By Edmond Ortiz
Two of the San Antonio-area’s biggest chambers of commerce are looking into the feasibility of embarking on a formal partnership.
What is happening
The executive boards of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the Metro SA Chamber each recently voted unanimously to create a joint committee to explore what it will take to form a partnership to benefit the city’s overall business community.
Each chamber sent out an official announcement Sept. 8 regarding the prospective alliance between the two business advocacy organizations.
With its origins dating back to the 1890s with the formation of the Business Men’s Club of San Antonio, the Greater San Antonio Chamber is undergoing a time of major transition.
Former Frost Bank President Pat Frost is taking the reins as the chamber’s interim CEO and president for Jeff Webster, who announced on Aug. 25 his intent to retire Dec. 1 after leading the chamber since 2023.
Established in 1974 as the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Metro SA became the rebrand in recent years for the organization whose officials sought to represent a broader, regional business audience.
What they are saying
Paul Basaldua, Metro SA Chamber board chair, said the Greater San Antonio Chamber’s current leadership change is a prime opportunity for both organizations to formally bolster their working relationship.
“This effort is rooted in the hopes and opportunities we have for this community,” Basaldua said in a statement. “It is time to come together as a business community to unapologetically advocate for San Antonio, to create an atmosphere where we encourage investment from small business to corporate, and from local to non-local. I look forward to working with our counterparts at the Greater Chamber to move this initiative forward.”
According to leaders from both chambers, this move does not affect chamber members or services, and that whatever happens going forward should do so in a way that positively reflects both organizations to benefit San Antonio’s entire business landscape.
“Now is the time for the business community to protect the economic environment for every family in San Antonio,” Kevin Dinnin, Greater San Antonio board chair, said in the announcement.
“We can achieve much more together to enhance the economic vitality of our region. Both chambers are doing outstanding work that has a positive impact not only on businesses but also the community at large. Paul and I are both greatly optimistic that we can collaborate to make that impact even greater.”
As for the ongoing transition at the Greater San Antonio Chamber, Frost and Webster complimented each other’s history and ability to make their own mark on the local business community.
The Greater San Antonio chamber’s board is launching a process to identify the organization’s next president and CEO.
“(Frost) isn’t only a community leader, he’s also a friend,” Webster said in a press release. “We’ve worked together for many years on some of the most important initiatives that have shaped our region. As I prepare for my retirement, I am pleased to know that (Frost) will be assuming the interim leadership of this great organization. I will be working with him over the next couple of months to ensure a smooth transition.”
“The Greater chamber has a 132-year history of leading our business community, so it’s an honor to be a small part of continuing that legacy,” Frost said in a news release. “I look forward to partnering with our members to advocate for policies and projects that will positively impact our local military commands, infrastructure, economic development, workforce and quality of life.”
