As the fourth largest city in the United States, Houston is a leader in business, entertainment, the arts, and so much more. Visit for yourself, and you’ll understand why it is a city of infinite possibilities.

Houston is a top convention and tourism destination, boasting the very best hotels, convention facilities, sports, entertainment, dining, outdoor recreation and attractions. For more information on Houston attractions, click here or call 1-800-4HOUSTON.

Downtown Houston

Downtown Houston has become one of the most vibrant areas in the city. More than 50 restaurants and bars have opened within the past year, and the MetroRAIL facilitates travel to and from the Museum District and Reliant Park.

Attractions

Houston’s attractions are full of adventure. Space Center Houston, Six Flags, Mody Garden’s 12-story Aquarium Pyramid, or the Rainforest and Discovery Pyramids are just a few of the many exciting and interesting attractions to visit during your trip. Sam Houston Race Park and Traders Village present unique weekend visit opportunities. For history buffs, visit the San Jacinto Battleground Complex, which marks the spot where Texas won its independence from Mexico, or the Lone Star Flight Museum, a large collection of restored aircraft and photo archives housed in a hangar.

The Museum District is within walking distance of Hermann park – home of the Houston Zoo, Japanese Tea Gardens and Miller Outdoor Theatre – and is adjacent to the beautiful Rice University. The Museum District is home to 15 museums including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, The Children’s Museum of Houston, the Menil Collection and the Contemporary Arts Museum. Additional museums include the Holocaust Museum of Houston, the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science, and the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

Shopping

A visit to Houston would be incomplete without a shopping spree. The Galleria is Houston’s premier shopping destination, with more than 375 fine stores and restaurants and a full-size ice rink. Several miles from the Galleria are Uptown Park, Houston’s European-style shopping center, and Highland Village, an outdoor upscale center.

The Shops at Houston Center provide a shopping oasis in the heart of downtown Houston, and full-service dining choices are available to please every palate.

Dining Out

Houston has one of the most exciting food scenes anywhere, and it ranks consistently among the top five or six great restaurant cities in the U.S. From Barbecue to Italian, from soul food to seafood, from Mexican to Vietnamese, and everything in between, Houston offers a great variety of restaurants to experience during your visit.

Hotel Accommodations

The new Hilton Americas-Houston will host the guest rooms for the conference. It is a strikingly beautiful hotel, and offers exquisite service and state-of-the-art facilities. Connected by walkway to the George R. Brown Convention Center, the site of the conference and Expo, it provides convenient access to the conference. Click on the "Travel and Accommodations" link in the left column for details regarding hotel rates.

Hilton Americas-Houston Website

Convention Center

The George R. Brown Convention Center, host to the SMTC&E and SPS, has recently undergone an expansion and transformation. Ideally situated in downtown Houston, it will be the site of the Conference and Expo and is connected to the Hilton Americas-Houston by walkway.

Click here to visit the Center’s website for further information.

Airports

Houston has two major commercial airports, Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby, both just a short commute from the Central Business District, and a reasonable distance from hotel hubs and convention facilities. Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is the city’s largest, and has grown to become the nation’s eighth busiest airport in the U.S. for total passengers. It is located approximately 23 miles north of downtown Houston, near the Sam Houston Tollway. Hobby Airport (HOU) is located approximately seven miles southeast of downtown, near the I-45/Gulf Freeway. Visit www.houstonairportsystem.org for detailed information.

Public Transportation

An extensive travel network lets you explore the city at your own pace, and it includes a tree trolley system for those staying downtown. Express shuttle service and METRO, Houston’s city transit system, offers service between Bush Intercontinental Airport and downtown and between Hobby Airport and downtown. For METRO information, click here. The city also has a new light rail system, which will take passengers from downtown Houston, through the Medical Center, Museum District, and to Reliant Park’s facilities.

Airlines

SNAME has contracted with Continental Airlines to provide discounted airfares for the SMTC&E and SPS. Click on the "Travel and Accommodations" link in the left column for details regarding airline info and special agreement code.

Climate

Fall is the best time of year to visit Houston. You will enjoy moderately warm days and nights.