State of the
Visitor Economy

Houston First Corporation invites the region’s hospitality industry to State of the Visitor Economy, on Tuesday, November 10 at the Thompson Houston by Hyatt Hotel. The luncheon serves as an opportunity to connect with hospitality peers and hear from Houston First Corporation President and CEO Michael Heckman on the visitor economy and key trends shaping the industry.

This year’s keynote speaker is Daniel Lamarre, Former President and CEO, and current Executive Vice Chairman of the Board, Cirque du Soleil. Known for his unifying leadership and sharp instinct, Lamarre combines strategic insight with a passion for innovation and global business development. Discover how you can apply his principles of creativity to enhance the customer experience. 

Tuesday

November 10, 2026

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Registration and Networking
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
State of the Visitor Economy Luncheon

Thompson Houston by Hyatt
1717 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019

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Speakers

Michael Heckman

Michael Heckman

President & CEO
Houston First Corporation

SPEAKER BIO >

Michael Heckman

President & CEO, Houston First Corporation

Michael Heckman has served in the role of President and CEO of Houston First Corporation since August 2020 and has been part of the organization’s leadership team since 2009.
 
Prior to this role, Heckman served as Chief Operating Officer of Strategic Initiatives for Houston First, responsible for developing a new strategic direction for the corporation. He has also served as the Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Event Development, with responsibilities ranging from major events like the Super Bowl to a portfolio of entrepreneurial enterprises.
 
Under Heckman’s leadership, Houston First helped steer the post-pandemic recovery of the region’s leisure and hospitality sector. By 2023, most industry indicators—from hotel revenue to sector employment—had completely recovered in the region. During the 2023 Texas legislative session, Houston First effectively lobbied for the passage of SB 1057, a bill that provides nearly $2 billion in funding to transform the George R. Brown Convention Center and the surrounding district. Heckman has called the project slated to break ground in 2025 a “once in a generation opportunity.”
 
Heckman has a more than 20-year career with leadership roles spanning from destination marketing and hotels to sports and event management.

Daniel Lamarre

Daniel Lamarre

Former President and CEO, Executive Vice

Chairman of the Board, Cirque du Soleil

SPEAKER BIO >

Daniel Lamarre

Former President and CEO, Executive Vice Chairman of the Board, Cirque du Soleil

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Cirque du Soleil, Daniel Lamarre leads business strategy, operations, and ensures financial sustainability while preserving the company’s culture and values.
With nearly two decades at the helm, he has been instrumental in transforming Cirque du Soleil into a global leader in live entertainment. Known for his unifying leadership and sharp instinct, Daniel Lamarre combines strategic insight with a passion for innovation and global business development.

Daniel Lamarre joined Cirque du Soleil in January 2001 as President and Chief Executive Officer. In 2021, he transitioned to Executive Vice Chairman of the Board, before resuming his previous role as CEO in 2025. Prior to joining Cirque du Soleil, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe TVA for almost four years. From 1984 to 1997, he worked with the public relations firm National, where he served as Executive opened the first Montréal offices of the world’s largest Vice President and Senior Partner, then President. In 1981, as Vice President and General Manager, he public relations firm, Burson-Marsteller. He also held several management roles in communications for Cogeco and the Fédération des Caisses Populaires du Centre-du-Québec and practiced journalism for 10 years.

Daniel Lamarre has always been personally active in various charitable organizations. Whether they benefit the youth, arts or education, his devotion extends beyond philanthropy. To this day, he continues to share his passion and expertise by serving on several boards of directors, including the FICM board since 2018.
Daniel Lamarre has received honorary doctorates from the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Arts, from McGill University’s Faculty of Law and from the Université du Québec à Trois Rivières. In 2018, he was proudly appointed Officer of the Order of Canada.

In December 2024, Daniel Lamarre was honored by his hometown of Trois-Rivières when the Lamarre-Pellerin Theatre named its venue after him.

Michael Heckman

Michael Heckman

President & CEO
Houston First Corporation

SPEAKER BIO >

Speaker 3

President & CEO, Houston First Corporation

Michael Heckman has served in the role of President and CEO of Houston First Corporation since August 2020 and has been part of the organization’s leadership team since 2009.
 
Prior to this role, Heckman served as Chief Operating Officer of Strategic Initiatives for Houston First, responsible for developing a new strategic direction for the corporation. He has also served as the Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Event Development, with responsibilities ranging from major events like the Super Bowl to a portfolio of entrepreneurial enterprises.
 
Under Heckman’s leadership, Houston First helped steer the post-pandemic recovery of the region’s leisure and hospitality sector. By 2023, most industry indicators—from hotel revenue to sector employment—had completely recovered in the region. During the 2023 Texas legislative session, Houston First effectively lobbied for the passage of SB 1057, a bill that provides nearly $2 billion in funding to transform the George R. Brown Convention Center and the surrounding district. Heckman has called the project slated to break ground in 2025 a “once in a generation opportunity.”
 
Heckman has a more than 20-year career with leadership roles spanning from destination marketing and hotels to sports and event management.

Ed King
Service
Award

Houston First President and CEO, Michael Heckman announced the Ed King Service Award during the 2024 State of the Visitor Economy luncheon. The award was established to commemorate individuals in the hospitality sector who have displayed exceptional work and commitment to the city and its visitors.

To learn more and learn when nominations open for the 2026 Ed King Service Award, click the link below.

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