Houston’s transformation into an innovation powerhouse

Writer: Andrea Teran

October 2025 — On Thursday, Nov. 20, more than 250 of Houston’s leading voices from across the business, civic, and institutional sectors will convene at the JW Marriott Houston by The Galleria for the release of the second edition of Invest: Houston, the city’s comprehensive annual economic review published by caa. The Invest: Houston Leadership Summit, running from 8 to 11 a.m., will offer an in-depth look at the forces driving the region’s economic evolution, while also fostering high-level dialogue on the opportunities and challenges ahead.

This year’s summit carries the theme, Houston: Cradle of innovation for the world, and will explore how the city’s longstanding strengths in infrastructure and logistics are intersecting with technology and education to shape Houston’s next era of growth.

Join us at the Houston 2nd Edition Leadership Summit! This premier event brings together hundreds of Houston’s business and regional leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities for businesses and investors. This year’s theme centers on Houston’s role as a leader in world innovation. Buy your ticket now!

The program will include a keynote address from Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who will outline his administration’s strategic priorities and how his office is supporting innovation throughout the region.

“We’ve been discovered,” Whitmire told Invest:, referencing the expansion of TMC³, Chevron’s headquarters relocation, ongoing port growth, and the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

The event’s first panel, “Laying the Groundwork: How technology reshapes sustainability to fuel Houston’s next chapter,” will examine how Houston’s public and private leaders are responding to the dual pressures of modernization and sustainability. The discussion will bring together Ryan Ezell, CEO of Flotek Industries, Parker Meeks, CEO of Utility Global, Brandon Meyers, Joeris General Contractors’ vice president for Houston, and Ricky Sakai, senior vice president of investment and business development for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, with Seyfarth Shaw partner Suzanna Bonham moderating. Panelists will discuss how digital tools, clean energy solutions, and forward-looking innovation are being leveraged to sustain Houston’s global economic relevance.

The summit’s second panel, “Inspiring the Next Generation: How Houston’s K–12 system is cultivating future innovators,” will bring together superintendents Walter Jackson of La Porte ISD, Ken Gregorski of Katy ISD, Rebecca Brown of Dickinson ISD, and Randal O’Brien of Goose Creek CISD. The panel will be moderated by the CEO and founder of caa, Abby Lindenberg. This conversation will explore how districts are integrating education, career readiness, and equity-driven strategies to ensure students are prepared for an innovation-first economy.

More than a market report launch, the Invest: Houston Leadership Summit is a platform for strategic dialogue, long-term thinking, and regional alignment. As Houston navigates a pivotal moment in its growth, the summit provides space for the region’s leaders to align on priorities, challenge assumptions, and turn insight into action.

About caa & Invest: Houston

caa is an integrated media platform that produces in-depth business intelligence through its annual print and digital economic reviews, high-impact conferences and events, and top-level interviews via its video platform, Invest:Insights.

Invest: Houston is an in-depth economic review of the key issues facing the Houston economy, featuring the exclusive insights of prominent regional leaders. Invest: Houston is produced with two goals in mind: 1) to provide comprehensive investment knowledge on the region for local, national, and international investors, and 2) to promote the region as a place to invest and do business.

The report conducts a deep dive into the top economic sectors in the region, including technology, real estate and construction, infrastructure, banking and finance, healthcare, education, and tourism. The publication is compiled from insights collected from more than 200 economic leaders, sector insiders, political leaders, and heads of important institutions. It analyzes the leading challenges facing the market and uncovers emerging opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

For more information, please contact:

Alina Manac

Senior Executive Director

305-731-2342

Want more? Read the Invest: Houston report.