Dr. Jason Draper has recently conducted a study with Dr. Agnes DeFranco on travel intentions post COVID, the study will be presented to the HLAGH members.

Associate Professor Jason Draper’s extensive background includes Tourism industry experience, including working with a group tour company and spending five years as research manager for the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau; he has conducted numerously funded and/or sponsored research projects for convention and visitor bureaus and in the meetings, incentives, conventions, and events (MICE) sector; an author or co-author of 30-plus peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings/presentations; recipient of Hilton College Stephen Rushmore/HVS Faculty Research Award in 2013; Award of Excellence from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at Clemson University in 2008; first recipient of the Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award from Western Illinois University’s Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration in 2008.

Rachel Quan oversees the strategies and teams executing the marketing, public relations, and community relations plans for the 2023 Men’s Final Four.
Rachel’s background in production and events began as a Festival Director and then the National Director of Production and Arrangements for an international non-profit, overseeing one of their largest festivals to date in Houston and then managing production in other festivals cities. She went on to lead various large-scale events and conferences for a myriad of clients, including as the Vice President of External Operations for the HLOC with the 2011 and 2016 NCAA Men’s Final Fours in Houston and on the NCAA team, overseeing event marketing for the 2018 and the 2022 Men’s Final Fours.

The City of Houston will host the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four for the fourth time ever in 2023. The event will occur from March 31st – April 3rd at NRG Stadium. The event will bring more than 70,000 out-of-town visitors to Houston’s hotels, and the economic impact on Houston is over $300 million.

As this is the year’s first meeting, Jacques D’rovencourt, HLAGH Chair, will present the proposed 2023 HLAGH Board of Directors.

The weather outside may be frightful, but a cocktail party is most delightful!
Join us for our annual holiday mixer at the
Hilton Americas Houston R24 Rooftop Lounge

Supporting Charitable Organizations of Houston 

This year’s Designated charity is Child Advocates, which assists children that are in Child Protective Services.  These kids are moving through the foster system and need all the help and encouragement

Sponsored By Our Friends

George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston First Corporation

Jim Petrick is a Full Professor, Research Fellow, and the Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies in the Department of RPTS at Texas A&M University.  His research interest focuses on applying marketing and psychology principles in the context of tourism services.  Pursuant to this interest, his research has concentrated on understanding tourists’ purchase behaviors, to assist in adequately marketing to them and the physiological effects travel has on the tourist.  His Tourism Marketing Lab currently consists of 8 students (6 Ph.D. and 2 M.S.) and is likely the largest and most productive of its type in North America.

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. –  Pre-Allied Member Meeting
11:30 a.m. – Noon –  Registration and Networking
Noon – 1:15 p.m. –  Luncheon and Program