harris-county-chamber-of-commerce

36th Annual Harris County Chamber Stars Gala

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:37:17 GMT

Where Business Meets Celebration: 2026 Harris County Chamber Stars Gala Highlights

Photography for this event was sponsored Miriam Boyer.

For more images please reach out to us at reply@harriscountychamber.org .

What a wonderful evening celebrating the businesses, leaders, and community that make Harris county so special. The 2026 Harris County Chamber Gala was a great night of connection, recognition, and looking ahead to the future of our community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a memorable evening!

We welcome and celebrate this year's award winners and our newest 2026 Board members. We began the evening with a cocktail hour held in Callaway Garden's beautiful Discovery Center. During dinner, we were honored to welcome special remarks from Neal Thurman, Vice President and General Manager of Callaway Gardens.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our annual sponsors for their generous support of this year's Harris County Chamber Star's Gala.

Missed this year's Gala?

Don't worry we hope you'll join us next year! Stay tuned for next year's Gala date.

Maximizing Your Chamber Membership: Digital Tools & Online Visibility

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 20:20:39 GMT

From Directory Listings to Landing Pages

The Harris County Chamber of Commerce recently hosted another engaging Coffee & Connect session focused on helping businesses strengthen their online presence and maximize the value of their Chamber membership.

The presentation, Maximizing Your Chamber Membership: Digital Tools & Online Visibility, was led by Mary Frances Bailey, Operations Coordinator, and highlighted how local businesses can leverage Chamber-provided digital tools to increase visibility, credibility, and community reach—often with minimal time investment.

Key Takeaways from the Session

Attendees learned how the Chamber supports business growth through a variety of built-in marketing and visibility resources, including:

The Online Member Directory, which helps customers and community members discover local businesses

Individual Member Landing Pages, providing a professional, Google-indexed online presence

Tools available through the Member Portal, allowing businesses to update information, post events, job openings, and announcements

Expanded exposure through Chamber social media, newsletters, and staff and board referrals

The session emphasized that maintaining an accurate and active online profile—such as uploading photos, updating business descriptions, or posting occasional updates—can significantly improve discoverability and customer confidence.

Simple Actions, Meaningful Impact

One of the key messages shared was that online visibility does not have to be complicated or time-consuming. Many of the strategies discussed can be completed in just a few minutes each month and help ensure businesses remain visible, credible, and top-of-mind within the community.

One-on-One Support Available

Members who would like personalized assistance navigating the Member Portal, updating their landing page, or understanding available digital tools are encouraged to reach out to the Chamber team. One-on-one support sessions are available and can be scheduled in person, by phone, or virtually.

Stay Connected

Coffee & Connect events are designed to provide meaningful education, networking opportunities, and practical resources for local businesses. The Chamber looks forward to hosting future sessions and continuing to support business growth throughout Harris County.

For more information on upcoming Coffee & Connect events or Chamber membership benefits, please visit our website or contact the Chamber office.

If you are already a member and would like one-on-one assistants, please fill out the form below:

https://forms.gle/n8fqnDT7EEZVzWWA6

Utilities Day: Young Professionals Leadership Program

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:24:28 GMT

On Tuesday, November 4th, the Harris County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Leadership Program held its third session: Utilities Day. This engaging and informative session explored how essential utility systems power our communities, support economic growth, and impact everyday life throughout Harris County and beyond.

The morning began at 219 Food & Spirits with an interactive leadership workshop led by Brian Fitzpatrick of Columbus State University’s Leadership Institute. Fitzpatrick presentation was titled "Effective Listening in Leadership". Fitzpatrick guided participants through the importance of active listening as a key leadership skill, additionally emphasizing how clear, intentional communication strengthens collaboration, productivity, and workplace culture. His session encouraged participants to reflect on how effective listening can help emerging leaders inspire trust, reduce misunderstandings, and create stronger teams.

Following the workshop, participants heard from an outstanding utility panel featuring local leaders across the industry. David Laney of Water Works , Jens Goode of Liberty Utilities , Dean Porter of Boost Mobile , alongside The Georgia Power Company representatives Adrienne Tickle, Dawson Ingram, and Nancy Deshazo shared their expertise and experiences on topics such as infrastructure development, innovation, sustainability, and the importance of collaboration with the public. The panel provided valuable insight into the complex systems that maintain our communities and the ongoing efforts to ensure reliable, sustainable access to essential services.

Young Professionals continued the informative experience with exclusive, behind-the-scenes tours. The group first visited Georgia Power's Bartletts Ferry Dam , where they explored the inner workings of water management and power generation, gaining a greater understanding of how natural resources are harnessed to serve the community. The day concluded with a tour of the Kia Motors West Point Assembly Plant , offering participants a firsthand look at advanced technology, large-scale production, and the vital role manufacturing plays in supporting regional infrastructure and economic development.

Utilities Day provided our Young Professionals with a deeper appreciation for the essential infrastructure that powers our daily lives. Through meaningful discussions, real-world exploration, and leadership training, participants further developed their understanding of innovation, collaboration, and service—core values that will help guide them as the next generation of community leaders.

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 20:24:16 GMT

Shape the future of Chamber networking — your voice guides our events.

At the Harris County Chamber of Commerce, your feedback matters. In our most recent membership survey, many of you told us you’d like to see more networking opportunities in the coming year. We couldn’t agree more — building relationships is at the heart of what the Chamber does best.

But here’s the thing: “networking” means something different to everyone. For some, it may look like a casual after-hours social, while others might prefer structured business roundtables, speed networking, or community-driven volunteer projects.

That’s why we’re reaching out again — this time, with a short poll to learn what kind of networking events YOU want to see in 2026.

https://forms.gle/LVAgPKQryocCob5P7

We’ll also be sharing this poll on social media so you can weigh in there as well.

By sharing your input, you’re helping us create meaningful opportunities that strengthen connections, spark new ideas, and grow our business community.

We hear you, and we’re ready to deliver — now tell us what’s most valuable to you!

Government Day: Young Professionals Leadership Program

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 16:45:32 GMT

On Tuesday, September 2nd, the Harris County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Leadership Program hosted its second session, Government Day. This session provided participants with a unique opportunity to explore how government and justice systems shape our community while gaining valuable insights from local leaders.

Learning from Local Government Leaders

The day began at the Harris County Courthouse, where participants heard from State Representative Vance Smith , Mayor Pendergrass , Dr. Finney , Clark Harrell , Greg Gantt , and Rob Grant . Each speaker shared their perspectives on leadership, public service, and civic engagement, offering real-world examples of how government decisions directly influence regional growth and community well-being. Young Professionals gained a deeper understanding of the challenges of public leadership and how collaboration with officials can drive positive change.

Leadership Development with Columbus State University

The program continued with a session led by Brian Fitzpatrick of Columbus State University’s Leadership Program. His presentation highlighted the importance of strong working relationships as the foundation of a thriving, collaborative culture—essential skills for anyone aspiring to lead effectively within their community.

Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Participants were then given an inside look at county operations during a tour of the Harris County Jail , guided by Lieutenant Colonel Webb and Captain Hale . This experience provided firsthand perspective on how law enforcement and correctional facilities operate and the vital role they play in maintaining public safety.

Justice System Perspectives

The day concluded with an insightful Justice System Panel featuring Ben “Tripp” Kennon , Judge Lakes , Sheriff Jolley , Julia Shankus , Judge McBride , Judge Webb , and Chief Weiss . Panelists discussed leadership challenges within the justice system, the impact of their work on the region, and the importance of collaboration between justice officials and emerging leaders. Their perspectives emphasized the critical role civic engagement plays in building stronger, more resilient communities.

A Step Toward Future Leadership

The Harris County Chamber of Commerce is grateful to all the speakers and officials who contributed their time and expertise to make Government Day a meaningful experience. This session reinforced the program’s mission: to equip emerging leaders with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to grow both personally and professionally—right here in Harris County.