City of the Week - Houston

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 6/12/2006

Highlights

• An $81 million, 12-acre park is scheduled to open in fall 2007 across the street from the George R. Brown Convention Center. Visitors will find an outdoor amphitheater, a large pond where they can operate model boats, a putting green and two restaurants.

Number of separate exhibit facilities

• 7

Total exhibit space at venues

• 2.2 million sq. ft.

Largest venue

• George R. Brown Convention Center (893,590 sq. ft. of exhibit space)

Last venue expansion

• The GRBCC added 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibit and meeting space in 2003.

Space rate at GRBCC

• 75 cents per net square foot for three show days and up to five move-in and move-out days

Occupancy rate at GRBCC

• 67% (2005)

Number of convention hotel rooms

• 56,431 in 564 hotels

Average room rate

• $77 (2005)

Hotel occupancy

• 63.3% (2005)

Largest 2005 tradeshow

• Offshore Technology Conference at 409,700 sq. ft. (Reliant Center)

Sources: 2005 TSW Major Exhibit Hall Directory; 2006 TSW 200; Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau; George R. Brown Convention Center