Kari Werner, President & CEO, Houston West Chamber of Commerce
In an interview with Invest:, Kari Werner, president and CEO of the Houston West Chamber of Commerce, emphasized a strategic pivot toward small-business support, with 85% of members now in that category. “We’ve been doing more listening,” Werner said, highlighting new programs centered on AI, fraud prevention, and marketing.
What major shifts have you seen over the past year, both within the chamber and the broader West Houston business community?
When I stepped into this role in 2020, our membership was about 50% small businesses. Today, it’s closer to 85%, and that has changed how we operate. We hired a consulting firm to help us evaluate everything — pricing, events, sponsorships — and we made some big adjustments. We retired some older programs, introduced new events, and restructured sponsorships to better reflect what businesses want.
We’ve been doing more listening. We conducted surveys and gathered feedback, which told us that topics like AI, fraud prevention, and marketing are top of mind. We’re building our content around those themes. We want to make sure we’re staying relevant and providing value.
What makes West Houston such an attractive destination for investment, relocation, and new business?
Houston is so big and incredibly diverse. Coming from Miami, I’ve been struck by the depth and breadth of industries here. Whether it’s oil and gas, healthcare, food and beverage, or the thousands of small businesses that support those sectors, the business ecosystem is robust and thriving.
West Houston, in particular, is experiencing continued population and job growth. Even as some markets are cooling, this region remains a magnet for talent and opportunity. It’s a great place to live, work, and grow a business.
Which industries are you most focused on attracting or supporting right now?
We’ve seen strong activity in healthcare, especially with major hospitals expanding into areas like Cypress and Katy. While oil and gas companies tend to affiliate more with chambers in Baytown or downtown, our focus is on supporting the vibrant small-business community and sectors that are expanding in West Houston — healthcare, professional services, education, and construction, to name a few.
How is the chamber helping small businesses access resources and build relationships with larger organizations?
We work closely with groups like the SBA, SCORE, Workforce Solutions, and HCC. They help us connect our members with mentorship, funding, and training opportunities. Whether someone is just getting started or trying to grow, we want to be a central place where they can access the tools and support they need.
We’re also great at spreading the word. When there’s a pitch competition or a business plan challenge, we make sure our members know about it. These are the kinds of opportunities that can move a business forward.
On top of that, we stay connected with larger entities like Metro, HISD, and HCC. If we discover new contract opportunities, we push that information out to our members. We’re always looking for ways to help businesses make connections and open doors that might not be accessible otherwise.
What issues are most important to the chamber from a policy or advocacy perspective?
We don’t take political sides, but we do believe in providing factual, nonpartisan information that helps our members make informed decisions. Right now, we’re keeping a close eye on school funding and voucher proposals, foreign ownership legislation, bail reform, and investments in water infrastructure.
To keep our community informed, we’re hosting a legislative update on July 31 with four state representatives. We want our members to hear directly from lawmakers and get clarity on issues that impact their businesses and neighborhoods.
How are you and your team using AI and technology to serve members more effectively?
I’m a bit more old school, but my team is all in when it comes to using tools like ChatGPT for marketing and research. We’ve embraced AI to improve efficiency and generate content, and we’re encouraging our members to do the same.
We’re also planning a marketing summit next February that will include sessions on AI, data analytics, and how to avoid common fraud tactics. There’s a lot of curiosity about these topics, and we want to help demystify the tech so small-business owners can put it to good use.
What are your top goals for the chamber and West Houston over the next two to three years?
We want to keep growing, but intentionally. That means increasing membership while staying responsive to what our members truly need. We want to be known not just as the “West Chamber” but as a go-to partner for growth, insight, and connection.
It’s also about raising our visibility. With so many chambers in the Houston area, we’re focused on making sure our unique value proposition stands out. We’re optimistic about Houston’s trajectory, from infrastructure expansion to new business activity, and we’re committed to helping our members thrive as the city continues to evolve.
