GREATER HOUSTON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT MISSION STATEMENT 4 STRUCTURE & FUNDING 4 2017 KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS 5 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 5 LETTER FROM THE CHAIR 6 CITY & COUNTY OFFICIALS 6 TABLE OF 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 8 CONTENTS 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 10 SALES 12 TOURISM 13 CLIENT SERVICES 14 MEMBERSHIP 15 PARTNERSHIPS & EVENT DEVELOPMENT 16 MARKETING 17 HOUSTON FILM COMMISSION 18 FINANCE 19 The Houston that awaits…is the result of an ambitious effort aimed at turning the city into a world-class destination. In contrast to its past reputation as an urban dead zone after dark, Houston now includes a greater array of restau- rants, high-rises, green space, and cultural and entertainment venues.

New York Times The Super Bowl Returns to a Transformed Houston The mission of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau is to position Houston as a global destination and to improve the economy of greater Houston by attracting national and international conventions, trade shows, tourists and film projects to the area through sales, marketing and public relations efforts.

STRUCTURE & FUNDING

The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau is a 501(c)6 nonprofit corporation. The GHCVB is a marketing and service organization with a budget comprised of certain reserved funds and private funds raised through a variety of means, including investment in events, membership dues, advertising and in-kind contributions.

The board of directors of the GHCVB and Houston First Corporation enjoy a strategic alignment between the organi- zations to create a more efficient approach to marketing and selling Houston to tourists and conventions. GHCVB employ- ees became employees of Houston First in 2014 while the GHCVB continues to maintain its own board of directors and seats on the HFC board. FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Members, We have never been more proud to represent our city and will continue to do all that is possible to make sure we succeed 2017 will go down in history as one of the most remarkable together. years for our city from a global image and branding perspective.

We started the year with what many consider (including ESPN) to be the most remarkable Super Bowl in history. MIKE WATERMAN President, Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau By far the biggest winner was Houston!

Our global exposure and the estimated economic impact of just shy or $350 million, coupled with all of the development prior to the Super Bowl has set us on a new trajectory!

We hosted 3 major client events post Super Bowl and welcomed over 1,000 new meeting planners to Houston, 2017 KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS many for the first time.

CONVENTION AND MEETING We hosted and ultimately weathered a remarkable storm in 802,859 ROOM NIGHTS BOOKED Harvey – a storm that brought out our true character and showed the world what taking care of each other looks like. ROOM NIGHTS BOOKED THROUGH 365,578 INTERNATIONAL LEISURE AND REUNIONS Then our very own Astros showed the world what hard work, true grit and determination can do for a city and ultimately a VISITORS THROUGH THE VISIT HOUSTON champion! 7.8M NETWORK OF WEBSITES Finally, I am pleased to report, for the third consecutive year, MEMBERS ADDED TO THE CITY’S LARGEST your sales and event teams broke another convention sales 179 NETWORK OF HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES record and booked over 800,000 group rooms. A 46% jump from their 2015 goals. A truly amazing team effort! GENERATED FOR LOCAL ECONOMY THROUGH FILM AND COMMERCIAL PROJECTS $47M The team is motivated and excited to continue the momentum. Our 2018 is shaping up to be another amazing year. 2018 has more group rooms on the books than what we ended with in 2017, with Super Bowl and World Series in that number. CITY OFFICIALS FROM THE CHAIR Mayor Sylvester Turner

Dear Members, legislators, made public statements, responded to media, and Controller we ultimately helped make a difference. We must continue Chris Brown These are great times for Houston! After a record-breaking to advocate and add our collective voice to those types of year, the extraordinary attractions and talents of this city have discussions that could be good for or detrimental to hospitality City Council been seen around the world. Keeping with this momentum, and travel in our state and of course Houston. District A - Brenda Stardig we continue to improve deliverables to our members in a District B - Jerry Davis number of ways, including launching Visit Houston’s AR We understand the value of tourism and travel to our local District C - Ellen Cohen browser (the first augmented reality CVB tool in the US), economy. We help create the jobs and pump dollars into District D - Dwight Boykins bolstering partnerships and driving economic success with our city. The GHCVB remains a critical driver to ensuring District E - Dave Martin events like Comicpalooza, and changing the face of consumer Houston’s growth as a travel and tourism destination. District F - Steve Le interaction through the new Marketplace Experience. District G - Greg Travis My thanks to each one of you for all you have done to make District H - Karla Cisneros Houston has also shown the world resilience, strength and our organization stronger and even more relevant in 2017. District I - Robert Gallegos innovation, so too must the GHCVB. The time is now. So I District J - Mike Laster challenge every member, including my fellow board members, I look forward to your commitment to work together as we District K - Larry Green to join me in bringing at least 3 new members this year to the continue to break records for Houston and make 2018 another At-Large 1 - Mike Knox GHCVB. successful year for the GHCVB. At-Large 2 - David Robinson

At-Large 3 - Michael Kubosh To that end, as a CVB, we must continue to position Houston At-Large 4 - Amanda Edwards as the best place in the world for leisure and business At-Large 5 - Jack Christie travelers. Our role in doing this continues to evolve and develop. We are an important and necessary voice to County Judge advocate for the hospitality, tourism and travel industry. We DEAN R. GLADDEN Ed Emmett have been on the leading edge of making sure everyone Chair, Board of Directors knows Houston is open for business and welcomes everyone! Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau Commissioners Precinct 1 - Rodney Ellis Last year, when the “bathroom bill” was introduced in the Precinct 2 - Jack Morman state legislature, we were at the forefront of the discussion Precinct 3 - Steve Radack over how it would impact the tourism industry. We met with Precinct 4 - R. Jack Cagle With robust international influences from a diverse population, the sprawling metropolis offers plenty of diverse neighborhoods to explore, along with exotic cuisines, of-the-moment boutiques, and innovative art offerings. Truly, H-town radiates a supersize mix of high style and downhome charm. Vogue Beyond the Super Bowl: Where to Eat Global and Shop Local in Houston 2017 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIR MEMBERS AT LARGE HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS & CONVENTION The Honorable Julie Farr Alfredo Matos Linda Toyota Don Jordan Donald McGregor, Jr. DEAN R. GLADDEN SCOTT AUSTIN CORPORATION (NRG PARK) Sylvester Turner Houston Museum District Wyndham Hotel - Houston Community College Jordan Capital Management McGregor Companies Alley Theatre American Liberty Hospitality, Inc. MARK MILLER Mayor - City of Houston Association Medical Center Jackie Traywick Dr. Kase Lawal Jim Mills The Honorable John Ferrari Chris Miller Central Houston, Inc. CAMAC International Corp. Cherry Pie Hospitality, LLC Ed Emmett AFC Transportation Wyndham Houston West Downtown Redevelopment Carole Look Robert Sakowitz CHAIR-ELECT HELEN PERRONE BONSALL County Judge - Harris County William Fitch Energy Corridor Authority, Houston Downtown Jim McIngvale Hazak, Inc. TOM SEGESTA DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Hobby Airport HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION OF Kyle Ariza Staging Solutions, Inc. Mark Miller Management District Gallery Furniture Milton L. Scott Four Seasons Hotel GREATER HOUSTON (PRESIDENT) Hotel & Lodging Assn. of Terence H. Fontaine Harris County Sports & Luther Villagomez Robert McNair The Tagos Group, LLC TERENCE H. FONTAINE STEPHANIE HAYNES Greater Houston Metropolitan Transit Convention Corporation George R. Brown Houston Texans Marshall Tyndall SECRETARY Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County Scott Austin Authority of Harris County (NRG Park) Convention Center John L. Nau, III Chris K. Wilmot American Liberty Mike Giangrosso John P. Moore Mike Waterman Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P. Glory Infrastructure, Inc. SCOT COTTON Hospitality, Inc. Spring Hill Suites by Marriott Greater Houston Greater Houston Convention Dan Nip Mark Yanke Marriott Marquis Houston ROBERT W. HARVEY HOTELIERS Philamena Baird Dean R. Gladden Restaurant Assn. and Visitors Bureau Global Century Development LLC Hotel Emma Greater Houston Partnership KYLE ARIZA Houston Arts Alliance Alley Theatre Wade Mark Morehead Denise O’Connell TREASURER Hotel & Lodging Assn. of Greater Houston Alan D. Bergeron Robert W. Harvey Houston Marathon Joel Osteen JOHN JOHNSON JOHN KEELING Bergeron Mgmt. Services Greater Houston Partnership Committee, Inc. CHAIR EMERITUS Lakewood Church Silver Eagle Distributors Valencia Group JACQUES D’ROVENCOURT Susan Bischoff Tom Harwell Laura G. Murillo Donald J Henderson Chris Pappas Susan Bischoff Community Sheraton Brookhollow Houston Hispanic Chamber DJH Consulting, LLC Pappas Restaurants, Inc. Hilton Americas-Houston Marketing Stephanie Haynes of Commerce Arthur L. Schechter PRESIDENT, GREATER HOUSTON REGINALD L. MARTIN, JR. Helen Perrone Bonsall Hotel & Lodging Assn. of Tom Netting The Arthur Schechter Group CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Lemond Kitchen CHRIS MILLER DoubleTree by Hilton Greater Houston Hyatt Regency Houston LIFETIME DIRECTORS Jack Sweeney MIKE WATERMAN Wyndham Houston West Energy Corridor Houston Hobby Melissa D. Hensley Kevin O’Brien Sandy Hulver The Houston Chronicle TOM NETTING Galen Cobb NRG Energy Freeman Hospitality Consultant IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Hyatt Regency Houston Halliburton Janet Hobby Sharon M. Owens Lance Livingston Connie L. Cochran MKG Art Management La Maison in Midtown, Texas Rodeo Productions PAST BOARD CHAIRS NICK MASSAD, JR. GREATER HOUSTON RESTAURANT Texas Southern University Andrew Huang Bed & Breakfast Alex Brennan-Martin American Liberty Hospitality, Inc. KEVIN O’BRIEN ASSOCIATION (IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT) Edgardo E. Colón Smart Financial Centre at Kim Padgett Brennan’s of Houston Freeman JOHN P. MOORE Harris County Sports and Sugar Land The Padgett Group HONORARY MEMBERS George A. DeMontrond, III CHAIR EMERITUS Convention Corporation Andy Icken Kerry Ringham Les Alexander DeMontrond Automotive DONALD J HENDERSON STEPHANIE STEGALL Gayden L. Cooper Office of Mayor Westin Houston, Memorial City Houston Rockets Group, Inc. DJH Consulting, LLC Houston Astros RESTAURATEUR Space Center Houston-Manned Sylvester Turner Robert C. Robbins, M.D. Tad Brown Ted Dinerstein Space Flight Education John Johnson Texas Medical Center Houston Rockets The Dinerstein Companies CHRIS PAPPAS Foundation Silver Eagle Distributors Kelly Roberts Kirbyjon H. Caldwell Lupe Fraga CITY OF HOUSTON Pappas Restaurants Inc. Scot Cotton John Keeling Landry’s, Inc. Windsor Village United Tejas Office Products, Inc. MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER Marriott Marquis Houston Valencia Group Mark Sampsell Methodist Church Douglas M. Horn Joel Cowley Barbara Laken Embassy Suites - Energy James R. Crane The Houstonian Estates HARRIS COUNTY Houston Livestock Show United Airlines Corridor Houston Astros Thomas Jones, Jr. JUDGE ED EMMETT and Rodeo Link Livingston Tom Segesta Tilman J. Fertitta McConnell & Jones, LLP Fernando Cuellar Texas Rodeo Productions Four Seasons Hotel Landry’s, Inc. Darryl King Hilton University of Houston Kathy Luhn Nancy Sims Rosemary Garbett Quality Hospitality Jacques D’Rovencourt Office of County Judge Pierpont Communications Los Tios Ltd. Consulting, Inc. Hilton Americas-Houston Ed Emmett Stephanie Stegall Patricia Herrera Sonia Garza-Monarchi Kim Davis Reginald L. Martin, Jr. Houston Astros Main Connections Garza Protocol Associates, LLC The KD Company Lemond Kitchen Latha Thomas Howard Jefferson Marcus Davis Nick Massad, Jr. Houston Museum of Natural NAACP - Houston Chapter TBK Foods LLC American Liberty Hospitality, Inc. Science

2017 Home to Texas billionaire royalty, oil men and space travelers, this port metropolis rooted in a rebellious pioneer spirit also sports one of the country’s most diverse ethnic populations. It has a hip, burgeoning millennial citizenry, some of the best museums in the world, a philanthropic predilection that keeps the arts well fueled, and a no-zoning ordinance that gives the city a quirky architectural patchwork-quilt feel. Chicago Tribune With or without Super Bowl LI, Houston is a winner 2018 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIR MEMBERS AT LARGE HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION OF The Honorable Marcus Davis Chris Miller Downtown Redevelopment Jim McIngvale DEAN R. GLADDEN SCOTT AUSTIN GREATER HOUSTON (PRESIDENT) Sylvester Turner TBK Foods LLC Wyndham Houston West Authority, Houston Downtown Gallery Furniture Alley Theatre American Liberty Hospitality, Inc. STEPHANIE HAYNES Mayor - City of Houston LeaAnn Dearman Energy Corridor Management District Robert McNair The Honorable Bay Area Houston CVB Mark Miller Luther Villagomez Houston Texans Ed Emmett George A. DeMontrond, III Harris County Sports & George R. Brown John L. Nau, III CHAIR-ELECT ALEX BRENNAN-MARTIN HOTELIERS County Judge - Harris County DeMontrond Automotive Convention Corporation (NRG Park) Convention Center Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P. TOM SEGESTA Brennan’s of Houston PETE ELLS John Abodeely Group, Inc. Steven Mitzner Mike Waterman Denise O’Connell Four Seasons Hotel The Royal Sonesta Houston Houston Arts Alliance Rodney Ellis RIDA Development Corporation Greater Houston Convention Joel Osteen KIM DAVIS Scott Austin Harris County Precinct One John P. Moore and Visitors Bureau Lakewood Church SECRETARY The KD Company JACQUES D’ROVENCOURT American Liberty Julie Farr Greater Houston Chris Pappas Hospitality, Inc. Houston Museum District Assn. Restaurant Assn. Pappas Restaurants, Inc. SCOT COTTON Hilton Americas-Houston James Batt John Ferrari Wade Mark Morehead CHAIR EMERITUS Arthur L. Schechter Marriott Marquis Houston GEORGE DEMONTROND Museum of Fine Arts, Houston AFC Transportation Houston Marathon Donald J Henderson The Arthur Schechter Group DeMontrond Automotive Group, Inc. CHRIS MILLER Brenda W. Bazan William Fitch Committee, Inc. DJH Consulting, LLC Jack Sweeney TREASURER Wyndham Houston West Energy Corridor Houston First Corporation Staging Solutions, Inc. Laura G. Murillo The Houston Chronicle REGINALD L. MARTIN, JR. JOHN JOHNSON Susan Bischoff Dean R. Gladden Houston Hispanic Chamber Lemond Kitchen Silver Eagle Distributors GREATER HOUSTON RESTAURANT Susan Bischoff Community Alley Theatre of Commerce LIFETIME DIRECTORS Marketing Robert W. Harvey Tom Netting Sandy Hulver PAST BOARD CHAIRS ASSOCIATION (IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT) Helen Perrone Bonsall Greater Houston Partnership Hyatt Regency Houston Hospitality Consultant Lupe Fraga PRESIDENT, GREATER HOUSTON SHARON OWENS JOHN P. MOORE DoubleTree by Hilton- Tom Harwell Thomas Nguyen Lance Livingston Tejas Office Products, Inc. CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU La Maison in Midtown, Bed & Breakfast Houston Hobby Sheraton Brookhollow Peli Peli Texas Rodeo Productions Sonia Garza-Monarchi MIKE WATERMAN RESTAURATEUR Alex Brennan-Martin Stephanie Haynes Kevin O’Brien Garza Protocol Associates, LLC LINDA TOYOTA CHRIS PAPPAS Brennan’s of Houston Hotel & Lodging Assn. of Freeman Douglas M. Horn IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Houston Community College Pappas Restaurants Inc. Galen Cobb Greater Houston Sharon M. Owens HONORARY MEMBERS The Houstonian Estates Halliburton Janet Hobby La Maison in Midtown, Les Alexander Thomas Jones, Jr. NICK MASSAD, JR. Connie L. Cochran MKG Art Management Bed & Breakfast Houston Rockets McConnell & Jones, LLP American Liberty Hospitality, Inc. ROBERT W. HARVEY Texas Southern University Andy Icken Hasu Patel Tad Brown Darryl King Greater Houston Partnership Edgardo E. Colón Office of Mayor Unity Hotels Group Houston Rockets Quality Hospitality CHAIR EMERITUS Harris County Sports and Sylvester Turner Kerry Ringham Kirbyjon H. Caldwell Consulting, Inc. DONALD J HENDERSON TOM NETTING Convention Corporation John Johnson Westin Houston, Memorial City Windsor Village United Donald McGregor, Jr. DJH Consulting, LLC Hyatt Regency Houston Gayden L. Cooper Silver Eagle Distributors Kelly Roberts Methodist Church McGregor Companies Space Center Houston-Manned John Keeling Landry’s, Inc. James R. Crane Jim Mills Space Flight Education Valencia Group Mark Sampsell Houston Astros Cherry Pie Hospitality, LLC CITY OF HOUSTON HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION Foundation Link Livingston Embassy Suites - Energy Tilman J. Fertitta Robert Sakowitz MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER BRENDA W. BAZAN Scot Cotton Texas Rodeo Productions Corridor Landry’s, Inc. Hazak, Inc. Marriott Marquis Houston Kathy Luhn Eric Schmauch Rosemary Garbett Milton L. Scott HARRIS COUNTY HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS & CONVENTION Joel Cowley Office of County Judge United Airlines - Corporate Los Tios Ltd. The Tagos Group, LLC JUDGE ED EMMETT CORPORATION (NRG PARK) Houston Livestock Show Ed Emmett Support Center Patricia Herrera Marshall Tyndall and Rodeo Reginald L. Martin, Jr. Tom Segesta Main Connections MARK MILLER Fernando Cuellar Lemond Kitchen Four Seasons Hotel Howard Jefferson Hilton University of Houston Nick Massad, Jr. Stephanie Stegall NAACP - Houston Chapter Chris K. Wilmot Jacques D’Rovencourt American Liberty Houston Astros Don Jordan Glory Infrastructure, Inc. Hilton Americas-Houston Hospitality, Inc. Linda Toyota Jordan Capital Management Mark Yanke Kim Davis Bill McKeon Houston Community College Dr. Kase Lawal Hotel Emma The KD Company Texas Medical Center Jackie Traywick CAMAC International Corp. Central Houston, Inc. Carole Look

2018 “The famous Texas hospitality “Houston, is, in fact, about “Houston is like New York City makes for a fun-filled visit but as multicultural a city as with its density of mom and pop Houston is also full of surprises.” exists in the country.” ethnic restaurants.”

London Evening Standard, 2017 CNN, 2017 Esquire Magazine, 2017

“With robust international influences from a diverse population, the “The host city of Super Bowl 51 has a bustling sprawling metropolis offers plenty of diverse neighborhoods to arts scene and a slew of international explore, along with exotic cuisines, of-the-moment boutiques, and restaurants. We found plenty of reasons to innovative art offerings.” visit right now--or any time.”

Vogue, 2017 Food Network Magazine, 2017 SALES

The mission of the Sales team is to SIGNIFICANT NEW BOOKINGS IN 2017 SIGNIFICANT MEETINGS HOSTED IN 2017 generate hotel room nights through • American Dental Association 2022 • Super Bowl +30,000 attendees +150,000 attendees trade shows, conventions, meetings • Health Occupations Students of America 2020 • Bass Anglers Sportsman Society and special events while promoting +10,000 attendees +115,000 attendees • Professional SQL Server – 2020 & 2022 • FIRST Robotics and selling the Houston area as a +4,500 attendees +29,468 attendees world-class meeting destination. • Association for Creative Industries 2023, 24 & 25 • Anime Matsuri Convention +8,000 attendees +20,000 attendees • American Society for Microbiology 2023 • Texas High School Coaches Association The Sales team strives to reach annual goals through direct +12,000 attendees +10,823 attendees sales activity and networking with meeting professionals at • American Society of Nephrology 2025 • National Athletic Trainers Association major industry events and trade shows, direct marketing and +13,000 attendees +10,331 attendees city-hosted visits. • International Congress & Convention Assoc. 2019 • American Association of Critical-Care Nurses +1,150 attendees +8,640 attendees Conferences requiring convention facilities afford the • John Deere 2018 • American Nurses Association opportunity to conduct business in multiple hotels and +5,000 attendees +8,300 attendees impact our hospitality partners. This year, the Sales team • National Association of Realtors 2025 • Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences secured 34 citywide conventions from groups requiring the +18,000 attendees +5,854 attendees George R. Brown or NRG convention facilities. In addition • World LPG 2018 • Marriott Masters to organizations requiring convention facilities, our team +2,000 attendees +700 attendees also facilitates single-hotel “in-house” groups. • Experient e4 +477 attendees In 2017, Sales contracted 429 groups for a total of 802,859 • Texas Society of Association Executives room nights, achieving 106% of its annual goal. +540 attendees

citywide contracted bookings +13% room nights 802,859 international tentative bookings +3% room nights 2.9 MILLION Tourism is charged with the promotion of the Houston area as a travel destination with the goal of increasing lei- sure travel. These efforts are measured in increased returns for area hotels, attractions, restaurants and others in TOURISM the hospitality sector. The department also works with the Houston hospitality industry to assist in leisure promo- tional efforts and encourage the creation of new leisure products.

Tourism actively works with domestic on making it easy for consumers to that directly increase travel to Houston. goal: total number and international travel trade to reach discover, buy, and experience the wide This year saw 14 new projects awarded the traveling consumer. New market variety of things to do in Houston. The marketing grants. of tourists by 2020 25 MILLION development includes engaging lo- marketplace contracts directly with tour cal hospitality partners to create travel and activity partners to create unique The Tourism department continues packages for visitors to purchase. Tour- opportunities for visitors to explore leading the Visit Houston and Beyond ism leads the newly launched Hospi- Houston. cooperative marketing initiative, which total incremental tality Insider program, an initiative that brings regional destination marketing room nights 365,578 trains and engages front line hospitality Tourism secured 808 international me- organizations under the Visit Houston personnel on how to more effectively dia placements, with a total of 924 mil- umbrella. Visit Houston and Beyond support a positive visitor experience in lion impressions which generated $12 includes Alvin, Beaumont, Conroe, The Houston. million in positive media value for the Woodlands, Galveston, Baytown, Deer international year. Tourism also trained 4,200 travel Park, Sugar Land, Huntsville, Bay Area publicity $12,120,193 Tourism participates in travel trade professionals on how to sell Houston as Houston, Tomball, Pearland, Port Arthur shows and organizes sales missions and a leisure destination, nearly double the and Brazosport. familiarization trips to reach key clients department’s annual goal. in its top markets. The department also In October 2017, Tourism launched the travel professionals handles international media visits and In 2017, Tourism executed a successful first new official Visitor Center offering trained 4,200 manages the Spanish website and so- Houston Tourism Summit, giving mem- a combination of trained concierge and cial media presence. Additionally, Tour- bers the opportunity to interact, learn self-service options for visitors to curate ism manages agencies representing the tourism trends and discover marketing their personal Houston experience. This city in its top five international markets: opportunities to promote their products state of the art center, located at Hobby visitors served through Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, to travelers. Airport, served over 10,000,000 passen- visitor information centers 5,244 China and Germany. gers by year-end. In 2018, Tourism will Tourism also continued the Matching open a new Visitor Center at Avenida Building on efforts to both increase Grants Program in 2017. The program Houston, as well as a center at Houston sales to Houston and provide an en- fosters tourism-related initiatives devel- Premium Outlets to enhance presence experiences sold through hanced visitor experience, Tourism oped by local and regional organiza- at Intercontinental Airport. the houston experience launched the Houston Experience Mar- tions by allowing hospitality partners to ketplace in October 2017 with a focus join up to apply for funding for initiatives marketplace 599 Client Services works with meeting planners to provide a wide range of services once a meeting is booked and works as a liaison between the meeting planner and GHCVB members. Client Services organizes and coordinates site visits, promotional and educational attendance and the welcoming program.

Client Services works with meeting In 2017 the team conducted numerous planners to provide a wide range of attendance promotional trips and convention awareness planning services once a meeting is booked and marketing support coordination program events 35 sessions 90 works as a liaison between the meeting representing 232,296 room nights and planner and GHCVB members. 194,750 attendees, with the goal of showcasing Houston as the host city for housing program major association Client Services provides exceptional their next meeting. support to meeting planners, offering events 9 planners evaluated 22 one-on-one attention and keeping Client Services provides education, maintaining 90% return rate and Houston at the forefront as a destination insight and awareness into Houston excellent overall satisfaction rating for future events. and promotes the city as a premier attendance destination. promotion trips 18 The Client Services team conducted 90 planning sessions. The team continues to expand the Convention Awareness Program highlighting 35 events in 2017.

This program helps connect with the GHCVB members, city departments and the community to effectively communicate the economic impact of conventions.

CLIENT SERVICES The mission of Membership is to encourage stakeholders to invest in the GHCVB member programs to support our MEMBERSHIP marketing efforts in promoting, branding and positioning Houston as a premier destination. Our programs provide value added ROI by implementing programs that support membership growth and revenue retention through education, member engagement, business opportunities, resources and exposure. retention 79%

Membership works with all other divisions to support and promote the organization’s overall objective of attracting con- new members ventions, meetings and visitors to Houston. This collaboration added in 2017 179 enhances the membership program, helping retain existing members and grow the base. engagements and member The primary goal is to increase our annual membership invest- ment by implementing a plan to actively identify and convert connection opportunities 32 business prospects into members.

A total of 179 new members were added in 2017. Membership exceeded engagement goals with 32 engagements and member connection business opportunities. This included GHCVB Membership Annual Meeting & Showcase, National Tourism Week Celebration at The Shops at Houston Center & Food Plaza 4 Houston Center, annual GHCVB Membership Holiday Open House, Houston Tourism Summit and Member- ship Tutorial and bi-monthly Membership Orientation Connec- tion & Showcase. Partnerships & Event Development SpaceCom, executed in collaboration with NASA-John- economic implements and manages event assets son Space Center, continues to solidify a position as the aerospace industry show, but it’s more than that. Space- impact $17 MILLION on behalf of the GHCVB. In 2017, the Com enables innovative businesses, research facilities, group recognized promising results heath care institutions, and universities to advance their own technologies and initiatives through the use of room from its current portfolio of invested products, environments, knowledge, and resources em- nights 11,000 events. ployed by NASA, the International Space Station, com- mercial aerospace enterprises, and their partners.

Achieving year over year attendee growth, with repre- out of state sentation from 40 states and 32 countries, SpaceCom drew the largest number of registrants outside Texas spacecom in 2017. The annual Commercial Spaceport Summit, a registration +20% co-located meeting of representatives from domestic and international spaceports, had 38 representatives and the Entrepreneurial Workshop, an inaugural event drawing investors and innovators in the space industry, had 37 participants.

Comicpalooza continued to be an economic success with an increase in attendance to 45,377. Attendees came from all over Texas, 40 states, Canada, Mexico, and abroad. The largest pop-culture festival in Texas hosted a star-studded lineup that included Chuck Norris, Anthony Mackie, Jon Bernthal, Mike Colter, Finn Jones, and many more.

PARTNERSHIPS & EVENT DEVELOPMENT MARKETING

The Marketing department promotes the Greater Houston area as a convention, business and tourism destination and supports the goals of all HFC departments. These efforts include advertising, public relations, sponsorship, special events, promotions, website and collateral development.

The more people the organization is able to reach, the great- and cable broadcast ads aired in the Texas and Louisiana mar- er its influence. In 2017, just over 7.8 million people visited the kets featuring the My Houston campaign. New in 2017, the Vis- room nights Houston CVB’s web network representing a 6.9% increase it Houston leisure digital ads featured the Visit Houston Mar- generated from web 211,533 from the previous year. The CVB network includes: ketplace, making it easier for locals and visitors to purchase • VisitHouston.com experiences. • VisitaHoustonTexas.com (Spanish) visitors to (now HolaHouston.com) The international advertising efforts increased with dedicated • MyGayHouston.com media buys targeting key markets in Mexico, including Guada- site network 7.8 MILLION • HoustonCulinaryTours.com lajara, Monterrey and Mexico City. • IDoHou.com • HoustonReunions.com Marketing’s domestic public relations efforts placed Houston media generated from in the national spotlight with more than 434 media placements pitch or journalist visit 434 Moreover, the network of websites generated 211,533 room generated by pitches and media visits. nights in 2017 and direct spending of $140.8 million from the leisure visitor market, a 11% increase. High-profile placements included pieces in Esquire, Elle, Food coordinated & Wine, Forbes, USA Today, and Vogue, as well as networks The 2017 advertising efforts included a national print cam- including CBS Sunday Morning, CNN and ESPN, among sever- interviews 171 paign in the Wall Street Journal and digital placement in New al others. York Times’ news, lifestyle and dining sections. The local TV The mission of the Houston Film Commission is to increase the number of film and economic video projects shot in the Houston area and build a sustainable film infrastructure. impact $47,156,250 A healthy film industry puts heads in beds, creates jobs, expands the tax base and enhances the image and visibility of the greater Houston community. direct expenditures $15,718,750 In 2017, the Houston Film Commission recorded 249 film and TELEVISION SERIES SHOT IN HOUSTON 2017 video projects representing 1,129 shooting days. Direct spend- Billion Dollar Buyer ing locally by the film industry in 2017 totaled $15.7 million with Brother vs Brother a total economic impact of nearly $47 million. House Hunters International shooting Keep it Real Estate Major projects filmed in Houston in 2017 included commer- My 600-Pound Life days 1,129 cials for Ford, Gatorade, HEB, Mercedes, United Airlines and Outdaughtered Verizon. Texas Vet The Bachelor film and video In other news, Texas Motion Picture Alliance recognized the The Eleven Commission’s deputy director, Alfred Cervantes, as the 2017 Queen of the South projects 249 “Impact Person of the Year,” and for the second consecutive Welcome to Sweetie Pies year one of the leading publications for directors, producers and writers, MovieMaker, designated Houston as one of the FEATURE FILMS SHOT IN HOUSTON 2017 “Best Places to Live and Work As A Filmmaker”. Fifth Ward The Candidate AKA Lone Star Deception The Trouble With Ray

HOUSTON FILM COMMISSION FINANCE

GREATER HOUSTON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU GREATER HOUSTON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU *STATEMENTS OF REVENUES, EXPENSES AND CHANGES IN FINANCIAL *STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016 POSITION FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016 12/31/2017 12/31/2016 ASSETS 12/31/2017 12/31/2016 Current Assets: REVENUES Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 6,265,808 $ 8,388,974 Public Sector $ 666,775 $ 663,073 Accounts Receivable 186,050 89,430 Interest and Other Income 92,513 127,328 Prepaid Expenses 3,295 10,000 TOTAL REVENUES 759,288 790,401 Total Current Assets 6,455,153 8,488,404

Non-current Assets: EXPENSES Property and Equipment - Net 115,061 207,835 Convention Sales and Services 1,532,272 2,372,613 Investments in Other Entities 806,577 531,577 Private Sector Services 5,644 7,140 Deposits 66,101 66,101 General and Administrative 413,637 567,940 Total Assets 7,442,892 9,293,917 Investment Losses 130,876

LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS TOTAL EXPENSES 1,951,553 3,078,569 Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable 3,285 - NET ASSET (DECREASE) $ (1,192,265) $ (2,288,168) Deferred Revenue 145,809 151,092 Accrued Expenses 100,035 625,922 Total Current Liabilities 249,129 777,014 Agency Obligations 4,009 3,951 Accumulated Investment Losses 130,876 130,876 Unrestricted Net Assets 7,058,878 8,382,076 Total Liabilities & Net Assets $ 7,442,892 $ 9,293,917

*Unaudited Report- Audited report available after August 31, 2018 *Unaudited Report- Audited report available after August 31, 2018