THE ACC AMPLIFIER: MARCH MOMENTUM: INSIGHTS, INNOVATION & OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOUSTON BUSINESSES

Growing Stronger Together: Powering Houston’s Next Chapter

As we move into the heart of spring, this season reminds us of growth, renewal, and opportunity—values that are deeply aligned with the mission of the Asian Chamber of Commerce. Across Houston’s vibrant and diverse business community, we continue to see resilience, innovation, and a strong commitment to building a more connected and prosperous region.

Our members are navigating a rapidly evolving economic landscape—embracing new technologies like AI, expanding into new markets, and finding creative ways to strengthen their businesses. The Chamber remains committed to supporting you through these changes by providing access to resources, meaningful connections, and opportunities that help you grow and thrive.

This month, we are especially excited to continue advancing our programming that supports entrepreneurship, supplier development, and professional development. Whether you are a small business owner scaling your operations or a corporate leader looking to deepen community impact, there is a place for you within the Chamber.

We also take great pride in uplifting the next generation of leaders. Through the Asian Chamber Foundation’s scholarship program, we are investing in students across the Greater Houston area who represent the future of our community. I encourage you to support these efforts and help us expand our impact.

As always, I invite you to stay engaged—attend our events, share your stories, and connect with fellow members. Together, we are not just growing businesses—we are strengthening our community and shaping Houston’s future.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to excellence.

Warmly,

Fan Chen

Chair, Asian Chamber of Commerce

ACC Learning:

Maximizing the Value of Your Business Through Strategic Exit Planning

For many entrepreneurs, building a successful business represents years of dedication, hard work, and vision. Yet one of the most important aspects of business ownership—planning for the future and eventual transition of the company—is often overlooked. To help business owners prepare for that next chapter, the Asian Chamber of Commerce is hosting an upcoming ACC Learning session focused on Strategic Exit Planning.

This informative session, “Maximizing the Value of Your Business,” will provide business owners with valuable insights into how to strategically position their companies for long-term success and eventual transition. Whether you are considering selling your business, passing it on to family members, or simply planning ahead, understanding the fundamentals of exit planning can help ensure you maximize the value you’ve worked so hard to create.

The program will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Transworld Business Advisors, located at 2901 Wilcrest Drive, Suite 510 in Houston. This session is designed exclusively for business owners and will provide practical guidance, expert perspectives, and an opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs facing similar decisions.

Participants will learn key considerations for exit planning, strategies for enhancing business value, and steps owners can take now to position their companies for a successful transition in the future.

Attendance is limited to 30 participants for the in-person session, while virtual attendance via Zoom is available for those who prefer to join online. Business owners interested in attending are encouraged to register early.

ACC Learning programs are designed to equip entrepreneurs and business leaders with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to grow and sustain successful businesses. This session offers a timely opportunity to begin thinking strategically about the future of your business and the legacy you want to create.

7 Smart Ways Houston Business Owners Can Turn AI Into Real Results

Across Houston’s dynamic and diverse business community—from small businesses to global enterprises—leaders are feeling the pressure to adopt artificial intelligence. But the real opportunity isn’t just using AI—it’s using it strategically to drive measurable growth.

Recent research featured in Harvard Business Review, based on insights from more than 1,000 global executives, highlights what separates organizations that are experimenting with AI from those that are truly seeing results.

For members of the Asian Chamber of Commerce and the broader Houston business community, here are seven practical ways to turn AI into real economic value:

1. Start with clarity.

Be intentional about your goals. Whether you're looking to streamline operations, improve customer engagement, or increase revenue, define what success looks like from the start.

2. Look beyond one-use case.

Houston businesses thrive on innovation—apply AI not only to your products or services, but also to internal processes like marketing, customer service, and operations.

3. Use the full AI toolkit.

From automation tools to predictive analytics, explore a range of AI solutions to stay competitive in Houston’s fast-moving market.

4. Follow a structured approach.

Develop a roadmap for testing, scaling, and evaluating AI initiatives to ensure long-term impact.

5. Involve your finance team early.

Understanding ROI is key—especially for growing businesses. Finance partners can help validate where AI is truly adding value.

6. Invest in training.

Empower your team. Houston’s workforce is one of its greatest strengths—equipping employees with AI skills ensures stronger adoption and better results.

7. Measure your maturity.

Assess where your business stands and identify opportunities to deepen your use of AI in a way that aligns with your growth goals.

As Houston continues to lead in industries like energy, healthcare, logistics, and entrepreneurship, AI presents a powerful opportunity for Asian-owned and other small businesses to scale, innovate, and compete at the highest levels.

The Asian Chamber of Commerce remains committed to equipping our members with the insights, tools, and connections needed to thrive in this evolving landscape.

To read the full article, see the Harvard Business Review article below.

Read the full article here.

Driving Success:

Asian Chamber Golf Tournament Fuels Scholarships and Educational Programs

The Asian Chamber of Commerce invites the Houston business community to tee up for a great cause at the upcoming Asian Chamber Golf Tournament, a premier networking event that brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community partners while raising funds for scholarships and educational programs through the Asian Chamber Foundation.

The tournament will be held on Monday, April 6 at Wildcat Golf Club (12000 Almeda Rd., Houston) with a shotgun start at 8:30 AM. The day will begin with breakfast and networking, followed by a putting contest and a morning of friendly competition on the course. An awards ceremony will take place following play.

More than just a round of golf, the tournament supports the Asian Chamber Foundation’s mission to invest in the next generation of leaders. Funds raised from the event help provide scholarships for graduating high school seniors and support educational initiatives that prepare students for future careers and leadership opportunities in the Houston community.

The event also offers a valuable opportunity for businesses to strengthen relationships with Asian Chamber members and the broader Asian business community while demonstrating their commitment to education and community impact.

Event Schedule

7:00 AM – Registration & Breakfast

7:30 AM – Networking & Putting Contest

8:30 AM – Shotgun Start

Awards Ceremony – Immediately following play

Participants can register individually or as a team:

Individual Player (ACC Member): $325
Individual Player (Non-Member): $350
Team of Four Players: $1,200

Businesses interested in increasing their visibility while supporting a meaningful cause are also encouraged to explore event sponsorship opportunities.

To register as a player, sign up a team, or view sponsorship opportunities, visit the Asian Chamber website. Join us on the course as we connect, compete, and support the future leaders of our community. ⛳

Investing in the Next Generation: Asian Chamber Foundation Scholarship Awards

The Asian Chamber Foundation is proud to support the next generation of leaders through its annual Student Scholarship Awards, awarding up to ten $2,000 scholarships to deserving graduating high school seniors in the Greater Houston area. These scholarships are designed to help students continue their educational journey and pursue their academic and career goals.

Scholarship recipients are selected through a competitive evaluation process that considers academic achievement, GPA, community service or employment, school involvement, and a written essay demonstrating the student’s commitment to leadership and community impact.

Since launching the scholarship program in 2005, the Asian Chamber Foundation has remained committed to investing in Houston’s future leaders. For many years, the Foundation awarded a minimum of $10,000 annually in $1,000 scholarships. In 2022, the program expanded, increasing the award amount to $2,000 per student, allowing the Foundation to award up to $20,000 annually to outstanding graduating seniors.

Graduating high school seniors in the Greater Houston area are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this opportunity for financial support as they prepare for the next stage of their education.

Scholarship recipients will be recognized and presented with their awards at the Asian Chamber AAHNPI Luncheon on Friday, May 1.