In addition to the work that happens in our Councils and Committees, much of the Chamber's work focuses on advancing initiatives that are designed to push our community forward.
Initiatives
Education/Workforce
Texas Space Summit
The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and community leaders announced San Antonio as the host city for the 2026 Texas Space Summit, Sept. 21-23, 2026. Themed "Land Here, Go Beyond," the summit will highlight efforts to expand Texas' role in the commercial space economy and showcase how industry partners are strengthening the supply chain powering the nation's future in space.
Buyers, funders, policymakers and researchers from the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA and leading Texas-based space contractors, innovators and investors will explore live demonstrations and scale models of launch systems, satellites, robotics and life-support technologies. Immersive exhibits will bring space missions to life, including lunar bases and Mars simulations.
Education/Workforce
Best Place for Working Parents
The Greater San Antonio Chamber is proud to lead San Antonio's participation in the Best Place for Working Parents® initiative. Businesses are invited to take a short business self-assessment to see if their workplace earns a Best Place for Working Parents designation based on the availability of direct benefits for parent workers, such as parental leave, paid time off, and nursing benefits, as well as ease of employment with workplace cultural practices, such as flexible hours, onsite childcare, and the ability to work remotely from home. Companies with sufficient family-friendly policies in place are eligible for a designation as a Best Place for Working Parents™, which comes with a digital badge to use on their website, social media, and in print.
Healthcare
Healthcare and Bioscience Industry Support
The healthcare and bioscience industry continues to be one of San Antonio’s largest industries with an annual economic impact near $43 billion. The industry employs almost 200,000 people, every one in five local area workers. The healthcare and bioscience community has added over 50,000 in the last decade and continues to be a leader in innovation and research across Texas and the nation.
Leadership Development
Leadership San Antonio
LSA was created in 1975 by the Chamber to help identify and develop community leaders and is now considered the premier program for existing and emerging leaders in the Bexar County and surrounding areas. The program, one of the first of its kind in Texas, has graduated more than 2000 participants and focuses on delivering these leaders an opportunity to develop an understanding of the promise and challenges of our community. The program goes beyond personal and professional development and, as its goal, educates and informs these leaders in the vital areas affecting San Antonio, as well as encouraging Chamber Business involvement and Community advocacy.
Leadership Development
Executive Connections:San Antonio
EC:SA creates curated experiences to support newly relocated or recently promoted executives as they transition into leadership roles in San Antonio. Participants gain a broad orientation to our community, an understanding of its unique opportunities and challenges, and access to the relationships needed to succeed.
Through an immersion into San Antonio’s most pressing issues, EC:SA introduces leaders to decision-makers driving progress across business and civic life. The program covers economic vitality, emerging industries, and future growth, as well as critical civic topics such as infrastructure, transportation, utilities, military affairs, housing, education, workforce, and healthcare.
Built on high-impact, peer-to-peer engagement, EC:SA is designed to accelerate both professional success and community impact—helping leaders strengthen their organizations while contributing to San Antonio’s continued growth.
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Military Affairs
Texas Coalition of Defense Communities
During Texas' 86 Legislative Session, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce launched the Texas Coalition of Defense Communities (TCDC). The Chamber created the TCDC to take a collective approach to advocating for policies, legislation, and initiatives that impact military missions – active, guard, and reserve. Texas’ military installations, infrastructure and personnel generate more than 136.6 billion to the state’s economy and make invaluable contributions to national security.
TCDC partners include civic and business leadership of Texas’ military-connected communities and organizations that best represent the most active and engaged members from a business, industry, and economic development perspective.
Military Affairs
Supporting Military Families San Antonio
The Greater San Antonio Chamber is proud to introduce the Supporting Military Families San Antonio (SMF.SA) initiative. This groundbreaking effort aims to enhance the quality of life for military personnel and their loved ones, focusing on key priorities identified by senior military leaders and families.
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