Central Texas chambers announce 2026 Korea summit in Taylor

Three regional chambers will host the 2026 Central Texas-Korea Summit on Aug. 26 in Taylor to deepen business ties between Central Texas and South Korea. The event is aimed at connecting companies, officials and investors as Korean capital continues to reshape the region’s manufacturing, semiconductor and infrastructure landscape.

Why it matters: - Central Texas is trying to turn rising Korean investment into longer-term jobs, supply chain links and business growth. - The summit is meant to help regional leaders and global companies build relationships in one of the fastest-growing parts of Texas. - The event also signals that Williamson County and surrounding communities are positioning themselves as a stronger destination for international investment.

What happened: - The Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce and Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce announced the 2026 Central Texas-Korea Summit. - The summit is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - The event will be held at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor, Texas. - Registration is set at $20 for general admission. - The summit is in its second year.

The details: - Organizers say the summit is designed to strengthen economic partnerships between Central Texas and South Korea. - The agenda will center on cross-border business, regional economic development, infrastructure, smart cities, energy, workforce development and a stronger Texas-Korea business ecosystem. - Speakers include Kyung-Eun Lee, consul general of the Republic of Korea in Houston. - Other featured speakers include Williamson County Judge Steve Snell and Samsung Austin Semiconductor President Bon-Young Koo. - The summit will also include keynote presentations, panel discussions and networking sessions. - Organizers say the networking is meant to connect business leaders, international organizations, elected officials and economic development professionals. - The event is open to business leaders, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, investors, public officials, educators, economic development professionals and community members. - Event information and registration are available on the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce event page.

Between the lines: - The three-chamber partnership shows how local business groups are coordinating across city lines to compete for global capital. - The summit’s focus on manufacturing, semiconductors and infrastructure reflects the sectors driving much of Central Texas’ recent economic momentum. - Mark Duval, president and CEO of GAACC, called the summit a sign of “incredible synergy” between local communities and global partners and said it points to supply chain resilience and shared prosperity.

What's next: - The summit should give regional officials and companies a venue to pitch projects, build contacts and explore new investment opportunities. - If the event draws a strong turnout, it could become a recurring platform for Texas-Korea business ties and broader regional development. - The chambers are also using the summit to reinforce Central Texas’ message that the region is ready for more international business.

The bottom line: - Central Texas is leaning into its growing ties with South Korea, and the August summit is the latest signal that local chambers want a bigger role in shaping that international business pipeline.