Monthly Chamber Luncheon - February 2026

Description

March Matters: 
What You Need to Know About the 2026 Primaries

In Texas, the March primary election is often the most consequential election of the cycle, yet it is also the least understood and least participated in. In many districts, the primary effectively determines who will hold office, shaping policy outcomes that directly affect businesses, employees, and local communities.

Join March Matters co-founders Deirdre Walsh and Marjorie Clifton for a practical, nonpartisan briefing designed specifically for Central Texas business and civic leaders. This session will explain why March matters in Texas, what is at stake for employers and inclusive workplaces, and how organizations can engage employees and members with credible, nonpartisan civic education without taking political positions.

This presentation is informational, business-focused, and designed to help leaders navigate civic engagement with confidence and clarity.

📍 Hotel Indigo
📅 Thursday, February 5
🕦 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
🎤 Featuring Deirdre Walsh & Marjorie Clifton

What You Will Learn

Why Texas primary elections have outsized impact on policy and leadership outcomes

How low primary turnout affects issues important to businesses, including workforce, education, healthcare access, and economic development

Why employees are bringing more civic and political questions into the workplace

How nonpartisan civic education can support employee trust, inclusion, and organizational culture

How March Matters provides free, ready-to-use tools for organizations, employers, and community groups

About March Matters

March Matters is a nonpartisan Texas initiative that helps people understand and participate in primaries. The group provides free toolkits, weekly briefings, and live updates that organizations can share with employees, members, and communities without endorsing candidates or parties.

Who Should Attend

Business leaders and executives

HR, DEI, and communications professionals

Chamber members and community leaders

Speakers 

Deirdre Walsh
Founder and CEO, In Good Company Institute

Deirdre Walsh is the founder of the In Good Company Institute, where she helps employers build civic-minded workplace cultures that strengthen trust and lead to better business outcomes. She brings more than twenty years of leadership experience across technology, marketing, and HR, including leading global marketing for a billion-dollar semiconductor company and guiding communications for a Silicon Valley IPO. Her work has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal, the Federal Reserve, Meta, and Gartner.

Marjorie Clifton
Managing Partner, In Good Company Institute

Marjorie Clifton brings more than two decades of experience as a strategic communications expert working with corporations, nonprofit organizations, and federal agencies. She helps leaders navigate complex communications and policy challenges, particularly around DEI, brand risk, and organizational culture. Marjorie is also a nationally recognized media commentator, appearing regularly on CNN, Fox, NBC, MSNBC, and PBS. 

Chamber Luncheons:

Enjoy great food, meaningful networking, and opportunities to collaborate and grow your business within our vibrant community. Each luncheon features a dynamic speaker, including community leaders and elected officials, who connect small businesses with valuable resources and insights.