Nov. 29, 2023 | Volume 72

In This Issue

  • Featured Upcoming Events
  • Welcome Aboard Ryan Wilson
  • Join the Chamber
  • New & Renewing Corporate Partners
  • OUT & About
  • New & Renewing Members

Upcoming Events


November 30 - Chamber Holiday Food & Supply Drive


November 30 - Drag Bingo at Eureka Heights


December 1 - First Friday Meet & Eat at Postino Montrose


December 5 - Chamber Member Orientation (virtual)


December 14 - Chamber Holiday Celebration


December 21 - 3rd Thursday Breakfast - Holiday Edition


December 28 - Drag Bingo at Eureka Heights



Visit the event calendar for more events and information.

Join Today!

Dear Houston LGBT,


At the Chamber, all we want for this holiday season is for you and your business to get the most out of this festive time - and for you have some fun, too. We hope that the guide to holiday events in this Chamber Connection sparks excitement and awakens a giving spirit.

 

We recognize the importance of helping each other and offering support to others when they need it most. The holidays are a wonderful time of year, yet can be challenging for some in the LGBTQ+ community. So this season, the Chamber Holiday Food & Supply Drive is supporting Tony’s Place, a resource center and community space focusing specifically on LGBTQ+ youth.

 

Because you've made the NICE list, you are cordially invited to join us for our big end-of-year holiday celebration, Jingle & Mingle. This party is always filled with people who will help make your season bright. I hope you'll come be a part of this super fun event.


Finally, as you read this issue, keep your eyes open for a big announcement about a very special person who is joining the Chamber as Director of Corporate Relations. Hint: they have worked for decades across the southern U.S. advocating for LGBTQ+ people at all levels of government. I couldn't be more excited about our growing team.


I'd like to thank you and your fellow Chamber Members and Partners for being part of our ever-expanding community and network. All of you are a holiday gift to me. I look forward to seeing you soon!


With Pride,

Tammi Wallace (she/her/hers)

Co-Founder and President & CEO

Whether a small business, large company or professional or young professional - you are welcome at the Chamber!


Select your membership type below to get started!

Business Level Membership (99 employees or less)
Corporate Partnership (100 employees or more)
Individual / Professional Membership
Lambda NextGen (Young Professionals)

Featured Upcoming Events

HAPPENING THIS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30th!

The Chamber Holiday Food & Supply Drive takes place this Thursday, November 30th and will benefit Tony’s Place, a resource center and community space focusing on LGBTQ+ youth. The Drive provides a great opportunity to do something tangible to help address food insecurity and preserve a haven for LGBTQ+ youth in the Houston region. We'll be accepting food, supply, and financial donations in person from 4 to 7 PM at Eureka Heights Brewery. We are also accepting online contributions right now as part of our Virtual Drive.

Let's Support LGBTQ+ Youth

...ALSO HAPPENING THIS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30th!

Just after the Holiday Food & Supply Drive at Eureka Heights ends at 7 PM, monthly Drag Bingo begins at the brewery! Join your fabulous host Miss Gay Southwest America, Dessie Love-Blake. It’s FREE to play! So bring a Holiday Drive donation, order a beverage, then stick around and grab a dauber for bingo!

B-I-N-G-O

DECEMBER 1: FIRST FRIDAY LUNCH

Chamber members and guests are invited to join us on the first Friday of December for an informal lunch to enjoy great food, to network and to support a valued Chamber member restaurant, Postino. Join us there at noon - in the heart of Montrose! If you don't have a chance to drop off a donation during the Chamber’s Holiday Food & Supply Drive benefitting Tony’s Place, you’ll have the opportunity to do so at the Meet & Eat. Join us! Meet great people, support a Chamber business, and have a great time!

Manga, Manga!

DECEMBER 14: CHAMBER HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

We hope you’ll continue to celebrate this season with us at our 2023 Jingle & Mingle Holiday Celebration. It’s one of the Chamber’s biggest events of the year and is guaranteed to be a great time.


This year at the Celebration we’ll be holding a silent auction which will include amazing items such as a Smart Office Suite with 45" curved monitor from our friends at HP. A portion of the proceeds will support the Chamber Champion Fund which provides assistance to small businesses.

Let's Party

Join Us for Upcoming Events

The Chamber events calendar is regularly updated so check back often and keep an eye out for event announcements!



Show your support for the LGBTQ+ community! The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce offers numerous sponsorship and marketing opportunities throughout the year. This Sponsorship Guide outlines the various opportunities to increase your brand visibility with Chamber members and the LGBTQ+ community.


Click here to learn more and become a sponsor.

Welcome Aboard Ryan Wilson!

The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that Ryan C. Wilson (he/him) has joined The Chamber staff as our Director of Corporate Relations! Ryan began his LGBTQ+ advocacy in college at both Clemson University and the University of South Carolina. He went on to become president of the South Carolina Pride Movement then become executive director of South Carolina Equality. He has decades of experience advocating for LGBTQ+ people, most recently as the Houston-based associate regional campaign director for the Human Rights Campaign. Ryan served as a member of the team fighting for HERO – the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.


We are excited to have Ryan join the Chamber Team and utilize his extensive national level and advocacy experience to support our partners and help the Chamber grow.

Meet Ryan

Not A Member of the Chamber? Join Today!

Whether you're an LGBTQ+ or Allied-owned business, a large company, or a professional or young professional you can get involved in the Chamber. The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce is the leading regional advocate for the economic and civic interests of the LGBTQ+ business community. Now is a great time to be part of one of the fastest-growing chambers in the region.

 

Chamber membership is comprised of a wide array of entrepreneurs, executives, small businesses, and Fortune 500 firms. Learn more about membership benefits and levels.

Small Business & Individuals
Corporate Partners

New Corporate Partners

Located in the heart of downtown and in close proximity to dining, shopping and entertainment, Hilton Americas-Houston is steps away from the culturally rich, diverse experiences that invite and delight business and pleasure travelers alike.


Designed by renowned architects as a top-tier luxury hotel and conference destination, our hotel welcomes visitors and attendees with 91,500 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, convenient overhead walkway access to the George R. Brown Convention Center and modern guest rooms and suites. With flavors for all, Lobby Bar features globally inspired fare and beverages, 1600 Bar + Grille serves local seasonal produce, R24 Rooftop Lounge pairs signature cocktails with spectacular skyline views, and a full-service Starbucks offers light refreshments for guests on the go. Learn more at http://www.americashouston.hilton.com/

Certarus is leading the transition to a clean energy future. We deliver low carbon energy solutions that help customers improve environmental performance and lower operating costs.

Through our integrated and sustainable Energy-as-a-Service platform, we leverage the latest technology to safely deliver compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen to industrial and commercial customers and offer last mile logistics support for renewable natural gas (RNG) developers. Learn more at https://certarus.com

Renewing Corporate Partner

Thank you to Corporate Partner ADP for their continued support of the Chamber!

View Photo Album

A group of talented Chamber Member-artists decorated ornaments for our Holiday 'Pride Tree' that was officially illuminated on November 17th at George R. Brown Convention Center. The tree is part of the Alley Theatre’s “Deck the Trees” Celebration. You may view the Chamber Pride Tree along with other holiday tree displays between now and January 1st. Thanks to Chamber Member, The Alley Theatre and Chamber Member and sponsor, Robert Shipman Flowers & Events, the designer/curator of our beautiful tree.

We were excited to join the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce and the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce, to celebrate Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber Member Vettrus Supply and the Grand Opening of its 44,000+ square foot space in Texas City! Vettrus is LGBTBE Certified and Women, Latina, LGBTQ+ and Veteran owned. 

Congratulations to Kathy, Barbie and the rest of the team at Vettrus.

If you haven't stopped by Kuji Kitchen you're missing out! Chamber Director of Programming & Events Jack Berger recently spent quality time with Owner/Chef Keisha Griggs - and had a delicious breakfast, too! We're proud have Kuji as a Chamber Member.

Houstonians were out in full force at Shell Energy Stadium to support the Dynamo as they entered the MLS Playoffs. We joined Ted Segal, owner of Chamber Corporate Partner the Houston Dynamo FC / Houston Dash, for a pre-game reception with the team’s executive leadership. We’ll be cheering in a big way on Saturday when our hometown team takes on Los Angeles FC!

The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber advocates at all levels of government on behalf of our members and the broader LGBTQ+ Allied Business Community. Chamber President Tammi Wallace and Director of Government Relations Ray Purser recently had an opportunity to meet with Fort Bend County Judge KP George. During his time in office, Judge George has demonstrated his support of inclusive policies and recognizes issues important to our members’ businesses and economic development in Fort Bend County and our region.

And so much more... Check out all of the photo albums from recent events on the Chamber's Facebook page.

Happy Chamberversary!

Thank you to the following members for their continued support of the Chamber!  

Business Premium

Business Plus

Business Connect

Michael T. Brown

Welcome New Members!

We are thrilled to welcome our newest members to the Chamber!

Business Connect

The Chamber is growing! It’s a great time to be part of our growing and thriving Chamber community. Join today!

Stay up to date on the latest happenings - follow the Chamber on social media!

Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  Linkedin  Youtube  

Also, check out the Facebook and LinkedIn Member Groups where member can post information about their organizations. Are you a new Chamber Member? Post up an intro video and let us know about you and your member organization!

Make sure your business is included in the online Chamber Directory where the community finds LGBTQ+ supportive businesses. Show your support and get more visibility for your business in the LGBTQ+ community!


Don’t own a business? Join and take advantage of great networking through the Professionals Membership!

Join Today

ADP

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

UPS

KBR


Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce www.houstonlgbtchamber.com
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