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.