Greater Houston Partnership
The Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) is an economic development organization serving the Greater Houston area, including the counties of Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Waller. Its headquarters are in Suite 700 on the seventh floor of 2 Allen Center in Downtown Houston.[1]
The organization was established in 1989, when the Houston Chamber of Commerce, the Houston Economic Development Council, and the Houston World Trade Association merged. GHP's roots extend to the original Houston Chamber of Commerce's creation in 1840.
GHP's mission is to be the primary voice of Houston's business community and build regional economic prosperity. It does so in a number of ways, including:
- Advocating on behalf of members: The partnership promotes business-friendly policies.
- Establishing connections with international businesses: Houston is an undisputed leader in international business, with economic and cultural ties reaching across the globe. GHP holds business development missions outside the U.S. and receives foreign trade delegations locally.
- Hosting networking events: GHP hosts dozens of events every year that are exclusive to its Members.
- Providing access to research: Members have access to critical data on issues that impact business in Houston.
- Assisting with business' expansion or relocation to the Houston area: This includes facilitating access to the region's business and capital investment opportunities to aiding in the permitting process.
- Building regional consensus on key issues: GHP facilitates the strategic planning process. The opinions and interests of its Members play a critical role in the direction of this process.
The organization comprises more than 2,100 member companies, 15,000 individual members, and a 147-member Board of Directors (including Honorary and Emeritus Board Members).[2]
GHP routinely hosts events that bring national and international figures together to discuss key economic and policy issues, such as "State of" discussions with local officials, The Power Hour Series, and Coffee with the Consuls.[3]
In addition, the organization's research department releases a multitude of reports that cover the region's economy and key demographic trends. The key reports are Economy At A Glance, Key Economic Indicators, Houston Briefs, and the well regarded Annual Forecast.[4] In 2009, GHP was given the distinction of being named an Accredited Economic Development Organization from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
One of GHP's major initiatives is Opportunity Houston.[5] Opportunity Houston is an aggressive marketing program that generates leads for economic development organizations throughout Houston's 10-county region. Opportunity Houston 1.0 was initiated in 2005. It raised $32 million in cash and in-kind investments, all of which was used to benefit the businesses and people of Houston. The overall impact to the Houston economy was $12.3 billion.[6] Opportunity Houston 2.0 is a six year program commencing in 2014. The program will continue to act as an aggressive marketing initiative that will generate leads for economic development organizations throughout the Houston 10-county region. Specifically, the initiative will focus on the following areas:
- Proactive and targeted marketing and public relations' campaigns
- Identification and pursuit of foreign direct investment
- Further refinement of marketing and industries
- Focus on long-term Economic Development Objectives (Ports, NASA, Texas Medical Center, Universities, Energy Sector)
- Staffing to handle increase in project leads
- Improvement of broader business community's perception of Houston
In 1992, GHP founded The Center for Houston's Future as a non-profit research organization.[7] The Center for Houston's Future became an independent affiliate of GHP in 2000. In addition to continuing its mission of research to benefit the Houston region, today it also cultivates regional leadership and community engagement.
In 2009, GHP founded Houston Young Professionals Endeavor,[8] a sub-organization whose mission is to provide young professionals in the Houston region professional and personal development opportunities.
GHP's current Chairman is David McClanahan and its current President and CEO is Bob Harvey.[9]
Notes
- ↑ "Contact Us." Greater Houston Partnership. Retrieved on September 13, 2011. "Location / Mail: 1200 Smith, Suite 700, Houston, TX 77002-4400 We're located on the 7th floor within Two Allen Center"
- ↑ "Board of Directors & Staff | Greater Houston Partnership (GHP)". houston.org. Retrieved 2014-11-04.
- ↑ "'State of' discussions with local officials, The Power Hour Series, and Coffee with the Consuls".
- ↑ "Houston Economy". houston.org. Retrieved 2014-11-04.
- ↑ "Opportunity Houston". houston.org. Retrieved 2014-11-04.
- ↑ Regional Input-Output Modeling System (RIMS II) developed by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
- ↑ The Center for Houston's Future. "The Center for Houston's Future: About Us :: History". centerforhoustonsfuture.org. Retrieved 2014-11-04.
- ↑ "HYPE - Houston Young Professionals Endeavor". houstonyoungprofessionals.org. Retrieved 2014-11-04.
- ↑ "About | Greater Houston Partnership (GHP)". houston.org. Retrieved 2014-11-04.