Dec. 20, 2023 | Volume 73

In This Issue

Featured Upcoming Events
Holiday Party Recap
Join the Chamber
New & Renewing Corporate Partners
OUT & About
New & Renewing Members

Upcoming Events

December 21 - 3rd Thursday Breakfast - Holiday Edition

December 28 - Drag Bingo at Eureka Heights

January 5 - First Friday Meet & Eat at Star Sailor

January 11 - LAMBDA NextGen Happy Hour at BUDDY's

January 18 - 3rd Thursday Breakfast

Visit the event calendar for more events and information.

Join Today!

Dear Houston LGBT,

As the year winds down, our spirits are soaring at the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber! We have a lot to celebrate because of you and your fellow Chamber supporters. You all made many 2023 successes possible – and gathering with over 300 of you last week for our annual Jingle & Mingle Holiday Celebration was the perfect culmination of a super year.

WHAT A P-A-R-T-Y IT WAS

Our Community turned out in full last Thursday night, full of holiday cheer and ready to mingle. The spirit at Lightnin’s Good Times was infectious! We reunited with long time friends and made many new ones. What’s more, we got to connect attendees with each another, which we consider one of our most important jobs - and it's one we most enjoy.

NEW YEAR ---> NEW EVENT, NEW PARTNER NAMES

We’re excited to announce that the first major Chamber event of 2024 will be the inaugural THRIVE Small Business Summit & Matchmaker! THRIVE will give small and minority-owned businesses resources they need to grow their business and give them an opportunity connect to Chamber Corporate Partners.

Also in 2024, Chamber Membership levels will receive new, updated designations. Corporate Partners, for example will in the New Year be called ‘Impact’ Partners, a name that more accurately reflects their depth and breadth of impact in our LGBTQ+ community and their work in helping us advance the Chamber mission. Stay tuned in the weeks ahead for more information about Chamber membership advances.

When we return at the changing of the calendar year, we will be well-prepared to do even more to help the LGBTQ+ businesses in our region. We will also be looking for our current members plus new and diverse ones to help us collectively build and strengthen our efforts. I cannot wait for all that's ahead. But, today, I wish you a peaceful holiday season and a better, healthier, and happier 2024.

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 EVENT

Are you ready for your small business to THRIVE? Join the Chamber for the inaugural THRIVE Small Business Summit & Matchmaker. The Summit is a one-day event designed to provide the resources, tools, and inspiration to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses and thrive, as well as connect businesses to Chamber Corporate Partners and other members through the B2C, B2B and B2E Matchmaker. The Summit will equip small business owners to thrive in an ever-changing business environment.

All minority-owned businesses eligible for or already certified under LGBTBE^® Certified/LGBTQ+ owned, women-owned, minority-owned, disabled-owned and/or Veteran-owned are invited to attend and participate in this event. Learn more about the B2C, B2B and B2E Matchmaker opportunities below.

THANK YOU SPONSORS

Let's THRIVE

...ALSO HAPPENING SOON!

Before we 'check out' for the holidays, a heads-up about events we’ve got planned to cap off this year and kick off the first of 2024! Click to our Events Page to see more details of each, and please plan to take part in as many gatherings as you can - - as always, we'd love to see you!

Get Out Your Calendar!

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.

Now THAT Was a Holiday Bash!

The Jingle & Mingle Chamber Holiday Celebration was a huge success! More than 300 people joined us to celebrate the holidays and the LGBTQ+ community. It was inspiring to see businesses not only having fun, but also connecting with each other - member nonprofits finding donors and support, LGBTQ+ employee resource groups connecting, and even professionals finding jobs! Many thanks to our amazing sponsors and our host Lightnin's Good Times/Agricole Hospitality.

See More Captured Moments

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

Entergy powers life for three million customers through operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. It invests in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping its region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, it has delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Learn more at entergy.com.

Renewing Corporate Partners

Thank you to the following Corporate Partners for their continued

support of the Chamber!

SILVER

BRONZE

What a night with the one-and-only, Janet Jackson! Thank you to Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce Member, AIDS Healthcare Foundation for inviting us to be part of their World AIDS Day Event. (which also included Debbie Allen and Blair Underwood!) Since 1988, communities have stood together on World AIDS Day to show strength and solidarity against HIV stigma and to remember lives lost. Thank you to AHF for your work across the globe to eradicate this disease. Much appreciation to Anthony Snipes and the amazing AHF Houston Team for all of your work across our region!

The Chamber participated in the Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) Meet the Buyer Procurement Forum - an opportunity for small businesses to connect and network with City procurement agents as well as other governmental agencies and prime contractors. It's one of the largest events OBO offers, which spans over a decade in service to certified firms every December.

Colleagues from across the region join the U.S. Small Business Administration Houston District Office to celebrate the retirement and impact of Tim Jeffcoat. He is retiring at the end of the year.

Tim has been a strong advocate for the Chamber and the LGBTQ+ business community. We are grateful for his support and service.

We wish you the best Tim! You are always part of our Chamber family!

Board Member Stephen Miranda and his husband, Blake Mudd, represented the Chamber at the Houston Area Urban League Equal Opportunity Day Gala. They were guests of Houston Style magazine's Francis Page, Jr. and his wife, Kristyn Doar Page.

Chamber Leadership joined the Houston Hospitality Alliance for their holiday celebration at the Marriott Marquis. It was wonderful seeing so many friends and colleagues!

Happy Chamberversary!

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

President's Circle

Established in 2016, Eureka Heights was forged in the dark depths of the Eureka Heights fault line and the hellfire of Houston summer. Once emerged we spent years on a spirit quest some guy at the gas station recommended we try. Then we decided we wanted to make some beer. Years later, we continue our efforts to make interesting, approachable beer for our community.

Founding Members

Business Connect

Welcome New Members!

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

Business Plus

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!

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