National Rifle Association Annual Event Shatters Previous Attendance Records in Houston

May 8, 2013

In the midst of a national debate over gun control laws, the National Rifle Association’s 142nd NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, held May 3-5 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, shattered previous attendance records.

Under the motto this year of “Stand and Fight”, 86,228 attendees flocked to the event, compared with the NRA’s previous record of 73,740 set in 2012 in St. Louis.

“The NRA told us they had never felt so welcome in a city,” said Luther Villagomez, COO of conventions for Houston First Corporation, which manages the GRB for the City of Houston.

The NRA turnout also was a record for a three-day event at the George R. Brown, which hosted more than 550 exhibitors covering 400,000 square feet of exhibit hall space.

The show was ranked No. 131 on the 2012 TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list.

Besides the exhibits and educational sessions, the event featured the “Stand and Fight Rally” with radio personality Glenn Beck as the keynote, as well as a concert, NRA Country Jam III, the 7th Annual NRA Women's Leadership Forum Luncheon, National Prayer Breakfast and the Annual Meeting of the Members was held May 4.

NRA show manager Jeff Poole praised the ease it was to have the show at the George R. Brown.

“The GRB has been one of the easiest buildings to do business with,” Poole said. “The staff listens to one’s needs and executes them flawlessly.”

The NRA show was the second successful event in recent months at the center. The Liquefied Natural Gas convention (LNG17) was held in mid-April.

“Due to their size and scope, LNG and NRA were vitally important to us,” said Dawn Ullrich, president and CEO of Houston First.

She added, “When big shows go off without a hitch – and these two did – the good word gets out there in the meeting planner community. We are fully confident in our ability to accommodate big shows and these two proved it.”

She added the George R. Brown is planning to hold even more concurrent shows in the future, with a new headquarter hotel in the works.

Houston First is working with RIDA Development Corporation on a 1,000-room Marriott Marquis that will break ground next year and is scheduled to be completed 2016.

“It’s possible it could be open in time for the 2016 Final Four and certainly in time for the 2017 Super Bowl, should the NFL owners approve Houston as the host city later this month,” Ullrich said.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.