About Houston
With more than 2.3 million residents, Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located just inland from Galveston Bay, the city founded by land investors in 1836 became one of the country’s busiest ports and trading outposts. Houston was the capital of the short-lived Republic of Texas, and the city experienced rapid growth thanks to the Texas oil boom.
Today, the city is one of the country’s most diverse – the majority of Houston’s residents identify as Hispanic or African American. Visitors to Houston will find a vast array of interests and activities, including professional sports, amusement parks, museums and cultural exhibits, outdoor recreation, world-class shopping and more. With the exception of hot, humid summers, Houston has a mild climate year-round.
With an eventful past and technology-centric future, Houston is the perfect city to host lectures about everything from oil fields to climate change to space travel. Lecture spaces in Houston are available in all sizes, shapes and budget levels, and there are many local businesses ready to provide support services to you and your guests.
Lecture Space Options in Houston
Whether you’re planning a small lecture on zero-waste living or hosting an academic presentation based on years of research, you’ll likely need some assistance from a local business to make your lecture a great guest experience.
- Catering
Serving a meal or light snacks at your Houston lecture space may help your participants stay engaged in your presentation rather than thinking about where to find lunch. Houston has many great restaurants and catering companies that can provide exactly what you’re looking for, from boxed lunches to fresh salads and sandwiches to heaps of Texas’ famous barbecue. Some companies also provide beverage services, if you’re planning a happy hour event, and most special dietary needs can be accommodated.
- Printing Services
If your lecture requires handouts, diagrams or other printed materials, you may want to visit a local print shop and save hours standing in front of the office copy machine. Local print shops can provide professionally printed materials the day of the event, and can staple or bind them if needed. Many shops can also provide large-format print services such as posters or large maps and diagrams. They’ll even help you design brochures, logos and more if needed.
- Equipment Rental
If your lecture space doesn’t come equipped with the technology you need, you’ll find a handful of local rental agencies to help you out. The companies can provide audiovisual equipment, lighting, computers and networking equipment and more. Many companies will also provide professional staff to ensure the equipment is properly set up and working so you can focus on preparing your material.
Lecture Space Companies in Houston
If event planning sounds like a long list of things to don’t have time to manage and organize, you may want to seek the help of a professional event planner. An event planner can take control of the logistics and small details so you can relax and prepare for your event.
- Coterie Spark
Tulane University graduate and founder Rebecca Loeb has more than two decades of experience designing and managing events in the Houston area. The firm can create a customized event for any type of lecture, from a small group of enthusiasts to a throng of interested students. Coterie Spark also offers virtual and hybrid experiences for guests who can’t attend in person.
- Event Planners of Houston
With years of experience planning meetings and special events, Event Planners of Houston can meet all your needs for any size event. Planners will work with you to customize services based on your needs and budget. The firm handles event design, coordination with vendors, set-up and more. Event Planners of Houston can also provide rentals such as tables, chairs, linens, décor, centerpieces and props to transform the space into a memorable one.
- En Vogue Events
With experience in both design and event management, En Vogue Events lead planner Stephanie Maudsley puts all her expertise to work creating one-of-a-kind events customized to each client. Whether you need full-service event design and coordination or are just looking for a little help in the form of a plan or budget, En Vogue Events can provide all the information you need to begin, as well as preferred vendors and marketing services.
Pros and Cons of Lecture Spaces in Houston
You’ll have many lecture spaces in Houston to choose from and companies you can work with to support your event. There are some advantages and disadvantages you should consider before making a final decision.
Advantages
- Green spaces
Houston has a mild climate every season except summer, making outdoor lecture spaces a possibility for a unique experience.
- Diversity
There is a lot of ethnic diversity in Houston, allowing you to cover a broad range of topics for many different audiences.
- Entertainment
Houston has a huge variety of entertainment options, including professional sports, festivals, museums and more, for your guests to enjoy before or after the lecture.
Disadvantages
- Pricey
Houston is rated the ninth most expensive city in the country, so expect amenities to cost more. Implementing a budget will make your lecture entirely workable.
- Unpredictable weather
Houston is frequently in the path of Gulf storms, leading to torrential rain and flooding. Be aware, and choose a venue that isn’t adversely affected by rain.
- Traffic
Cars are necessary to get around sprawling Houston, and public parking can often be a hassle.
Famous Locations in Houston
- Space Center Houston
Are you interested in all things space? Space Center Houston is the official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. See the history behind Mission Control and the agency’s astronaut training center. Imagine 400 unique artifacts from historic and recent space exploration all under one roof. Visitors can view many permanent and traveling exhibits, including the gallery of flown and retired spacecraft from the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions.
- Museum of Fine Arts
Located in Houston’s bustling Museum District, the Museum of Fine Arts houses more than 70,000 works of art. The permanent collection, which includes paintings, sculptures, decorative art and crafts, photographs and prints, spans the globe and documents art through thousands of years of human history. In addition to its permanent collection, the Museum of Fine Arts hosts several traveling exhibits throughout the year and screens a variety of diverse independent films.
- The Galleria
With more than 2.4 million square feet of retail, dining and entertainment space, The Galleria is the largest shopping mall in Texas and the fourth largest in the country. The shopping center offers popular anchor stores such as Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as luxury brands including Chanel, Gucci, Christian Louboutin, Tiffany & Co., Prada, and more. There are more than 60 dining options offering everything from snacks to sushi, and visitors can also enjoy activities such as a full-sized ice rink, virtual adventure experience and an escape room.