Recently, an intimate group of professionals representing myriad local industries and sectors gathered for an intimate soft launch of InnovationMap. The newest site from Gow Media and the team behind CultureMap, InnovationMap will shine a spotlight on innovation in Houston within startups, tech, health, energy, social impact, and more.
In addition to thoughtful news stories, InnovationMap will profile leaders within the industry and feature thought leadership content from guest contributors, as well as partner content.
The crowd of business, civic, media, and cultural leaders packed the home of Gow Media CEO David Gow for the soiree. The lively group included Bill McKeon, CEO of the Texas Medical Center; Mark Montgomery of BBVA Compass Bank; Dominique Sachse of Channel 2; style master Ceron of Ceron Hair Studio; Urbane Society entrepreneur Nick Florescu; and creative consultant Brad Deutser. They were joined by Gow Media celebs such as ESPN 97.5’s Fred Faour, A.J. Hoffman, and Charlie Pallilo.
Guests feasted on a sumptuous grand display from Tony’s, boasting imported cheeses and meats from Italy, house-made breads and crostinis, and spectacular mini deserts — highlighted by Donna Vallone’s biscotti. Partygoers also noshed on Tony’s menu items, such as Hudson Valley foie gras “Cotton Candy,” saffron-cured yellowtail with Osetra caviar with blood orange beurre blanc, avocado pancakes with jumbo lump crabmeat and pico de gallo, and Crescent Island duck confit stuffed pasta with Norcia Black Truffles and parmigiano stravecchio. The fare was washed down with a vast selection of wine and spirits, including Napa wines from Stark Advantage and whiskeys from Glenfiddich and Balvenie.
Gow welcomed the group, recognizing sponsors and representatives from BBVA Compass, Baker Botts, Briggs & Veselka Co., Acme Party and Tent, Tony’s, Stark Advantage wines, and Glenfiddich. He also introduced editorial director Arden Ward and InnovationMap’s editor, Natalie Harms.
“Houston’s a great city to do business in, and it’s great to have a single place to go to, where people can see what’s going on in the city, relative to innovation — in all walks, it can be innovation, medical, you name it,” BBVA’s Montgomery says of InnovationMap. “It’s an exciting way to bring everyone together to make this city even better.”
InnovationMap will officially launch November 15, but you can keep up with the latest developments on Twitter and Instagram.
Lara Estephen and Marissa Lucas.
