GREATER HOUSTON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS MISSION STATEMENT 2 DESTINATION SALES 14 STRUCTURE & FUNDING 3 TOURISM 16 2015 KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS 4 DESTINATION SERVICES 18 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 5 MEMBERSHIP 20 LETTER FROM THE CHAIR 6 PARTNERSHIPS & EVENT DEVELOPMENT 22 CITY & COUNTY OFFICIALS 7 MARKETING 24 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 8 HOUSTON FILM COMMISSION 26 2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 10 VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICES 28 HIGHLIGHTS 12 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION 30 MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau is 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 (GHCVB) is a 501(c)6 nonprofit corporation. The GHCVB is a marketing and service organization with a budget presently comprised of certain reserved funds and private funds raised through a variety of sources including investments in events, membership dues, advertising and in-kind contributions. At the beginning of 2014, the GHCVB’s primary source of funding was from a contract with the City of Houston which was assigned to Houston First Corporation (HFC) in 2011; however, this contract expired June 30, 2014. This contract funded approximately 92% of the GHCVB’s budget from a tax on hotel/motel occupancy within the incorporated boundaries of Houston, Texas. Upon expiration of the contract, the GHCVB and HFC boards approved a strategic realignment between the two organizations to create a more efficient approach to marketing and selling Houston to tourists and conventions. As part of that agreement, GHCVB employees became employees of Houston First Corporation while the GHCVB maintained its own board of directors and gained seats on the HFC board. With the realignment, the GHCVB has enhanced resources available — both human and financial. 2 3 CONVENTION AND MEETING LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 732,967 ROOM NIGHTS BOOKED Dear Members, As you will read in the ensuing pages, 2015 The future could not be more exciting for ROOM NIGHTS BOOKED THROUGH was another year with positive year-over- our city. Everyone knows the Super Bowl is 144,590 INTERNATIONAL LEISURE AND REUNIONS There’s no question about it. This is a great year results in all departments. Nevertheless, coming here in a few months. And just like the time to be in Houston’s hospitality business technology continues to alter both business NCAA Final Four held here this year, Houston and its related sectors. and leisure pursuits in ways that require daily will shine as few other host cities have. VISITORS THROUGH THE VISIT HOUSTON monitoring. And, as each member can vouch Houston is a premier destination. Let’s enjoy NETWORK OF WEBSITES Our town and the entire Gulf Coast region for, the speed at which these changes take the spotlight! 6 million are enjoying growth despite the downturn in place can be confounding. the energy sector. Some have experienced Your team is poised and ready to serve you, job loss, for sure, but to be certain this kind That is why Visit Houston continually works our board, our members, our customers and of inevitable economic cycle is something we to establish, and then refine, metrics to define our city. 140 members know how to endure. In fact, some businesses success. We build and develop strategic plans ADDED TO THE CITY'S LARGEST NETWORK have found ways to thrive. by segment and then adjust our benchmarks OF HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES based on results. I want the Visit Houston Houston continues to experience new hotel team to be recognized as one of the most construction and that benefits our member- progressive, innovative, nimble and custom- MIKE WATERMAN ship and better positions us to sell Houston er-centric sales and marketing organizations President, Greater Houston Convention $54.4 million as a destination. Residential construction, in the country. I firmly believe that our re- and Visitors Bureau GENERATED FOR LOCAL ECONOMY THROUGH both downtown and in the surrounding areas, sources, talent, vision and alignment give us a FILM AND COMMERCIAL PROJECTS will create additional retail and restaurant competitive advantage against other cities. offerings, which are key elements for attracting visitors. As we elevate our game, I ask that our members, partners, hoteliers and board The media is also recognizing our city as one members follow suit. Now is the time to of the top cultural and culinary destinations in further demonstrate the value of tourism in the nation. Houston has a long history of blaz- Houston. To enhance that visitor experience, 2015 KEY ing new trails and leading through innovation. we have to improve transportation, better This passionate drive, plus our remarkable connect areas of our city, and continue to collaboration between the public and private market the total Houston brand. Unveiling the ACCOMPLISHMENTS sectors, is making Houston a better place to new assets around the George R. Brown Con- live, work and play. vention Center will continue to be a priority. 4 5 LETTER FROM THE CHAIR CITY & COUNTY OFFICIALS Dear Members, As this organization continues its record Mayor City Council County Judge of achievement, I ask that our members, Sylvester Turner District A - Brenda Stardig Ed Emmett What a ride we are on! As you know, Houston partners and board members follow suit. Now enjoyed tremendous exposure from hosting is the time to further demonstrate the value District B - Jerry Davis the NCAA Final Four earlier this year and of tourism in Houston. To enhance that visitor Controller District C - Ellen Cohen Commissioners now we are currently readying the city to experience, we have to improve transpor- District D - Dwight Boykins host Super Bowl LI in February. I cannot think tation, better connect areas of our city and Chris Brown Precinct 1 - Gene Locke of another time during my decades in the continue to market the total Houston brand. District E - Dave Martin Precinct 2 - Jack Morman hospitality business when Houston has had I believe re-imagination of the convention District F - Steve Le Precinct 3 - Steve Radack more opportunity to spotlight our great city to district, which will be complete later this year, District G - Greg Travis the rest of the world. will help us to market and sell the Houston Precinct 4 - R. Jack Cagle experience like never before. District H - Karla Cisneros Gone are the days of feeling second to District I - Robert Gallegos other destinations. With increasing strength Thank you for your service as a member of District J - Mike Laster in everything from attractions to the arts, our organization. These days, Houston’s culinary to lodging, Houston’s hospitality star is shining brighter than ever. And I’m District K - Larry Green sector can hold its head high. I hear it among confident that the team we’ve put together At-Large 1 - Mike Knox my peers in the hotel industry and beyond, will continue to capitalize on the great At-Large 2 - David Robinson this is an unprecedented time. And as you opportunities that lie ahead. will see in this report, the Greater Houston At-Large 3 - Michael Kubosh Convention and Visitors Bureau is taking At-Large 4 - Amanda Edwards advantage of this chance to make our city At-Large 5 - Jack Christie even better. New records were achieved in NICK MASSAD many departments last year and I know, with Chair, Board of Directors Mike Waterman’s continued leadership, even Greater Houston Convention more great things are still to come. and Visitors Bureau 6 7 2015 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR MEMBERS AT LARGE HOTELIERS The Honorable Annise D. Parker Fernando Cuéllar John Johnson Judy Orlando Rebecca Greene Udden Jim McIngvale NICK MASSAD, JR. SCOTT AUSTIN JOHN KEELING Mayor - City of Houston Hilton University of Houston Silver Eagle Distributors Omni Houston Hotel Westside Main Street Theater Gallery Furniture American Liberty Hospitality Inc. American Liberty Hospitality Inc./ Hotel & Lodging Association of The Honorable Ed Emmett David B. DeVane Tony Keane Sharon M. Owens Dawn Ullrich Robert McNair County Judge - Harris County Sysco Houston, Inc. International Facility Management La Maison in Midtown, Houston First Corporation Houston Texans Embassy Suites Houston Downtown Greater Houston (Chair) Scott Austin John Ferrari Association Bed & Breakfast Luther Villagomez John L. Nau, III CHAIR-ELECT American Liberty Hospitality, Inc./ AFC Transportaton John Keeling Kim Padgett George R. Brown Silver Eagle Distributors, L.P. DEAN GLADDEN PHYLLIS J. BAILEY JUDY ORLANDO Embassy Suites Houston Downtown William Fitch Hotel & Lodging Association of The Padgett Group Convention Center Dan Nip Alley Theatre 3B Resources Group Public Relations, LLC Omni Houston Hotel Westside Phyllis J. Bailey Staging Solutions, Inc. Greater Houston (Chair) Jerry Paduano Mike Waterman Global Century Development LLC 3B Resources Group Public Terence H. Fontaine Nicki Keenan Hilton Houston North Greater Houston Convention Denise O’Connell SECRETARY ROBERT W. HARVEY JOE PALMIERI Relations, LLC Metropolitan Transit Authority of Landry’s, Inc. Joe Palmieri and Visitors Bureau Joel Osteen Alan D. Bergeron Harris County Darryl King Hilton Americas-Houston Lakewood Church NICKI KEENAN Greater Houston Partnership Hilton Americas-Houston Bergeron Management Services Mike Giangrosso Quality Hospitality Consulting, Inc. Robert C. Robbins, M.D. CHAIR EMERITUS Chris Pappas Landry’s Inc. John C. Binick Bay Area Houston Convention Barbara Laken Texas Medical Center Donald J Henderson Pappas Restaurants, Inc. JOHN JOHNSON GREATER HOUSTON RESTAURANT Hilton Houston Post Oak and Visitors Bureau United Airlines Jamey Rootes DJH Consulting, LLC Arthur L. Schechter TREASURER Silver Eagle Distributors ASSOCIATION (IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT) Alison Birdwell Mohamed Gire Jerry Martin Houston Texans Greenberg Traurig, LLP TOM NETTING REGINALD L. MARTIN JR.