Visit The Woodlands, the official destination management organization for The Woodlands, participated in the 2026 Economic Outlook Conference (EOC) to The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center on Friday, February 6. Hosted by The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, this annual event provides a forum for local business and community leaders to share economic insights and guide strategic decision-making in The Woodlands and beyond.

The Woodlands' Chamber of Commerce hosts the 2026 Economic Outlook Conference at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel ballroom. The room is filled with at least 55 tables, each seating 8-10 people. Three men form a panel onstage, juxtaposed by projection screens with bar charts.

2026 EOC at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott

Jevon Gibbs, Aaron Cox, and Brad Bailey speak at The Woodlands Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Economic Outlook Conference. The three men are on stage with light-up props resembling a city skyline.

Jevon Gibb, Aaron Cox, and Brad Bailey speak at EOC 2026

GUEST SPEAKERS

This year marked the conference's 40th anniversary, and the meeting addressed a diverse range of topics from overviews of the national, state, and regional economies; current market trends; forecasts of the 2026 business climate; and actionable steps for networking and growth.

Guest speakers included Ron Isana, financial broadcast journalist; Jesse Thompson, Senior Business Economist, The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; Adrianna Cruz, Executive Director, Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office; Aaron Cox, President and CEO, The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce; Brad Bailey, Chairman of the Board, The Woodlands Township; Jevon Gibb, CEO, The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership; Daniel Potter, Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University; and many more.

Nick Wolda (blue suit with an orange-and-blue striped tie) converses with a woman in a dark suit with a brown purse and a man in a dark suit.

Visit The Woodlands' President Nick Wolda visits with Kim Lan of Howard Hughes Holdings (left) and Adam Lamb, Director of The Woodlands Township and Visit The Woodlands (right)

BACKYARD SALES CAMPAIGN

The Economic Outlook Conference is one of many meetings and events that take place in The Woodlands every year. You, too, can make a meaningful impact on our community by bringing your association, professional, or industry events to The Woodlands.

Our team at Visit The Woodlands is here to help guide and facilitate the entire process from venue selection and hotel coordination to local connections and on-site support. Through our network of local advocates, we connect professional associations with their hometown destination, which not only enhances The Woodlands’ reputation as a premiere meetings location but also creates jobs, supports local businesses, and improves the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Learn more about how we can partner with you!