they had to say about their experiences working at HFC, the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Houston.
April 2022
Houston First Celebrates the ‘Future of Travel’
Travel and tourism are critical not only to Houston’s economy, but to the city’s promising future, which is why Houston First Corporation (HFC) is pleased to join destinations across the country to celebrate “The Future of Travel” during National Travel & Tourism Week May 1-7, 2022.
Great U.S. and International Mother’s Day Trip Packages
The clock is ticking until Mother’s Day, on May 8. Wouldn’t it be great to surprise Mom with a special holiday trip?
Houston First Corp. Deploys Mexico Marketing & Branding Campaign
Houston First Corp. is launching “Vibra Global Que Inspira,” an integrated branding campaign in Mexico designed to reinforce Houston’s position as a top destination for tourism, global trade, business, and leisure travel from Mexico. The strategic move comes just days after Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston First Corp. the Greater ...
10 Best Places to Travel in June
Last year, President Biden made Juneteenth an official national holiday—but that was more than four decades after Texas made it a state holiday, the first to do so, in 1980. Houston, its largest city, is home to the fourth largest Black population in America, so where better to mark ...
“PARTY ON THE PLAZA” MUSIC SERIES RETURNS TO AVENIDA HOUSTON
After more than two years, “Party on the Plaza” at Avenida Houston has returned to its in-person music series, which will have a revamped concept and design for guests to enjoy.
March 2022
Houston Week in Mexico Kicks Off March 28 – April 1
Inaugural event brings together city leaders, chefs, and artisans
HOUSTON, March 24, 2022 – In less than a week, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston First Corp., and the Greater Houston Partnership will embark on an economic development mission to Mexico, March 28-April 1, with stops in Monterrey and Mexico City. ...
Houston First Corp. to host official March Madness watch party
Sports fans are invited to cheer on the University of Houston (UH) Cougars as Houston First Corp. and UH will host an official March Madness watch party at Avenida Houston on Friday, March 18 at 8:20 p.m.
Mayor Sylvester Turner and HFC Launch Mexico Mission
Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston First Corp. (HFC), and the Greater Houston Partnership are spearheading an economic development and integrated marketing campaign in Mexico as part of an aggressive strategy to reinforce Houston’s position as the top city for global trade, tourism, business, and leisure travel from Mexico.
Are you traveling to Houston? Know the “musts” of this city
Discovering a city like Houston seems like an impossible task. It is one of the largest cities in the United States and the cultural diversity makes it almost impossible to classify it. Sure, being Texas it's easy to think of cowboys, bbq and more, but it's a cliché ...
February 2022
5 Of North America’s Greatest Hotel Packages, Ranked By Cost
If space is your ultimate goal, set your sights first toward Space City with a stay at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston. With the Space Center Houston Package you’ll snag a two-night stay at the luxurious property with a $500 credit for use at on-site restaurants, an ...
Houston Bachelorette Party Guide and Itinerary Ideas
If you want to go big for your bachelorette, you know what they say about Texas. While it’s certainly not rocket science, planning your final fling in the Space City–the fourth largest city in the U.S.–can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start ...
Beyond BBQ, Houston is one of the best cities for a foodie
Más allá del BBQ, Houston es una de las mejores ciudades para un foodie
Worldwise: Black Restaurant Week Founder Warren Luckett
Since returning to Houston in 2009 after a brief stint on Wall Street, Luckett has become a unique hybrid ambassador both for small, upstart wineries alongside Houston’s growing reputation as a cultural and culinary hub. Penta caught up with him to get his take on the current evolution of ...
Cattle Industry Convention Surpasses 6,000 in Houston
They’re here and they’re making history in Houston. Houston First Corporation is pleased to share exciting news that the Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show is the largest Business to Business meeting to be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center ...
7 Black-Owned Bed & Breakfasts Perfect For Valentine's Day
In the heart of H-town, the La Maison is a three-story wonder that provides guests not only with Southern comfort food and luxurious guest rooms, but it also is in walking distance from plenty of entertainment and fun.
Houston Has More Black History Than You May Think
Many people are just now learning about the harrowing history of the Tulsa massacres that took place a century ago, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On June 1, 1921, Greenwood, an all-Black neighborhood in Tulsa known as “Black Wall Street”, was looted and burned to the ground by a white mob.
Hugo Ortega: The chef of diversity
The chef born in Mexico City and raised by his grandmother in the mountains of Oaxaca and Puebla talks about his story and the contributions of his cuisine to the contemporary scene of Houston’s gastronomy. In one of the US cities with the greatest culinary diversity, Mexican food has ...
January 2022
Houston First Celebrates Black History Month @ Avenida Houston
HOUSTON (January 27, 2022) – Houston First Corporation (HFC) is excited to share its 2022 Black History Month lineup at Avenida Houston, downtown’s convention and entertainment district. This year’s programming will feature art, music, vendors and educational activities for the entire family that reflect and celebrate Houston’s rich diversity. ...
‘Top Chef’ Season 19 Set to Kick Off in Houston, Texas: Meet the
Ready, set, cook! Top Chef is set to premiere its 19th season on Thursday, March 3, as the Emmy-winning Bravo series takes on Houston, Texas.
Houston Hotels Have Largely Bounced Back
When the Thompson Hotel opens at DC Partners' $500M mixed-use project The Allen next year, CEO Roberto Contreras hopes to see the coronavirus in the rearview mirror. Contreras admits Houston business travel hasn't yet recovered from devastating 2020 lows.
Beyond BBQ, Houston is one of the best cities for a foodie
Spanish article includes mentions of Pho-loma and Kau Ba, Sao Lao Thai Café, MDK Noodles and Lucille’s
Houston First plans city's comeback after pandemic rocked touris
For the first time in nearly two years, Houston First Corp. President and CEO Michael Heckman is genuinely excited.
