Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center Shelters 9,000+ Evacuees; Fern Mobilizes Relief Effort

August 30, 2017
George R. Brown Convention Center

After Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Texas Coast and spurred days of record rainfall resulting in deadly flooding conditions, the doors of Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center opened and currently houses more than 9,000 evacuees.

In addition, Houston’s NRG Center opened last night as a shelter, and the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas also is mobilized so it, too, will be able to take in people as needed.  

Visit Houston released the following statement:

“Over these last few days, the residents of this great city have shown the true Heart of Houston, and demonstrated how resilient and caring a community can be under the most trying circumstances. We are proud of the efforts of so many Houstonians who have come to the aid of their fellow man in these trying times. While Harvey’s rains will soon leave this city, much work remains to be done. We are so grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from around the nation, and the many donations to local charities that will be needed to help support those who have lost so much.”

Here is an update on major convention hotels and facilities:

  • At the moment, Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center is serving as an emergency shelter for thousands who have been left homeless. The Convention Center is fully functional and the convention campus, Avenida Houston, sustained no damage. At this point it’s too early to say how long the facility will be used in that capacity.
  • According to the most recent reports, surrounding hotels in downtown Houston sustained no damage and are fully operational.
  • Both airports are expected to be operational by the end of the week.
  • Many of the facilities in Houston’s Theatre District have sustained damage. Evaluations are currently underway to determine the extent of the damage, and its impact on future operations.

The trade show community has responded with offers of assistance not only through donations to the Red Cross, but also in more hands-on ways, such as Fern Expositions collecting needed items in several of its locations to be dropped off early next week at the latest in Houston.

“Our team is very pleased to have an opportunity to be able to offer some assistance,” said Aaron Bludworth, Fern Expositions’ CEO and president.

He added, “All members of the team who I have spoken with are excited to be part of the effort and recognize the importance of helping address this need. We really have a great team and helping others comes pretty naturally.”

Bludworth said in several cities they have numerous partners that have organically joined in the effort, including convention centers, CVB’s, and hotels.

“Of course, many individual donors are also coming by,” he added.

The initial plan, Bludworth said, is to deliver to the George R. Brown, but they also are monitoring where the highest need is when the deliveries are made.

“We will make that decision later in the week with input from the agencies providing relief and FEMA,” he added.

So why did Fern step up to help out the people of Houston? We didn’t really think about it. There is great need and we have resources that can be used to help,” Bludworth said. “I’m glad we are able to use our resources this way. “

For more info on Fern's efforts and where they are taking donations, please visit: http://www.fernexpo.com/news/hurricane-harvey-relief/

Want to help? Here are several ways:

Meetings Industry Fund

Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund

Houston Food Bank

Houston Humane Society

United Way of Greater Houston

American Red Cross

AmeriCares

Is your company helping out in some way? Let us know! rwimberly@tsnn.com.

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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