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By Ed Curtis, CEO – YTexas
July 24, 2019

Have you noticed recently how many out-of-state companies are opening offices in Texas? Whether it’s Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, or Fort Worth, this year alone has seen over 50 companies relocate their corporate headquarters to the Lone Star state. If you include corporate expansions, the number is well into the hundreds and is projected to continue growing. Texas’ population is currently estimated at 29 million, up from 25.2 million in 2010. The Texas Demographic Center expects that by the year 2050, the population will exceed 47 million.

Now is the critical time to be networking in Texas

Business expansion in Texas is a trend that has recently been gaining steam. With professional service companies such as banks, accounting, and law firms leading the charge, Texas has also seen an influx of technology, healthcare, and manufacturing companies ranging from global Fortune 500 conglomerates to Silicon Valley start-ups.

I’ve traveled throughout the state to meet with business owners and executives who are new to Texas, and interestingly, many of them are actively networking and winning business.

Texas is a networking haven – and if you’re not participating, being left out means you’re left behind.

The Texas Networking Strategy

Texas has excellent markets to network in – Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Fort Worth.

So, if you’re a Texas newbie – or someone who’s lived here for years – here are the three best networking strategies to maximize your return on time and investment.

  1. Diversify your strategy
  2. Measure your ROI in multiple ways
  3. Use in-person and digital networking platforms

Diversify your strategy

Whether you are a C-level executive or an entry-level sales rep looking for business networking events, diversify your networking strategy in the same way you would your stock portfolio.

  • For a relatively low cost and potential short-term gain, consider your local and regional chambers. There are over 135 Chambers of Commerce in Texas. Don’t be afraid to join more than one, and you may want to consider some outside of your HQ office. Consider joining The Dallas Regional Chamber, Austin Regional Chamber and San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
  • For more of an investment, get involved with trade organizations or public/private partnerships like the North Texas Commission, Austin Technology Council or San Antonio Manufacturers Association. While there are many membership options, costs range from $500 – $5,000 annually.
  • For more substantial investments and more significant potential returns, join a Vistage group, Texas Lyceum or Dallas Citizens Council where you’ll find many big-time players. For these groups, costs range from $1,500 – $25,000 annually.

Measure ROI in multiple ways

Weigh the cost-benefit of your time and monetary investment in more ways than one.

  • New business opportunities – We all network to ultimately gain new clients. Understand where your short-term and long-term business will come from and invest accordingly. Transactional business can happen fast if you provide a solution to an immediate need. Alumni associations are excellent avenues for short term business because of the built-in camaraderie. Check to see if your Alma Mater has a chapter in Texas. Penn State, with the most alumni of any in the US, has chapters in every major market in Texas. For the UT Grad, tap into the largest Alumni group in the state, the Texas Exes network.
  • Market knowledge – The Texas economy is the 10th largest in the world standing at over $1.6T. Learning about the vastness of our economy will help you win friends and influence people – hopefully, to do business with you. Opportunity Austin and the Greater Houston Partnership provide a plethora of information about the Central Texas and Houston economies. The ACG (Association for Corporate Growth) is another excellent platform for middle-market company trends and has chapters in Dallas, Fort Worth, Central Texas and Houston.
  • Influence – Today is the age of the influencer. Take advantage of platforms that promote you as an influencer, and work those into your networking plan. Organizations such as TAB (The Association for Business) and TEDC (Texas Economic Development Corporation) will bring you insightful content that can make you money indirectly. Take this knowledge and share it with others you meet to gain influence.

Use in-person and digital networking platforms

As each year goes by, we get busier and busier. Regularly attending events can be difficult, especially if you travel. However, this doesn’t mean you should stop networking.

Some easy wins are:

  • Seek opportunities where you can network both in-person and online. Online platforms will allow you to gain new business, market knowledge, and influence – without ever leaving your office.
  • Seek organizations that have podcasts or blog posting opportunities. DCEO magazine in Dallas hosts networking events for its subscribers and provides blog posting opportunities. Texas Monthly and the Business Journals also have guest video podcasting and influencer marketing opportunities for their subscribers.

By combining these tactics and budgeting accordingly, you will maximize your exposure in Texas without breaking the bank. If you want to go big, spend time researching organizations that can help you land the big deal.

Everything is bigger in Texas, even the deals. You must find them – and pay a little bit more.

Top Business Networking Events in Texas

(July 2019 – September 2019)

To help you get started, I’ve put together a list of the top upcoming networking events in Texas. Check them out:

AUSTIN

The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce:


PowerUp Austin: Attracting and Retaining the Right Talent

When: July 17, 2019
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: JE Dunn, 2010 S Lamar Blvd, Suite 201 Austin, TX 78704

LEARN MORE


Business Connect – Summer 2019

When: August 13, 2019
Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, 535 E 5th St Austin, TX 78701

LEARN MORE


Greater Austin Business Awards

When: August 21, 2019
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: JW Marriott Austin

LEARN MORE


Austin Technology Council:


TxEEE Engineering Leadership Roundtable

When: August 1, 2019
Time: 7:30 am – 9:30 am
Location: Engineering and Education Research Center (EER) at the University of Texas at Austin, 2501 Speedway, Austin, 78712

LEARN MORE


Roundtable – Women in Tech

When: September 12, 2019
Time: 7:30 am – 9:00 am
Location: Galvanize, 119 Nueces Street, Austin, TX 78701

LEARN MORE


Roundtable – HR Leadership

When: September 17, 2019
Time: 7:30 am – 9:00 am
Location: Galvanize, 119 Nueces Street, Austin, TX 78701

LEARN MORE


 

DALLAS-FORT WORTH

YTexas:


2019 YTexas Summit

When: September 27, 2019
Time: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Ritz-Carlton Dallas, 2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201

LEARN MORE


Dallas Regional Chamber:


Education to Employment Outlook Series: Upskilling in the Dallas region

When: August 14, 2019
Time: 8:00 am – 9:30 am
Location: Dallas Regional Chamber, 500 N Akard Street Suite 2600, Dallas, TX 75201

LEARN MORE


 

North Dallas Chamber:


Middle Market Executive Forum: Unconscious Bias Part II

When: July 30, 2019
Time: 7:30 am – 9:00 am
Location: North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, 10707 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230

LEARN MORE


 

Civics for Business – How Immigration Impacts the Business Community

When: August 21, 2019
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Location: North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, 10707 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230

LEARN MORE


Legislative Recap 2019

When:August 28, 2019
Time: 7:30 am – 9:00 am
Location: Cooper Hotel, Conference Center & Spa,12230 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230

LEARN MORE


 

Middle Market Executive Forum – Artificial Intelligence: What You Need to Know

When: September 13, 2019
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Location: North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, 10707 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230

LEARN MORE


 

Frisco Chamber:


Legislative Recap with Representatives Justin Holland and Jared Patterson

When: August 08, 2019
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Frisco Chamber of Commerce, 6843 Main St., Frisco, TX 75034

LEARN MORE


33rd Annual John Weinberg Golf Tournament

When: September 16, 2019
Time: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Location: TPC Craig Ranch, 8000 Collin McKinney Parkway, McKinney, TX 75070

LEARN MORE


 

Irving Chamber:


Irving Schools Foundation Legacy Gala Kickoff Party

When: September 12, 2019
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: La Cima Club,  5215 N O’Connor Blvd Suite 2600, Irving, TX 75039

LEARN MORE


2019 Back-to-School Luncheon presented by Michaels

When: August 5, 2019
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Location: Nimitz High School, 100 West Oakdale Road Irving, TX 75060

LEARN MORE


Five Star Business Mixer at Fidelity Investments

When: August 27, 2019
Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Fidelity Investments, 6731 North MacArthur Blvd. Suite 100, Irving, TX 75039

LEARN MORE


North Texas Commission:


To The Point: The Economy Impact of Immigration

When: July 24, 2019
Time: Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., Event begins at 12 noon
Location: Courtyard Dallas DFW Airport North/Grapevine, 2200 Bass Pro Court, Grapevine, TX 76051

LEARN MORE


48th Annual Members’ Luncheon

When: September 16, 2019
Time: Reception & Registration: 11 a.m., event: Noon
Location: Irving Convention Center, Grand Ballroom – 4th Floor, 500 West Las Colinas Boulevard, Irving, TX 75039

LEARN MORE


 

ACG Dallas Fort Worth:


2019 All the Way Up! Networking Event

When: August 15, 2019
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Location:  The W Hotel, Victory Park 2440 Victory Park Lane Dallas, TX 75219

LEARN MORE


2019 Wine Tasting & DealSource

When: September 5, 2019
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Fashion Industry Gallery, Dallas, TX 75201

LEARN MORE


2019 Dallas Dealmakers September Breakfast Program

When: September 19, 2019
Time: 7:00 am – 9:00 am
Location: Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Avenue Dallas, TX 75201

LEARN MORE


 

HOUSTON

Greater Houston Partnership:




TRG Global Talent Trends

When: July 30, 2019
Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Greater Houston Partnership Tower 701 Avenida de las Americas, Suite 900 Houston, TX 77010

LEARN MORE


Houston Economy Council

When: August 6, 2019
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Greater Houston Partnership Tower 701 Avenida de las Americas, Suite 900 Houston, TX 77010

LEARN MORE


State of the Houston Region

When: September 10, 2019
Time: 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location: NRG Center One NRG Park Houston, TX 77054

LEARN MORE


Economic Development Council

When: Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Greater Houston Partnership Tower 701 Avenida de las Americas, Suite 900 Houston, TX 77010

LEARN MORE


Houston West Chamber of Commerce:


Governmental Affairs Luncheon

When: July 25, 2019
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: The Capital Grille – City Centre, 840 West Sam Houston Pkwy. North Houston, TX 77024

LEARN MORE


Cyber Talk- Protect Your Image and Reputation

When: August 2, 2019
Time: 11:15 am – 1:15 pm
Location: BB Italia, 14795 Memorial Drive, Houston Texas 77079

LEARN MORE


Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce:


Thought Leaders Recruitment Reception

When: July 31, 2019
Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Brennan’s, 3300 Smith St., Houston, TX 77006

LEARN MORE


The Woodlands & North Houston Leadership Luncheon

When: August 14, 2019
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Landry’s, 1212 Lake Robbins, The Woodlands, TX

LEARN MORE


LAUNCH WORKSHOP Organizational Culture & Values: Building a Values Based Culture with Irene Helsinger

When: August 21, 2019
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: GHWCC Office, 3201 Kirby Dr. suite 400, Houston, TX 77098

LEARN MORE


LAUNCH WORKSHOP Team-Based Management: Using Sprints to Promote Innovation with Juliet Breeze, MD

When: September 11, 2019
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: GHWCC Office, 3201 Kirby Dr. Suite 400, Houston TX,  77098

LEARN MORE


ACG Houston:


Young Professional Summer Hangout

When: August 15, 2019
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Ratchet Hatchet, 524 Waugh Drive Houston, TX 77019

LEARN MORE


 

SAN ANTONIO

San Antonio Chamber of Commerce:


Cyber Splash Mixer

When: July 18, 2019
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Paesanos 1604, 3622 Paesanos Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78231

LEARN MORE


Morning Mingle Networking Breakfast

When: August 14, 2019
Time: 7:30 am – 9:00 am
Location: Windmere at Westover Hills, 11106 Christus Hills, San Antonio, Texas 78251


North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce:


2019 Texas Employment Relations Symposium

When: July 18-19, 2019
Location: The Westin Riverwalk, 420 W. Market St., San Antonio, TX 78205

LEARN MORE


2019 July CIO Breakfast

When: July 25, 2019
Time: 7:15 am – 9:00 am
Location: Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels, 7th Floor San Antonio, TX 78217-6394

LEARN MORE


2019 Mayor’s Vision for San Antonio

When: August 9, 2019
Time: 11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Grand Hyatt San Antonio, 600 E. Market Street  San Antonio TX 78205

LEARN MORE


 

South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce:


Southside Networking Breakfast

When: August 8, 2019
Time: 7:30 am – 9:30 am
Location: Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant, 1526 SW Military Drive,San Antonio TX 78221

LEARN MORE


Southside Networking Breakfast

When: September 12, 2019
Time: 7:30 am – 9:30 am
Location: Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant, 1526 SW Military Drive,San Antonio TX 78221

LEARN MORE


West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce:


State of Water

When: August 9, 2019
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Westin Riverwalk Hotel, 420 W. Market St., San Antonio, TX 78205


State of Energy

When: September 13, 2019
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Westin Riverwalk Hotel 420 W. Market St.,San Antonio, TX 78205

LEARN MORE


San Antonio Manufacturers Association:


Manufacturing and the San Antonio Economy | Dallas Federal Reserve Bank, San Antonio Branch

When: August 6, 2019
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: 4100 North New Braunfels Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78209


How To Become A Badass On The Web | Benson Design

When: August 15 2019
Time: 8:00 am- 12:00 pm
Location: 1100 Northwest Loop 410, Suite 109, Castle Hills, 78213


Green Energy | CPS Energy
When: September 4, 2019
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: 4100 North New Braunfels Avenue San Antonio, Texas, 78209


29th Annual SAMA Golf Tournament | Silverhorn Golf Club

When: Monday Sep 16 2019
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Silverhorn Golf Club, 1100 W Bitters Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216


SAMA Achieving Excellence in Leadership

When: September 26, 2019
Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: 943 AT&T Center Parkway, San Antonio, Texas 78219

LEARN MORE


OTHER

Texas Lyceum:


Are We Taking Our Democracy for Granted?

When: September 12–14, 2019
Location: Bryan-College Station, Texas

LEARN MORE