Fort Bend County has never been shy about growth, grit, or good taste. But now, the Fort Bend Regional Partnership has added a little extra shine to the region’s already impressive business résumé — and this time, the applause came from across Texas.

At the 2026 Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives Conference (TCCE) in Abilene, the Fort Bend Regional Partnership swept the top media awards in the large Chamber of Commerce category, taking First Place in Division 4 across all four major media categories: Website Design, Social Media & Video, Print & Electronic Publication, and Event Marketing. In other words, Fort Bend did not just show up. It showed out — professionally, creatively, and with the kind of polish that makes a region look ready for prime time.

The annual TCCE Conference brings together chamber leaders, executives, staff, and business advocates from across Texas to exchange ideas, strengthen leadership skills, sharpen communications strategy, and celebrate excellence in chamber work. For organizations that spend the year helping others rise, the conference is a moment to recognize those who are also raising the bar behind the scenes.

For the Fort Bend Regional Partnership, the awards arrive at a meaningful time. The organization has been expanding its regional presence, strengthening its brand, and telling a broader story about Fort Bend County’s role in the future of Greater Houston. That story is one of business momentum, infrastructure, innovation, community pride, and collaborative leadership.

The Partnership’s award-winning entries reflected that mission with clarity and style. Its redesigned fortbendregionalpartnership.com website earned recognition for aligning with the organization’s rebrand and expanded regional role. The site serves as a modern front door for members, investors, business leaders, and community partners looking to connect with Fort Bend’s economic energy.

Douglass Peters, CCE, IOM, Abilene Chamber of Commerce; Keri Schmidt, CCE, IOM, Fort Bend Regional Partnership; Mary Frazior, CCE, IOM, Hurst Euless Bedford Chamber of Commerce; Esmy Villarreal, IOM, Brownsville Chamber of Commerce.

 

The 2026 Chairman’s Gala social media campaign also earned top honors, proving that a rebrand reveal can be more than a formal announcement — it can be a celebration. With smart visuals, strategic messaging, and engaging digital storytelling, the campaign helped build awareness around a milestone moment for the organization.

The Fort Bend Levee Coalition brochure received recognition for transforming a serious infrastructure topic into clear, accessible communication. Locally funded levee systems may not be the flashiest subject at the dinner table, but in Fort Bend County, they are essential to protecting homes, businesses, families, and future investment. The brochure helped explain why flood protection is not just an engineering issue — it is an economic development issue, a public safety issue, and a quality-of-life issue.

Rounding out the sweep, the 2026 Chairman’s Gala invitation won for event marketing, serving as a key promotional piece for one of the Partnership’s signature moments. It combined elegance, purpose, and brand identity — the kind of invitation that says, “This is not just another event; this is where the region’s future gets dressed up and steps forward.”

President and CEO Keri Curtis Schmidt accepted the awards on behalf of the organization, crediting the broader team effort behind the achievement. The recognition reflects the work of staff, volunteers, board leadership, members, and community partners who help power the Partnership’s mission every day.

And that mission is substantial. The Fort Bend Regional Partnership is a 5-star accredited organization, the largest single-county chamber in the Greater Houston region, and the largest business organization in Fort Bend County. Representing more than 1,000 business organizations, more than 5,000 individuals, and more than 250,000 jobs, the Partnership has spent more than 50 years serving as a strong voice for business and regional progress.

For Houston Style Magazine readers, this win is more than a trophy-room moment. It is a reminder that effective communication matters. Websites, brochures, social media campaigns, and event invitations are not just marketing materials — they are tools of civic storytelling. They help communities understand what is at stake, where opportunity lives, and how people can participate in progress.

Fort Bend County continues to be one of the most dynamic, diverse, and fast-moving areas in Texas. With this sweep, the Fort Bend Regional Partnership has shown that it not only understands the region’s growth — it knows how to communicate it with excellence.

That is good news for business. Good news for residents. And good news for a region whose story is still being written — boldly, beautifully, and with Fort Bend flair.

For more information, visit: www.fortbendregionalpartnership.com