Skip to content

In the last week alone, Texas has been recognized for its top-notch business environment , achieved new heights in business formations, and approved statewide propositions to further strengthen our pro-business posture.

But this is Texas, and we never rest on our laurels when it comes to leading the nation – we look for new ways to advance our leadership in all sectors of our increasingly dynamic economy.

Next Tuesday, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) will be convening our state’s top leaders in business, policy, innovation, and infrastructure for a high-impact summit: Texas Dynamism: Powering the Next Economic Frontier at Port San Antonio, one of the state’s leading hubs for aerospace, cyber, defense, and advanced technology. 

Anchored on three pillars—Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, and Advanced Manufacturing—next week’s program will showcase Texas’ unmatched dynamism as it powers the next frontier of global competitiveness.

Anchored by a special fireside chat that I’ll be holding with Governor Greg Abbott at lunchtime, the Summit will include a series of all-star panels featuring business and government leaders from across the state who will shed light on how Texas can stay ahead of the curve on encouraging innovation and advancing the pro-business policies that support our state’s unmatched competitive edge.

Panel 1: AI & The Texas Advantage

Following opening remarks from Texas’ chief economic development officer Adriana Cruz, TAB will be kicking off the Summit with a discussion highlighting how startups and global companies are positioning Texas as America’s AI powerhouse. The discussion will be moderated by TAB’s Megan Mauro, who leads our Tech Means Business Coalition and serves as Texas Chapter President of the American Innovators Network (AIN), and will feature representatives from Amazon, OpenAI, Meta, and USLege who will explore how innovation enables small businesses to scale using AI-driven tools.

Panel 2: Trade and Global Competitiveness

I am very excited to moderate the Summit’s second panel focused on trade, advanced manufacturing, and the infrastructure powering Texas’ global competitiveness. With a review of the landmark U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agreement around the corner in 2026, I look forward to hearing from speakers including Texas House International Relations Subcommittee Chair State Representative John Lujan alongside representatives from Shokworks and Commodities Integrated Logistics (CIL), as well as leadership from our host, Port San Antonio.

Panel 3: Lift Off: The Texas Aerospace Advantage

Before our lunchtime programming, we’ll explore how Texas can stay the best economy in the galaxy by leading the next frontier of aerospace innovation. Brownsville Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Esmy Villarreal will moderate an exciting discussion with Texas Space Commission Executive Director Norman Garza and experts from Firefly and Boeing.

Panel 4: Energy Dominance 2.0: Texas Energy in the Age of AI

Following my fireside chat with Governor Abbott, Hesston Klenk from AES will moderate an energetic conversation exploring how Texas’ diverse energy mix – from oil & gas to renewables, batteries, and nuclear power – is rising to meet AI’s growing energy demand. In addition to hearing from Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office (TANEO) Executive Director Jared Shaffer, we’ll get perspectives from leaders at Base Power Company, BP America, and Last Energy, who will share keen insights on how we can cement our state’s leadership in both energy and AI while maintaining reliability of the Texas grid.

Panel 5: Made In Texas: From Workforce and Education to Cutting-edge Manufacturing

Our final panel of the day will focus on the role of Texas’ advanced manufacturing as a catalyst for U.S. innovation, job creation, and supply-chain security. Moderated by Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC) Vice President of Business Development Dale Robertson, we’ll delve into how Texas can develop a pipeline of talent to meet the workforce demands of cutting-edge industries with Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Joe Esparza along with San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer and Ultrahuman Healthcare’s Dr. Pavan Kumar.

We look forward to welcoming policymakers, business leaders, scholars, and entrepreneurs to this one-of-a-kind event that promises to bring the very best that Texas has to offer while advancing a bold vision for the future of our world-renowned business climate.

View the full agenda and learn how you can register today before space runs out!

–Glenn Hamer, President & CEO, Texas Association of Business

###

Scroll To Top