Meetings and Events Houston | The Petroleum Club/Jeremie Millwee

The spectacular skyline views serve as the backdrop of many corporate meeting, galas, wedding receptions, medical conferences, personal birthdays and anniversary dinners.

The Petroleum Club/Jeremie Millwee

Petroleum Club of Houston

The Petroleum Club mixes modern amenities with old-world charm to create a dynamic and highly-regarded Houston locale. This private, member-owned club was founded in 1946 and was originally located on top of the Rice Hotel. Initially the club was created as a place for men in the oil industry to conduct business and socialize. In 1963, the club moved to its’ current location on the top three floors of the ExxonMobil building. As the times changed, so did the club. Today it is a sophisticated meeting place, for both men and women, with a growing membership roster that now includes legal, business, medical, diplomatic and educational leaders throughout the city.

Jeremie Millwee is no stranger to the meetings and events industry. A native Texan and Texas Tech Red Raider, she spent her early years in Lubbock. After graduating with a BA in Marketing, she moved to Houston where she began her hospitality career at the Doctors’ Club of Houston. She then took on a new endeavor with The Houston Club where she spent five years gaining valuable experience arranging everything from corporate business meetings to delicate and intricate weddings. In June 2005, she joined the Petroleum Club as the Director of Catering.

The Petroleum Club has gained a reputation as an exquisite backdrop for meetings and events. The club has been featured in numerous social and historical publications since its’ inauguration in the forties. Recently, many of the club’s events have been photographed for Weddings in Houston, Bride’s Houston and the Houston Chronicle.

Below Millwee shares her expertise on the Petroleum Club, the meetings and events industry and living and working in Houston.

What has enabled the Petroleum Club to be successful for so many years?
We have been successful by focusing on the things that matter to our members and clients – good service, great food and personal attention. We also understand the need for change and have allowed the club to evolve with the times. We now have a very successful Young Professionals Association and we offer wireless internet access throughout the club. We are continually updating the décor, as well as constantly updating the menu. While change is important, we also respect the history and traditions of the club. For example, the beautiful leather paneled walls and stained wood walls are still the color of oil – a rich, deep brown. Those things we will never change!

What types of event are held at the Petroleum Club?
We have the capabilities to host any meeting or event. We often produce corporate meetings, galas, wedding receptions, medical conferences, personal birthdays and anniversary dinners.

What makes the Petroleum Club a unique place to hold meetings and events?
Our impeccable attention to detail and the diversity that we offer our members and clients makes us a unique venue for meetings and events. We offer 10 private rooms, with space for 4 to 400 people. This gives our clients many different options. Our ability to offer rooms that fit many different needs makes us an appealing venue for meetings of all sizes. Nine of our ten private rooms have floor to ceiling windows, showcasing one of the best views in downtown Houston.

Why should meeting planners keep their meetings and events at Houston locations?
Houston is a great city! Downtown Houston, in particular, is seeing a great surge of new businesses, green space, restaurants, apartments and town homes. It’s a great time to conduct business in Houston!

How does the Petroleum Club differentiate itself from other meeting and event options in Houston?
The club offers a personal touch that is hard to find in most restaurants or meeting facilities. Many members of our staff have been with the club for 15 years or more and they know our clientele by name. The club’s Executive Chef, Manuel Morfin, has been creating wonderful cuisine at the club for more than 25 years. Our combined experience assures that our clients and members enjoy every visit to the club.

What is your favorite dish on the menu?
The Gumbo! It is a staple on our lunch buffet and the most requested item by our catering clients.

How important is networking to the success of the Petroleum Club?
I am a firm believer that referrals are the best form of advertisement. If you are not out networking, then your business is not out there. I am the current President of the Houston Chapter of NACE (National Association of Catering Executives), where networking is the ultimate goal.

What are the Petroleum Club’s goals for the future?
We strive to remain one of the premier private event venues in the city! We are also looking forward to another year of membership growth.

Jeremie Millwee
Director of Catering
The Petroleum Club