George R. Brown Convention Center

Big.
I didn’t dock the GRBCC for the construction that seems to have been going on since the dawn of man since I and my therapist think self-​improvement is a good thing. What I DID dock GRBCC for is the layout and total lack of helpful signage. I have been twice in the last few months for different conventions (one was Legos and the other was Olympic Weightlifting). Hundreds of people were adrift through the cavernous halls looking for the main events, and there were NO SIGNS ANYWHERE that might say «Hey! You! Adult who also likes Legos! Go upstairs and hang a right.» Nope. Instead we all just wandered. I don’t blame this on the events, since as soon as we got into the general vicinity, signage started popping up. Rather, I thing the GRBCC should do a better job of funneling folks where the main events are happening.
I suppose we eventually found what we were looking for (plastic bricks one time and 300 lb men lifting 600 pounds overhead the other). I mean, it’s one giant hallway after all. Bathrooms are generally clean. The space is expansive. Which is why this got 3 stars instead of 2.

As of this review, there is a ton of construction going on both inside and out of the convention center so traffic is terrible. I recommend parking on the front side of the, the area is nicer than the back side, but if you have to pay to park the back side is cheaper, just not in the best of neighborhoods.
Overall if there’s any good conventions worth going to they’re going to be at George R. Brown. Bring cash, a stroller if you have kids, and some waking shoes. I’ll keep coming back and I can’t wait to see what the area looks like after all of this construction is done.

I’ve been to the GRB many times throughout the years, for various events. It’s a large convention center, pretty much a blank canvas for anything. It’s nice that Discovery Green is right next to the center because that is such a pretty and active space in the city. It’s also nice that there are many nice hotels nearby.
I most recently attended the Bridal Extravaganza at the GRB and really enjoyed it. Tons of vendors and lots of space.
Parking here can be annoying and/​or expensive. It’s more convenient to take a taxi or Über.

W00t! First time at George R Brown Convention Center in the four years I lived here. Is it just me, or does this thing remind you of a cruiseliner with the colored pipes all around?
I went here for a quilting convention, and you can tell this place has a lot of room for folks. I appreciated the safety that was imminent from how lighting rigs were set up such that you wouldn’t trip to the fair amount of security personnel around. I also enjoyed the food onsite. I got a stuff baked potato and soda for $ 11, which isn’t terrible considering how other events are catered and priced.
Downsides: Although it was clean and spacious, it seemed a little dated. Also, there was a ton of construction around here which made picking up an Über more difficult.

I came here for a conference. The space is nice and there are a lot of escalators, and it’s pretty clean in general. The place is nice overall, but could have better bathrooms!

Avoid this venue if at all possible. if there’s an event going on that you really want to attend, plan on arriving a couple of hours early or don’t go at all. there is so little parking available it’s a joke. most streets in this area are under construction. if you think your’re going to use the park and ride, be aware that much of their schedule online is wrong, including the bus numbers! When the convention center was new, there was a huge parking lot just across the street that was FREE. Was it greed or incompetence? but over-​development in the area is complete fail.

The host venue for all Springboard South lectures and seminars. A humongous building with seemingly unlimited space, it was a great choice by the festival organizers. Being only 0.4 miles away from the Four Seasons hotel where we were staying was an added bonus. Downtown Houston is awesome! Can’t wait to come back.

Right now there is a lot of construction taking place but the convention itself looks nice! The industrial design with bold and bright colors really make it pop! It’s HUGE! I recently worked comic-​con for 5 days and it was really cool. And the landscaping around the area of the convention is amazing! Actually more excited than the center itself

Came to a Image Expo. Paid $ 30 for parking which I is pricey, but otherwise enjoy my time

This place needs better signs. Decent location when there is no construction. Today at 5, although they were having an event, place was pretty empty on 1^st floor. 2^nd floor had about 4 people who asked me for directions. After I helped them, I headed downstairs and walked outside. Another asked me if doors were open, told him yes. Then, after I crossed the street, another person asked me if they could catch the bus.
Side note: parking is available at meters, you have to pay till 5:59 weekdays and Saturdays now. Meter takes bills and cards.
Right across street is Discovery Green. You can bike ride, walk your pet, bring your cat, and eating places with outdoors in case you get tired of being cooped inside. Phoencia is minutes away by walking which has some tasty food, drinks and stays open into the evening.

Came here for the HOUSTEX convention. Always a great place to host a convention and see whatever is being highlighted. Parking is relatively close. Even though it’s paid parking it isn’t as ppricey as parking near NRG or Minute Maid.

«Still not in the 21^st century and it is January 2015. «
I have attended conventions here before and have found the facilities clean and comfortable. The class rooms are sometimes very cold.
There is a lot of construction around this area and parking is difficult. Also, Not many lunch places within walking distance. With no in and out privileges for parking, you are basically stuck.
Important note: NO FREE WIFI. It will cost $ 12.95 a day. I think overpriced due to having a captive audience. Not cool for a city trying to bill itself as being in the «space age»

It is just a convention center.
It does its purpose but I found it awkward to find the class rooms.
A little dated with the ship yard style. They are getting a few more restaurants close but they are still lacking what it takes to service the tourism industry.
We stayed in the over priced linking hotel. Since I did not have a car available, I tried to walk to a few restaurants. Bad idea unless you want to get mugged at night. Besides that, there is really nothing recognizable close by. Ended up eating at the chain restaurant in the hotel.
Houston is not my choices of destinations.

Que lugar incrível é gigantesco!
Fui para uma conferência no George Brown Conventions Center e confesso: foi um dos maiores prédios com uma boa logística que já vi em minha vida. Haja um batalhão de pessoas para atender qualquer coisinha que tenha por lá.
Tem um parque na frente, o Discovery Green, que é lindo e respira arte. Se estiver com crianças é indispensável que passé com elas por ali.
Dica do dia: tem uma Starbucks do lado de dentro que facilita a vida de todos.
Dica do dia 2: se você estiver hospedado no Hilton, nem precisa de se preocupar em sair do hotel pois o centro de convenções e o hotel tem uma ligação de um para o outro.
Dica do dia 3: tem uma loja da FedEx ali dentro. Isso pode ser mais que um simples quebra galho em alguns momentos.
Dica do dia 4: obviamente não pode faltar a lojinha com artigos do Texas. Dito e feito para achar a primeira camisa escrito «Houston, nós temos um problema».

This is a big convention center, with lots and lots of things that convention goers are going to be happy about. Having a Starbucks inside doesn’t hurt, and there is lots of parking nearby. Granted, it is PAID parking, but that shouldn’t surprise anyone.
There is a bus route that runs nearby also, that makes it easy to head out and get a bite to eat at the downtown eateries not within walking distance. (or if you are just lazy like me)
The worst thing about it (from a non-​Texan) is the creepy Texas Hero Worship they have going on. There is a whole hallway dedicated to people who are better than you who are from Texas.
If you find out your convention is going to be held here, you can breathe a sigh of relief (unless you want it to be in Vegas like everyone else, at which point you’ll just be disappointed)

I come to the GRB often for gun shows and other events. I believe it is a nice property for what it was designed for. Large and spacious and being across the street from Discovery Green is a plus.
I wish they had more parking options nearby, that would be the main area of improvement that I would like to see.

As far as convention space goes, I think this convention center is fun like a well liked ship. They have an extremely friendly and good natured staff. The space is clearly signed so it’s easy to find you’re way around. The rooms are gigantic. The auditorium seating in the grand ballrooms has great leg space.
The building as a whole looks just like a cruise ship. Esp with the red vents on the outside. The doors to the different rooms have «portholes» designed into them as well. The place is big on primary colors.

Pretty great and huge Convention center!
There are TONS of bathrooms so I am not sure what other reviewers have experienced. The center is layered, so if you can’t find somewhere to sit or a huge restroom, hop on the escalator! One of my favorite spots is the outdoor patios where I go to unwind and unravel mid convention. Grab a Starbucks from the intersection of the Hilton Bridge and wander out onto one of the patios. Sit, breathe!
There is a FedEx and a gift store and everything else you need is across the bridge at the Hilton.
Wear comfy shoes as if this thing is in fully swing, you will be walking A Lot!

There isn’t much to say about a convention center, but George R Brown is a very large one and it’s more or less in the middle of downtown so it’s accessible for people from out of town as well as those who either live in the area or come to downtown often.
The only other convention center that I have gone to in town is the Reliant Arena. Both have horrible and dim lighting, lousy and overpriced food, and outrageous parking. George R Brown at least has parking close to the convention center in an underground garage whereas in Reliant, you have to do the death March past the big stadium, and that little stadium formerly known as the Astrodome, park under the hot sun, and do another death March to the convention center.
If I had to pick one, I would pick George R Brown every time because there is always something else to do in the area before or after the convention whether it’s going to the Discovery Green green space where they have shows and other activities, walking to the bars and restaurants in the area, or catching a game. With the other place, there is nothing else to do.

The GRB Convention Center has all the charm of an airport and the bathroom capacity of the Mayflower.
Up front — if you’re here for a «smaller» event (aka ~3000 people) they’re not going to fire the full facility up. As in many of the food vendors will be closed, you may not have power run to the full facility, etc. Which is OK, just come prepared.
But on to the bathroom situation… for one of the lower concourse halls, there will be exactly two per gender per room. So we’re talking about 10 flushers for the capacity of 7,000 people. This is very, VERY bad if you are attending an event with scheduled breaks.
The people are really friendly and helpful — none of this is their fault and I’ve had nothing but positive experiences interacting with them.

It’s very convention-​y!
As far as convention centers go, I know about the ones that are dogs… I live in NYC and we’re stuck with the sub-​par Javits Center, which is small, awkward and miles (alright, blocks) away from anything.
The GRB (as my local friends called it) is right downtown by the lovely Discovery Green. Target Center, Minute Maid Park and BBVA Field are each a block away and there’s tons of restaurants and hotels within a five minute walk.
The center itself is well laid out and easy to get around. I like the bright red and blue exposed ductwork. I went there for the Marathon package pickup as well as the post-​race activities and I found the place easy to navigate and user friendly.
Reading some reviews, a few people lament this Convention Center but in my eyes, you have it pretty good. I say enjoy the GRB and don’t sweat the petty stuff (and don’t pet the sweaty stuff)