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Power of Collaboration
Some events celebrate achievements. Others become defining moments in an organization’s history. The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce’s 10th Annual Pride In Business Celebration was both.
Held on June 12, 2026, at the Hilton Americas-Houston, this landmark celebration commemorated ten years of championing economic inclusion, entrepreneurship, and business excellence while bringing together more than 1,000 corporate executives, entrepreneurs, elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates from across the region.
The Chamber’s 2026 theme, “A Decade of Impact,” reflected not only how far the organization has come, but also its vision for the future—continuing to build an economy where every business has the opportunity to thrive.
Leadership That Inspires
At the heart of this incredible organization is Tammi Wallace, Founder, President & CEO of the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. Through her vision and leadership, the Chamber has become one of the nation’s premier LGBTQ+ business organizations, creating opportunities for businesses of every size while fostering meaningful partnerships throughout Houston and beyond.
Helping bring this anniversary celebration to life was an exceptional leadership team of Event Co-Chairs Dr. Jacquie Baly, Francisco Sánchez, Jr., and Brooks Ballard, whose commitment and passion helped shape one of the Chamber’s most successful events to date.
One of the afternoon’s highlights was an engaging fireside conversation with Keith Boykin—national political commentator, New York Times bestselling author, filmmaker, and former White House aide. His remarks challenged attendees to continue leading with courage, purpose, and authenticity while advancing inclusion throughout the business community.
The celebration also featured remarks from Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who congratulated the Chamber on its first decade of remarkable accomplishments and recognized its important role in strengthening Houston’s diverse business community. His comments reinforced the significance of the Chamber’s work and its continued impact on the city’s economic future.
Bringing the Vision to Life
Producing an event for more than a thousand attendees requires far more than creating a timeline. It requires months of collaboration, hundreds of moving pieces, dozens of vendor partners, and an experienced team capable of orchestrating every detail behind the scenes.
As the event coordinator, Elias Events served as the central point of communication between the Chamber, Hilton Americas-Houston, exhibitors, sponsors, production teams, volunteers, and event partners.
From the earliest planning meetings through the final guest departure after the After Party, our goal was simple: create an experience worthy of celebrating ten years of impact while allowing the Chamber’s leadership to focus on its members, sponsors, honorees, and guests.
Creating an Unforgettable Experience
From the moment guests entered the Hilton Americas-Houston, it was evident this was no ordinary luncheon.
Guests were welcomed through a dramatic custom entrance installation created by Kirksey Gregg Productions, setting the tone for an elegant celebration. Their beautifully designed specialty linens carried the event’s sophisticated aesthetic throughout the ballroom, creating a cohesive and elevated guest experience.
Generously donated floral arrangements from H-E-B were vibrant purple and white color to each table, while festive balloon wall from Balloon Kings added excitement and celebration throughout the venue.
The celebration itself was made possible through the generous support of Presenting Sponsor Casa Maestri, whose partnership helped elevate this milestone event and whose BOOM Tequila was the hit of the day!
The exclusive VIP Reception, presented by Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, provided an opportunity for sponsors, elected officials, Chamber leadership, and VIP guests to connect before the luncheon officially began.
Comfortable networking lounges featuring furnishings from CORT Furniture Rental encouraged attendees to connect before and after the luncheon, creating inviting gathering spaces that complemented the ballroom environment. Their columns provided the perfect avenue to display the “Show Your Pride” Campaign.
Professional audio-visual production by Password Productions ensured flawless presentations, award recognitions, keynote conversations, lighting, sound, and video throughout the program.
Following the luncheon, guests transitioned into an entirely new atmosphere for the After Party. Dynamic lighting from Bright Star Productions transformed the ballroom into an energetic celebration space, while Hostess Girls and the Hybrid 7 Band entertainment from J&D Entertainment and DJ Val kept the excitement going well into the afternoon.
Guests also enjoyed interactive experiences including both a Booth Box Photo Booth and a 360° Photo Booth, provided by Houston Event Planning, capturing memorable moments from this historic celebration.
The Chamber’s honorees proudly wore commemorative award sashes generously provided by the Houston Dynamo & Houston Dash, adding another meaningful touch to the awards presentation.
The guests enjoyed a beautifully presented dessert experience sponsored by United Airlines, and yummy cookies from Michaels Cookie Jar and Dessert Gallery.
None of this would have been possible without the exceptional hospitality of the Hilton Americas-Houston team. Special recognition goes to Matthew Finnan, Director of Catering, whose professionalism, collaboration, and attention to detail helped ensure an outstanding guest experience from beginning to end.
Ready to Create Your Own Landmark Event?
Whether you’re planning a corporate conference, awards gala, nonprofit fundraiser, executive retreat, incentive program, product launch, or community celebration, Elias Events brings nearly three decades of award-winning experience to every event we produce.
From the first planning meeting to the final guest farewell, our mission is to create experiences that inspire, engage, and leave a lasting impression.
Ready to create your next unforgettable event? Contact Elias Events today and let’s start planning something extraordinary.
