CONVENTION AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES DEPARTMENT

The Convention & Entertainment Facilities (C&E) Department manages more than 10 City-owned buildings and plazas and underground and surface parking for nearly 7,000 vehicles. These facilities include the George R. Brown Convention Center, Jones Hall, Wortham Theater Center, Houston Center for the Arts, Talento Bilingue de Houston, Jones Plaza, Miller Outdoor Theatre and other smaller venues.

C&E is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and operation of these properties, producing conventions, trade shows and theatrical performances. C&E also handles licensing of the George R. Brown Convention Center, Wortham Center and Jones Hall to private groups who provide convention and entertainment services that enrich the lives of Houstonians.

At the George R. Brown Convention Center, where some 200 events are held annually, a $165 million expansion was completed in December 2003. As a result of the facility's increased capacity, larger events are in store for the convention center. Open across the street is the new 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston hotel, which is connected to the convention center via doubledeck pedestrian skybridge, and the 12-acre Discovery Green Park. The combined facilities enable Houston to compete for the nation's most lucrative conventions.

In the Theater District , C&E has agreements with Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet at Wortham Center and Society for the Performing Arts and Houston Symphony at Jones Hall. These tenants enjoy "resident company" rights that include priority booking privileges, concession agreements and office space leased at a reduced rental rate.

The department also manages Jones Plaza, Ray C. Fish Plaza, the Bush Monument and Sesquicentennial Park properties adjacent to Wortham Center, as well as Root Square, which is adjacent to Toyota Center.

C&E has an operating budget of approximately $80 million and 135 employees. Some revenues are generated from leasing facilities and parking fees, but the majority of C&E revenue is generated by the municipal hotel occupancy tax.

The department also administers contracts between the city and the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) and the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB).

For many years, the City Council has entered into an agreement that allows HAA to promote the arts and provide grants to nearly 200 artists and organizations. HAA receives a substantial amount of its operating and grant money through its contract with the city.

The city also enters into an annual agreement with the GHCVB to solicit and promote tourism and convention business for the City.