Houston Goes Global; Flexes its International Muscle to the World
Mayor Annise Parker today joined the World Affairs Council of
Houston, the Greater Houston Partnership and international dignitaries
to announce the launching of GlobalHouston.org, a new interactive
website that connects Houston’s international community. The website is
a collaboration between the City of Houston, the World Affairs Council
and the Greater Houston Partnership. It will become Houston’s virtual
gateway to the world by linking organizations and businesses that have
an international focus.
“Global Houston will be the tool Houstonians use to connect to the world
and the way Houston will show the rest of the world why it is one of the
best places to live, work and play,” said Mayor Parker. “It represents
the the 21st Century way of managing and pursuing new and existing
international business opportunities." More than 150 different
international organizations worked together to help develop the site.
“Global Houston truly represents an across-the- board collaboration from
people from different cultures who call Houston home,” said the mayor.
The website is owned by the World Affairs Council, which approached the
mayor last year to help spearhead the project. "We are incredibly
fortunate to live in a city with citizens who actively participate in
the business and conversations that are shaping the future of the
world," said Chip Ray, Chairman of the World Affairs Council. "The
Global Houston website provides a new communication tool which brings
the strength of the city together in one place."
The website features a database of hundreds of international
organizations and experts that can be found through a simple search. It
also features a calendar of events and a “Global Tool Box” that people
can use to translate documents, obtain currency exchange rates, or
connect with other government leaders from around the world.
The website is being coupled with public service announcements featuring
heavy hitters in the global arena, such as former Mexican President
Vicente Fox Quesada and former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker.
“Mexico is Houston’s number one trading partner and much of that trade
comes through Houston,” said President Fox, who thinks Global Houston is
a great tool to “learn more about what Houston is doing around the
world."
According to the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), more than $200
billion in trade passes through Houston each year. “That translates into
thousands of jobs for Houstonians,” said GHP President and CEO Jeff
Moseley. “GHP welcomes this powerful, new tool to give our businesses a
cutting edge. Thank you Mayor Parker!”
“For Houston to continue as a world leader, we need to tap into our
global resources here at home, which is one of our greatest assets.
Global Houston will help people connect with different organizations,
chambers of commerce and business leaders, but it will also help them
find out about cultural events as well as the best places in Houston for
international culinary delights. It’s a truly a one of a kind project
that’s going to help keep Houston’s place as ‘the’ global destination
city,” said Mayor Parker. To learn more:
www.globalhouston.org
