June 2023
Organizers Plan Major Houston Sports Conference, Fan Fest in '24
The four-day event dubbed Pokatok is slated for April 2024 in and around the George R. Brown Convention Center. Gow Companies, the group that now owns the innovation consortium Houston Exponential and sports accelerator Pokatok Labs, is behind the event. They believe Pokatok has the potential to become the “world ...
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Houston Completes International Tourism and Economic Dev Mission
Designed to solidify Houston’s position as a top city for global enterprise, tourism, and leisure travel from Mexico, this was the second consecutive year Houston staged the event. 2023 activations included execution of new cooperative agreements, initiation of strategic discussions with key government officials, business executives, and members of ...
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Matthew Harnett, Soultre and More to Perform at Juneteenth Event
Houston First Corporation is partnering with Discovery Green this month for a major event celebrating Juneteenth.
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Houston Named a 2023 Top 10 Best City in America
The city has consistently increased in rankings on this authoritative list, jumping from No. 17 in 2021 to No. 11 in 2022. For 2023, Houston is the only Texas city to secure a top 10 ranking.
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May 2023
Houston Hotels Post Positive Results in April
April continued a streak of strong results for Houston hotels aided by major events like the FIRST Robotics Championship at the George R. Brown Convention Center and Taylor Swift’s three-night concert event at NRG Stadium.
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April Passenger Traffic Up 9% at Houston Airports
A total of 3.3 million passengers moved through George Bush Intercontinental Airport in April, up 10.6% from a year earlier. Hobby Airport moved 1.08 million passengers during the month, up 5.3% from a year ago.
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Houston to Host PCMA Conference of Meeting Professionals in '25
PCMA's Convening Leaders conference, the group's flaghship education and networking event, will be held January 12-15, 2025 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
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Inaugural Houston Travel Fest Set for Fall
Houston Travel Fest, a brand-new consumer and travel trade show, will make its debut in downtown Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center, September 29-October 1, 2023. The premiere event is anticipated to draw more than 15,000 avid travelers who are looking to plan and book their next ...
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Fun Things to Do in Houston: Discover 14 Exciting Activities in the City
No one wants to live in a boring city, and with its vibrant art scene, unique attractions, and fun activities, Houston is never a dull place to live. If you’ve just moved into a Houston apartment or a house in the city, you’ll be relieved to know that there are plenty of exciting ...
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A Conversation with Miller Outdoor Theatre's Cissy Segall Davis
For 100 years, Miller Outdoor Theatre has brought some of the best shows by Houston area performing arts groups to local audiences. During a nine-month annual season, the theater on the north end of Hermann Park showcases top-tier talent for free, engaging locals and visitors in the arts. The space has ...
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Iconic 'Houston Is Inspired' Mural Celebrates 10-Years
Houston First Corporation, graffiti artist GONZO247, and community partners rally Houstonians for a momentous event and mural refresh, May 16
HOUSTON – The city’s most recognizable mural has reached a 10-year milestone and Houston First Corporation is celebrating that achievement with a special event in downtown Houston on Tuesday, May ...
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Final Four a Win for Houston
The 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four brought thousands of visitors to Houston and generated millions for the local economy, according to a breakdown from the event’s local organizing committee.
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Tourism Generates Economic Impact of $17B for Houston
Houston First Corporation to ‘Move Travel Forward’ in celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week
HOUSTON, TX (May 8, 2023) – Houston First Corporation will spotlight the essential role travel and tourism play in driving growth and innovation as part of National Travel and Tourism Week. Now in its 40th ...
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March Passenger Traffic Up 14% at Houston Airports
Passenger traffic at the two airports was up 21% in the first three months of this year, compared with the same period a year ago. Bush airport experienced a 23% increase in traffic while Hobby rose 13% year-over-year.
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Houston's Largest Intl Mission Returns to Mexico this Month
The Houston Week mission is designed to solidify Houston’s position as a top city for global trade, tourism, business, and leisure travel from Mexico. This will be the second consecutive year Houston has led a mission of this scale in both Monterrey, Nuevo Leon and Mexico City, Mexico.
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April 2023
Houston First Corp. Celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
AAPI Amplified comes alive at Avenida Houston in May
HOUSTON, Texas (April 26, 2023) – Celebrate Houston’s vibrant Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities during AAPI Heritage Month at Avenida Houston (between the George R. Brown Convention Center and Discovery Green Park) on the first three Saturdays of May from ...
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Key Houston Hotel Metrics Up in March
March was a good month for Houston hotels buoyed by increases in business travel and conventions like CERA Week.
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JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria Debuts New Look
The JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria has wrapped up a multi-million-dollar renovation to modernize the landmark property.
The 516-room hotel this week unveiled the final phase of its transformation focused on its guest rooms, suites and corridors. That follows an earlier revitalization of the hotel’s more than 40,000 ...
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Houston First's Laura Haces Receives Texas Travel Award
Several hospitality professionals and organizations in the Houston region, including one Houston First Corporation team member, are recipients of the Texas Travel Alliance’s 2023 Best of Texas awards.
Texas Travel Alliance (TTA) sponsors an annual study tour to different regions for the state’s travel counselors. Counselors travel on a five-day ...
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Houston Zoo Opens Galápagos Islands Exhibit
One of Houston’s most visited attractions just added a new reason stop in. The Houston Zoo’s new $70 million Galápagos Islands exhibit opened earlier this month to the delight of crowds. The exhibit includes a series of state-of-the-art immersive habitats featuring California sea lions, giant Galápagos tortoises, blue iguanas, green ...
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Houston First Corp. presents Party on the Plaza at Avenida Houston
HOUSTON (April 5, 2023) – Party on the Plaza is back with another spectacular line up of all-star artists, musicians and tribute bands. Houston First Corporation is proud to again present this free Spring concert series at Avenida Plaza, downtown’s entertainment destination. The popular concert series will be held every ...
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Occupancy, ADR Up Across Houston Hotels in February
Metro Houston hotel occupancy averaged 62.7% in the month of February, up 15.5% from February 2022.
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March 2023
Houston First Corporation Honors Global Meetings Industry Day
International day of advocacy spotlights how professional meetings and events provide extraordinary value to participants and Houston community
HOUSTON, (March 30, 2023) – Houston First Corporation values the positive impact professional meetings and events bring to Houston and on March 30, the Destination Marketing Organization recognizes Global Meetings Industry Day ...
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February 2023
Houston - we got an appetite!
In Houston, the food scene is – Go Big or Go Home. Big, as in flavour, fusion, vision and personality. Big as in this is the home of the giants of the food industry – the award-winning chefs, food purveyors, storytellers, restaurateurs and the like – who make a city like Houston come ...
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Houston First Celebrates Black History Month @ Avenida Houston
HOUSTON, TX (February 1, 2023) – Houston First Corporation (HFC) is proud to share the 2023 Black History Month lineup at Avenida Houston, downtown’s convention and entertainment district. This year’s programming will feature art, music, vendors and activities for the entire family that reflect and celebrate Houston’s rich diversity.
HFC recognizes the importance ...
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January 2023
Welcome to The Post Oak Hotel: only 5-star hotel and spa in TX
From indoor basketball courts in suites to a two-storey Rolls Royce dealership in the lobby, The Post Oak Hotel offers Houston visitors an experience like no other.
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