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Welcome to Houston:
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 The city of Houston was founded in August of 1836 by brothers Augustus and John Allen. The city is named after General Sam Houston, who led the Texas Army to its victory over General Santa Anna's Mexican forces at the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto. In 1837, the city of Houston was incorporated into the Republic of Texas & served as its capital from 1837 to 1840. Today, the city of Houston has a population of over 4.3 million inside its city and Harris county metropolitan borders. Houston is one the few cities with permanent ballet, opera, symphony and theater companies. There are more than 30 museums, 500 parks, 100+ golf courses, 60 movie theaters and over 8,000 restaurants. Houston is located in the Central Time Zone and has a mild year-round climate.
Houston is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. You’re likely to hear more than 90 languages spoken by Houston’s residents.
 The George R Brown Convention Center will hosts the GRC Executive Summit '09 and the magnificent 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston convention center hotel in downtown Houston will serve as our headquarters hotel in 2008, bringing together all Summit attendees in one spectacular location. The hotel is surrounded by two of Houston’s finest sporting facilities, Minute Maid Park, home of Baseball’s Houston Astros and the Toyota Center, which is home to the NBA’s Houston Rockets and its international superstar, Yao Ming.
Houston is the foremost restaurant city in the U.S., leading the nation in number of restaurants and number of meals served per capita. You can select from more than 8,000 restaurants with culinary choices from more than 35 countries. If you prefer to go dancing, just follow the sound of music to any of the many downtown nightclubs.
The Museum District is just a short 10-minute Metro light rail ride away. Home to 15 exceptional museums, the Museum District houses the Menil Collection, the Rothko Chapel, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, the Contemporary Arts Museum, the Holocaust Museum and many others.
If you like shopping, one of the world’s most elegant shopping Mall is often a favorite destination of locals and visitors alike. The Galleria Mall includes Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, Tiffany’s, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and hundreds of exclusive boutiques, specialty and department stores in the heart of one of Houston’s upscale areas.
Our hospitality is legendary so, enjoy the Summit and your stay in Houston!
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Houston's cultural diversity and uninhibited attitude combine to boost the local culinary scene. Dozens of standout, chef-owned restaurants and local institutions dot the landscape, and the dining public embraces them.
Ibiza Food and Wine Bar serves up a smart combination of incredible fare paired with a wine list that reads like a wine lover’s dream — pages of great wines at great prices. Located just one block from Houston’s retail wine authority, Spec's, Ibiza rebels against the custom of tripling retail prices and dares to price its wines at just a fraction above retail.
Restaurateurs Grant Cooper and Charles Clark have a knack for keeping the cuisine and the experience at Ibiza fresh and contemporary. The standout blend of Spanish, French, and Mediterranean cuisine is delivered by staff that understands that patrons come to savor the dining experience. The stunning 14-foot wine wall serves as a testament to the restaurant's commitment to its wine service. |
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Houston is a power-shopper’s paradise. From the high-end choices at the famed Galleria to discount discoveries on Harwin Drive, there are plenty of places to pick up anything and everything on your list. Houston is a land of malls. In fact, every pocket of the city is home to a mall where shoppers will find anchor stores such as Macy’s and Dillard’s as well as other smaller, national retailers.
The Galleria is a one-stop shopping destination for luxury purchases as well as the everyday must-haves. Fresh new stores such as the Barney’s Co-op, Michael Kors, and Borders bookstore keep The Galleria an exciting shopping domain, while classic retailers Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue offer designer choices and dedicated service. No mall would be complete without a food court, but the recent addition of eateries Bice, Kona Grill, and Oceanaire Seafood Room add a dose of sophisticated dining to the mall. |
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The Children’s Museum of Houston:
If you have little ones in tow, The Children’s Museum is a must. The museum features 14 hands-on galleries, such as EcoStation and KID-TV.
The Children’s Museum
1500 Binz, Houston, TX 77004,
(713) 522-1138.
Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston:
The CAM is the place to see works by today’s leading contemporary artists. As a non-collecting museum, rotating exhibits spotlight international, national, and regional artists and trends in the visual arts.
Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston
5216 Montrose Blvd., Houston, TX 77006,
(713) 284-8250. |
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