Houston Chamber Ditches Parties to Focus on Business Growth

In a recent episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down in Houston with Reggie Gray, President of the Houston Intercontinental Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the chamber's strategic shift away from social events and toward serious business development. The episode, titled Houston Chamber Stopped Doing Parties. Here's What They Do Instead, is also available on YouTube. Gray explains that many chambers have drifted toward parties and golf tournaments, forgetting their core mission of generating business and networking. His chamber, formerly the North Houston Greenspoint Chamber, rebranded to reflect its international focus and now serves a membership that spans the globe, with a board of directors including vice chairs for Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin and South America, Australia, and North America.

The conversation delves into how the chamber operates as a member-driven organization. Gray emphasizes that the chamber is purely funded by members and does not ask for sponsorships; instead, it focuses on tailored business development. For example, for Lloyd Engineering, the chamber seeks port and infrastructure projects abroad, including a recent trip to Belize to meet with the Prime Minister's office. For energy members like Reliant and CenterPoint Energy, the focus is on local customers and new development. Gray also stresses the importance of breaking out of silos and collaborating with management districts, the governor's office, the City of Houston, the Better Business Bureau, and the Greater Houston Builders Association. He challenges businesses that think international work isn't for them, asking, "Do you have a website? Everybody can buy your stuff and they can see you anywhere all over the world. Everybody's international."

Looking ahead to 2027, Gray says the chamber is eyeing Venezuela for member projects and expansion, and is planning events in Europe and Saudi Arabia with longtime partner Go-On Group, including stops in London, Milan, Düsseldorf, and Monaco. Outside the chamber, Gray is an author and speaker; his memoir, I May Never Come This Way Again, covers his "spy stories," including collaboration with the FBI's International Corruption Unit. He proudly introduces himself as a Texan wherever he travels, closing the episode with, "It's a great time to live in Texas and I'm very proud to be a Texan." The full episode is available on The Building Texas Show episode page and on YouTube.