The East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) and Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services and operators of the newly named Caney Pines Convention Center, today named Melanie Granado as General Manager of the 210,070-square-foot facility scheduled to open in December 2026.
In her new role at Caney Pines Convention Center, Granado will oversee day-to-day operations, including scheduling, operations, finance, advertising, sponsorship, and hospitality.
“Melanie is an outstanding, results-driven professional with tremendous experience in convention sales, hospitality and strategic planning,” said Greg O’Dell, President of Venue Management, Oak View Group. “She continues to demonstrate her ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive revenue growth and create meaningful opportunities for the communities she serves. We’re confident her experience and leadership will help create exciting opportunities here in New Caney and the surrounding East Montgomery County region.”
A well-respected and experienced convention center executive, Granado is relocating to New Caney from the OVG-managed Hilliard Center in Corpus Christi, TX, where she most recently served as Assistant General Manager, after previously serving as OVG Hospitality General Manager and Vice President of Convention Center Sales & Operations. During her time at Hilliard Center, Granado led the hospitality team in creating the Community Incubator Program, an innovative initiative designed to create opportunities and support for local businesses and entrepreneurs. Prior to joining Oak View Group, Granado served as Sales Manager for Visit Corpus Christi and Director of Sales at Ortiz Center.
“We look forward to working closely with Melanie and leaning on her incredible insight, and expertise as we prepare to open Caney Pines Convention Center,” said Frank McCrady, President and CEO of EMCID. “This project is about building lasting opportunity for the community, and we’re grateful to partner with Oak View Group as we prepare to welcome the world to New Caney and East Montgomery County.”
Caney Pines Convention Center, the third largest in Houston and the seventh in the state, will be a premier destination for events and celebrations like graduations and weddings, business meetings, trade shows, youth sports tournaments and more. Caney Pines is situated in the Valley Ranch Entertainment District, part of the larger Valley Ranch retail, office, entertainment, restaurant and mixed-use development.
With an exhibition hall for more than 6,000 attendees, space that can be divided into up to seven smaller rooms, two signature meeting rooms with views of Valley Ranch to the east, west and south and a terrace, the venue will offer flexible settings for events of every size.
“It’s truly an exciting time in New Caney, and I’m excited to step into the role of General Manager at Caney Pines Convention Center,” said Granado. “The convention center will be a true catalyst for connection and growth throughout the region; a place where businesses, organizations and community members can come together to share ideas and build partnerships. We want to attract new meetings and conventions while creating experiences that strengthen our community and make the Caney Pines Convention Center a premier meeting destination.”
With completion on the horizon, event bookings for 2027 are already underway. Click here to inquire about booking: Caney Pines Convention Center Booking Inquiries.