Volume 10 | October 17, 2018
October News and Updates
Chamber Board Chair Transition
As previously announced, Gary Wood will step down from his role as chair of the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce when his term expires on December 31, 2018. Chair-elect Tammi Wallace will take over the leadership position on January 1. Wood and Wallace co-founded the Chamber together in early 2016; the two are now focused on a seamless transition plan for the organization. Wood will serve as chair emeritus and continue to support the Chamber on special projects while helping maintain relationships with corporate partners. 

Click here to see letters to members from both Gary and Tammi.
Upcoming Events
October 25: Chamber Happy Hour
Join us for our members-only October Happy Hour at Guava Lamp. 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

November 14: Brewing Up Business
We invite you to join us for our monthly Brewing Up Business. Next month's event is hosted by Chamber member James Craig Furnishings at their new showroom in the Houston Design Center. We will also do a ribbon cutting to help open the new location.
Welcome Our Newest Members
The Chamber is proud to welcome our newest members who have joined in recent weeks. Thank you for supporting the Chamber!

Business Plus Member

Alicia Verdier Photography Specializing in natural light photography. Available for family portraits, headshots, weddings, bar mitzvahs, newborn, maternity, special events, lifestyle, etc.

Business Connect Members






Click Here for our complete Member Directory!
Chamber and SBA Renew Strategic Partnership
At the Brewing Up Business event earlier this month, the Chamber renewed its strategic partnership with the Small Business Administration. Tim Jeffcoat, District Director of the Small Business Administration - Houston office, joined us to sign the new agreement in a special ceremony. Click the link below to learn more about the SBA's programs in the Houston area.

Welcome Manifest Creative
The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce is pleased to have the team at Manifest Creative LLC on board as its new executive administrators. In just a short period of time, Manifest Creative, which specializes in association management, has quickly partnered with the board to become integral to the work we do at the Chamber, providing a variety of key administrative services - from assisting with programs and events and coordinating membership initiatives to communicating with our community, supporting marketing efforts and beyond. We look forward to working with this incredible team as we continue to grow the Chamber and the benefits we provide to our members.

Pictured from left:
Shaina Conrad, Event / Client Support Coordinator
Amy Rogers, Client Services Director
Monica Rhodes, President / CEO
Maureen Maiuri, Vice President / COO
Photos from Recent Events
Earlier this month Chamber members and guests were able to "kick-start" the morning with our monthly Brewing Up Business event.Thank you to our member Maggiano's Little Italy for hosting this event and for providing an overview of what they offer as a restaurant, event space and outside catering company.

In late September, we had the monthly Chamber Happy Hour. Thank you to Chamber member, Guava Lamp, for hosting!

Congrats to the Gayest & Greatest
Every year, OutSmart Magazine honors the people, companies and organizations that serve our community best. The winners of the annual Gayest & Greatest Awards are outlined in the magazine's October issue now on newsstands around town. We at the Chamber are pleased that many of our members are among the 2018 honorees. Click below to find out who's on the list!

Interested in Volunteering?
Are you looking for an easy way to get more involved in the Chamber and make a difference in this growing organization? Help us out by volunteering at one of our happy hours or other events. It's a great way to meet fellow members. Follow the link below to let us know you're interested and we'll follow up with you soon.

Early Voting Begins Monday, October 22
Early voting for the upcoming election begins October 22 and runs through November 2. Election Day is November 6. Click here to see a Voters Guide from the League of Women Voters. And click here to see the endorsements of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus. The Chamber encourages our members and the community to learn about the candidates and issues on their ballot and participate in the election process.
The Power of the Queer Dollar
"An #LGBT-inclusive global economy is the future," write National LGBT Chamber of Commerce cofounders Justin Nelson and Chance Mitchell in this piece for the Advocate. Did you know that if all LGBT-owned companies in the U.S. pooled their economic contributions together they would form the world's 10th largest economy?

Silver Corporate Partners
Bronze Corporate Partners
Founding Members
Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce | 832-510-3002 | info@houstonlgbtchamber.com | houstonlgbtchamber.com