T
The HMC Ambassadors are the liaison between the Chamber and the members. (Photo: lunch
meeting at Chandeliers International) Photo by Rafa Saavedra.
he Houston Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
(HMC) is a diverse group of leaders and businesses
whose focus is on developing and nurturing greater prosperity for the community they serve. When
they state that their motto is, “Connecting Commerce and Community,” not only do they talk the
talk, they walk the walk. They are all about “cooking
up success” for their members and going that extra
mile to support each other. By doing everything possible to
help their members create more prosperity and opportunity,
they are instrumental in improving the quality of life for the
entire community and the metropolitan area.
First established in Bellaire, Texas as the Bellaire Chamber of
Commerce in 1949, the name was later changed to the Greater
Southwest Houston Chamber of Commerce. Over a period of
time, the Houston Metropolitan area became such a diversified, multi-dimensional, multi-cultural global marketplace that
the Chamber rebranded as the Houston Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. In order to properly serve the Metropolitan
area, the Chamber relocated to Greenway Plaza from Bellaire.
They are now minutes away from the areas they serve which
includes the Texas Medical Center, the Galleria, the Montrose
area, the Museum District, the Theater District, and the three
sports venues that are home to the Houston Texans, the Houston Astros, and the Houston Dynamos.
With their primary focus on unity, education, visibility, and
involvement, the Houston Metropolitan Chamber works very
hard to develop a network for their members by exposing and
encouraging them to use each other’s products and services.
The Chamber offers special programs, professional development classes, ribbon cutting events, and business after hours
events so that they are able to provide more opportunities
for their members to get to know each other. The Chamber
encourages their members to get involved with the councils,
committees, and alliances that the Chamber has to offer that in
turn will help them grow their business. In the process, members will also be giving back to the community. Getting involved is where the real, long term benefit of the Chamber lies.
Peggy Wilson, HMC President and CEO, has a background
in organizational development and has been instrumental in
several start-ups, including two small businesses of her own.
Her strengths include having a working knowledge of turnarounds, reorganization, and cultural changes. Her resume
includes a Master’s Degree in Human Sciences with a concentration in workplace behavior; a license from the State of Texas
as a Licensed Professional Counselor; national certification as
a Nationally Certified Counselor; and a Certified Care Manager with extensive experience in organizational training at the
corporate level.
Ms. Wilson has provided training in companies such as Accenture, Mobil Oil, FDIC, and Exxon. In addition, she gained
turnaround experience working as part of a four-person Senior
Management Team at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
Peggy reflected, “I especially identify with our small business
members because I have walked in their shoes and know firsthand the challenges that small business owners face each and
every day. My personal understanding of what small business
owners experience motivates me on a daily basis to give them
the support they need; and I use all of my skills as President
and CEO of the Chamber to provide that support.”
Since taking the helm in July of 2013, Peggy has doubled the
membership, developed and strengthened programs offered by
the Chamber, reorganized internal systems to make the Chamber more efficient, cut the Chamber’s expenses to fit their budget, and put the Chamber and their members on the road to a
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