Houston is the fourth-largest city in the U.S., and if you have been there, you know it definitely feels that big. But the secret to navigating Houston and successfully bringing attendees together in just the right place among so many options lies in the city’s neighborhoods. Each area has a distinct feel, offering venues, activities, and advantages unique to the neighborhood and the people in it.
For meetings, by far the most popular neighborhoods are Downtown and the Medical Center, the latter of which is home to NRG Park, a multivenue sports and entertainment complex. In these two neighborhoods and the areas surrounding them, planners will find enough venues, restaurants, guest rooms, and attractions to book meetings year-round.
In recent years, the secret behind Houston’s appeal as a meeting destination has gotten out. Hotel occupancy was up 5.6% year over year, according to a report by Houston First Corp., the city’s official destination marketing organization. More than 51 million people visited the city last year, up more than 5% from 2022, aided by Houston First Corp. holding more than 560 conventions and meetings for visitors from around the world.
“Most people coming to Houston think of two things: country-western/rodeo or NASA,” says Deborah Elias, president of Elias Events and a full-service event, meeting, and travel planner in Houston. “But Houston is the most diverse city in the country and has [residents representing] almost every country. There are pockets of the city that showcase that diversity.” The places and experiences available to attendees in Houston make it an exciting destination full of surprising variety.
The City at a Glance
Houston was founded in 1836, only a few months after Texas won its independence from Mexico, and served as capital of the Republic of Texas for two years. In 1901, oil was discovered at Spindletop, east of Houston, followed by other oil discoveries in the years to follow. The city quickly became the center of the oil and gas industry, and by 1930 it had the largest population in the state.
While petrochemical and engineering industries flourish in Houston today, leisure and hospitality are among other booming industries. Last year, jobs in leisure and hospitality were up 9% compared to levels in 2019. The industry accounts for one in 10 jobs in the region, and Greater Houston Partnership forecasts another 10,000 jobs will be added this year. Houston is also home to the renowned NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, where astronauts, engineers, and innovators focus on spaceflight.
Houston ranks 10th in the nation for cities with the most green space per capita. Centrally located urban parks include Discovery Green—a 12-acre park with restaurants, plus indoor and outdoor event space—and the 445-acre Hermann Park that is within walking distance of the Houston Zoo. Houston’s subtropical climate makes much of the summer hot and muggy, so spring, fall, and winter are the best seasons for outdoor pursuits. On the bright side, all that sunshine gives plenty of clear days for sporting events.
Home to seven major-league teams, Houston is abundant with die-hard sports fans. The NFL’s Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium in the Medical Center neighborhood. Downtown, MLB’s Houston Astros play at Minute Maid Park, the NBA’s Houston Rockets tip off at Toyota Center, and the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and Houston Dash (NWSL) play at Shell Energy Stadium. In 2026, Houston will host seven matches in the World Cup. The PGA Tour’s Houston Open takes place every March, and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo—the largest stock show and rodeo in the world—opens its gates from mid-February through mid-March.
And with all that activity, local fans and the sports lovers in your group will get hungry. “We are known for our incredible selection of food and restaurants,” says Elias. From traditional barbecue to Indian food, cuisines from all over the world can be found within the city limits. One in every four Houston residents is foreign-born, and the food scene is diverse. Viet-Cajun, a fusion developed in Houston, is increasingly popular both in Texas and across the country.
Elias adds that the city is also rich with cultural institutions focused on theater and the arts for attendees to explore or for planners to consider as host sites. Business visitors will find 22 art museums and a theater district in the area.
Downtown Discoveries
Downtown Houston is the city’s center, and much of the area is given to office buildings, skyscrapers, and morning rush hour. But look closer and you will find a plethora of hotels, venues, and restaurants scattered throughout the neighborhood.
The 1.9 million-square-foot George R. Brown Convention Center boasts multistory windows along the grand concourse and is within easy walking distance of green space. With 88 meeting rooms, six balconies, a ballroom, a theater, and multiple conference rooms, the convention center offers 90,000 square feet of mezzanine-level space and is adjacent to the 97,000-square-foot Avenida Plaza. A pedestrian promenade connects the convention center to Discovery Green Park, giving attendees access to annual outdoor events.
A staple of the downtown skyline is the Marriott Marquis Houston, which is attached to the convention center via skybridge. With 1,000 guest rooms and more than 150,000 square feet of meeting space, the property offers a complete experience for up to 43,000 attendees. “Hosting an event at Marriott Marquis Houston means staying in the heart of downtown, where you will have access to the largest ballroom in Houston, six on-site restaurants sure to please all your guests, and the acclaimed Texas-shaped lazy river on our Altitude Rooftop & Pool affording sweeping views of the Houston skyline,” says Scott Gentile, director of sales and marketing.
Hilton Americas–Houston is also connected to the convention center by skybridge. The 1,200-room hotel boasts 93,500 square feet of meeting space on three levels, as well as 35 meeting rooms. “I love working with the Hilton Americas–Houston because it has very versatile spaces, and the staff is wonderful to work with,” says Elias.
Meet in Medical Center
Health care is among the top industries in Houston, attracting researchers, physicians, and medical professionals from around the world. Medical Center harbors a complex of more than 45 medical institutions, including M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
The multivenue NRG Park is adjacent to the Medical Center and consists of five major venues, including NRG Stadium, host of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and Houston Texans home football games. NRG Center provides 1.4 million square feet of exhibit space, and the multifunctional NRG Arena offers 350,000 square feet of exhibit space, an 8,000-seat arena, and a 2,000-square-foot pavilion. NRG Astrodome is a local favorite as the iconic setting for sporting events and entertainment for 34 years until it closed in 2008. The Harris County Commissioners Court has begun a redevelopment plan for the historic venue.
Nearby, but seemingly far from the stadium scene, The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa invites attendees to relax among centuries-old oak trees and sprawling lawns. Boasting 33,890 square feet of indoor meeting space and more than 87,000 square feet of outdoor meeting space, The Houstonian offers a respite from the sometimes-hectic Houston pace.
Attendees will also get an up-close experience with history at the Manor House estate on the grounds, which is the one-time home of former U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush and his wife Barbara. Planners can book the entire house for events that require a sense of gravitas. “The house has three flexible dining rooms, a reception area with a bar, and two fireplaces, and can accommodate up to 100 guests indoors,” says Steve Fronterhouse, general manager at The Houstonian.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Just across Interstate 45 from Downtown, the Fourth Ward stretches out to Buffalo Bayou Park. The newly opened Thompson Houston is the only hotel with Buffalo Bayou Park at its doorstep. With 36 stories, 172 rooms, and 17,000 square feet of meeting space, the new property sits near an oasis in the city. Attendees can enjoy sips from the rooftop pool with views of Downtown, and dining on-site is varied with French, Mexican, and American cuisine, as well as a supper club for after-hours networking.
Take advantage of Houston’s position near the Gulf of Mexico and book the recently opened, waterfront Hyatt Regency Baytown–Houston. The hotel is located on the Houston Ship Channel and boasts 208 guest rooms and 18,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, with its largest space offering 12,000 square feet. Outdoors, up to 180 attendees can gather and enjoy the breeze off the water on the Bayland Terrace.
For fun in the sun, head north of Houston to Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe–Houston, where attendees can enjoy a water park, an 18-hole golf course, and unmatched sunset views along with 72,000 square feet of meeting space. “Our grand ballroom, which is divisible by three, offers sophisticated decor, crystal chandeliers, and flexible space for large meetings, banquets, and elegant receptions,” says Tom Faust, vice president of sales and marketing for the resort. For smaller events, the Hyatt Regency Conroe is now open for booking.
