What does it take to showcase Houston’s extraordinary contributions to Texas? For the Greater Houston Partnership, the answer was Houston Day. The transformative event gave state legislators a firsthand look at the industries and innovations driving one of the most dynamic regions in the country. Over two days in early 2024, 57 Texas lawmakers and other attendees explored Houston’s core sectors, experiencing the city’s impact on the state’s economy and culture. The event wasn’t just a tour but a strategic opportunity to connect lawmakers with the people and industries shaping Texas’ future. A Journey Through Houston’s Vital Sectors The experience began at Port Houston, a hub of economic activity essential to Texas’ position as a global trade leader. Legislators saw the port’s operations up close and learned about the evolution of the Houston Ship Channel, the energy transition, and the Coastal Texas Program’s flood mitigation efforts. From there, the focus shifted to Houston’s renowned space industry. Visits to the Johnson Space Center-NASA and Space Center Houston highlighted Houston’s legacy of innovation and the recent investments fueling the Texas Space Commission. The day concluded with a private dinner at Minute Maid Park, where Mayor John Whitmire underscored the importance of collaboration between local and state leaders. Showcasing Innovation and Heritage The final day of Houston Day spotlighted Houston’s cutting-edge advancements and cultural heritage. At Air Liquide’s La Porte Hydrogen facility, legislators explored groundbreaking technologies driving the energy transition. Later, a visit to the Texas Medical Center’s Helix Park showcased Houston’s leadership in medical research and health care innovation. The event culminated at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, celebrating the rich cultural fabric of Texas. Why Houston Day Matters “I was honored to showcase Houston’s vibrant contributions to the economy, space innovation, and leadership in the medical and energy sectors to my colleagues at the Legislature. It’s no longer just words on a page or something discussed in a committee meeting—they’ve experienced it all.” -State Senator Carol Alvarado. For the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston Day was a resounding success. By connecting lawmakers directly with Houston’s industries, the event reinforced the city’s significance to Texas and laid the groundwork for future collaboration. By the Numbers: 57 legislators and four state agencies in attendance 162 total attendees 180+ miles traveled, covering over $1 trillion in economic impact 20+ industrial and commercial sectors highlighted Eight stops representing approximately $252.5 billion in state investments Houston Day exemplifies how the Greater Houston Partnership brings leaders together to build understanding, foster collaboration, and drive progress for the region and beyond. Learn more about the Partnership's public policy efforts. Download the Partnership's 2024 Impact Report.

While the original focus of the Houston Back on Track initiative was to help put people back to work following pandemic-era job displacement, it has evolved into a collective effort to serve and support low-wage workers in Houston looking for something better. Our progress has been meteoric, morphing from a pitch deck to a recognized brand and advocate for so many workers in Houston. At the heart of our efforts is the work we do to connect jobseekers to career coaches at our community partners. In the past 18 months alone, Houston Back on Track connected over 10,400 jobseekers to our community partners. Many of these people enrolled in programs, received coaching, improved their skills and were hired by companies representing a variety of industries. The trajectory of these people's lives improved along with the talent levels of the employers bringing them aboard. For all parties involved, this work has been win-win. 2024 saw results from the Houston Back on Track survey, asking those who signed up if they got the support they needed. The survey went out to thousands of jobseekers, in English and Spanish, offering possible incentives for their participation. These are some of our learnings: 84% of those who responded are still pursuing new job opportunities The most desired career paths are in customer service and medical fields Most respondents interviewed with employers that are not partners of Houston Back on Track Nearly all respondents recalled being contacted by a career coach The most popular support services were resume writing and job interview coaching A significant component in our strategy going forward is to stay in communication with the people we’ve already connected with on some level, nurturing their career aspirations and providing them with the tools they need to thrive. With continued engagement, Houston Back on Track will motivate clients, provide guidance and open educational opportunities through Grow With Google scholarships to improve jobseekers' skills.  “At Wesley Community Center, we deeply value the dedication Houston Back on Track has shown in empowering our clients through modern resources like LinkedIn Learning and Grow With Google,” said Amy Corran, President and CEO, Wesley Community Center. “Their commitment to genuinely advocating for our clients with employers is commendable. We eagerly anticipate continuing our partnership to provide impactful upskilling opportunities that leverage data and innovative tools, enhancing our collective efforts to improve the mobility and foster success of our residents.” Houston Back on Track partners with United Way of Greater Houston’s THRIVE network. Between April 2023 and March 2024, Back on Track referred 5,424 individuals to 13 THRIVE community partners who worked with 23 employers and 15 education partners. 550 of those clients were actively pursuing skills development programs. 578 of those clients were interviewed for open job opportunities and 495 were hired. Houston Back on Track also supported 155 career coaches with professional development opportunities to strengthen their coaching skills. Learn how you can get involved in Houston Back on Track. Download the Partnership's 2024 Impact Report.