August 17, 2026

40th anniversary of Lobsterfest

set for October 1-2

The Chamber's signature event, Lobsterfest, is back! The 40th anniversary edition of this community tradition—often referred to as Montgomery County's homecoming—takes place on Thursday, October 1 (steak/lobster dinner with live and silent auction at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center), and Friday, October 2 (golf tournament at Panorama Golf Club). Tickets are available for both events, and an early sellout is expected. Once again, Lobsterfest is generously presented by Woodforest National Bank.

Below, see the latest edition of the Chamber's magazine, Connections, with a cover story on the 40-year history of the this iconic event, as well as the announcement of the unveiling of Lobsterfest's 40th annivesary logo.

The Summer edition of Connections not only features a history of Lobsterfest since its beginning in 1987, but also an article on several local businesses (and brands) that are built to last - and the lessons that all businesses can learn from these Montgomery County mainstays.

This issue also includes a non-profit profile of The Salvation Army of Montgomery County, a primer on special event planning, lots of pictures from recent networking events and ribbon cutting ceremonies, and a recap of the ATHENA Leadership Award Luncheon held last month at the Hyatt Regency Conroe.

Click to read Connections!

In early 2026, as the 40th anniversary of Lobsterfest approached, the Chamber’s Marketing Committee put a call out to members who might be interested in giving the Lobsterfest logo a refresh for the occasion.

More than 20 entries were submitted, with the winning logo coming from Brand Advantage, a relatively new Chamber member with little Lobsterfest experience.

Brand Advantage’s Kim Nadasky (President and Co-Founder) attended her first Lobsterfest just last year. She and Allison Stark (Vice President of Operations) were the main force behind the logo design.

Click to read more!

Week at a Glance: August 17-23

Tuesday, August 18

Ribbon Cutting - CH&P Management

10 a.m., 2200 N. FM 3083 W., Conroe, TX 77303

Wednesday, August 19

Ribbon Cutting - VMI Security

11:30 a.m., 6435 Hwy. 105 W., Conroe, TX 77304

Thursday, August 20

Ribbon Cutting - Livewell Animal Hospital at Harper's Preserve

10 a.m., 10354 Hwy. 242, Ste. 800, Conroe, TX 77385

Fun After Five - First Financial Bank

5:05-6:30 p.m., 1800 W. White Oak Terrace, Conroe, TX 77304

Chamber News & Events

Visit our calendar here

After-hours networking at Fun After Five

Fun After Five is always a blast, and this week will be no different as First Financial Bank in Conroe hosts an evening of networking, bites & drinks. Bring your business cards - you may win a door prize!

Fun After Five

Thursday, August 20

5:05-6:30 p.m.

First Financial Bank

1800 W. White Oak Terrace

Conroe, TX 77304

Click to register!

Metcalf to deliver State of the State update

Don’t miss a single luncheon in the Chamber's impactful Monthly Luncheon speaker series! Each month features a distinguished speaker offering exclusive insights that can shape your business strategy and community perspective. On Monday, September 14, we'll hear from Texas State Representative Will Metcalf, who will update us on the State of the State and happenings in District 16. This monthly luncheon is generously sponsored by VeraBank.

Attend each month and stay at the forefront of local leadership and economic development conversations.

Monthly Luncheon

Monday, Sept. 14

11:30 a.m. (networking/lunch)

12 p.m. (program)

N. Montgomery County Community Center

600 Gerald St.

Willis, TX 77378

Click to register!

Elevate your business at the 3rd annual Stand Out Marketing event

If you are struggling to tell the story of your business in a crowded market place, it's time to Stand Out. If you're looking for tools and techniques that can lift your marketing to the next level, it's time to Stand Out.

The Chamber's popular Stand Out Marketing Series will take place on Wednesday, October 14, from 8-11:45 a.m. at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center. The event is presented by Purple Gorilla and the breakfast is co-sponsored by Brand Advantage, LLC, and WeKinnect Global Branding Agency.

The theme for this year's event is all about storytelling, beginning with the keynote speaker and founder of Community Impact, John Garrett. He will provide attendees with tools they can use to get their business thinking like a media player - speaking in headlines.

Next, a panel discussion on "Telling Your Story Locally: Lessons from National Brands" will include valuable marketing insights from Chick-fil-A (Erika Sumner), Gullo Dealerships (Tiffany Iadarola) and State Farm Insurance (Lupe Martinez). Local business owner Margie Taylor with Taylorized PR will moderate the panel.

The event concludes with a how-to session on authentic storytelling in the age of AI, presented by Mason Benitez, owner and founder of Bishop Advertising & AI.

"Each year, the Stand Out Marketing event gets bigger and better," said Steve Scheffler, the Chamber's Director of Marketing & Communications. "For anyone involved in the marketing of their business, this is an incredible - and affordable - local resource."

The 2026 edition of Stand Out Marketing, presented by Purple Gorilla, takes place Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 8-11:45 a.m.

Founder of Community Impact, John Garrett, will kick off the Stand Out Marketing event with a session on "Creating Impactful Storytelling: Speaking in Headlines."