What are the business trends projected to impact north Houston in 2007 and beyond? What is the current climate for business in key north Houston industries? These and other questions will be answered by industry leaders as they participate in the 2007 Economic Leadership Forum January 18 at the Sofitel Houston Hotel, 425, North Sam Houston Parkway East.
The Forum is a half-day event that will open at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and a keynote address by Dr. Mark Dotzour, chief economist and director of research for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University in College Station.
At 2 p.m., a panel discussion with industry experts will begin. KUHF Station Manager Debra Fraser will moderate the panel, which includes R.G. Charles, ExxonMobil Exploration; Rick Vacar, Houston Airport System; Jim McIngvale, Gallery Furniture; Fred Caldwell, Caldwell Watson Real Estate; and Ray Laughter, North Harris Montgomery Community College District. Greater Houston Partnership President Jeff Moseley will round out the panel and provide a regional perspective to the afternoon talks.
The forums goal is to help businesses around the region explore the challenges and opportunities that exist for growing their businesses, say members of the Economic Development Committee of the North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce, which is organizing the forum. Both the Houston region and the north Houston area will be addressed. The Greater Greenspoint Management District and the North
Harris Montgomery Community College District have already signed on as sponsors of the event, and numerous others are anticipated.
Our lunchtime speaker, Dr. Mark Dotzour, will provide an economic outlook for the state and region, said Economic Development Committee Chair Lynda Kohler of Frost Bank. Dr. Dotzour is a lively speaker and extremely well-known in commercial real estate circles. We dont often equate economic information with laughter, but Dr. Dotzour brings a tremendous amount of both in his talks, Kohler added.
The afternoon session will focus more strategically on Houston and particularly on north Houston, with panelists providing information and insights on the business opportunities being created by Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Greenspoint energy corridor, north Houston commercial real estate development, education and workforce development.
We want this forum to be a catalyst for creating economic growth in our area, said Chamber President Reggie Gray. We intend this to be an event where business and industry leaders come together to learn whats on the horizon for business in this area, to share information about their individual roles in the areas economy, to explore natural synergies that may exist among them and to identify opportunities for expanding their businesses.
Tickets for the Economic Leadership Forum are on sale now. The full event is $60, or the lunch address and afternoon panel discussion can be purchased separately for $45 and $25, respectively. Various sponsorship levels are also available, and all include a table for eight at both sessions. For information contact the North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce at 281-442-8701 or Sponsorship Chair Marilyn Sander at 281-893 4401 or marilyn@.e-proact.com. The North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce promotes and stimulates business development and community involvement.