• Source: Houston First Corporation

      • Houston First Corporation is a local government corporation that operates performing arts and convention facilities in Houston, the largest city in U.S. state of Texas. These venues include the George R. Brown Convention Center, Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, and the Miller Outdoor Theatre. Houston First also owns the city's largest hotel, the 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston.
      Houston First represents the consolidation of the former City of Houston Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department and the Houston Convention Center Hotel Corporation. Houston First was established by Houston City Council on June 1, 2011, and launched on July 1, 2011.


      History


      After Houston City Council approved the creation of Houston First, Mayor Annise D. Parker said the consolidation was undertaken to create operational efficiencies and to take advantage of “business practices that will make it easier to maintain and improve the GRB and ensure it stays in cutting-edge condition.”
      In January 2012, Houston First unveiled a new 2025 master plan for the convention center that called for expansion to the north and south of the building along with at least one additional convention center hotel. Houston First entered into an agreement with RIDA Development Corporation to develop a 1,000-room Marriott Marquis near the north end of the convention center.
      In June 2014, Houston First and the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau officially joined forces as a single, clear voice for the City of Houston. The alignment was designed to create a central, one-stop organization for promoting Houston as a prime convention and tourism destination. Today, Houston First serves as the official destination marketing organization for Houston.
      Construction of the connected Marriott Marquis was completed in December 2016, just in time for Houston to host Super Bowl LI in February 2017. The master 2025 plan also called for the boulevard in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center to be converted into a pedestrian plaza. The new Avenida Plaza opened on December 16, 2016.


      Assets and Responsibilities


      In addition to the downtown convention center and the 1,200-room Hilton Americas, properties falling under the management of Houston First include Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Jones Plaza, Miller Outdoor Theatre, Theater District Parking, Sesquicentennial Park, Root Memorial Square, Talento Bilingue de Houston and several other smaller park and performing arts facilities.


      Governance


      David Mincberg chairs Houston First's Board of Directors. He was appointed by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to succeed Ric Campo in July 2016. Mincberg is CEO of Houston-based Flagship Properties Corporation. Brenda Bazan is president and chief executive officer of the organization.


      = Board Members

      =
      (Houston's mayor appoints and City Council confirms Houston First's board members.)

      David Mincberg, chairman, Flagship Properties Corporation
      Sofia Adrogué, Diamond & McCarthy LLP
      Alex Brennan-Martin, Brennan's of Houston
      Elizabeth Gonzales Brock, CenterPoint Energy
      Nicki Keenan, Landry's, Inc.
      Desrye M. Morgan, Wells Fargo Securities
      Reginald L. Martin Jr., Executive Chef
      Ryan Martin, LDR Investment Group
      Paul Puente, Houston Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council
      Tom Segesta, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel - Houston
      Bobby Singh, Isani Consultants
      Gerald Womack, Womack Development and Investment
      Jay Zeidman, Altitude Ventures


      = City Council Advisory Members (Non-Voting)

      =
      Dave Martin, District E
      Robert Gallegos, District I


      = Senior Staff

      =
      Michael Heckman, president & CEO
      Paul Casso, vice president of event service
      Alfred Cervantes, senior vice president - film
      Holly Clapham-Rosenow, chief marketing officer
      Jorge Franz, senior vice president - tourism
      John Gonzalez, senior vice president and general manager - facilities
      Lisa Hargrove, general counsel
      Roksan Okan-Vick, senior vice president - regional product development
      John Solis, senior vice president - sales
      Luther Villagomez, chief operating officer - convention center
      Karen Williams, senior vice president, finance
      Frank Wilson, chief financial officer


      References




      External links


      Houston First Corporation
      Visit Houston
      George R. Brown Convention Center
      Hilton Americas-Houston
      Wortham Theater Center
      Jones Hall for the Performing Arts
      Miller Outdoor Theatre
      Theater District Parking
      Theater District Parks and Plazas

    Kata Kunci Pencarian: