Statewide Leaders to Convene at the 5th Annual YTexas Summit

Andrew Yaffe, CEO of Dude Perfect, Norman Garza, Jr., Executive Director of Texas Space Commission, and Dr. Laura Murillo, President and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, along with Industry Experts, to Highlight a Diverse Line-Up of Speakers and Thought-Provoking Discussions

HOUSTON, TX – (March 26, 2025) – YTexas is excited to announce the 5th Annual YTexas Summit, a statewide initiative that convenes industry executives, economic development professionals, community leaders and educators to share projects, build cross-regional relationships, and drive innovation and economic growth in the Lone Star State. The event will kick off with a special reception on Tuesday, September 23 at Shell Energy Stadium, home of the Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash, followed by a full day of expert panel discussions, networking and collaboration on Wednesday, September 24 at Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros, and conclude with The Leadership Academy, an educational and mentoring event for 500 high school students on Thursday, September 25 at Space Center Houston.

Andrew Yaffe, CEO of Dude Perfect, will serve as a keynote speaker. Yaffe joined Dude Perfect in 2024 after serving as Executive Vice President of social, digital, and original content at the National Basketball Association. Norman Garza, Jr., Executive Director of Texas Space Commission and Dr. Laura Murillo, President and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will also highlight a diverse line-up of speakers, with more speakers to be announced in the near future.

“Texas has been the perfect home for Dude Perfect to grow from a group of friends with a camera to a global entertainment brand reaching billions. The state has always been a leader in sports, and now it’s becoming a hub for where sports and entertainment meet,” said Andrew Yaffe, CEO of Dude Perfect. “Building our new world-class headquarters and production space in Texas was an obvious choice, giving us access to the entrepreneurial spirit and skilled workforce the state offers. At the 2025 YTexas Summit, I’m looking forward to sharing how we’ve collaborated with fellow business leaders to strengthen the state’s position in the sports, media, and entertainment industry, and what we’re doing to push its evolution forward.”

The Summit’s expert panel discussions will highlight energy (power, clean energy, oil & gas innovation), healthcare/biotech, agriculture/food tech, AI/tech/software, aerospace/defense, workforce development, financial services, sports & entertainment, media & film production, and mobility.

“Houston is a mecca for business growth, with its focus on innovation, technology, and workforce development,” said Ed Curtis, CEO of YTexas. “Expanding the YTexas Summit into Houston with support of the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce allows us to highlight the incredible opportunities available in one of the most attractive markets in the world for business expansion and investment. The Summit brings the full ecosystem of leadership together to celebrate and accelerate business within the state.”

Other YTexas Summit highlights include:

Texas Innovation Exhibition showcasing innovative projects, inventions, products, and service offerings provided by Texas businesses, colleges and regional development hubs. Sectors include energy, biotech, AI, technology, robotics, aerospace/defense and manufacturing.
On-Field Executive Networking bringing together over 2,000 business professionals from high-growth organizations across Texas.

Current sponsors of the YTexas Summit include Greater Houston Partnership, Lone Star College, Houston Community College, Dallas College, Site Selection Magazine and Bisnow, with additional sponsorship opportunities available.

In addition to the Summit in Houston, YTexas will host a Legislative Summit on June 18 at Kalahari Resorts in Round Rock, TX, providing further opportunities for industry leaders and policymakers to discuss key issues shaping the Texas economy.

For more information on the YTexas Summit, the Legislative Summit, sponsorship opportunities, and to purchase tickets, please visit YTexas.com/2025summit .

About YTexas

YTexas is the premier resource for companies relocating, expanding, and growing into or within the state of Texas. By bringing together top business and industry leaders, YTexas fosters collaboration and innovation to drive the future of the Texas economy. Through its expansive network, media channels, and world-class events, YTexas facilitates the exchange of ideas and fosters long-term, mutually beneficial relationships to help companies successfully integrate into the Texas business community. Headquartered in Austin, YTexas has received national acclaim for being at the forefront of economic development trends.