Dear Members,

Wrapping up the second quarter of 2026, I’m pleased to share an update on the work your Fort Worth Chamber has been leading on behalf of our members and the broader business community. This quarter brought meaningful progress in strategic planning, workforce development, advocacy, education engagement, and member connectivity—all focused on strengthening Fort Worth’s economic future.

Strategic Planning: Building the Chamber’s Future

One of our most important initiatives this year remains the development of the Chamber’s new three-year strategic plan. During the second quarter, we made significant progress toward creating a roadmap that will guide the Chamber’s priorities and investments through 2029.

The plan is expected to focus on workforce and talent development, small business support, and advocacy—areas consistently identified as priorities by our members and community stakeholders. We are grateful to the hundreds of members, business leaders, and community partners who have contributed their time and insights throughout this process. We look forward to sharing the final plan later this year.

Workforce Development: Strengthening Talent Pipelines

Workforce development remains one of the Chamber’s highest priorities. This June, we partnered with the Texas Association of Business and Siemens USA to host a workforce roundtable focused on strengthening talent pipelines and addressing workforce challenges facing employers across Texas.

The event featured an outstanding panel of leaders, including Siemens USA CEO Ann Fairchild, Siemens President and Regional CEO Barry Powell, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, Tarrant County College Chancellor Dr. Elva LeBlanc, and Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza. The discussion reinforced the importance of collaboration among employers, educators, and policymakers to ensure Fort Worth remains competitive in attracting and developing the talent needed to support continued growth.

Read a recap of the discussion here.

Advocacy in Action: Fort Worth Chamber D.C. Fly-In

Advocacy remains central to the Chamber’s mission, and one of our most impactful efforts this quarter was our D.C. Fly-In in April.

Dozens of Chamber members joined us on Capitol Hill to meet with key legislators and members of the North Texas Congressional delegation. Discussions focused on federal priorities affecting our business community, including permitting reform, small business tax policy, and other issues critical to economic competitiveness and growth.

These meetings provided members with direct access to policymakers while ensuring Fort Worth’s business community continues to have a strong voice in Washington. View some images from the event here.

Education and Community Leadership

In April, we welcomed Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata at an Investors Breakfast, where he shared his vision for improving educational outcomes and strengthening district performance.

The business community has a vested interest in the success of our public schools, and we appreciate Dr. Licata’s commitment to engaging with Chamber members as we work together to support the future workforce of our region.

Welcoming New Leadership

We were also pleased to welcome Lori Baldock, President – Fort Worth Market for Simmons Bank, as Vice Chair of the Chamber’s Executive Board of Directors.

Lori has long been a dedicated supporter of both the Chamber and the Fort Worth community. We are grateful for her leadership and look forward to the contributions she will make in this important role.

Connecting Business and Community

The Chamber continued to convene events, councils, and industry gatherings designed to strengthen relationships, foster meaningful dialogue, and support business success across our community.

Second-quarter highlights include:

• Our State of Economic Impact Forum, which examined the significant investments life sciences and healthcare leaders are making and their impact on our local economy and community well-being.

• A 2026 Bond Election Briefing that helped business leaders better understand the initiatives included in the city’s bond referendum and their long-term impact on Fort Worth’s future.

• A roundtable discussion co-hosted with the U.S. House Committee on Small Business and Congressman Roger Williams, focusing on opportunities and challenges local businesses may experience as North Texas prepares to host FIFA World Cup-related events.

• Our annual Small Business Appreciation Walk, during which more than 130 volunteers visited hundreds of small businesses across the community to gather feedback, better understand challenges, and identify ways the Chamber can provide additional support.

• An Investors Council meeting featuring State Representative John McQueeney, who shared insights on issues expected to be considered during the next Texas legislative session and discussed policies that support business growth and economic opportunity.

In addition to these events, the Chamber hosted numerous networking opportunities, council meetings, and leadership discussions that delivered value to members and strengthened connections throughout our business community.

Looking Ahead

As we enter the second half of 2026, we remain focused on advancing our priorities and delivering meaningful value to our members. We look forward to a busy summer and fall filled with impactful programs, advocacy initiatives, and opportunities for engagement.

A key milestone ahead will be finalizing our new Three-Year Strategic Plan and securing Board approval. We are excited to share this roadmap and begin implementing the priorities that will guide the Chamber’s work in the years ahead.

This summer, we will also work closely with our Government Affairs Committee to develop the Chamber’s policy agenda for the upcoming 90th Texas Legislature. This agenda will serve as the foundation for our advocacy efforts in Austin as we continue promoting a strong business climate in Fort Worth and across Texas.

Thank you for your continued partnership, engagement, and investment in the Fort Worth Chamber. Together, we are building a stronger business community and a brighter future for Fort Worth.

Warm regards,

Steve