George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenida de las Americas
1 show hosted
About this venue
The George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) opened in downtown Houston on September 26, 1987. At 1.2 million usable square feet, it ranks among the 10 largest convention centers in the nation. The venue offers 7 exhibit halls, including 5 halls on Level 1 that provide 550,000 square feet of combined exhibition space, a 3,600-person capacity General Assembly that can be divided into three 1,200-person theaters, and abundant flex space on Level 2 including a 90,000-square-foot mezzanine, balconies overlooking downtown Houston and Discovery Green park, show offices, and conference rooms. Attendee amenities include art by local artists, complimentary Wi-Fi, multiple restaurants, skybridges, ATMs, and an on-site Starbucks. Note that a major expansion is under way; Phase I renovations initiated in 2025 will add a new 700,000-square-foot facility to the south of the existing 1.8 million-square-foot building.
Parking
The George R. Brown Convention Center features surface parking lots for 3,000 vehicles along with the 1,600-space Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel parking garage at the corner of Polk Street and Avenida de las Americas, and the Convention District Parking Garage under Discovery Green offers 650 spaces. Daily parking rates have been listed at $10 at the surface lots, $19 at the Hilton Americas-Houston garage, and $12 at the underground Convention District Parking Garage. Additional public and street parking is available nearby, including lots on Rusk Street and in the Houston Center garages. Note that ongoing convention center construction is affecting some parking; visitors should confirm current options and rates before arrival.
Getting there
Houston is served by two airports: William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), approximately 10 miles southeast, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), approximately 20 miles north. For public transit, both the Green and Purple METRORail lines stop at Convention District, the closest stop to the GRB, while the Red line stops at Central Station where riders can walk or transfer. The venue sits in the heart of downtown Houston, and rideshare and taxi services are widely available. If driving, on-site and nearby garage parking is available (subject to current construction).
Nearby hotels
The convention campus offers two hotels connected directly to the GRB via skybridge:
- Hilton Americas-Houston — on the south side of the convention center, with 1,200 rooms plus an infinity pool, spa, and fitness center.
- Marriott Marquis Houston — connected on the north side, a 1,000-room hotel featuring a Texas-shaped lazy river. (This hotel also serves as the IMAGE satellite registration location.)
Other downtown options within walking distance include the Hyatt Regency Houston, an Embassy Suites, and Club Quarters Hotel Downtown. An Embassy Suites is only one block away and additional hotels covering all price points are within a comfortable walk of 3-4 blocks.