Celebrating 25 Years of Service to Galveston
Expanding and Diversifying Galveston's Employment & Tax Bases
2026 Annual Meeting & Casino Night Recap
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors:
Bar Sponsor: Del Papa Distributing Company Game Sponsor: HomeTown Bank Music Sponsor: Terracon
Their partnership plays a direct role in advancing economic development efforts on Galveston Island, and we are grateful for their commitment to this community.
Thank You to Our Raffle Prize Donors
We also extend our appreciation to Moody Gardens, The Tremont House, and all who contributed raffle prizes, making the evening even more memorable.
Looking Ahead
Casino Night 2026 was a testament to what happens when Galveston's business community comes together. We're already looking forward to next year.
Thank you to everyone who attended, sponsored, and supported this event. Your investment in Galveston's future makes all the difference.
The Grand 1894 Opera House came alive on February 19 as GEDP hosted its 2026 Annual Meeting & Casino Night — and it was a night to remember.
Over 150 business and community leaders gathered for an evening of casino-style table games, live music, and networking, all in support of economic development on Galveston Island.
The energy in the room was undeniable. From the casino tables to the raffle drawings, guests connected with fellow community members while contributing to GEDP's mission of growing Galveston's economy.
Thank You To Our Sponsors
GCIT Business Resiliency Workshop
Prepare Today. Protect Tomorrow.
As our region faces increasing disaster risks, the Galveston Center for Innovation and Technology is bringing together local leaders, industry experts, and business owners for a practical, forward-looking conversation on preparedness.
The Business Resiliency Workshop is designed to help you strengthen your strategies, reduce risk, and ensure your business is ready for the upcoming hurricane season and beyond.
Join us for expert-led presentations, real-world guidance, and the chance to connect with regional leaders and fellow business owners who understand the challenges of operating on the Gulf Coast.
Event Details
Thursday, May 21, 2026 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM (CDT) William C. Levin Hall on the UTMB Campus 1006 Market Street, Galveston, TX 77550
Registration — $50 Includes access to all presentations, networking, exhibitor hall entry, and breakfast.
Exhibitor Booths — $100 Showcase your organization and connect directly with attendees. Includes one table and one complimentary registration.
Sponsorship Available Breakfast Sponsor opportunities are available for organizations seeking prominent recognition. Contact us for details.
Event Contact Kelsey Malan (409) 770-0216 malan@gedp.org
A Record-Breaking Summit. A Shared Vision for Galveston’s Future.
The Galveston Economic Development Partnership (GEDP) and the Galveston Center for Innovation and Transformation (GCIT) extend our sincere appreciation to the hundreds of attendees, sponsors, and partners who made the 13th Annual Economic Development Summit — Investing in Galveston a resounding success.
This year’s Summit was completely sold out — every table, ticket, and exhibitor space reserved — marking the most well-attended event in GEDP history. The energy, ideas, and engagement throughout the day reflected Galveston’s momentum and its growing role as a regional economic leader.
More than a forum, the Summit has become a catalyst — uniting leaders from business, government, education, healthcare, and the nonprofit sectors to exchange ideas and build partnerships that shape the island’s economic future. Together, we explored the opportunities and challenges that define Galveston’s growth — from workforce development and housing to healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, and innovation.
Our Heartfelt Thanks to Our 2025 Summit Sponsors
Keynote Sponsor
City of Galveston
Industrial Development Corporation
Luncheon Sponsors
Frost Bank
Galveston-Texas City Pilots
Falcontail Marketing & Design
Galveston Independent School District
Galveston Restaurant Group
Galveston-Texas City Pilots
GB Tech
Gulf Copper Drydock & Rig Repair
Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP
Branded Conference Tote Sponsor
HomeTown Bank
VIP Reception Sponsors
G Squared Private Wealth
Bassett Family Interests
Galveston Restaurant Group
Pioneer
Innovator
Accelerator
Entrepreneur
Hensel Phelps
J.W. Kelso Company, Inc.
Joe Tramonte Realty, Inc.
Kirby Advertising
McCoy’s Building Supply
O’Connor Tax Reduction Experts
Sullivan Brothers Family of Companies
Presenting Gift Sponsor
Moody Bank
Breakfast Sponsors
Port of Galveston / Galveston Wharves
Hensel Phelps
Marie Robb for Mayor
Gulf Copper Drydock & Rig Repair
Teichman Group
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Texas First Bank
The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center
The Tremont House
Titan Technologies
Tolunay-Wong Engineers
GEDP Developer Profile 2024
As part of our Annual Economic Development Summit, the GEDP publishes the Developer Profile. This comprehensive publication offers in-depth demographic and statistical data on Galveston and its key industry sectors, while also spotlighting current, upcoming, and recently completed projects and developments.
Welcome New Members
As a member of the GEDP, you are now part of a private, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the economic future of our entire community — from expanding employment opportunities and growing the tax base to creating a pro-business climate that attracts new investment to our Island. Your membership plays a vital role in driving that mission forward. Through participation in our critical task forces, you will have a direct hand in shaping the strategies and plans that make Galveston a thriving place to live, work, and do business.
New Member Highlight
Welcome: The San Luis Resort – Galveston, TX
A flagship of Galveston’s hospitality economy, The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center joins GEDP as a 32‑acre beachfront destination known for elevated service and year‑round appeal. The San Luis has held the AAA Four Diamond designation since 1999 and offers a mix of luxury rooms and suites—250 guest rooms, each with a private balcony—along with signature dining concepts like The Steakhouse, Grotto, and Blake’s Bistro. The resort is part of the Landry’s family of hospitality brands rooted in the Gulf Coast.
Beyond leisure, The San Luis is a powerhouse for meetings and events. Across the resort complex, planners can access ~200,000 sq. ft. of meeting facilities, ~700 adjacent guest rooms, and ten restaurants, anchored by an IACC‑accredited conference center. Connected to the property is the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort—140,000 sq. ft. with a 43,100‑sq.‑ft. Exhibit hall, 15,500‑sq.‑ft. Grand ballroom, and 12,000 sq. ft. of breakout space overlooking the Gulf. Together, this capacity supports year‑round group business and “shoulder‑season” visitation that benefits local employers and small businesses alike.
The San Luis also celebrates Galveston’s heritage—its dramatic siting incorporates the historic Fort Crockett battery structures—and continues to invest in amenities that keep visitors returning, from The Cove's tropical pool with private cabanas to the secluded Villas at The San Luis for ultra-private stays. We’re proud to welcome a member that embodies both place and progress.
Visit The San Luis Resort online at https://www.sanluisresort.com/
The GEDP supports existing and new businesses by providing the infrastructure to be globally competitive.
Since 1999, through the public-private membership base of the GEDP, assistance has been provided, including demographic and socioeconomic information, utilization of a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) for project development activities, maintenance of an information clearinghouse and economic climate assessments that have been made available to those seeking to make Galveston a better place.
Priority areas of investment include those projects capable of expanding or enhancing the core industries for the Galveston economic base: Maritime, Tourism, Education, Healthcare, and Emerging Technologies.
Maximizing Galveston’s human, natural, and financial resources, the GEDP remains committed to facilitating quality projects that work to expand Galveston’s employment and tax bases. Galveston is an island of opportunity and the GEDP looks forward to working with you on future projects.