inside

www.HolidayInTheWoodlands.com

2 Run Thru the Woods CVB Wins Awards 10th Annual Junior League Holiday Market Kayak The Woodlands “Best of the South” for The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center Event Sponsorship Opportunities

3 New At Market Street The Woodlands Mall Openings The Woodlands CVB Directors and Staff

There’s no better place than The Woodlands

to enjoy the favorite holiday season

traditions we have to offer. Events such as

the spectacular Lighting of the Doves and

the diverse International Winter On The

Waterway (iWOW) are sure to create special

family memories. And with The Ice Rink

at The Woodlands Town Center, Donoho’s

Jewellers Winter Wonderland, and a calendar full of entertaining

things to do, you’ll have plenty of reasons to visit The Woodlands

throughout the holiday season. Luxury shopping, scrumptious

dining, warm accommodations, and festive activities beckon

visitors to experience the happiest of holiday getaways, right here in

The Woodlands. So grab your friends and family and join the fun!

Nelda Luce BlairChairman of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors

6th AnnuAl InternAtIonAl WInter on the WAterWAy (iWoW)

Beyond the children’s activites and lights in Town Green Park there is a world of international food, music, arts and crafts, and performers to explore along The Woodlands Waterway at iWOW. Discover holiday traditions from around the world as they are presented in displays along The Waterway.

the Ice rInk At the WoodlAnds toWn center presented by your

houston AreA chevy deAlers

What would the winter holidays in Texas be without ice skating? The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center, presented by your

Houston Area Chevy Dealers and produced by The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be open daily November 17, 2012 through January 21, 2013. A skating session at The Ice Rink is a great way to burn off a little of that holiday pie.

donoho’s JeWellers WInter WonderlAnd

Another must-see in The Woodlands, Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland is a nightly display of fabulous illuminated holiday and storybook scenes surrounding The Ice Rink. Meander along the path-ways of Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland and be dazzled by thousands of colorful lights illustrating a fantasyland of toy soldiers, elves, doves, musical angels and snowmen from dusk until 11 p.m. Spend the evening of November 17 in a world of music, entertainment and kid friendly activities. The holiday season in The Woodlands has just begun…

W • E • L • C • O • M • E

Holiday EvEnt calEndar and fEstival scHEdulE insidE

3 Continued The Goose’s Acre Grows Grimaldi’s Adds On Hummingbird Tea Room & Bakery Chocolate Punch is a knock out4 Holiday in The Woodlands Holiday Event Sponsors Shine 17th Annual Children’s Festival Waterway Cruisers for Holiday Fun

Holiday Traditions Made Here!Live music, sparkLing Lights,

traditionaL hoLiday events and famiLy fun make the WoodLands

shine this hoLiday season.

www.LightingoftheDoves.comwww.iWOWinTheWoodlands.com

Saturday, November 17, 2012 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Town Green Park (2099 Lake Robbins Dr.)and along The Woodlands Waterway

Admission: FREE

presented by your

www.TheWoodlandsIceRink.com Sat., Nov. 17, 2012 – Mon., Jan. 21, 2013

Northeast corner of Lake Robbins and Six Pines Dr.ICE RInk spECIaL pREvIEW OpEnIng

Sat. & Sun., November 10 & 11, 2012Admission: varies

www.TheWoodlandsWinterWonderland.comSat., Nov. 17, 2012 – Mon., Jan. 21, 2013

Northeast corner of Lake Robbins and Six Pines Dr. Admission: FREE

There is plenty to see and enjoy as the holiday season in The Woodlands kicks off in style with the 30th Annual Lighting of the Doves, 6th Annual iWOW, and the opening of The Ice Rink presented by your Houston Area Chevy Dealers and Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland. Immerse yourself in a world of sparkling lights, live holiday music and the excitement of a Santa sighting. The November 17 winter holiday season opener, scheduled from 3-9 p.m., is a production of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau designed to entertain and amuse the entire family. The evening will be capped off with the drama of a dazzling fireworks display.

30th AnnuAl lIghtIng of the doves The combination of Lighting of the Doves and iWOW make a full evening of family entertainment. The kids will be amused by balloon artists, ice sculptors, face painters, inflatables, interactive booths and games, and a chilly visit to the snow play area. Live music and performers will entertain on stages throughout the festival site. Talisman Energy is proud to present one of the season’s most popular visitors – Santa! Make sure to have your camera ready to capture his unique arrival on The Woodlands Waterway® at Town Green Park.

current

30THANNUAL

PRODuCED By

curre

WHAT’S NEW AND HAPPENING FOR VISITORS IN THE WOODLANDS

Holiday 2012volume 5 / Issue 4

www.VisitTheWoodlands.com

a pUBLICaTIOn OF

Tory Enriquez, The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center’s Director of Sales and Marketing, proudly accepts the “Best of the South” award from Meetings Focus South Magazine. The Resort earned this recognition for providing quality meeting facilities and outstanding guest service.

THE WOOdLands REsORT & COnFEREnCE CEnTER has been named a 2012 “Best of the South” meeting facility by readers of Meetings Focus South Magazine. The Resort is the only Houston property recognized among six Texas hotels named on the Best of the South list.

The International Festivals & Events Association

(IFEA) paid tribute to the special

events produced by The Woodlands

Convention & Visitors Bureau,

including the Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks

Extravaganza, Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day

Weekend Events, during the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle

Awards Ceremony held September 21-23, 2012. The IFEA’s

57th Annual Convention & Expo in Denver, Colorado draws

entries from among the world’s top festivals and events.

The Woodlands CVB was presented with three prestigious

IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards:

GOLD AWARD: BEST EVENT/ORGANIZATION NEWSLETTER

SILVER AWARD: BEST SPONSOR FOLLOW-uP REPORT

(Memorial Day and Labor Day Celebrations)

SILVER AWARD: BEST SPONSOR FOLLOW-uP REPORT

(Red, Hot & Blue Festival)

With the holiday gift-giving season approaching, the Junior League of North Harris and South Montgomery Counties, Inc. is proud to present its 10th Annual Junior League Holiday Market Nov. 15-18, 2012 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. The Market will feature more than 100 unique merchants from across the country selling specialty holiday items, home accessories, clothing, gourmet foods, jewelry and much more. Tickets cost $12 per day. Holiday Market hours are Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For additional information about the Holiday Market or

for special event reservations, call 1-888-746-7455 or visit www.JLHolidayMarket.org.

10th annuaL Junior LeaguehoLiday shopping event

Sponsorships are now available for The Woodlands

Convention & Visitors Bureau’s 2013 events, including

the popular Red, Hot & Blue Festival and Fireworks

Extravaganza, Lighting of the Doves, The Ice Rink at The

Woodlands Town Center and more.

Sponsorships of these and other events allow

businesses to promote a brand, provide unique client

entertainment, on-site activities, and launch new products,

Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Convention &

Visitors Bureau said.

“Residents in the area are loyal to those companies

which make these community events in The Woodlands

a reality,” Wolda said. “We’ve had great feedback from

our sponsors over the years and certainly expect strong

interest in sponsorships for 2013.”

In addition to the 16th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival

and Fireworks Extravaganza, sponsorships are available for

several events at Waterway Square: Live at Night (Spring/

Fall Series), Memorial Day Weekend Celebration, Labor Day

Weekend Celebration and Waterway Nights. Sponsorships

also are available for the Trick or Treat Trail, Lighting of the

Doves, International Winter On The Waterway (iWOW),

Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland, The Ice Rink at The

Woodlands Town Center and Caroling on the Square.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities

with The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau, visit

www.EventsInTheWoodlands.com or contact The

Woodlands CVB Business Development Specialist, Kelly

Ingram, at Kelly.Ingram@thewoodlandscvb.com or 281-

363-2447.

the WoodlAnds cvb WIns pInnAcle AWArds from

InternAtIonAl festIvAls & events AssocIAtIon (IfeA)

Kelly O. Ingram, The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau Business Development Specialist; Andrew Vandepopulier, Haas & Wilkerson

281-210-3965www.TheWoodlandsTownship-tx.gov

groupoutingsSpecial packages include use of the Riva Row Boat House facility, kayaks and staffing.

kaYak paCkagEs• Relay races• Scavenger hunts• Formal kayak training• Guided toursPackages start at $200.

2 W W W.VISIT THEWOODLANDS.COM

GE Run Thru the Woods, sponsored by GE and directed

by the South Montgomery County yMCA, is a Thanksgiving

Day holiday tradition in The Woodlands Town Center. The

run marks its 23rd year as one of Texas’ premier running

and walking family events. This year’s event is expected

to attract more than 5,400 competitive racers, weekend

warriors, recreational runners, kids and walkers.

GE Run Thru the Woods is on Nov. 22, 2012 at the

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands Town

Center. This year a 3-mile run is open to all ages! Categories

and start times include a competitive 1-mile children’s race,

a certified 5-mile run, a 3-mile race and a 3-mile family walk.

The 5-mile event also features a Masters, Clydesdale and

Athena division. To ensure fast and accurate finish results,

the event will use B-tag timing technology to track runners

as they cross the finish line.

Awards to the overall top three finishers, male and

female, in the 5-mile run include cash prizes, a unique

trophy and a special prize. Awards also will go to the first,

second and third place finishers, male and female, in each

age group category, including 5-mile, Clydesdale, Athena

and Masters division, and 3-mile Teen race. In the 1-mile

Children’s race, first through fourth place awards will be

distributed to the top four finishers in each age group. All

youth completing the 1-mile race will receive a Finisher

Medal at the finish line. The Egg and I will provide a

complimentary pancake breakfast for all race participants

on race day morning.

Proceeds benefit youth charities in Montgomery

County. For more information, please call 281-367-9622 or

visit www.RunThruTheWoods.org.

the WoodlAnds cvb 2013 sponsorshIp opportunItIes

thanksgiving charity event is a hoLiday tradition

goose’s Acre Adds neW pAtIo & upper deck The goose’s acre

has started construction

on a new patio and

upper deck, which is

expected to be complete

around late November. The upper deck will allow for

another 18 tables (72 seats) for guests. In addition, both

floors will be equipped with new ceiling fans, lowered

heaters and five large-screen TVs. The Goose’s Acre offers

great views and spectacular food and service along The

Woodlands Waterway. www.GoosesAcre.com

grImAldI’s expAnsIon grimaldi’s pizzeria has expanded

its Woodlands location. Famously known

for their award-winning hand-tossed,

coal-fired brick oven pizzas and calzones,

fresh salads and delicious desserts, the

newly expanded Grimaldi’s Pizzeria now

provides seating for an additional 100

guests and a second coal brick oven,

serving even more loyal patrons in The

Woodlands area.

In the world of pizza, Grimaldi’s is an

institution that has garnered more awards

than any other pizzeria in the country with

more celebrity sightings than most five-star

restaurants. using only the freshest ingredients,

a “secret recipe” pizza sauce and handmade

mozzarella cheese and dough, Grimaldi’s serves traditional

pizza (as it began in Naples, Italy) in an upscale yet casual,

family-oriented pizzeria. www.GrimaldisPizzeria.com

teA Anyone? An English-style tea room

has opened at 30420 FM 2978

and Woodlands Parkway.

Hummingbird Tea Room &

Bakery offers superior food

using local ingredients. The

baked foods are produced

fresh by their own staff with care and dedication. Open for

breakfast and lunch, guests can enjoy Cream Tea and light

buttery scones served with homemade clotted cream.

www.HummingbirdTeaRoom.com

chocolAte punch noW open In college pArk Chocolate punch is a European-style chocolaterie

with everything created from scratch on site from the

best and freshest ingredients. They are the only store in

The Woodlands area to make and sell Fortunato Number 4

chocolate – the rarest chocolate in the world,

made from cocoa beans that were thought

to be extinct but recently rediscovered in

Peru.

They are currently featuring Serendipity

Frozen Hot Chocolate from Serendipity

restaurant in New york City and “Paris café

style” hot chocolate. The restaurant is located at 3335

College Park Drive. www.ChocolatePunch.com

nordstrom to open full-lIne store At the WoodlAnds mAll

nordstrom will open a full-line store at The

Woodlands Mall in Fall 2014. The two-level, 138,000

square-foot store will be the company’s fourth store

serving the Greater Houston area.

“We’re grateful for the response and support

we’ve received from our Houston customers since we

first opened at the Galleria in 2003,” Erik Nordstrom,

president of stores for Nordstrom, Inc. said. “We feel

very fortunate that this space became available at a

terrific location like The Woodlands Mall, and our hope

is that adding a store here will make it easier and more

convenient for more customers to shop with us.”

soft surroundIngs, true relIgIon And sperry heAded to

the WoodlAnds mAll soft surroundings, one of retailing’s hottest new

concepts, is opening its first Houston store at The

Woodlands Mall this fall. The new Soft Surroundings

will feature collections for women, including clothing,

sleepwear, outerwear, swimwear, shoes, jewelry and

more. Home Decor collections will include items for

bed and bath, plus furniture, rugs, window coverings,

lighting and accents. The retailer will also offer women’s

beauty and fragrance products from a variety of national

brands. www.SoftSurroundings.com Another fashion favorite True Religion is targeting

early 2013 to open at The Woodlands Mall. An

international lifestyle brand, the retailer is famous for its

American-made denim for men, women and children.

True Religion collections also feature knit and woven

sportswear, accessories and fragrance.

Also, sperry’s Top-siders, the leading nautical

performance and lifestyle brand famous for

inventing the world’s first boat shoe in 1935, has

opened at The Woodlands Mall.

www.TheWoodlandsMall.com

OPENINGS • NEWS • ENTERTAINMENT • NEW CONSTRUCTION

877-963-2447 fax 281-210-3499info@thewoodlandscvb.com

www.VisitTheWoodlands.com

3W W W.VISIT THEWOODLANDS.COM

tHE Woodlands cvB Board of dirEctors

tHE Woodlands cvB staffNick Wolda, CFEE, President

Casey Snyder, CFEE, General Manager

Kelly Ingram, CFEE, Business Development Specialist

Megan Lichenstein, Event Specialist

Sharon Swaim, Administrative Assistant II

shoppers select tWo mArket street boutIQues As best shoppIng spots In texAs

Market Street – The Woodlands and two of its

fashion boutiques, Maggies and sOHO, were awarded

“Best Store” status by the readers at ShopAcrossTexas.com,

an online resource for the savvy Texas travelers.

ShopAcrossTexas.com’s “Best Store” list was

determined through a six-week online survey in which

readers voted for their favorite retail spots across 48

cities in the Lone Star State. More than one million

annual visitors log on for the website’s “Best Stores

in Town” list that features one-of-a-kind shopping

recommendations and great retail finds.

Maggies, the home furnishing, clothing and gift

store, is a destination for shoppers who relish the idea

of knowing they will find something they love each

time they visit. At SOHO, women browse for great finds

in their selection of dresses, tops, shoes and jewelry.

elAIne turner, flIp flop shops®

to JoIn upscAle tenAnt mIx At mArket street – the WoodlAnds

Elaine Turner and Flip Flop shops® will open at

Market Street – The Woodlands this November.

Houston native Elaine Turner’s designer handbags,

shoes and accessories for women will be available

in her newest boutique located across from Michael

Kors. Known for her use of color and bold prints, her

collections have been featured on The Today Show and

in InStyle, People, Lucky, Self, and O The Oprah Magazine.

Flip Flop Shops®, located between Touché and

Hemline, will open its second Houston-area

location offering flip flops and sandals for the

entire family from big names such as REEF,

Havaianas, O’NEILL, Roxy and Sanuk.

www.MarketStreet-TheWoodlands.com

www.Twitter.com/TheWoodlandsCVB

www.facebook.com/VisitTheWoodlands

www.YouTube.com/ TheWoodlandsCVB

Valid until 01/21/2013. Receive a complimentary Hot Chocolate (PLU 14)

or Cookie (PLU 13) every time you present this card at Hubbell & Hudson Market.

24 Waterway Avenue, The Woodlands | www.hubbellandhudson.com

Receive a FREE Hot Chocolate or Cookie Every time you present this card at Hubbell & Hudson Market

HUBBELL&HUDSON

MARKET & BISTRO & KITCHEN & CATERING & COOKING SCHOOL & MARKET & BISTRO & KITCHEN

& CATERING & COOKING SCHOOL & MARKET & BISTRO & KITCHEN & CATERING & COOKING

SCHOOL & MARKET & BISTRO & KITCHEN & CATERING & COOKING SCHOOL & MARKET & BISTRO

Buy 4 Skate Sessions get the 5th FREE. Offer includes admission & rental. Valid 7 days

a week. Not valid with any other offer or on prior purchases. Offer expires Jan. 21, 2013.

Valid only at The Ice Rink™ at The Woodlands Town Center.

Frequent Skater Card

281.419.5630 • www.TheWoodlandsIceRink.com

1 2 3 4 5

Produced by

Sponsored by

2801 Technology Forest Blvd.The Woodlands, Texas 77381

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

u.S. POSTAGEPAID

G3 DIRECT

Presenting Music Kids Love!

Cruise around The Woodlands Town Center year round

Friday thru Sunday. PLUS special events and holidays.

A public day pass with unlimited rides

on the Waterway Cruisers is $5.

Youth, seniors and the disabled pay half fare. Tickets can be purchased upon boarding.

Friday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Discover a unique way to travel through The Woodlands!

COLORS: PMS 5777 GreenPMS 281 Dark BluePMS 301 Medium BluePMS 306 Turquoise Blue

COLORS: PMS 5777 GreenPMS 167 OrangePMS 546 Dark Green

WaterwayTrolleyRouteNew2.pdf 1 10/10/11 2:54 PM

w Landry’s Restaurant

e Anadarko Towerr Woodloch Forest Drive

at Waterway Bridget Waterway Squarey Waterway Avenue

u Koi Gardeni The Woodlands

Waterway Marriot Hotel & Convention Center

o Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

1) Town Green Park

1! South Montgomery County Library

1@ Community Center1# West Lake Robbins 1$ Market Street- Central Park 1% HEB Central Market

Trolley StopWaterway Cruiser StopPublic Parking

q The Woodlands Mall

ROUTE MAP

NEW SCHEDULE!

Effective 1/1/12

WATERWAY CRUISERS ARE AVAILABLE TO BOARD AT EACH STOP EVERY 45-60 MINUTES. Last Round Trip leaves the mall one hour before closing.

For a complete list of special weekday operations visit www.TheWoodlandsWaterwayCruisers.com

waterway_cruiserRACK4X9fin.indd 1 1/23/12 11:58 AM

WATERWAy CRuISER AND TROLLEy ROuTE

Fun and excitement are around every corner at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s 17th Annual Children’s Festival Nov. 10-11, 2012. Kids of all ages can enjoy award-winning children’s performers and activities throughout the two-day event. Photos: Ted Washington

At the 17th annual Children’s Festival children can find fun

around every corner as The Pavilion is transformed into a giant playground

for the young and young at heart, and enjoy award-winning children’s

performers who educate and entertain thousands of kids during two days

of non-stop fun and excitement. Check out activities in the Activity Tent,

Healthy KidZone, Adventure Zone, Fun Zone and at the top of the hill.

The Children’s Festival is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., Nov. 10 and noon

to 5 p.m. Sun., Nov. 11. Tickets for the weekend are $8 per person in ad-

vance and $10 per person at the door. Children under 2 are admitted free

of charge. The daily admission includes every show and activity, ensuring

parents don’t spend the day dealing with tickets, tokens or endless lines.

www.woodlandscenter.org

Dancing Fountains at Waterway Square, Dazzling Lights in Town Green Park

and The Ice Rink Get Families in the Holiday Spirit

Town Green Park

FounTains aT waTerway square™

The ice rink presented by your housTon area cheVy DeaLers

Cruise around The Woodlands Town Center year round

Friday thru Sunday. PLUS special events and holidays.

A public day pass with unlimited rides

on the Waterway Cruisers is $5.

Youth, seniors and the disabled pay half fare. Tickets can be purchased upon boarding.

Friday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Discover a unique way to travel through The Woodlands!

COLORS: PMS 5777 GreenPMS 281 Dark BluePMS 301 Medium BluePMS 306 Turquoise Blue

COLORS: PMS 5777 GreenPMS 167 OrangePMS 546 Dark Green

WaterwayTrolleyRouteNew2.pdf 1 10/10/11 2:54 PM

w Landry’s Restaurant

e Anadarko Towerr Woodloch Forest Drive

at Waterway Bridget Waterway Squarey Waterway Avenue

u Koi Gardeni The Woodlands

Waterway Marriot Hotel & Convention Center

o Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

1) Town Green Park

1! South Montgomery County Library

1@ Community Center1# West Lake Robbins 1$ Market Street- Central Park 1% HEB Central Market

Trolley StopWaterway Cruiser StopPublic Parking

q The Woodlands Mall

ROUTE MAP

NEW SCHEDULE!

Effective 1/1/12

WATERWAY CRUISERS ARE AVAILABLE TO BOARD AT EACH STOP EVERY 45-60 MINUTES. Last Round Trip leaves the mall one hour before closing.

For a complete list of special weekday operations visit www.TheWoodlandsWaterwayCruisers.com

waterway_cruiserRACK4X9fin.indd 1 1/23/12 11:58 AM

BrinG your FrequenT skaTer carD To huBBeLL & huDson For a

Free hoT chocoLaTe or cookie.

TroLLey wiLL sToP aT The wooDLanDs ice rink noV. 17, 2012-Jan. 21, 2013

TaLisman enerGy Toy DriVe anD sanTa LeTTer sToP

housTon area cheVy DeaLers ProuD PresenTer oF The ice rink

Donoho’s JeweLLers winTer wonDerLanDFooD DriVe

VisiT FiDeLiTy inVesTmenTs For a Buy one Get one free ice rink couPon

2012-2013 Holiday Sponsors Support Local Food and Toy Drives and Special Promotions for Holiday Revelers in The Woodlands

For more information, visit www.HolidayInTheWoodlands.com.

4 W W W.VISIT THEWOODLANDS.COM

Cruise through The Woodlands Town Center year-round.A public day pass with unlimited rides on the Waterway Cruisers is $5.

youth, seniors and the disabled pay half fare. Tickets can be purchased

upon boarding. www.TheWoodlandsWaterwayCruisers.com

Landry’s Seafood offers private catering, perfect for holiday office parties, special family dinners, holiday parties & more! View the holiday lights as you and your guests enjoy a dinner cruise. Call 281.363.9750 for more details.

WATERWAY CRUISER HOURS

Friday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

www.HolidayInTheWoodlands.com