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HYP Committee Meeting
July 22 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm -
Ribbon Cutting for Geek Life
July 23 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm -
Ribbon Cutting for AMCAP Home Loans
July 24 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm -
Ribbon Cutting for Sacred Leaf Zero
July 25 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Welcome to the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce (GHACC) is a member-focused organization through which members can effectively develop their business and themselves. Since its founding in 1988, the hallmark of the Chamber has, and continues to be: “People do business with people they know, like, and trust.” Relationships developed in the Chamber become part of one’s business infrastructure. New friends can be found in the Chamber and some of those friendships will last a lifetime. Members can learn how to grow their markets, supply their business, mentor associates or even find a special mentor. GHACC works diligently to provide benefit to all members, be they new, or long-term.
This growing Chamber provides a forum into which its members’ businesses can fit together in an atmosphere of mutual benefit. Active participation provides multiple benefits including access to the entrepreneurs and management of business and organizations with differing viewpoints and methods that work. An abundance of activities provide networking occasions to create new business opportunities, obtain business referrals, join committees, have fun and enjoy a camaraderie unique to Heights Chamber members.
Just as the “Heights” is known for its uniqueness and historical Houston significance, the GHACC blends businesses, promotes “Buy Local First,” and has often been described as a “not so well kept secret for successfully serving its members.”
Chamber News
Remembering Chairman’s Galas of the Past
The annual Chairman's Gala is a rich tradition that has brought fun, excitement, a noteworthy dinner, silent and live auction prizes and much more to members and guests. It has been a looked-forward to event for members in the fall as they enjoyed all the festivities plus discovering the winners of prestigious Chamber awards. Differing venues have hosted the events and they range from hotels, to the Heights Theater to the Junior League. Boasting an abundance of themes throughout the years, attendees take active parts by dressing to the occasion, sometime even to extremes, but always in good taste. Receptions prior to the Gala, added in recent years, offer mix and mingle opportunities to view excellent [...]
National Geographic Magazine Honors the Heights
National Geographic, the travel magazine that has been published continually since January 1, 1888, recently named the Houston Heights as one of the 28 friendliest neighborhoods in U.S. Cities. Joining the list were areas in Austin and El Paso along with Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, New York, and others. An independent research company conducted the study. Using information joining analytics with statistics, the selection criteria included: walkability, home affordability, public spaces and the prevalence of places such as breweries, cafes, restaurants, etc. In addition, social media and perception data from Trip Advisor and Yelp were involved. Beginning the article with a photo of 19th street, National Geographic made these positive comments [...]
Memorial Hermann Health System Earns 2019 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award
HOUSTON (June 10, 2019) – Memorial Hermann Health System is proud to announce that it has once again received the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for continued leadership and superior contributions to ENERGY STAR. This is the sixth time Memorial Hermann has been recognized with this award. “I applaud the 2019 ENERGY STAR Award Winners,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Bill Wehrum. “Their innovation and leadership enhance America’s economic competitiveness. Reducing costly energy waste improves air quality and public health while protecting the environment.” The highest honor among ENERGY STAR Awards is the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence Award. EPA presents the Sustained Excellence Award to [...]
New Feature: Chamber Connections!
A primary benefit of being a member of the Chamber is the opportunity to build business and personal relationships through attendance at events and effective networking. These benefits can translate into business for each, referrals for each, and similar beneficial activities. This new feature will incorporate comments and suggestions from members for inclusion in the section. If you have an example of mutually buying or purchasing from another member, or obtaining a valuable referral from another member, please email a short summary to Larry Plasek at communications@heightschamber.org. Our goal is to demonstrate our watchword that our “Members do business with people they know, like and trust.” Thank you for your support of this new web addition.
Membership
Member Benefits
Why join the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce? If you own a business or are involved in the Houston Heights, being a member of the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce brings you numerous benefits. Invest in your organization’s future and join the over 500 members that already are reaping the benefits. To begin learning about membership benefits, attend a monthly Member Orientation Luncheon and begin to realize them immediately.
Chamber Connections
HITS Theatre storage units will gain the expertise of Space and Serenity’s Tiffany Manning as she provides her organizational skills after they connected while attending the Education Committee meeting.
Neil McGlone of LegalShield treats his dog to the quality dog food provided by Pet Wants Heights, while Stephen Minton of PetWants Heights enjoys the ID Shield service provided by Neil.
Oh my aching back! That’s what Natalie Coyle of Shooting Star Promotions said to massage therapist Tricia Gernand of TriGer Massage Therapy. Tricia provided relief and increased mobility for Natalie.
Garden Oaks Montessori students will benefit from learning about finance free this summer because they connected with Houston Highway Credit Union for their KASH KAMP. Your school or organization can learn, just talk with Cindy Reibenstein.
Testimonials
Here’s why Heights Young Professionals (HYP) Give me new Networking Opportunities!
“As a young professional, the Chamber’s HYP meetings offer me access to other individuals that may be new graduates or in the early years of building their careers. The social environment leads to creating, sharing, and fostering productive relationships that can be beneficial to my practice. Staged as an after-hours event, HYP meets my busy schedule and always leads to new connections.” The Chamber website (heightschamber.org.) has dates for HYP. May I recommend you give HYP a try? I don’t think you will be disappointed!”
Here’s why being on a Chamber Committee expands my business connections.
“Joining other Chamber members on a committee establishes recognition of me for my business and service capabilities. With an opportunity to provide new ideas or input in the planning and staging of Chamber events, I have the occasion to meet and interact with fellow members in different fields. Working together provides an arena for me to expand my skills in areas where I may not have been involved before. Equally important is learning how vital collaboration can be to my future success. The Chamber offers a variety of committees, so there are many looking to grow and add new talent.”
Here’s why I take time to come to a Ribbon Cutting even when it’s not mine!
“Sure, ribbon cuttings are a celebration on behalf of new members, but it is also an opportunity to expand my business. Getting to know a fellow member in person, at their business or work environment, is helpful in building a future relationship for business or referrals. Often times the other attendees are members I don’t know so it lets me introduce myself during the event. The Chamber website keeps me up-to-date on events and ribbon cuttings. If you have not used this networking method, I encourage you to attend some when you can.”
Member Spotlight
Steve Baker
In this spotlight we focus our attention on a “Hoosier”– Steve Baker. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the term Hoosier originated and was in general use by the 1840s, and refers to anyone born in Indiana, a resident, and the name of the Indiana University Athletic Teams. This is where Steve graduated with a B.S. degree. The term is maybe better known as a popular movie title chronicling a heralded basketball team’s road to winning the state Championship.
Steve originally planned to be a Doctor but says, “Organic Chemistry did me in in my sophomore year of college.” After changing his major to business, he found another challenging field that beckoned and it eventually led to the mortgage business. Starting on the wholesale side for 8 years, Steve segued into the retail side of the business. This change of pace would be notable because it has lasted for 23 years. Today he is a mortgage loan officer for PrimeLending with expertise that helps clients who are buying, remodeling or refinancing a home.
Houston claimed Steve in 2011 and he made his residence the Heights. Makes sense because he wanted to get involved in the local community. And get involved he has, so far his Chamber activities include becoming an Ambassador and serving on the HYP Committee. In addition he has become better known by attending literally dozens of Chamber events.
So, what does our Hoosier like to do in his spare time? Well, he enjoys boating with friends, eating at fine restaurants, reading thrillers and drinking good whiskey. Joining another Chamber member, Steve has returned to bowling, a sport he enjoyed ten years ago. With a brother in Houston, he relished the opportunity to watch his nieces growing up, and spending time with his brother and sister-in-law.
Bringing time, enthusiasm, support and participation, both Steve and the Chamber have found his membership to be mutually beneficial. Thanks Steve for joining the Chamber family.
