Central Houston, Inc. typically has about seven membership meetings a year, including an annual meeting/luncheon, downtown update at the start of each year, and other events. The list below includes previous events. See also Scheduled Events.
May 17, 2013 This membership breakfast focused on recent development updates and downtown's office market, including recent statistics, and perspectives from the tenant, leasing agent and tenant rep sides. Participating speakers included Debbie Wilson/CBRE, Steve Burkett/JLL, Jim Furr/Gensler, Terry Woolfe/Kinder Morgan, and Cindy Marion/MMI Agency.
Anniversary Reception, April 11, 2013
Reception celebrating the organization's 30 years to date of dedication to improving downtown. This reception was hosted by Chevron on the 50th floor of 1400 Smith. Members of the founding board attended this very special evening.
Membership Breakfast, March 15, 2013
Central Houston's members met for breakfast at the City of Houston Permitting Center at 1002 Washington Avenue, beginning with a gathering in the City's Green Building Resource Center.
Membership Breakfast, January 24, 2013
Central Houston's members met for breakfast at the Hyatt to discuss the outlook for 2013 and Central Houston's major priorities and implementation of the organization's strategic plan, including business development, transportation improvements, enhancing the urban place, redevelopment initiatives, planning initiatives, marketing, retail, operations, and livability/education options.
Membership Breakfast, December 11, 2012 Central Houston's members met for breakfast at the Plaza Club for a brief update on parks and green space, followed by presentations from Joe Turner, Houston Parks & Recreation Department; Roksan Okan-Vick, Houston Parks Board; Barry Mandel, Discovery Green Conservancy; and Guy Hagstette, Buffalo Bayou Partnership.
Central Houston's Annual Meeting Luncheon, October 5, 2012
This year's theme was Growing Region, Thriving Core. Bruce Katz presented the luncheon's keynote address, during which he introduced his recent research on metropolitan innovation and smart governance as a part of what he calls the Metropolitan Revolution. Katz is a vice president at the Brookings Institution and founding director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, which aims to provide decision makers in the public, corporate and civic sectors with policy ideas for improving the health and prosperity of cities and metropolitan areas.
The program was recorded and can be seen here:
Membership Breakfast, September 7, 2012 Central Houston's members met for breakfast at The Houston Club for a brief update on downtown access, followed by updates from Edwin Friedrichs - Transit Working Group; John Huff, Chevron - single-seat Fort Bend park & ride service, Christof Spieler, Morris Architects - access and traffic working group, John Hawkins, Porter & Hedges - US 290 Corridor, Emily Braswell, Central Houston, Inc. - I-45/Hardy corridor and Angie Bertinot, Houston Downtown Management District - Greenlink.
Membership Breakfast and Greenlink Preview Ride, Tuesday, June 5, 2012 Central Houston's members met for breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Houston to hear an update on the downtown office market. Then employers and real estate experts Paul Frazier with Brookfield Properties, Charles Gordon with CBRE, Dan Gilbane with Gilbane Building Company, Mike Mair with Skanska, John Huff with Chevron and Yamoria Miller with Devon gave their perspectives. The meeting concluded with a briefing on the new, free downtown bus circulator, Greenlink and members received a sneak preview ride as they left the hotel.
Membership Event and Tour, April 25, 2012 Central Houston's members and guests went on a pre-opening hard-hat tour of BBVA Compass Stadium. The tour was followed by a reception at the George R. Brown Convention Center with Dynamo president Chris Canetti, stadium manager Doug Hall, and Dynamo player Adam Moffat. The stadium's ribbon cutting is May 1st, and the first home game May 12th.
Membership Breakfast, February 28, 2012
Central Houston's members met for breakfast at the Plaza Club to discuss the outlook for 2012 and Central Houston's major priorities, including the organization's new strategic plan, enhancing the urban place, business development and marketing, facilitate and advocate transportation improvements, and facilitating improved access to quality educational choices.
Membership Reception, February 7, 2012 Central Houston honored our outgoing chair, Chip Carlisle, and incoming chair, Pam Gardner at a reception held in the beautiful Tudor Gallery of the Julia Ideson Library. The Ideson, which houses the archives, manuscripts and the Texas and Local History Department, as well as the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, was recently expanded and restored, and was a fitting venue to honor our outgoing and incoming chairs.
Membership Breakfast, November 30, 2011 The organization held a breakfast meeting at the Hyatt give Central Houston members an overview of three major downtown planning efforts: the Downtown/EaDo Livable Centers Study, Downtown Mixed-Use Retail Core plan, and Convention Center Study.
Central Houston Annual Meeting Luncheon, October 14, 2011 This year's annual meeting/luncheon, entitled "Parks: Seeds of Community Growth," discussed the transformative possibilities of parks and public spaces for communities. A panel was moderated by Dr. Larry R. Faulkner, President of the Houston Endowment Inc. The panel included Yvette Bowden, President and CEO of Piedmont Park Conservancy; Brady F. Carruth, President of The Wortham Foundation, Inc.; Fred Kent, Founder and President of Project for Public Spaces and Catherine Nagel, Executive Director of City Parks Alliance. This year, given the stunning impact of the drought and the focus of this event, Central Houston chose to forgo floral centerpieces and instead make a donation that will replace lost trees. Mayor Parker suggested donations be made to the City of Houston, Harris County, Houston Parks Board, Trees for Houston, Hermann Park Conservancy and Memorial Park Conservancy.
The program was recorded and can be seen here:
Membership Breakfast, June 22, 2011 Mega Events - Mega Impact. A breakfast meeting was held at the Embassy Suites Downtown to discuss major sporting events that have come to Houston, what their impact has been, and how we recruit more of these mega events.
Membership Breakfast, January 25, 2011
The organization held a breakfast meeting at the Tellepsen Family YMCA to give Central Houston members an overview of major downtown initiatives underway, an opportunity to discuss the outlook for the year ahead, and a tour of the new YMCA's facilities.
Membership Reception, December 1, 2010 Central Houston held a holiday cocktail reception generously hosted by Chevron Corporation on the 50th floor of 1400 Smith to celebrate 2010 successes and to thank our many public-sector and nonprofit partners.
Central Houston Annual Meeting Luncheon, October 5, 2010 Investing in Urbanism The keynote speaker this year was Christopher B. Leinberger, noted land use strategist, educator, developer, researcher, author and Visiting Brookings Fellow who balances business realities with social and environmental issues. The State of Downtown was delivered by Central Houston chair, Chip Carlisle and the Allen Award for Civic Enhancement was presented to downtown's first new residential high-rise in 40 years, One Park Place. View the 2010 Downtown Survey results here.
Membership Breakfast, June 29, 2010 Focusing on the state of the downtown office market, a membership breakfast meeting was held at the Plaza Club. Members and guests were provided with a brief presentation followed by an open panel discussion about the state of the downtown office market. A PDF of the PowerPoint presentation can be found here.
Membership Breakfast, February 18, 2010 A breakfast meeting held at III Forks | Houston Pavilions gave the membership and staff an opportunity to discuss the outlook for the year ahead and major downtown initiatives underway. A PDF of the PowerPoint presentation can be found here.
Membership Reception, February 1, 2010 Central Houston held a cocktail reception on February 1 at Lucky Strike Lanes | Houston Pavilions to welcome incoming chair Chip Carlisle and thank outgoing chair Doug Foshee for his dedicated service. Members and guests enjoyed the unique atmosphere of one of downtown's newest entertainment venues.
Membership Breakfast, December 2, 2009 A meeting was held at the University of Houston-Downtown to welcome incoming president, Dr. William V. Flores, to our community. Members and guests were also provided with downtown development updates, a conversation about our efforts to maintain and increase downtown's office market competitiveness and an open forum discussion. A PDF of the PowerPoint presentation can be found here.
Central Houston Annual Meeting Luncheon, October 8, 2009 Central Cities: A Look to the Future This year, noted pollster John Zogby was the keynote speaker. Using examples from his recent research and polling, Mr. Zogby offered his thoughts into how the changing opinions of Americans will impact American cities including the future of our cities and how the recent economic tumult has impacted various trends. The State of Downtown was delivered by Central Houston chair, Douglas L. Foshee. The Allen Award for Civic Enhancement was presented to Mayor Bill White.
Membership Breakfast, June 18, 2009 Focusing on intown residential, Central Houston's June membership breakfast was held at One Park Place, downtown's newest residential property. Marvy Finger, developer of One Park Place, and Bill Sengelmann, SVP of Camden Development, spoke about intown development, characteristics and demand. Residents began moving into One Park Place in March; buildout of units will be complete later this year. Despite the state of the US economy, the property is now 25% occupied and 40% leased.
Membership Breakfast, February 3, 2009 Central Houston held a membership breakfast at The Beacon to discuss progress on several of Central Houston's priorities, the outlook for 2009 as well as to address one of those priorities: ending chronic homelessness. A PDF of the PowerPoint presentation can be found here.
Membership Breakfast, December 4, 2008 Central Houston held a meeting on December 4 at the new House of Blues to discuss major downtown initiatives with the membership. A PDF of the PowerPoint presentation can be found here.
Central Houston Annual Meeting/Luncheon, September 8, 2008 25 Years of Progress 2008 is the 25th year of Central Houston's role as champion for a renewed central city, and almost 900 attended Central Houston's annual luncheon. This year the keynote speaker was The Honorable James A. Baker III. Using examples from history and from his own experiences, Secretary Baker offered unique insights into the history of Houston and what it takes to be a world-class city. The State of Downtown was delivered by Central Houston chair, Douglas L. Foshee. View remarks by Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.
Membership Breakfast, January 31, 2008
Central Houston held a membership meeting on January 31 to bring the membership up to date on downtown development progress and an outlook for 2008. A PDF of the PowerPoint presentation can be found here .
Membership Reception, January 14, 2008 Central Houston held a reception on January 14 at the Architecture Center Houston to welcome incoming chair Doug L. Foshee and thank outgoing chair David M. McClanahan for his dedicated service. Members and guests enjoyed a tour of the facility and the featured Gerald R. Hines exhibit.
Central Houston Annual Meeting/Luncheon, October 26, 2007 Great Cities, Great Places: What Really Matters? Central Houston, Inc.'s 2007 annual meeting luncheon addressed the critical topic of "Great Cities, Great Places: What Really Matters?" Carol Coletta, President and CEO of CEOs for Cities, and Robert D. Yaro, President, Regional Plan Association, participated on the panel, with Rice University's Stephen L. Klineberg, Ph.D. moderating the discussion. The State of Downtown was delivered by Central Houston chair, David C. McClanahan. On November 18, the Houston Chroniclediscussed the luncheon topic as well as additional research conducted by Stephen Klineberg.
Downtown Office Panel Discussion, June 19, 2007 Jane Page of Crescent, Matt Khourie of Trammell Crow, and Paul Layne of Brookfield provided insight into downtown's office market and plans for future development, including potential sites and building sizes, floorplates and designs.
Downtown Guided Tours, April, May 2007 In April and May, Bob Eury conducted several tours of downtown for Central Houston's members, providing a rare opportunity to find out more about previous, current and planned downtown development.
Membership Breakfast, January 26, 2007 Central Houston held a membership breakfast to discuss progress on several of Central Houston's priorities, as well as to address one of those priorities: ending chronic homelessness. Central Houston is working with the Coalition for the Homeless and others in the public and private sectors to achieve a plan that will end chronic homelessness in Houston. After an overview, discussion was encouraged, and thoughtful and challenging questions and ideas were raised. These questions and ideas will be taken forward as Central Houston addresses this issue.
Annual Meeting/Luncheon, November 3 2006 Central Houston, Inc.'s annual meeting/luncheon was held at the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel on November 3, 2006, with Gerald D. Hines as our keynote speaker. This luncheon, attended by more than 900 guests, was open to members and nonmembers.
Membership Breakfast, October 25, 2006 Central Houston held a membership breakfast in the recently completed Harris County Civil Courthouse where attendees heard an address from the Honorable Robert Eckels, County Judge, Harris County, about the county’s downtown facilities complex, recent buildings and overall plans. Members and guests also toured the ceremonial courtroom and heard a presentation on the courtroom facilities by Judge Ken Wise.
Membership Reception, August 30, 2006 Central Houston held a cocktail reception in the beautiful and historic offices of the Houston Endowment on August 30. Attendees were wowed by the incredible collection of Jesse Jones' memorabilia and appreciated the warm welcome by Larry Faulkner, the new president of the Endowment.
Membership Breakfast, June 22, 2006 Central Houston held a membership breakfast to discuss progress on several of Central Houston's priorities, as well as to address one of those priorities: prepare first Transit Corridor Plan. Central Houston is working with METRO as well as others in the public and private sectors to achieve a plan that will benefit not only downtown, but also all of Houston. After an overview, discussion was encouraged, and thoughtful and challenging questions and ideas were raised. These questions and ideas will be taken forward as Central Houston addresses the Transit Corridor Plan.
Membership Breakfast, February 1, 2006 Central Houston held a membership meeting on February 1 to bring the membership up to date on downtown development progress and an outlook for 2006. The attached (4.6 mb) is a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation used at the meeting.
Annual Meeting/Luncheon, November 15, 2005 Central Houston, Inc. held its 2005 annual meeting luncheon on November 14, 2005 at the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel. Mr. C. Richard Everett, chairman of Central Houston, Inc. gave the State of Downtown address, and Mayor Bill White and County Judge Robert Eckels will provide remarks. Mr. Blair Kamin was the keynote speaker. Mr. Kamin, the Chicago Tribune's architecture critic, won a Pulitzer Prize in 1999 for his coverage of city architecture. Mr. Kamin knows downtown Houston well, having written about it for his master's thesis at Yale University and for the Chicago Tribune.
