Venue Updates: New Center in Owensboro, Ky., Headquarter Hotel in Irving, Texas, Houston CC Upgrade

January 27, 2014

With construction projects stalled for several years during the recession, things are picking up speed again with hotel builds, upgrades of existing centers and new centers opening up.

The Irving (Texas) Convention Center at Las Colinas has been greenlit for a Westin Hotels & Resorts-branded new headquarter hotel.

The 350-room, full-service headquarter ICCLC Westin will be located adjacent to the convention center and connected by sky bridge.

“With the bond sale for the entertainment elements anchoring the south end of the Convention Center complex scheduled for next week, this announcement of the headquarter hotel flag to be a Westin could not be better timed,” said Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director, Maura Allen Gast.

The $90 million headquarter hotel project, which will include 20,000 square feet of meeting space, will be led by Mortensen Development.

Vaughn Construction has been hired as general contractor for a project to build a new garage and improve the exterior of Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center.

Houston First, which operates the convention center, previously named Griffin Partners as project developer and WHR as the architectural firm. The chief goals of the project are to connect the convention center more closely to Discovery Green across the street, add a more recognizable grand entrance to the building and improve interior circulation. 



“A new grand entrance to the GRB will be one of the lasting imprints of this project,” said Luther Villagomez, Houston First’s COO for convention facilities.

He added, “We’re not yet ready to reveal full details on this project, but, rest assured, it will give the GRB a striking new signature façade and a natural point of entry to the building.”



The new garage will be located on the north end of the building across from the site of the new Marriott Marquis, which is scheduled for groundbreaking in April. 

The Global Spectrum-managed Owensboro (Ky.) Convention Center is all set to open its doors to business.

The new facility currently is under final stages of construction and scheduled to open in this month in revitalized downtown Owensboro, Ky.

The multi-purpose facility will feature a 45,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall and an additional 47,000-plus sq. ft. of meeting and banquet space, which includes two ballrooms.

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact