Venue Capable of Meeting Unique Challenges, Including Accommodating 19,000 Guests!

Local event planners looking for a convenient event location that offers entertainment as well as a variety of meeting facilities need look no further than Houston's own Toyota Center. Centrally located in the heart of downtown, Toyota Center is Houston's newest premier sports, entertainment and private event facility. Best known for being the home of the Houston Rockets and one of the nation’s premier indoor concert venues, Toyota Center also offers an impressive array of event spaces perfectly suited for hosting private functions. Whether you are looking to host a banquet dinner on center court or an important meeting in one of its unique event spaces, Toyota Center easily rises to the occasion.

This state-of-the-art facility can accommodate up to 19,000 guests in the arena with its flexible seating configurations and offers more than 10 private event spaces encompassing more than 60,000 square feet. Completed in 2003, Toyota Center is conveniently accessed by all of Houston’s interstate highways and is adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Center, as well as the Hilton Americas and Four Seasons hotels. 

In 2008, Toyota Center will be blocks away from two influential new projects, Discovery Green and the Houston Pavilion, which promise to dramatically alter the downtown cityscape. Both of these exciting projects are expected to serve as important catalysts in the ongoing transformation of downtown Houston into a 24-hour “live-work-play” urban neighborhood.

When Baker Botts L.L.P. hosted its "Celebration" event last November honoring clients and friends of the firm, they chose Toyota Center as the site for the party. "Our goal was to provide a memorable evening that was elegant but fun. For us this was not just another event," said Tanya Urban, client relations manager at Baker Botts. 

The law firm needed a large venue able to accommodate at least 1,000 people and serve as a dramatic backdrop for two high-tech entertainment troupes, AntiGravity and Splash! “Toyota Center was built for large-scale entertainment acts and, on this level, they did not disappoint,” Urban said.

"The sound and lighting in the arena were perfect. The acoustics allowed our guests to hold conversations while enjoying the surrounding entertainment. We had the ability to use drapes that allowed the arena to become an oasis, completely transforming it into a Moroccan experience! The event definitely gave our guests a lasting and memorable impression of Toyota Center as a great entertainment venue,” Urban said. 

In addition to the dramatic arena, Toyota Center has a variety of impressive smaller-scale event spaces to choose from. Whether it is a casino night in the Lexus Lounge, a meeting in the VIP Banquet Space or a holiday reception in the 1994/1995 Championship Rooms, Toyota Center can cater to a broad scope of event scenarios. Add excitement to your event by booking an appearance by a Rocket’s Power Dancer, the mascot Clutch or even a Rocket’s team member.

The exquisite Lexus Lounge is the place to be for an exclusive VIP or client reception. The space is located just across the hall from the Rockets’ locker room on Toyota Center’s event floor and offers an ultra-premium entertainment experience featuring a full bar, two pool tables, plasma TVs and sophisticated contemporary décor. 

The Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Club offers a rustic atmosphere with authentic finishes including Jack Daniel’s whiskey barrel staves, wood reclaimed from 100-year old Texas barns and an outdoor patio and bar. The Jack Daniel’s Club offers an event space rich in both historical character and modern comforts, complete with high-top cocktail tables and eight plasma TVs. The club is ideal for receptions and social gatherings, easily accommodating up to 300 people.

Other impressive event spaces include the Silestone East and West Clubs and the Memorial Hermann Sky Court, an interactive sports-themed space complete with a replica of Center Court, vertical jumps, height and wingspan comparisons to Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming as well as a multitude of other games. 

Nearby, the Red & White Wine Bistro serves as a full-service restaurant that provides a spectacular atmosphere to enjoy superior gourmet cuisine. Warm wood and special accents highlight a beautiful bar setting, while a tiered dining room offers amazing views into the arena, and serves as an impressive scene for extravagant buffets. The Bistro also offers a private VIP banquet area equipped with six plasma TVs—perfect for company meetings and receptions.

The 1994/1995 Championship Room is one of Toyota Center’s newest and largest banquet spaces and commemorates the Houston Rockets’ back-to-back NBA championships. A wall of windows overlooking downtown Houston, framed artwork capturing key moments in the championship seasons and nearly 5,000 square feet of open space make this room perfect for a variety of different events. 

Media Recovery Inc. chose Toyota Center’s 1994/1995 Championship Rooms for its Technical Symposium and luncheon in February 2007, and the event was a huge success. “Many thanks to the entire group we worked with, it was a team effort all the way around,” said Lillie Byrd Lewis of Media Recovery’s Houston Branch. “We are all very pleased with the way everything turned out.” 
Toyota Center is proud to partner with Levy Restaurants as its in-house caterer. Guests can savor the specialties from a restaurant-style menu featuring contemporary cuisine. Levy’s dining options cover a wide range—from potato-wrapped Chilean sea bass seared in their patented 1,000-degree wood-burning oven, to hot dogs, hamburgers and popcorn for those looking for the “authentic” sports arena experience. Levy Restaurants offers Toyota Center guests the opportunity to work directly with their in-house catering manager to create custom menus and utilize the innovative “Chef’s Tables” concepts to create distinctive dining experiences. 

Industrial Specialists also held a successful event in which they hosted a private luncheon in the VIP Banquet Space for 150 of their employees.” The food was excellent, and I heard nothing but compliments from all of our employees,” said Gabe Geller, marketing director of Industrial Specialists. “Levy's catering staff was both professional and welcoming. I will certainly recommend the Toyota Center to anyone planning such an event,” Geller said.

With such a wide variety of options available, Toyota Center can virtually guarantee the perfect event. With the help of specially customized menus and unique décor, your meeting, reception or private party is bound to be a huge success. Toyota Center’s professional staff will ensure that every request exceeds your expectations. If you’re looking for a distinctive and entertaining venue to host your next event, please contact Toyota Center’s booking specialists at 713-758-7215 or eventbooking@rocketball.com to book your event today.