Written by: Colleen Frein, Greater Mason City Chamber of Commerce
I’m still smiling. Last month, our team stood on a stage in New Orleans as the Greater Mason City Chamber of Commerce was named the 2026 ACCE Chamber of the Year. It was one of those moments that is hard to put into words. We were proud, a little overwhelmed, and incredibly grateful.
As I watched our staff celebrate, I couldn’t help but think about everything that led us there. The long days. The big ideas. The willingness to try something new. The teamwork. This award reflects an amazing staff that shows up every single day with passion, creativity, and a genuine desire to make our community better. I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished.
But this award isn’t just about our staff. It’s about all of us. It belongs to every business that invests in the Chamber, every volunteer who says yes, every community partner who pulls up a chair, and every member who believes that we’re greater when we work together. You helped write this story.
As we flew home, we kept asking ourselves one question: How do we celebrate this with everyone? The answer was easy.
Inspired by our trip to New Orleans, this year’s Annual Meeting is getting a Big Easy makeover! Our theme will be “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” (That’s French for “Let the Good Times Roll!”) We’ll still honor our Business, Boss, and Young Professional of the Year winners, but we’ll also celebrate the people who made Chamber of the Year possible: our members, our volunteers, our partners, and our community. And we’ll do it all in New Orleans style!
I hope you’ll join us this October. After all, accomplishments like this are meant to be celebrated together. Let the good times roll!!