Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
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As heritage sponsor of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, BP is proud to help promote education through the granting and funding of scholarships and educational programs for Texas students and teachers.
WHEN THE HOUSTON Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLS&R) closed the doors recently on its 78th season, it left behind a number of memories. For organizers and city officials, it may well be remembered for the sheer number of people that attended.
In 2010, the HLS&R entertained a record of more than 2.1 million visitors in general attendance (all activities on the grounds at Reliant Park. The Show also set records for paid rodeo attendance over the nearly three-week run as well as single-day records on March 14 for both general and paid rodeo attendance.
With HLS&R annually contributing more than $345 million in business and general revenue to the greater
“For BP, our participation with HLS&R was very productive,” said Iris Cross, External Affairs Manager. “BP's rodeo-related activities covered a diverse range of topics in an effort to engage employees, educate them about HLS&R and raise funds for scholarships. On the fundraising front, BP’s activities raised more than $3,300 that will go directly to the HLS&R Educational Fund to provide scholarship money for students. Thanks to everyone who helped make this a most successful rodeo year for BP.”
Additionally, more than 1,700 employees and their families and friends participated in some way or another with the six BP Rodeo-related activities.
BBQ Cook-off
The 2nd annual BP BBQ Cook-off was billed as a team-building exercise for and challenge amongst different businesses. In response to the challenge, nine diverse businesses entered teams (with five people per team) in the contest to cook the best BBQ. The nine teams included WestLake Property Management (WLPM), Texas City Chemicals, Texas City Refinery, Wind, BP Marine, HSSE, Trinidad & Tobago, GOM, and NAGP.
And the winners were:
- Ribs: 1st place, WLPM; 2nd place, TC chemicals; 3rd place – Trinidad & Tobago
- Brisket: 1st place, NAGP; 2nd place, WLPM; 3rd place – GOM
- People's Choice: HSSE Four Aces
- Team Spirit: WLPM
The BBQ Cook-off was very successful with more than 525 employees and family members attending, and more than 70 volunteers helping run the event.
Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)
Speaking of volunteers, BP sponsored a volunteer day at the Rodeo. This day was constructed so that BP’s volunteers could perform Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) for strangers. The day turned out very well, featuring 80 volunteers.
“It was our first experience with RAK day, and it exceeded our expectations,” said Eddi Porter, NAG operations capability training developer. “The event was very well organized, enabling us to ‘pay it forward’ on behalf of BP.”
During the day of volunteering, BP’s RAK Pack held doors for others, picked up trash, took photos with instant photo cameras, and more. Afterward, one member of the BP RAK Pack was on the receiving end of a Random Act of Kindness that day.
Heidi Saul, Facility Support for IISN, had finished her RAK activities for the day and took the tram back to the parking lot when she realized she had lost her wallet. Not too much time later, Heidi received a phone call from someone who had seen her doing RAK. He had found her wallet; saw her business card inside; and called to let her know he had found it. She immediately returned to retrieve her wallet.
“It is amazing how we were out there all day, doing good deeds for others, when within minutes the gesture was returned to me,” said Saul. “Thank you for allowing me the wonderful opportunity to give back to the public because without people seeing Random Acts of Kindness, they will not continue doing Random Acts of Kindness.”
BRG organized events
Other BP Rodeo-related events included first-time activities planned by two of the Business Resource Groups (BRG). BP’s African American Network planned one luncheon featuring a Hall of Fame African American cowgirl. More than 70 BP employees attended the luncheon to learn about life as an African American cowboy/cowgirl.
BP’s Houston Latino Network also hosted a Rodeo-related activity. On March 11, lunch patrons at BP’s WestLake 1 cafeteria were treated to the sounds of a mariachi band while they ate.
At all of BP’s Rodeo-related activities, employees had the opportunity to win tickets to a variety of Rodeo shows, featuring a diverse slate of musical performers such as Kenny Chesney, Black Eyed Peas, Brooks & Dunn, Mary J. Blige, Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez and Pesado/El Trono de Mexico, the two acts performing on Go Tejano Day.
Scholarship volunteers needed
Now that the hard work of the 2010 rodeo and BP-related activities have concluded, the HLS&R needs a lot of volunteers to review and evaluate thousands of applications for scholarships. If you’re interested in volunteering to review scholarship applications, please contact Ms. Arvie Shepherd at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Interested volunteers should provide: name, organization affiliation (e.g., BP), e-mail address, contact number, and preferred date/time slot.
Available dates are April 6 and 7. Time slots to review scholarships are broken into three-hour blocks: 9 a.m. – noon; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.; and 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Photo galleryEvent Date: March 2 - 21