Over a million people from all over the world come to Houston, Texas to attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) each year.

Being the largest rodeo in the world and the second largest fair in North America, RODEOHOUSTON attracts crowds of people for a variety of reasons.

“Each year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo ¬entertains guests from across the state of Texas, the U.S. and outside our borders as well,” said Butch Robinson, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo chairman of the board. “In 2008, more than 2,000 international guests from 84 countries visited the Show. In total, more than 1.8 million people entered the gates of Reliant Park to enjoy all that the Show has to offer.”

Last year, the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus broke the Show’s all-time Rodeo attendance record with a paid attendance of 73,459. Beginning March 3, Rodeo fans can look forward to seeing a star-studded lineup that includes Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, ZZ Top, Alan Jackson and many more.

The 2009 Show will be offering champion cowboy and cowgirl competitions with a total purse value of $1,424,213 million in awards. The Rodeo’s purse has increased more than half a million dollars over previous years, making Rodeo Houston the world’s richest regular-season Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) celebration.

Although the financial impact of the Rodeo is felt by individuals and businesses directly involved with the organization, numerous outlets throughout the city as well as the entire globe, receive economic benefits from this massive event.

Over 467,000 hotel/motel nights were booked in the Houston area during Rodeo time last year and the economic impact to the Houston metropolitan area was more than $344 million and the total world-wide economic impact was nearly $387 million.

“We’re preparing our employees for the arrival of thousands of passengers from all over the world to attend the world’s largest rodeo,” says Tim Joniec, Houston Airport System (HAS) director of customer relations and special services. “Just as we do with all of the major events the city hosts, Houston’s airports will focus on ensuring travelers get through our terminals without any problems.”