Houston

Why business is bigger -and better-in Texas

- STORY BY ELLEN CARPENTER

HOUSTON MAY BE best known as the energy capital of the world, home to Fortune 500 giants such as Chevron and ConocoPhillips. But the city's true energy comes from its people—a diverse, dynamic population that fuels one of the country’s most exciting food scenes, a vibrant arts and sports culture, and top-tier universities like Rice. It's also a global leader in aerospace innovation, with NASA’s Johnson Space Center anchoring a thriving tech economy. Visitors are clearly taking note: In 2024, the nation’s fourth-largest city welcomed a record 54 million people who spent nearly $11 billion. For business travelers, that means deals by day and discoveries by night. Houston isn't just a place to work—it's a city that rewards sticking around.

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