State of the Commons 2026: HIC End-of-Year Gathering & Social

Houston’s largest AI community keeps growing and our October meetup is tackling a topic on everyone's mind: How do we rollout and manage AI safely. Free Parking will be provided courtesy of Nimble! AI adoption brings practical questions: What data can your team safely share? Who decides which tools and models to use? And how do you put guardrails in place while giving people room to experiment? Join Houston AI Club on October 1 for a panel exploring how organizations can balance AI’s opportunities with cybersecurity and governance responsibilities. Whether you’re leading AI adoption, responsible for security, or figuring out where to start, come for practical perspectives and a conversation with Houston’s AI community. Event Details October 1st, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CST 17th Floor (The Majestic) at 801 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002 Schedule 6:00 - 6:25 PM: Check-in, Refreshments and Networking 6:30 - 6:35 PM Announcements & What’s new in AI this month 6:35 - 7:45 PM: PaneI With 4 featured AI Governance & Cybersecurity Experts 7:45 - 8:00 PM: Q&A with speakers, Wrap-up, and Networking Parking Instructions (VERY IMPORTANT) Parking is available in the 801 Travis St garage off Rusk St and will be free and validated with a QR code during the presentations when you attend the event. The entrance to the parking garage is off Rusk street. 1. Google Maps and Park in the "801 Travis St Garage" (any floor after 5:30 PM) 2. Walk to the center of the garage and scan the Metropolis Parking QR Code (discount code will be provided during the meetup) 3. Take elevators down to the G floor 4. Walk across the hallway to the other elevators which will take you to the 17th floor Arrival Time & Refreshments Please arrive as close to 6:00 PM as possible. We'll have a brief period for food and networking, then begin presentations promptly at 6:30 PM. We will be serving sandwiches, chips, cookies, and a fruit tray for all attendees.

What are you working on right now? A website? An app? A WordPress project? An automation? A side project? A business idea? Something that worked surprisingly well, or something that absolutely refuses to work? For this meetup, you are the speakers. Bring your laptop and show us one of your current projects. It does not need to be finished, polished, or even working correctly. In fact, unfinished projects are especially welcome. If you want to present, take 5–10 minutes and tell us: What are you building? Why are you building it? What tools, technologies, or platforms are you using? What have you learned so far? What is working well? Where are you stuck? Then we'll open the discussion to the group. Maybe someone has already solved the problem you're facing. Maybe another person knows a better tool or approach. Maybe your project sparks an idea for someone else, or you'll find someone interested in collaborating. ## You don't have to be a programmer Projects can involve web development, software engineering, WordPress, AI, data, design, automation, hardware, cloud platforms, no-code/low-code tools, digital marketing, SEO, or something completely different. You also don't have to present anything to attend. Come see what other Houston-area builders are working on, ask questions, offer suggestions, and join the conversation. ## Bring the messy version This isn't a startup pitch competition or a showcase of perfectly finished products. Built, building, or stuck, we want to see it. Bring your laptop. Bring your project. Bring your questions. Let's see what Houston is building. RSVP today and secure your spot! Address: Improving, 10111 Richmond Ave. # 100 · Houston, TX If you are late or find the doors are locked, call us, knock on the 1st or 2nd window to the left of the entrance, or send us a message. Join us and be part of a community passionate about learning, sharing, and growing together. See you there! P.S. When you come to Improving, don't forget to

Think Like a Founder is a 2.5-hour session where Shell's team will learn how startup founders think, prioritize, and move. You'll hear from 6–7 founders sharing real stories about navigating uncertainty, ruthless prioritization, rapid experimentation, and the decision-making behaviors that define startup culture. There is a first (10K) and second place (2.5K) cash prize for competing founders. What to Expect Breakfast and Coffee Bar Welcome Introductory Remarks & Context Greentown's Senior Director of Partnerships will frame the session around how startup founders make decisions, manage uncertainty, and drive speed. Founder Presentations 6-7 startups will share specific stories and insights on: (1) what startups do well that corporations should adopt, (2) what corporate partnerships bring real value, and (3) how to act decisively with incomplete information. Voting & Award Presentation Shell and Greentown Voting Committee will decide on the first place prize, and the audience will vote for the second place prize - The Choice of the Public award! Lunch Enjoy lunch and mingle with presenters and Shell's team.

Upstream: Digital Tech Meetup 🍻 Houston's monthly gathering for professionals working at the intersection of energy, operations, and technology. Our community brings together operators, engineers, geoscientists, founders, software developers, automation specialists, offshore professionals, marine and subsea experts, and technology leaders from across the upstream energy ecosystem. Whether you're working in oil & gas, offshore operations, marine and subsea systems, drilling, production, geothermal, natural hydrogen, automation, software, AI, data analytics, or other emerging technologies, you'll find people facing many of the same challenges and opportunities. Why We Started This Meetup Most industry events follow a familiar format: a presentation, a panel, a luncheon, or a conference session. They're valuable, but they don't always leave much time to meet new people, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships. We wanted to create something different. A place where people could have real conversations in a relaxed setting. A place where operators, innovators, and technology professionals could connect without needing a stage, a slide deck, or a formal agenda. That's what this community has become. Every month, 30 to 35 professionals from across the upstream energy industry come together to share experiences, discuss challenges, explore new ideas, and expand their networks over a beer and a slice of pizza. What to Expect • Meet professionals from across the upstream energy ecosystem • Connect with people driving technology adoption, operational improvement, and innovation • Exchange ideas, lessons learned, and perspectives from the field • Build meaningful relationships in a casual, vendor-light environment • Enjoy conversations that continue long after the event ends This isn't a networking event built around sales pitches or presentations. It's a community built around conversations, shared experiences, lessons learned, and genuine connections. No presentati

Flat Fee, Advice Only, and Hourly Financial Planners (or those interested in being one) are meeting up in Houston, Texas!