Houston was named the fifth-best city in the country to attend a conference or convention, according to a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report.
Houston was the top-ranked Texas city among the 52 cities analyzed as part of the first-ever report, which took into account each city’s available meeting space, affordability, accessibility, safety, sustainability, and appeal as a destination, as well as perspectives from industry experts. San Antonio was the only other Texas city to crack the top ten, with a ninth-place spot, while the top three spots went to Las Vegas, Chicago and Orlando.
The Bayou City’s two major airports, abundance of reasonably-priced hotels and entertainment scene contributed to its high ranking, U.S. News & World Report senior travel editor Elizabeth Von Tersch said in a statement. The city’s mild winters make it an especially attractive choice for first- and fourth-quarter conventions, according to the report.
“Beyond its practicality, the city’s unique entertainment options, from Astros games to rodeos, and renowned food scene provide plenty of appeal when professionals are off-the-clock as well,” Von Tersch said.
Houston city leaders were quick to praise the fifth-place ranking as evidence of the city’s growing appeal as a destination for business and tourism, and they said the forthcoming expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center will bolster that appeal.
“By significantly increasing the size of the George R. Brown Convention Center and the entertainment district, we are investing in Houston’s future and ensuring our city remains a top destination for business, tourism and economic development,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in a statement. “This ranking validates that Houston is heading in the right direction.”
The city in April secured $1.4 billion to fund the first phase of the expansion project: the construction of a 700,000-square-foot building connected to the existing convention center and a new pedestrian plaza, both expected to open in May 2028.
The larger convention center is expected to position Houston to host larger and more frequent conventions, Houston First Corporation CEO Michael Heckman previously told the Houston Chronicle. The city currently hosts an average of 25 citywide conventions a year, according to Houston First, and it is slated to host the Republican National Convention in 2028.
The U.S. News report also ranked top conference hotels in each city, based on factors including amenities, location and affordability. In Houston, the top three hotels were Marriott Marquis Houston, Hilton Americas-Houston, and Hyatt Regency Houston Downtown.