June 2021
10 Best LGBT + Bars Across the United States
Houston’s Ripcord has been the spot for gay men to gather and mingle since the 80s and is located in the LGBTQ+ friendly Montrose neighborhood.
Convention Centers Invest in Hybrid Offerings as Events Resume
Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center has been outfitted with a fully-fledged broadcast studio, the Avenida Houston Virtual Studio, to “give event planners even more flexibility in how they operate their conventions,” says Michael Heckman, Acting CEO & President of the Houston First Corporation.
The Gift of Life
Houston First employees gave the gift of life recently by donating blood to the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center on June 23, 2021 during a blood drive held at the Partnership Tower. The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on the importance of staying healthy and helping others, which encouraged Houston First ...
Pride Avenida Houston
Houston First and Discovery Green presented “Pride Avenida Houston” during Pride Month. Visitors were invited to celebrate Houston's LGBTQ+ community, the largest in the state of Texas, and one of the largest in the South.
Quotes from local community and business leaders explore equality and inclusiveness in an immersive ...
10 Hotel Pools Worth Traveling for This Summer
As they say, everything is bigger in Texas, and the Marriott Marquis Houston does not disappoint with its Texas-shaped lazy river rooftop pool.
13 Amazing Asian American-owned Hotels in the U.S.
In February 2021 - just months before the Blossom Houston Hotel was set to open in the spring - owner Charlie Wang should have been completely focused on getting every detail of his 267-room, 16-floor property ready. But when he heard that some of his employees were dealing with broken pipelines in ...
Houston First taps Jorge Franz as President of GHCVB
In his new role, Franz will act as a liaison between Houston First and the GHCVB, a
hospitality industry association and advocacy organization that helps to market the Bayou
City as a site for conventions and other large-scale events. Houston First is the quasigovernmental organization charged with promoting the city ...
Opening Ceremony for Office of Consulate General of Mexico in Houston
Houston First Corporation (HFC) was honored to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Consulate General of Mexico in Houston office on June 18, 2021. Several elected officials and dignitaries were in attendance including U.S. Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. The Consulate General is the largest diplomatic mission in the city, providing ...
This Juneteenth, Houston Activists Are Shining a Light on the Ci
What many don't know, however, is how central the city of Houston became to the history of those communities—as well as what we celebrate on June 19 to this day.
18 of the best Hilton Hotels in the US to earn or use points
An obvious choice for business travelers, Hilton Americas-Houston connects to the George R. Brown Convention center via skywalk, yet this downtown flagship property is also a great choice for city explorers on the go.
Houston First hosts Ambassador of Argentina
Houston First Corporation (HFC) and HFC Board Member, Sofia Adrogué hosted Jorge Argüello, Ambassador of Argentina to the United States, on June 9, 2021 in our corporate office to discuss scheduled meetings and conventions planned for Houston, Texas in 2021 and how HFC operates. Ambassador Argüello , will assist in bringing ...
How and Where to Celebrate Juneteenth in 2021
In Houston, a Jubilee Dinner will celebrate freedom throughout the African diaspora with food.
2021 Convention Cities Index Showcases Best Destinations
Selecting a convention destination can be difficult in the best of times; in a pandemic, it's even trickier. Among key considerations now are space for social distancing; ample direct airlift; and safety factors, including health concerns.
This is How We Juneteenth: Houston Edition
While most Americans are familiar with the Fourth of July and its significance as it relates to the United States receiving their independence from Great Britain, most aren’t aware that freedom (at that time) wasn’t for all. Actually, it would be nearly another 100 years before slavery would ...
Check out a galaxy of new bars and quirky museums in Houston
With its flourishing urban parks, cultural spaces and rooftop bars, this cosmopolitan city built on oil is on a mission to invest and evolve.
Five of America's Most Invincible Hotels
After a rollercoaster 15 months of sudden closures and dismal occupancy rates, hotels across the United States are cautiously greeting travelers again thanks to a string of creative measures, with once-exotic technological novelties like...
Destination Spotlight: Houston
Destination Spotlight 76 - Visit Houston's CEO Michael Heckman helps us share many reasons why the city deserves some of your travel dollars
Houston First Corporation wins two Telly Awards
Houston First is celebrating more accolades as the company’s marketing department received two Telly Awards for “Welcome to Avenida Houston” and “Houston Chefs Spotlight” video projects. These two wins mark a total of 19 Telly awards for the corporation and the department’s 89th award.
Traveling to Houston for the vaccine? Guide to Enjoy the City
Going to Houston but don’t want to spend all the free time shopping? This Texan city has an important cultural offer, outdoor spaces and fun activities, in addition to one of its main attractions: Houston Space Center.
