In addition to the work that happens in our Councils and Committees, much of the Chamber's work focuses on advancing initiatives that are designed to push our community forward.
Initiatives
Military Affairs
Texas Coalition of Defense Communities
During Texas' 86 Legislative Session, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce launched the Texas Coalition of Defense Communities (TCDC). The Chamber created the TCDC to take a collective approach to advocating for policies, legislation, and initiatives that impact military missions – active, guard, and reserve. Texas’ military installations, infrastructure and personnel generate more than 136.6 billion to the state’s economy and make invaluable contributions to national security.
TCDC partners include civic and business leadership of Texas’ military-connected communities and organizations that best represent the most active and engaged members from a business, industry, and economic development perspective.
Military Affairs
Supporting Military Families San Antonio
The Greater San Antonio Chamber is proud to introduce the Supporting Military Families San Antonio (SMF.SA) initiative. This groundbreaking effort aims to enhance the quality of life for military personnel and their loved ones, focusing on key priorities identified by senior military leaders and families.
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Education/Workforce
Best Place for Working Parents
The Greater San Antonio Chamber is proud to lead San Antonio's participation in the Best Place for Working Parents® initiative. Businesses are invited to take a short business self-assessment to see if their workplace earns a Best Place for Working Parents designation based on the availability of direct benefits for parent workers, such as parental leave, paid time off, and nursing benefits, as well as ease of employment with workplace cultural practices, such as flexible hours, onsite childcare, and the ability to work remotely from home. Companies with sufficient family-friendly policies in place are eligible for a designation as a Best Place for Working Parents™, which comes with a digital badge to use on their website, social media, and in print.
Leadership Development
Leadership San Antonio
LSA was created in 1975 by the Chamber to help identify and develop community leaders and is now considered the premier program for existing and emerging leaders in the Bexar County and surrounding areas. The program, one of the first of its kind in Texas, has graduated more than 2000 participants and focuses on delivering these leaders an opportunity to develop an understanding of the promise and challenges of our community. The program goes beyond personal and professional development and, as its goal, educates and informs these leaders in the vital areas affecting San Antonio, as well as encouraging Chamber Business involvement and Community advocacy.
Healthcare
Healthcare and Bioscience Industry Support
The healthcare and bioscience industry continues to be one of San Antonio’s largest industries with an annual economic impact near $43 billion. The industry employs almost 200,000 people, every one in five local area workers. The healthcare and bioscience community has added over 50,000 in the last decade and continues to be a leader in innovation and research across Texas and the nation.
Education/Workforce
San Antonio Foundation for Free Enterprise
The San Antonio Foundation for Free Enterprise is a 501(c)(3) organization that fosters economic and community prosperity for our region.
We educate the public on the conditions necessary for business and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future. To achieve our mission, we raise and render financial support for community projects. As identified through Chamber’s strategic objectives, the Foundation supports education and workforce development, redevelopment and revitalization, community planning and general well-being initiatives.
Leadership Development
Woman to Woman, Leader to Leader
Woman to Woman, Leader to Leader (WWLL) strives to connect Transitioning Women Military Leadership with key Women Industry Leaders in and around San Antonio. This committee is designed to encourage a collaborative sharing of culture and to provide those women in transition the tools and connections they will need to prepare for the civilian sector challenges. The goals include how to translate some of the skills from the military into civilian language, and how to build a strong community network that will enhance the network that is already in place from their military “family.”
