2025 Economic Outlook Conference is all business with Woodlands industry leaders and the business community

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Friday morning saw hundreds of interested industry leaders, bunches of business executives, engaged employees, and the elite of economic education at 2025 Economic Outlook Conference, presented by The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by Entergy. The event took place at The Woodlands Water Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, dominating the downstairs ballroom area.

The Economic Outlook Conference – known to all as the ‘EOC’ – was once again an all-day event filled with business and community leaders providing invaluable insight on the state of The Woodlands Township and beyond. Though the conference itself ended at 1:30 in the afternoon, the After Party sponsored by Stibbs & Co., P.C., Attorneys at the Marriott Bar continued the fun and networking.

In a break from the usual agenda of years past, the conference was kicked off by the keynote speaker, instead of having him or her speak after lunch. This time, instead, Nicholas Webb – CEO of Leaderlogic, LLC, bestselling author, technologist, and self-described enterprise strategist and futurist – began his presentation as many conferencegoers were still sipping their first cups of coffee. His presentation, Preparing Your Business for the Future Key Trends That Will Shape Business Success in the Next Three Years, sparked immediate interest in the assemblage as Webb took an ultra-modern and relevant look at the business climate of today and tomorrow.

Next, the newly appointed CEO of The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership, Jevon Gibb, painted a rosy future for The Woodlands with his Local Economic Update. “We’ve had the strongest job growth among employers since 2018,” he stated. “We’re experiencing robust growth in the local healthcare industry.”

Next on the agenda, a trifecta of local leaders presented the Community Spotlight. Brad Bailey, Chairman of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, stressed how economic development is a vital part of the community. A large part of that is going outside of state borders to business headquarters ‘to the north’ to brag about the Township’s strengths in an effort to get them to relocate here. Some of these strengths include a record low 17.14-cent property tax rate, and two record highs of sales tax revenue at $73.7 million and hotel occupancy tax revenue of $10.3 million. Additional strengths include The Woodlands rankings of being the number one best city to buy a house in America, the second best city live in America, the second best city to raise a family in America, and third best city with the best public schools, and the sixth best city to retire in America.

“Beyond the great news I’ll talk about, I also have some great opportunities in front of us that we can put our heads together and jump on,” Bailey told Woodlands Online shortly before he took the stage. “We’re The Woodlands We don’t let problems ever take us; we’re a community of doers who solve tough problems. This is an exciting time and a great event that I look forward to every year.”

Bailey focused on ten key issues concerning the focus of economic growth for The Woodlands: public safety, curb appeal, revitalization, tourism and conventions, Town Center parking, a performing arts center, quality of life investments, reforestation, economic development, and prioritizing feedback.

Next, Shenandoah Mayor John Escoto and Oak Ridge North’s Director of Economic Development Sarah McClure took their turns presenting the Community Spotlight. “Shenandoah has the lowest property taxes in the county,” boasted Escoto. “We are one-hundred percent built out; no more spaces are available.” As a result, Shenandoah is placing a strong emphasis on mobility, with updates on connecting David Memorial Drive to SH 242, an expansion to add lanes at Tamina and I-45, and dedicated turn lanes on Grogan’s Mill and Research Forest.

McClure, meanwhile, updated the assembly on the Robinson Road expansion efforts and the city’s planned Plaza site, designed for major community gatherings.

Jesse B. Thompson of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas was up next with a Regional Economic Update, followed by a forum on the Texas Economic Landscape, featuring Aaron Demerson of the Texas Economic Development Corporation and David Leebron of Texas 2036, a nonpartisan public policy think tank founded by Dallas attorney Tom Luce. The forum was moderated by Aaron Cox, President and CEO of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce.

The conference took a noon lunch break with a buffet and networking, and by 12:30 the next forum was commencing: Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow, with Dr. Curtis Null, the Superintendent of Conroe Independent School District moderating Linda Head of Lone Star College and Chad Hargrave of Sam Houston State University. The final Innovation Panel featuring Mike O’Mara of Cellipont, Brad Rossacci of Accenture, and Hannah Kaplan of Entergy being moderated by Narara Branch, President and CEO of Houston Exponential giving lively discussion on the needs of businesses to remain innovative in their strategies and tactics and grow with the times.

Aaron Cox was appointed the Chamber’s President and CEO last year months after the 2024 EOC, and coming here from out of the area made this the first time he saw the conference in all its glory.

“It’s great and amazing to have everybody in the room, learning from each individual speaker and panel throughout the day, each presentation that will plant those nuggets that will help them do something different and new for their companies,” he told Woodlands Online. “It’s so great to be a part of this for the first time.”

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