Lion President Mike Halbach introduced our speaker Megan Ortiz of the Houston Livestock & Rodeo Association. Megan is a sixth-generation Houstonian hailing from Cut N Shoot, Texas. Lions & guest pictured left to right, Lion Director David Cockran, Director Bob Ervin, President Mike Halbach, Speaker Megan Ortiz, Tail Twister John Phillips and 2nd Vice President Erin Stapleton. Photo provided by Lion Al Gerhardt.
As a member of the Speakers Committee for the Houston Livestock & Rodeo Association, she tours our local communities year round, sharing how everyone can make Rodeo Houston a part of their story. She emphasized how this Texas tradition impacts the city and surrounding communities with some of the following:
- Overall growth of Houston through its economic impact.
- Many economic success stories resulting from the Livestock Show & Rodeo.
- 2.5 million Visitors during the 24 consecutive days of the 2019 Livestock Show & Rodeo.
- Events stemming from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo are hosted all year round, such as School Art Program since 1965, Scholarships for winners, livestock show winners with record setting livestock champions, calf scramble, Wine Court, BBQ Cook-off with 250 teams, shopping in Houston by all the visitors, Hotels and restaurants.
- Little Rustler Rodeo held prior to Rodeo opening for kids with disabilities.
- The first trail ride was held in 1952 from Brenham; since then the trail rides from 13 different trail rides total around 3000 riders, all ending up in the big Rodeo Parade.
- All this results in new jobs, increase in visitor spending.
- There are right at 35,000 volunteers on various committees.
- Approximately 47,000 people around the globe are members of the Houston Livestock & Rodeo Association.
- The 2020 Rodeo Houston is scheduled for March 3 – 22, 2019.
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