How Houston is Preparing for a Busy Year of Meetings and Events

There’s no doubt, as we reach 12 months of impact from Covid-19 in the U.S., the last year has been challenging for the tourism and events industries.

Release time : 2021-03-18 10:07:06

source : Skift

There’s no doubt, as we reach 12 months of impact from Covid-19 in the U.S., the last year has been challenging for the tourism and events industries. Travel of all types was brought to a standstill across the country. People lost their jobs, and organizers canceled events and lost money. EventMB’s State of the Event Industry report reveals the widespread nature of such impact, with 79.5 percent of companies in the event industry reporting loss of business — and nearly one-third (30.5 percent) of all respondents reporting a loss of 75 to 90 percent of revenue.

But for those who have reacted swiftly, doing the maximum to ensure the safety of their visitors and preparing for the new world as it begins to recover from the impacts of the virus and its associated restrictions, 2021 brings the promise of a new start. And for Houston First Corporation, it’s already looking to be a year with a full roster of meetings, conventions, and events.

ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF PREPARATION

“We are open for business,” said Michael Heckman, acting president and CEO of Houston First Corporation. “Part of our value proposition here is we’ve already been able to successfully hold events. Not a lot of cities or communities have been able to do that.”

Right from the beginning of the pandemic, Houston First was at the forefront in reacting to changing market conditions, government restrictions, and reluctance for people to travel. The company, which is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for the city of Houston, Texas, quickly applied the highest standard of health and safety protocols to all its events, attractions, and venues.

They were sure to mobilize across the city’s events and hospitality industries in order to adjust to the new Covid-safe way of doing business, as well as prepare for the eventual slow return to normal.

“Houston Clean was a collaboration between the Houston events and venues task