Written by: Colleen Frein, Greater Mason City Chamber of Commerce
This year’s ACCE Annual Convention in New Orleans was one I’ll never forget. I’m incredibly proud to share that the Greater Mason City Chamber of Commerce was named the 2026 Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. This is the highest honor in our profession, recognizing excellence in operations, member service, and community leadership among chambers from across the country.
While receiving this award was an unforgettable moment, what it truly represents is years of work by an incredible team, an engaged Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers, and members who continually challenge us to be better. Every program we launch, every partnership we build, and every difficult conversation we facilitate starts with one question: How can we create more value for our business community? This recognition affirms that approach.
The week was filled with other milestones that made me equally proud.
I had the opportunity to present a conference session highlighting the role chambers can play in addressing child care challenges. Sharing the story of Child Care Works with chamber leaders from across the country reminded me that while every community is different, the willingness to bring people together to solve difficult problems is something every chamber can embrace. It was exciting to showcase the innovative work happening right here in North Iowa.
I also officially began my service on the ACCE Board of Directors. It is a tremendous honor to help shape the future of our profession while bringing the perspective of a mid-sized Midwest chamber to conversations happening on a national level. I look forward to representing not only our organization, but small communities like ours across the country.
Another highlight was celebrating Allyson Krull as she graduated from ACCE’s inaugural NextGen Leadership program. Watching Allyson grow through this experience has been incredibly rewarding, and her graduation reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in the next generation of chamber leaders.
As exciting as this recognition is, awards are never the finish line. They are a reminder to keep learning, keep improving, and keep asking what’s next.
Thank you for believing in our work and for allowing us to represent Mason City and North Iowa on a national stage. We are proud to bring this honor home, and even more excited about what
comes next.