Whether you just opened your doors or you've been in business for many years, membership with the Greater Houston Partnership provides unparalleled opportunities to connect with business and community leaders, insights into critical information to help you make informed business decisions, and a forum to elevate and promote Houston's prominence on a national and global scale. "For businesses exploring ways to get involved and looking for key organizations to partner within the Houston area, the Partnership is unmatched when you think about the connectivity to very influential and prominent businesses and many organizations that are members today," said Scott Silvas, Texas Market President for Fifth Third Bank and member of the Partnership's Board of Directors and Executive Committee. "From the events hosted to the Councils and Committees, there's just a lot of value. The size of the impressions you can create throughout the market is impactful." As your business grows and evolves, so does your membership here at the Partnership, which comes with a lot of benefits for your company and employees. Here are five reasons to become a member of the Greater Houston Partnership.  1. Increase Exposure for Your Business The Partnership represents one-fifth of the region's workforce, bringing together businesses from across Houston's industries and providing opportunities to connect with local leaders. This exposure to a broader audience can open doors to new business opportunities and connections that matter. A community thrives when it's empowered and connected. 2. Strengthen the Greater Houston Region As the economic development organization for the greater Houston area, the Partnership champions growth across 12 counties in one of the largest and most diverse regions in the nation. The Partnership offers opportunities to network with companies throughout Houston, enabling members to gain career-enhancing knowledge and develop their business with others who share common goals, interests, markets, or industry sectors. That collective growth helps strengthen the Houston region overall. 3. Advocate for Houston The Partnership regularly hosts influential local, national and global leaders. These gatherings provide an excellent platform for substantive conversations and ceremonial exchanges that lead to business expansion, increased trade and investment and the advancement of business-friendly policies in the region. 4. Network and Grow Your Business One of the most significant benefits of joining the Partnership is the networking opportunities for businesses and their employees. Through our robust webinars, signature events, Business Resource Groups, and digital offerings, employees have ample opportunity to develop and expand professional relationships.  5. Insight and Resources Be the first to receive unparalleled expert insight an analysis on economic data, regional statistics and other timely tools and resources that help businesses grow and prosper. Partnership publications provide the latest information on economic development news, Houston fact and figures, and everything you need to know about living and working in Houston. Popular publications include Houston Facts, Economic Highlights and Global Houston. The Partnership also publishes key economic indicators on a regular basis, as well as Houston: The Economy at a Glance. To learn more about membership with the Greater Houston Partnership, click here, or contact membership@houston.org. Click here to see the Partnership's Membership Directory.

The Greater Houston Partnership has launched Rise to the Top, a new podcast which aims to amplify the insight of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region.  Launched on August 26 in recognition of Women's Equality Day, the new podcast hosted by Partnership Board Chair and Deloitte Managing Partner Amy Chronis features compelling guests each month who will share details of their personal journey as well as how their organization is making an impact in Houston. Along the way, we’ll explore some of the places and experiences that make this region unique. Women's Equality Day celebrates the adoption of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which gave American women the right to vote.  The first episode of Rise to the Top features Shell Oil Company President Gretchen Watkins. Gretchen talks about her career path as a woman in the energy industry, what it's like to balance competing demands as a female professional and how Shell is working to lead on energy transition. She also shares insight on diversity, equity and inclusion as the co-chair of the Partnership's Racial Equity Committee.  Listen to the podcast above and be sure to subscribe or follow this podcast on your favorite app so you never miss a new episode. Apple Podcasts link Spotify link   Learn more about the Partnership's female-focused business resource groups Executive Women's Partnership and Women's Business Alliance.