Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center will be celebrating its 25th year of operation with a series events throughout 2012. The silver anniversary year was formally launched during New Year’s Eve Live at Discovery Green park. With the convention center in the background, Mayor Annise D. Parker cuts into a really big cake made to resemble the GRB. On hand for the confectionary carving were, from left to right, Luther Villagomez, general manager of the GRB, Dawn Ullrich, president and CEO of Houston First Corporation, Greg Ortale, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Robert Eury, executive director of the Houston Downtown Management District, Mayor Parker, and Houston City Councilman James Rodriguez. (Photo by Bruce Bennett)