LEAP.- Tazkia Rahim, Mario Garcia, Ceci Lopez, Oscar Mejia, Verónica Pérez, Pete Garcia, Dr. Beena George and Frnando Sanchez.
Houston-The Woodlands Gulf Coast Chapter
Annual Golf Tournament
The chapter had its fifth annual golf tournament at The Woodlands Country Club on April 11 with its best turnout yet—over 120 players including teams from United Airlines, Mortons Auctioneers, AeroMexico Airlines, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, Don José Tequila, Stegent & Garcia, The Woodlands Resort and many others.
Trade Mission
The chapter supported a trade mission organized by Monica Sanchez of the Texas Economic Development Office in Mexico City. More than 50 Mexican entrepreneurs attended the event along with David Vassar, Ph.D., a contributing expert for the Baker Institute Latin America Initiative of Rice University; Mario Garcia of Calvetti Furgeson; and Pete Garcia.
LEAP
This year the chamber launched its LEAP (Leaders and Executive Accelerated Program) for both members and non-members. The program consists of two- and three-hour executive-level educational courses held on monthly and bimonthly.
The courses are not introductory like “Learn Excel” or “How to Use Quickbooks”; they are designed as educational courses for executives and are presented by executives on the chamber’s board and academics such as Dr. Beena George of the University of St. Thomas.
This is another way to maximize the benefits for our membership and encourage other companies to join us.
Networking for Opportunities
The chapter is hosting monthly “Networking for Opportunities” mixers as a forum for our members and guests to gather and discuss current business trends in Texas and Mexico as the new legislative reforms such as the energy reform take hold in Mexico.
Medical Tourism Programs
The chapter is also coordinating the efforts of its members in the health sector by developing medical tourism programs to The Woodlands, Texas. Pete Garcia, executive director for the chapter, notes that the region is already known in Mexico as the Texas medical center.
The Woodlands’ wide brand recognition in Mexico, its recently constructed health facilities and their close proximity to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport which is only 20 minutes away, gives the area an advantage as a location for medical tourism.
More Airline Access between Houston and Mexico
Several major airlines, including chapter members United, AeroMexico and Interjet, are adding flights between Houston and Mexico providing more seat availability and lower airfares to the region. Other airlines have also entered the Houston-Mexico market.
