On Wednesday, Feb 21st we held our 2024 Annual General Meeting. This year, we combined the meeting with a member appreciation reception.
James McLennan, BABC Texas President welcomed guests and provided a snapshot of BABC Texas; who we are, what we do, and our current membership demographics. He shared that our member network now represents more than 17 business sectors, including; energy, HR, Staffing & Recruiting, Consulting, Food & Drink, Sport, IT & Technology Services, Real Estate, Engineering, Construction, Marketing and Legal. We have hosted over 30 events since 2022 and are proud that the majority of our members have renewed their membership year on year. We currently have 10 Patron level members. We thank each and every member for your continued support.
Following the update and an overview of what’s coming up, James led the Board Member Election. We are delighted that Kevin West, Sian Mikkelsen, Mary McIntyre, Lee-Anne Cottle, Kay Thomson and James Prappas were reelected and Jon Braham’s position on the Board was ratified following his appointment in October 2023.
Thank you to our Board of Directors for your support and direction.
Following the AGM, we were honored to have Richard Hyde, His Majesty’s Consul General for Texas, and Adriana Cruz, Executive Director for Texas Economic Development – Governor Greg Abbott’s office, join us for a fireside chat on the topic of bilateral trade between Texas and the UK.
We reflected on BABC Texas’ growth over the past year or so and discussed the significance of the relationship between our two regions. Both Richard and Adriana shared their hopes for continued and stronger ties following the Statement of Mutual Cooperation, which should be signed in the coming weeks.
We heard Adriana’s view on what’s working well across the State, and why, and that she sees complacency (we have much to be proud of in Texas but we should not assume it is a given), and the need for the infrastructure to keep pace as the State continues to grow, as her watch points.
Some highlights from our discussions include:
– Texas, with a GDP ranking as the 8th biggest economy globally, stands as a powerhouse worth $2.4 trillion.
– Beyond its favorable tax environment, Texas offers businesses a welcoming atmosphere with reasonable regulations and a diverse, expanding workforce.
– Texas has been consistently recognized for its business-friendly climate, winning accolades such as the Best Business Climate by CEO Magazine for 19 years and the Site Selection Magazine’s Governor’s Cup for 11 consecutive years.
– The state has maintained its position as the top exporting state for 22 years running.
– With half a million people added annually, Texas boasts the fastest-growing population in the US through births and net migration.
– Approximately 120,000 Texans are employed by British companies operating in Texas.
– Notable statistics include San Antonio, often thought of as small(!) ranks as the 7th largest city in the USA, the Houston Medical Center being the most valuable medical location globally, and Dallas Fort Worth emerging as one of the fastest-growing Tech and Telecommunications Hubs worldwide.
We extend our gratitude to everyone who attended, as well as to Richard, Adriana, and our Board of Directors.
Download slides from the event here: Slide Deck_AGM2024
OUR PATRON MEMBERS
