It takes a big drop cloth when you’re painting a building as big as the George R. Brown Convention Center. Contract crews began painting exterior structural steel this week as part of a regular maintenance project that is undertaken every 5-7 years. Depending on weather and event schedules inside the building, the entire project could require two months.

Houston's new downtown Embassy Suites hotel opened for business Monday with the arrival of its first guests. Alfonso and Maylo Flores of Laredo, Texas, checked in at 2:45 p.m. and were surprised to learn of their status as guests Numero Uno. They were later joined for a round of photos with their daughters Amber, in blue, Zaida, in red, and Faith, sleeping in pink, as well as hotel general manager Ron Gwin, second from right, and hotel owner Nick Massad, right. The sparkling 262 all-suites hotel is located two blocks ...

The brand-spanking new Embassy Suites is undergoing minor finishing touches in preparation for Monday's "soft" opening of the 19-story, 262-suite property. Hotel officials expect a busy first week with high occupancy forecast for the first full weekend, Feb. 25-27. In fact, they don't anticipate they will be able to catch their breath to have a grand-opening celebration until after the Final Four concludes in April. It's a beautiful property that will appeal to convention visitors, business travelers and hometown getaways. It is located between Discovery Green park and the Hilton Americas-Houston ...

The always highly anticipated International Quilt Market and Festival (separate events) are almost upon us. Move-in teams begin work at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Sunday in advance of the Quilt Market’s opening next Saturday, October 30.

The Quilt Market is a trade show restricted to members of the quilting industry. The Quilt Market is NOT open to the public. At Market, retailers, manufacturers, cottage industries and other professionals attend to learn about the latest trends and products in the business. Market runs ...