Big, bold buidling elements characterize the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The colors and piping elements are designed to look like a ship.

Photo/Barbara E.R. Lucas

by Helen Willard
Stage Expo Sales Manager

When USITT Conference & Stage Expo planners gathered in Houston for the May meeting, the purpose of the visit was to schedule over 200 program sessions, workshops, and meetings. That was accomplished during a day-long meeting at the Hilton Americas Hotel, following tours of the hotel meeting rooms and ballrooms plus the attached facilities of the George R. Brown Convention Center.

While in Houston, there was a bit of time to begin to scope out what the city and its immediate area had to offer. On a previous trip organizers had driven to Galveston Island to sample fresh seafood and see the Gulf of Mexico. This time they checked out Seabrook and Kemah -- boating, fishing, and recreation centers on Galveston Bay. The vista of sailboats on the bay was lovely, but the surprise was the color of the water, which was quite brown due to the shallow water, muddy bottom, and constant boat traffic.

On the way back to Houston, we traveled NASA Road One, the road leading to the Johnson Space Center. The road follows the shoreline of Clear Lake, known as the "Boating Capital of Texas." Saturn Lane, Gemini Street, and Challenger Plaza indicated the NASA influence. Other area attractions include the Armand Bayou Nature Center and the San Jacinto Battleground/Battleship Texas.

Back in town, several Conference Committee members found Massa's Seafood Grille, a nice restaurant within walking distance of the Convention Center. While enjoying the "Candlestick Shrimp," dark roux gumbo, and blackened redfish, they pondered what cuisine to try the next night and settled on barbecue.

A 10 to 15 minute drive brought the "tasters" to a local barbecue joint.They joined a short line to order at the counter, then brought the food outside on trays to eat at picnic tables. After sampling brisket, spicy pork, and ribs with excellent beans and coleslaw, they shared a trio of sausages: Czech, jalapeno, and turkey, for "dessert."

Plan now to join other USITT members in Houston March 19 to 22 for the 48th Annual USITT Conference & Stage Expo. For information about exhibiting at Stage Expo, contact hpwillard@aol.com.

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