In a candid conversation on Houston Chamber Stopped Doing Parties. Here's What They Do Instead, host Justin McKenzie sat down with Reggie Gray, president of the Houston Intercontinental Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the organization's strategic pivot away from social events and toward business development. Gray, who leads the chamber formerly known as the North Houston Greenspoint Chamber, explained that many chambers have lost their way by focusing on parties and events rather than generating business. "We used to do all those things, like everybody else, but we don't do golf tournaments anymore. We don't do epicurean evenings or anything like that," Gray said. The chamber rebranded to reflect its proximity to Houston's Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and its increasingly international membership.
The chamber's board of directors now includes vice chairs for Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin and South America, Australia and North America, underscoring its global reach. Gray described how the chamber tailors business development to member needs. For Lloyd Engineering, which works on the Houston Ship Channel and ports worldwide, the chamber seeks port and infrastructure projects abroad, including a recent trip to meet with the Prime Minister's office in Belize. For energy members like Reliant and CenterPoint Energy, the focus shifts to local customers and new development.
Unlike many chambers, this organization does not ask members for sponsorships; it is purely membership-driven and funded by members. "Ours is purely membership driven and purely funded by members," Gray said. The chamber also collaborates with management districts such as the North Houston District, the governor's office, the City of Houston, the Better Business Bureau and the Greater Houston Builders Association to avoid working in silos.
Gray pushes back on businesses that think international work isn't for them. "Do you have a website? Everybody can buy your stuff and they can see you anywhere all over the world. Everybody's international," he said. Looking ahead to 2027, the chamber is examining opportunities in Venezuela and planning events in Europe and Saudi Arabia with longtime partner Go-On Group, including stops in London, Milan, Düsseldorf and Monaco.
Outside the chamber, Gray is an author and speaker. His memoir, I May Never Come This Way Again, covers what he calls his "spy stories," including his collaboration with the FBI's International Corruption Unit. He told McKenzie that wherever he travels, he introduces himself as a Texan, closing the episode with "It's a great time to live in Texas and I'm very proud to be a Texan." The full conversation is available on The Building Texas Show.
This shift matters for the broader business community because it signals a return to the core purpose of chambers of commerce: facilitating tangible business growth and international expansion. By eschewing traditional social events, the Houston Intercontinental Chamber is prioritizing direct economic impact, helping members navigate global markets and secure contracts. For small and mid-sized businesses, the chamber's model demonstrates that international opportunities are accessible to any company with a web presence. The focus on member funding and collaboration with local entities also offers a blueprint for other chambers seeking to remain relevant in a globalized economy.
