Event Transportation in Houston, Texas
Houston is the most populated city in Texas—but more notable, it’s the fourth most populous city in the United States, with 2.3 million people.
Houston is considered by many the “Energy Capital of the World” due to its more than 5,000 energy-related companies and involvement with the oil and gas industry. It is also nicknamed “Space City,” as it is home to NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Meeting planners and attendees view Houston as a prime destination for popular events and successful gatherings due to its state-of-the-art facilities set in this world-class city. Houston has hosted the NFL Super Bowl (and will again in 2017), the International Quilt Festival and the Offshore Technology Conference.
Getting to Houston has become easier as well. Houston’s two major airports—George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby airport—are currently undergoing expansions, and international service at both airports has been beefed up.
For meeting planners hosting large meetings and events in Houston, consider Event Transportation Systems (ETS). Headquartered in Houston, ETS can take transportation planning and execution off your plate so you can worry about other meeting planning priorities.
Houston Convention and Meeting Venues
Houston’s two largest meeting and convention venues include the George R. Brown Convention Center (the Brown Center) and NRG Park (formerly Reliant Park). Either can host multiple, large events simultaneously. Other venues include the Berry Center, The Corinthian, the Humble Civic Center, the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center, or the Cowboy Campout.
NRG Park is Houston’s top trade show, convention, sports and entertainment complex. The complex includes NRG Stadium, NRG Center, NRG Arena and NRG Astrodome, spans more than 350 acres, and hosts more than 500 events each year. NRG Park has 2.1 million square feet of exhibit and meeting space, 706,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space and 59 meeting rooms totaling 80,000 square feet of meeting room space.
The GRB Convention Center ranks among the 10 largest convention centers in the nation. It is located downtown with 1.2 million square feet of exhibit, meeting and registration space, 639,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, and 88 meeting rooms totaling 185,000 square feet.
The Toyota Center Arena to the south and Minute Maid Park to the north (home of the Houston Astros baseball team) border the GRB Convention Center.
Offsite Venues and the Houston Restaurant Scene
Houston offers many unique choices for offsite venues including The 1940 Air Terminal Museum, the American Cowboy Museum, Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, Chateau Cocomar, Downtown Aquarium, and the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Immerse in the cowboy culture, or enjoy the natural environments in and around Houston.
Houston’s restaurant scene features more than 10,000 choices from more than 70 countries and American regions. There are plenty of steakhouses, and Cajun and Mexican influences.
For entertainment, three of Houston’s most popular sports are played nearby: the Houston Rockets, the Astros and the Dynamo. In addition, attendees may enjoy the 17-block Theater District, the Museum District, Tranquility Park, Space Center Houston, Market Square Park, Dave and Buster’s, Shay McElroy’s Irish Pub, and the Cadillac Bar.
Or sample true Texas at Goode’s Armadillo Palace, Taste of Texas, the Firehouse Saloon, Wild West, or Rebel’s Honky Tonk.
Getting Around the Houston Metro Area
The City of Houston comprises approximately 655 square miles. To demonstrate its size, the cities of New York, Washington, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis and Miami combined could fit inside its borders.
In addition, every freeway in the city has at least two names, with some having as many as seven names, so visitors may be baffled trying to figure out signs, maps and directions.
ETS knows the freeways and roads of Houston better than some locals. ETS can plan the most efficient routes to shuttle your attendees to and from your meeting, convention or special event. We’ll also handle airport pick up and drop off, and VIP and executive transportation.
Look at additional opportunities to promote your brand through bus banner advertising, convention television and video provided by Newsday Communications. Your attendees will see your—or your exhibitors’—messaging as buses move them between venues. Contact ETS for more information.
