Top Business Networking Events in Texas

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.

Diversify your strategy
Measure your ROI in multiple ways
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.