Dear Members,

As we conclude the first quarter of 2026, we are energized by the strong start to the year and the meaningful progress we’ve made together on behalf of Fort Worth’s business community. Building on the momentum of 2025, your Chamber has remained focused on leadership, advocacy, and delivering value to our members while positioning our community for long-term success.

This quarter has been marked by new board leadership, impactful conversations, and continued engagement on the issues that matter most to Fort Worth’s economic future. Below are a few highlights from the first quarter:

New Leadership: Welcoming Our 2026 Board
In January, we proudly seated our new Executive Board and Board of Directors. We are especially excited to welcome our new Chairman, Mike Micallef, a local business leader and dedicated advocate for the Fort Worth business community. His leadership, along with the strength and expertise of our full board, positions the Chamber for a dynamic and impactful year ahead.

Economic Impact Forum: Spotlight on Sports and Industry
Also in January, we hosted our quarterly Economic Impact Forum, bringing together a distinguished panel of leaders to discuss the vital role sports play in our local economy. A key focus was the equestrian industry, which—along with major events like the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo—generates millions of dollars in annual economic activity for our region. The timing of this discussion, just ahead of the Stock Show and Rodeo, underscored the significance of these industries to Fort Worth’s continued growth and national recognition.

Energy Council: Insights on a Changing Landscape
Our Energy Council convened this quarter for a timely and informative briefing from energy experts at the Federal Reserve. The discussion provided valuable perspective on national and global developments and their implications for Texas’s energy sector. These insights help ensure our members remain informed and prepared in an ever-evolving economic environment.

Workforce Development: Addressing the Skills Gap
In February, we hosted Build Your Fort Worth: Workforce Summit at Texas Wesleyan University, where industry leaders engaged in candid conversations about workforce challenges—particularly the “skills gap” impacting talent recruitment. Employers shared that, in addition to technical capabilities, there is a growing need for “soft skills” such as communication, adaptability, and teamwork. The discussion also highlighted innovative strategies organizations are implementing to close these gaps and strengthen their talent pipelines.

Celebrating Our Legacy and Future: 144th Annual Meeting
This quarter, we also proudly hosted our 144th Annual Meeting, centered on the theme “Legacy-Driven, Future-Focused.” The event brought together hundreds of attendees from across the business and civic community for an inspiring celebration of Fort Worth’s past, present, and future.

We honored our city’s rich legacy by recognizing locally-founded companies that have been operating in Fort Worth for more than 100 years—organizations that have helped shape the foundation of our local economy.  At the same time, we looked ahead, sharing our vision for what a “modern chamber” looks like and how we continue to evolve to meet the needs of a dynamic and growing city. The strong attendance and enthusiastic engagement made this a very popular gathering.

Education Advocacy: A Continued Commitment
The Chamber remains actively engaged on the issue of the State of Texas’ intervention in Fort Worth ISD. We continue to advocate for strong partnerships and meaningful solutions that improve outcomes for all students. Our position remains clear: Fort Worth cannot reach its full potential as a community unless every student has access to—and achieves—their fullest educational opportunities. We are committed to being a constructive and consistent voice in this effort and to work alongside district leadership and the broader community to achieve success.

Strategic Planning: Shaping the Future of the Chamber
Beginning late last year and continuing through this quarter, we have been deeply engaged in our strategic planning process. This effort includes hundreds of stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and surveys and will result in a three-year roadmap designed to ensure the Chamber evolves alongside the needs of our growing and dynamic community.  Through this work, we are focused on sharpening our impact, enhancing member value, and reinforcing our role as a catalyst for economic growth and community success.

Looking Ahead
As we move further into 2026, we do so with confidence and purpose. The work underway—from leadership development and workforce conversations to education advocacy and long-term planning—reflects our commitment to serving you and strengthening Fort Worth’s future.

Thank you for your continued engagement, partnership, and investment in the Fort Worth Chamber. We are proud to serve as your voice and look forward to all we will accomplish together in the months ahead.

Warm regards,
Steve