City of Houston Newsroom

Convention and Entertainment Facilities Department

Annise Parker
Mayor

Image of George R. Brown Convention Center Logo

Dawn Ullrich
Director

Luther Villagomez
General Manager

PRESS RELEASE
Date: June 28, 2010
Contacts: Peter Radowick     713/853-8077                                   John Harris 713/853-8109

George R. Brown Major Venue for 2011 National Senior Games

Downtown convention center to host eight sports for athletes age 50 and older
HOUSTON - The George R. Brown Convention Center will serve as a major hub of activities when the 2011 Summer National Senior Games take place at 10 Houston-area venues next year.

More than 15,000 athletes age 50 and older will compete in 18 medal competitions and two demonstration sports June 16-30, 2011.

Eight of the 18 medal events take place inside the city-owned downtown convention center: archery, badminton, basketball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball.

The games will be preceded with an Olympic-style torch run and flame arrival ceremony on June 15, 2011, with the flame burning for the duration of the games at a downtown location. The Celebration of Athletes event takes place at Toyota Center on June 21, 2011.

“We look forward to welcoming America’s senior athletes with open arms,” Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker said at a press conference Thursday to begin the yearlong countdown toward the games. “Houston has been down this road before and we know how to put on major sporting events.

“In 1986, we hosted the U.S. Olympic Festival to great success. And, of course, we hosted both the Super Bowl and the Major League All-Star Game in 2004. In 2006, we hosted the NBA All-Star Game and next year we also host the NCAA Men’s Final Four.

“This is the largest multi-sport event in the world for athletes over the age of 50 and I am supremely confident that the athletes of the 2011 Summer National Senior Games will enjoy a well-run competition with a heaping helping of Houston hospitality on the side.”

All athletes will have earned the right to compete in these national games by virtue of their performance at their respective state games.  With 15,000 athletes and an anticipated 30,000 spectators, the 2011 Games are estimated to create an economic impact of approximately $50 million for the Houston region.

The official competition schedule is posted at www.nsga.com.

 
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The George R. Brown Convention Center ranks among the 10 largest facilities in the U.S. with nearly 1.2 million sq. ft. of exhibition, meeting and registration space.  For more info, visit www.houstonconventionctr.com. 
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