EMBRACING FALL: A SEASON OF CELEBRATION, COMMUNITY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
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As we transition into the fall season, with cooler weather and the beautiful changes it brings, I want to extend a warm welcome to all of you. Fall is a time of transformation, not only in nature but also in the opportunities ahead for our community. I invite you to join us on November 1 for our Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards. This is a special occasion to celebrate the innovation, resilience, and leadership within our business community, and we look forward to recognizing outstanding achievements together. Limited tickets are still available.
In addition to this celebration, I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of participating in our democratic process.
Early voting has begun as of Monday, and I encourage you all to make your voices heard by casting your votes. Voting is a powerful way to shape the future, and it’s especially important for the Asian community to ensure our perspectives and needs are represented. We must actively exercise our right to vote, and every vote counts.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events. Together, let’s embrace the season of change and make an impact in our businesses and our communities.
Warm regards,
Sydney Dao
Board Chair
Asian Chamber of Commerce
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SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS
The Event of the Season
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Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening as the Asian Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the 2024 Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards! This year's celebration promises to be bigger and better than ever, featuring our incredible honorees who have impacted the Greater Houston community.
And that's not all—alongside honoring our remarkable awardees, we're thrilled to present an exclusive fashion runway show by Houston's very own, Chloe Dao, winner of Project Runway Season 2! You won’t want to miss this dazzling showcase of local talent, adding a touch of glamour to an already spectacular evening.
With limited tickets remaining, now is the time to secure your spot at the event of the season!
2024 HONOREES
Entrepreneur of the Year – Washington Ho
Corporate Champion Award – Phillips 66
Enterprise of the Year – Dalwadi Hospitality Management
Community Ambassador Award – Linda Toyota
Legacy Award – Glen Gondo
EVENT DETAILS
📅 Date: Friday, November 1, 2024
📍 Venue: Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria, 2222 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77056
⏰ 5:30 PM: Registration Begins
⏰ 6:00 PM: Cocktail Hour / VIP Reception
⏰ 7:00 PM: Award Program & Fashion Presentation
This exclusive evening celebrating excellence in leadership, business, and community impact is your chance to connect with Houston's most influential leaders while enjoying a night of fashion, inspiration, and celebration.
Don’t wait—get your ticket today before they’re gone! This is one event you won’t want to miss!
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Daikin Texas Technology Park
Exclusive Members - Only Tour
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The Asian Chamber is thrilled to invite our members to an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Daikin Texas Technology Park on November 15 from 2 to 4 PM! This is a rare opportunity to explore one of the most advanced HVAC&R facilities in the world, right here in our backyard.
As a global leader in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration, Daikin operates in over 170 countries. At this cutting-edge facility, it has consolidated its manufacturing, engineering, and logistics operations for Goodman®, Amana®, and Daikin products. Located just outside of Houston, the Daikin Texas Technology Park is a hub for innovation and efficiency. It is built from the ground up to enhance collaboration across all its operations.
What to Expect on the Tour:
Collaboration & Innovation: See firsthand how Daikin’s integrated approach to engineering and manufacturing drives rapid product innovation and improved customer delivery times.
LEED Gold Certification: Learn about the facility's eco-friendly design, which includes energy-efficient LED lighting, a white reflective roof, and a flood-control retention pond that doubles as a landscape irrigation system.
State-of-the-Art Technology: Discover how Daikin’s engineering and manufacturing teams work together to streamline production processes and deliver high-quality products efficiently.
This exclusive tour is free, but space is limited and open to members only. Don't miss your chance to witness Daikin’s impressive operations and gain insight into its environmentally conscious practices and cutting-edge technology.
RSVP today by emailing bjoe@asianchamber-hou.org to secure your spot!
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Your Vote, Your Voice
Make it Count in the 2024 Election
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Voting for the 2024 election is underway, and now is the time to make your voice heard! As a nonpartisan organization, the Asian Chamber encourages everyone to participate in the democratic process by heading to the polls and casting your vote for president and federal, state, and local officials.
These elected leaders make decisions that impact every aspect of our lives, including taxes, education, healthcare, and more. Your vote helps shape the future of our community, state, and country.
KEY INFORMATION FOR VOTERS:
Early Voting: Began on Monday, October 21.
Election Day: Tuesday, November 5. Be in line by 7 PM to ensure your vote is counted.
Last Day of Early Voting: Friday, November 1.
Last Day to Apply for a Ballot by Mail: Friday, October 25 (must be received, not postmarked by this date).
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VOTE:
Voter Rights: Texas law protects your right to vote without penalty, including during work hours, as long as you don't have two hours before or after your shift to vote.
Voter ID: You’ll need an approved photo ID to vote in person, so double-check that you’re prepared before heading to the polls.
Assistance for Voters with Disabilities or Limited English Proficiency: You can request interpretation, assistance, or accommodations to vote.
Important Helplines: If you experience any issues while voting, you can contact:
Your county elections official or the Texas Secretary of State's office at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683). Voter-protection helplines from a coalition of voting rights groups: 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) for English.
The helpline for Asian languages is 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683), which supports Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali.
Your participation in this election is crucial. Voting is not just a right—it's a powerful way to impact the future. Make sure your voice is heard!
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Executive Business Program Underway
A Transformative Journey for Local
Business Leaders
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Now in its 8th year, the Asian Chamber of Commerce's exclusive 8-Week Fast Track Business Learning Program is in full swing, offering an unparalleled executive-level learning experience designed to help participants master key business principles. This unique program provides an immersive dual-language environment, with sessions available in both English and Mandarin, allowing participants to learn alongside peers in their preferred language.
Each week, participants dive into critical business topics such as Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Sales and Marketing, Human Resources, Exit Strategies, and Certification. The program is designed for business owners, executives, and aspiring leaders looking to strengthen their knowledge, gain practical skills, and grow their businesses.
The classes, which run every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM through November 16, 2024, provide valuable insights from industry experts and opportunities to network with fellow business leaders. This combination of education and networking ensures that participants leave the program equipped with practical strategies and connections to help them succeed in today’s competitive business landscape.
Last Saturday's session focused on Marketing, with sessions in English and Mandarin. Christine M. Hollinden, Principal at Hollinden | inbound + strategists, led the English-language session, covering essential topics such as marketing strategy, budgeting, tactics, and developing a one-page marketing plan. Hollinden's expertise gave participants actionable steps to refine their marketing efforts and achieve greater business growth.
The Mandarin-language session was led by Dr. Jun Yang, a Professor of Marketing and Director of Assessment at the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV). With a PhD in Marketing, a Master’s in Statistics from Syracuse University, and a Master’s in Economics from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Dr. Yang’s deep expertise in marketing theory and application enriched the session for participants. Her comprehensive approach provided critical insights on leveraging marketing strategies for business success in a globalized world.
As the Executive Business Program continues through November, participants can look forward to further engaging sessions on topics crucial to running a successful business. Whether navigating the complexities of finance or crafting a sustainable exit strategy, the program equips attendees with the knowledge and tools to excel.
For more information on how to participate in the Executive Business Program next year, visit the Asian Chamber of Commerce's website at www.asianchamber-hou.org.
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Member Spotlight:
Le Reussi®
Empowering Women Through Fashion
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The Chamber is delighted to highlight, Le Réussi®. Founded in 2020 by entrepreneur Nguyen Tran, Le Réussi® has quickly gained recognition for its commitment to delivering high-quality, stylish clothing that instills confidence and elegance in women everywhere. With a deep passion for fashion and a dedication to sustainability, Le Réussi® embodies the spirit of modern womanhood, blending contemporary designs with timeless appeal.
Her upbringing inspired Nguyen Tran's journey into fashion in a family of tailors. Watching her family transform fabrics into beautiful garments instilled in her the belief that clothing could serve as more than just an accessory; it could become a source of strength and empowerment. "Fashion has always been a passion of mine, and growing up around tailors, I was naturally drawn to it," she shares. "I believe fashion serves as a kind of armor for women, helping them feel confident, strong, and ready to take on the world."
The brand emphasizes ethical fashion practices, ensuring its production processes prioritize sustainability without sacrificing quality. Nguyen Tran’s vision is clear: to create fashion-forward pieces that offer lasting value. From elegant dresses to chic everyday wear, each piece in the Le Réussi® collection is meticulously crafted to reflect the modern woman's beauty, independence, and success. Whether for a professional setting, a night out, or a casual day, Le Réussi® designs are created to empower women in every aspect of their lives. Distributed globally through various retail channels, Le Réussi® continues to make its mark on the fashion industry.
Explore Le Réussi®:
To learn more about Le Réussi® and browse their latest collections, visit their website and connect with them on social media:
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ERG Summit
A Tremendous Success
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The Asian Chamber Foundation’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) Summit was a tremendous success, drawing over 200 attendees and representatives from over 65 companies. Thank you to Juan Suarez, Dr. Toi Harris, and Memorial Hermann for hosting the event and generously sponsoring the lunch.
This impactful event focused on leadership, equity, and inclusion, offering valuable insights and practical tools for enhancing ERGs in today's evolving corporate landscape. From keynote speeches to engaging breakout sessions, the summit empowered participants to drive meaningful change within their organizations.
The summit kicked off with an inspiring keynote, Transform Your Leadership: Master the Art of Connection, delivered by Lani Phillips, Founder of FullCircle Leadership Group (FCLG). Phillips, formerly the VP of Partner Sales for Microsoft’s Global Partner Solutions Group in the Americas, shared her expertise on building authentic connections and fostering leadership that resonates at all levels. Her engaging session focused on how leaders can cultivate deep, meaningful relationships to inspire and drive change within their teams and organizations.
In session E for Equity: Embedding Elements of Equity into ERGs, Jasmine Shadding, VP and Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Operations at Cadence Bank, explored how companies can integrate equity into the very foundation of their ERGs. Shadding provided real-world examples of fostering a sense of belonging while ensuring equitable practices that benefit all organization members. This session was especially impactful, offering attendees actionable strategies for embedding equity into their ERG initiatives.
The summit concluded with a powerful keynote from Denise Hall, Shell's US DEI Advisor. In her session, Empowering ERG Leaders: Navigating Business Structures for Inclusive Leadership, Hall discussed the importance of ERG leaders understanding and navigating business structures to create a more inclusive leadership environment. She emphasized how ERGs can influence organizational culture, foster diversity, and help companies achieve their DEI goals.
Attendees had the opportunity to connect and network during the event, with a fun and engaging Boba and Ice Cream networking session that allowed for informal discussions and relationship-building.
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Become a member today!
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3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite 108
Houston, TX 77042
(713) 782-7222
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