Houston First Corporation

Houston First Corporation is a local government corporation that operates performing arts and convention facilities in Texas' largest city. These venues include the George R. Brown Convention Center, Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Miller Outdoor Theatre and the city's largest hotel, the 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 went into effect on July 1, 2011.[1]

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.[2][3] Houston First has entered into an agreement with RIDA Development Corporation to develop a 1,000-room Marriott Marquis near the north end of the convention center. Plans called for a 2014 groundbreaking on the new hotel with an opening in 2016.


Responsibilities

In addition to the downtown convention center and the 1,200-room Hilton Americas, properties falling under the auspices 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, and several other smaller park and performing arts facilities.[4][5]

Governance

Richard J. “Ric” Campo chairs Houston First’s Board of Directors. Campo is chairman and CEO of Houston-based Camden Property Trust, one of the nation's largest multifamily Real Estate Investment Trusts. Dawn R. Ullrich is president and chief executive officer of the organization.

Board Members

• Richard J. Campo, chairman, Camden Property Trust

• Phyllis Bailey, 3B Resources Group

• Katy Caldwell, Legacy Community Health Services

• Cecil C. Conner Jr., arts administrator

• C. Fernando Cuellar, Hilton University of Houston

• Irma Diaz-Gonzalez, Employment & Training Centers, Inc.

• Harry Greenblatt, Pyramid Hotel Group

• Winslow Albert Jeffries, audiovisual and theater systems

• Desrye M. Morgan, Mesirow Financial

• David L. Solomon, Condera Advisors

City Council Advisory Members (Non-Voting)

• Dave Martin, District E

• David W. Robinson, At-Large Position 2

Senior Staff

• Dawn R. Ullrich, president & CEO

• Brenda Bazan, chief financial officer

• Sharon Adams, chief communications officer

• Mario Ariza, chief operations officer - theaters

• Peter McStravick, chief operations officer - hotel

• Luther Villagomez, chief operations officer - convention center

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

References

  1. ↑ http://www.chron.com/default/article/Government-corporation-to-run-Houston-conventions-1617456.php
  2. ↑ http://www.chron.com/business/article/Officials-to-unveil-sweeping-plan-for-convention-2434156.php
  3. ↑ http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Prospects-and-pitfalls-of-a-new-Convention-2446916.php
  4. ↑ http://www.chron.com/default/article/Government-corporation-to-run-Houston-conventions-1617456.php
  5. ↑ "Government corporation to run Houston’s convention, events venues," Houston Chronicle.

Official sites