George R. Brown Convention Center – Overview

The mecca of Houston venues is undoubtedly George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB). This expansive convention center can accommodate a wide range of events simultaneously thanks to its massive size and diverse features and amenities. The facility is named after famous Houstonian George Rufus Brown – an entrepreneur, civic leader, engineer, and philanthropist. It’s owned by the city and managed by the Houston First Corporation.

This placed is packed to gills with conveniences and comforts, as well as useful business capabilities and services. Between everything inside the convention center and the surrounding areas – which are densely populated with restaurants and attractions – you’ll be able to do as much or as little as you want whenever you have some free time. As for GRB, here’s some useful information that’s worth knowing before you arrive.

 

Overview

• 9 million sq. ft. of usable space – George R. Brown Convention Center is one of the biggest in the country, boasting almost two million square feet spread out across three levels. There are a wide array of room types, ranging from meeting rooms, exhibit halls, ballrooms, a theater, and more. Tons of space is always a great characteristic of a convention center, but it also means that finding your way can get a little confusing. However, it’s worth the tradeoff for a huge list of stellar amenities.
• 7 flexible exhibit halls totaling 770,730 sq. ft. – The most spacious portion of the George R. Brown Convention Center are the seven exhibit halls. Five of these halls can be found on level 1. Halls A through E boast a combined square footage of 547,730. All five of these exhibit spaces have the ability to accommodate multiple seating arrangements for whatever the event may need. The other two exhibit halls, known as A3 and B3, are on level 3. The groupings of Halls A through E can be combined if needed, as can Halls A3 and B3. The abundance of space these exhibit halls offer are perfect for large-scale events, such as trade shows, conventions, and conferences.
• Versatile level 2: four conference rooms, four mezzanines, four balconies, & nine show offices – While GRB’s first floor is dominated by exhibit halls, level 2 houses multiple room types that can serve the needs of all kinds of events. The conference rooms are ideal for things like meetings, lectures, and more. The most scenic spot you’ll find at GRB is at Mezzanine C. It treats guests to a magnificent view of the Houston skyline. There are three other mezzanines, and together, the four of them provide attendees with a cozy respite from the hustle and bustle happening throughout the rest of the convention center.

In addition to the mezzanines, level 2 also has four balconies and nine show offices. The balconies, much like the mezzanines, are great spots to enjoy the beautiful sights of Houston in a quieter setting. The show offices are convenient, small rooms that aid in any overflow the convention center might be experiencing. These nine offices are rather tight on space compared to other rooms, but they act as a solid backup in case more space is needed. Show offices can be booked directly too – but because their sizes vary from 230 to 380 square feet – they can’t fit too many people comfortably.

• 19 meeting rooms – One of the most common events held at GRB are meetings. That’s why the facility bulked up on meeting rooms. Level 3 comes equipped with 19 altogether, spanning 123,000 square feet. Audio/visual technology is available, as is ample seating space capable of multiple configurations.
• Grand ballroom with option of 3 smaller ballrooms – For things like wedding receptions, sweet 16s, dances, and even small concerts and live performances, GRB’s ballroom is the best venue. Don’t worry about inviting too many people to the party because the Grand Ballroom totals 31,590 square feet. You’ll be able to throw quite the lively shindig. Those who don’t need all that square footage can elect to rent out a chunk of the ballroom. Because of its size, the grand ballroom can be divided into three smaller sections, each comprised of 10,530 square feet.
• General assembly theater reaching 5,320 sq. ft. – When big concerts, plays, comedy shows, or other live performances come to George R. Brown Convention Center, they happen at the theater. Guests can choose from tons of seating options in three sections when the entire theater is being used. However, some other arrangements are possible: A, B, and C. A and C are designed for side stage events, while B is the center stage set up. Most seats offer an awesome view of the stage, regardless of the setup. Some guests have voiced frustration about the some of their views being obstructed. It’s something worth remembering when purchasing tickets.
• 2 on-site hotels connected to GRB via skybridges – A lot of conventions centers have a hotel on the premises; GRB has two. The 1,200 room Hilton Americas-Houston and the 1,000 room Marriott Marquis are the go-to hotels for people attending an event at the convention center. The Hilton can be reached using three of the five skybridges, while the Marriott has the other two connected to it. 2,200 hotel rooms is quite the inventory. But do keep in mind that thousands of people will be clamoring to book rooms. If you don’t manage to grab a room at one of these on-site hotels, don’t freak out. There are 24 other downtown hotels that have more than 7,700 rooms available.
• 13 on-site dining options in the GRB, Hilton Americas-Houston, and Marriott Marquis – This is an amazing perk for guests. Sure, Houston’s culinary scene is exceptional and extremely diverse, and definitely worth checking out; but, having 13 places to eat on GRB’s grounds is too convenient to pass up. No matter your dietary preferences, it’s easy to find something delicious. For more information on GRB’s on-site dining options, check out our article discussing each restaurant.
• 4 nearby parking garages – Because GRB is one of the largest convention centers in the country, it needs a lot of parking close by. That’s where the four giant parking garages come into play: Avenida North (1,846 spots), Avenida Central (1,002 spots), Avenida South (1,710 spots), and Tundra (1,506 spots). Unfortunately, none of these garages are free, but parking nearby is worth shelling out some cash.
• Discovery Green – Tranquility awaits directly across the street from George R. Brown Convention Center. The Discovery Green is a 12 acre urban park, touting a lake, outdoor stage, playground, and several spacious recreational lawns. It’s without a doubt the best place nearby GRB to relax after a long day. Explore the Natural Gardens, lounge on the banks of Kinder Lake, or walk around on the Brown Foundation Promenade.

 

Tips

• Tundra parking garage is the cheapest of the four options (on nongame or concert days) – Tundra parking garage is actually the designated lot for the Toyota Center, home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets. The garage does allow visitors of George R. Brown Convention Center to park there, and it should be your number one priority if there isn’t anything going on at Toyota Center on that specific day. It’s the cheapest of the four lots. Be aware though, because if the Rockets are playing or there’s a concert happening, Tundra Garage jacks up the prices.
• GRB has two METRORail lines running nearby – Both the Green and Purple METRORail lines stop at Convention District, which is the closest stop to GRB. These light rail lines are very cheap and are an extremely easy way to get around Houston. The city’s other METRORail line – the Red line – doesn’t stop at Convention District, but you can get off at Central Station and either walk to GRB or take a transfer to the Green or Purple line.
• Many guests feel there aren’t enough bathrooms – One of the most frequent issues attendees complain about is GRB’s lack of bathrooms. For such a massive convention center, it seems like a no-brainer to include plenty of bathrooms. Sadly, this isn’t the case. Do your due diligence and know where at least two bathrooms are, so you aren’t forced to wait in a long line.
• The signage is lacking – Another common complaint about George R. Brown Convention Center is its lack of signs. It’s not hard to get lost here. Not only because of how big the facility is, but also because it doesn’t do a good job directing guests. Here is a map of GRB that you could stow away on your phone. It’s not the best resource, but it makes navigating a little easier. You can also ask staff members. They’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.
• Wear comfortable shoes – As previously mentioned, George R. Brown Convention Center is one of the biggest conventions centers in the United States. Prepare to do a lot of walking, whether it’s from the parking lot to the convention center, or just getting around the complex in general. The last thing you need to deal with is tired and achy feet. Even if you have to pack a pair of comfy shoes just to walk around, it’s not a bad idea. You can always switch into dressier shoes when you need to.
• No outside food/drink is allowed – This isn’t necessarily a problem. GRB and the attached hotels are packed with viable eateries. You can bet on a diverse selection. If you did plan on saving some money by bringing your own food, you’re out of luck. That being said, if you are staying at the Hilton Americas-Houston or the Marriott Marquis, nothing is stopping you from eating something in your room before heading down to the convention center.
• The air conditioning is usually blasting inside the convention center – Anyone who’s consistently cold, you’ve been warned. George R. Brown Convention Center loves keeping the AC pumping. It might seem counterintuitive to pack warm and wear layers in Houston, but it’s the smart move. You know how the saying goes: “it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.”
• GRB is in a prime location for sports fans – Adjacent to the convention center are two of Houston’s professional sports team stadiums. Going to see the Rockets at Toyota Center or the Astros at Minute Maid Park is essentially hassle-free. As long as you’re able to purchase the tickets, all you have to do is take a quick five minute walk to either stadium.
• William P. Hobby Airport is the closest airport – Houston has two major airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. For convenience sake, try and fly into William P. Hobby Airport. It’s less than a 20 minute drive to GRB, without traffic. George Bush International Airport is roughly a 25 minute drive. Not much further, but when you’re trying to arrive at the airport on time, every second counts. Especially when you have to deal with city traffic.