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Memorial Day Holiday
May 27 -
Ribbon Cutting for Carmalita’s Cuisine
May 28 @ 10:30 am - 11:00 am -
Chamber Orientation
May 29 @ 11:45 am - 1:00 pm -
Ribbon Cutting for Bungalow Heights
May 29 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 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
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.
Annual Education Luncheon May 21st!
Our annual Education Luncheon honors high school seniors who have been awarded Chamber scholarships as well as those area seniors who are entering the military. We will also honor the Teacher of the Year, Staff Person of the Year, and Educator of the Year. And we are pleased to welcome Jonathan Horton, two-time Olympic Gymnastics Champion and Houstonian, as our special guest and keynote speaker. The goal of the luncheon is to provide as many scholarships as possible to deserving students. Donors are being solicited as we would like to continue our $1,000 per scholarship but other levels will also be awarded. The number of scholarships and amount is determined by your donations. Donations of any amount are [...]
Chamber Crawfish Festival and Parade Attracted a Crowd!
March 2nd was the day of the Chamber’s annual Crawfish Festival and Parade and it was a fulfilling day in more ways than one. First, the crawfish (often called mudbugs), were delicious and we sold out of them. Second, the parade with Grand Marshal Norman Adams, wound down 20th and 19th streets and attracted countless viewers to see the bands, schools, vehicles, and other participants. Continuous entertainment filled the Budweiser stage throughout the day and culminated with the crowning of the three winners of the Idol of the Heights singing contest. A host of vendors displayed their wares or promoted their services and were met with much interest from folks attending the festival. Not to be [...]
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
Neil McGlone of LegalShield shopped for a new automobile and consulted with member Steve Machann of Westside Lexus. Net result, a handsome Lexus that Neil proudly drives.
Kelly Simon of Kelly Simon Properties met Saul Obregon of LaMacro at a ribbon cutting. Finding out that Saul Obregon could provide his food truck for her event, she investigated the opportunity to have the food truck there. It pays to attend ribbon cuttings.
At the recent Chamber Food Truck Festival Amy Sullivan of Camp Bow Wow reported that she and the staff had obtained many referrals that could lead to future dog boarders selecting Camp Bow Wow.
Heather Chilivetis, of Chilivetis Fine Homes hosted her ribbon cutting event at fellow member’s Kraftsmen Bakery and promoted her realtor capabilities to a large group of fellow members representing virtually everything including insurance, networking, financial planning, floor coverings, maid service, relationship marketing, banking and others.
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!”
Brittanie Waldon
SignatureCare Emergency Center – The Heights
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.”
Here’s why I put Noontime Networking on my Calendar Every Time.
“I know the Chamber monthly Breakfast Connection is a good networking opportunity but, as a working mom, early mornings can be hectic for me. The bi-monthly Noontime Networking sessions fit my schedule perfectly. I can have lunch, learn about a member’s business, and effectively network all in the course of time I would normally spend just going to lunch. Thanks to the Chamber for serving my needs.”
Member Spotlight
Luis Rabo
Talk about starting at the bottom, that is a description of what our spotlighted member did before becoming a successful retail entrepreneur. Born in the Big Apple (New York City) Luis came to Houston in 1979 and attended local schools. His higher education took place at the University of Houston where he earned a BS Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, went on to achieve a Masters of Hospitality, and then even a Bachelor of Business Administration. Yes, very impressive credentials and qualifications that have enabled him to co-own and operate We Olive & Wine Bar in the Heights with his wife Amber.
Did we say he started at the bottom? Well, how about busing tables, washing dishes, refilling the salad bar and other duties? Since that solid foundation, he has accomplished a 25 year career in managing food, beverages and entertainment while working for companies such as Pappa’s, House of Blues and Caesars Entertainment.
When asked about joining the Chamber, Luis said: “As a new business in the neighborhood, we wanted to invest in an organization where we could network with area small businesses, meet like-minded business owners, and lend our support to the community. Joining the Heights Area Chamber of Commerce allows us to do that.”
This well qualified purveyor of wines is the person to ask when it comes to making good choices because he has a Level 2 Sommelier Certification in the International Sommelier Guild. When not counseling customers, Luis enjoys cooking, spending time with his family, Amber and their daughter Gemma and son Blaise. Oh, did we forget to mention that he enjoys wines?
The Chamber is richer for having dedicated and involved members such as Luis. His belief in the Chamber and its benefits is apparent, and he invites all our members to 249 West 19th street to see and learn about their outstanding food service, olive oils gifts and wines.
