CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chamber of Commerce
Serving North Iowa
The Chamber is a membership-based organization more than 650 strong whose members provide more than 16,000 jobs in the region. The Chamber works for the success of its members, and strives to promote and educate to ensure the future growth of North Iowa.
ACCE Chamber of the Year
North Iowa businesses and residents can be proud to know they are home to one of the preeminent business organizations in the country. The Mason City Chamber of Commerce was named the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Chamber of the Year in 2022. ACCE is based in Alexandria, Virginia, and represents over 9,000 professionals who work for more than 1,600 chambers of commerce around the world.
Chamber of the Year is the most prestigious and competitive award presented annually by ACCE. It recognizes the leadership role chambers have in their communities. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on key community priorities, such as workforce attraction, infrastructure, economic prosperity, and quality of life.
Mason City was recognized for its outstanding financial strength and controls, operational performance, and, above all, community impact. The Community Concierge service and Building CommUNITY initiative were two programs that stood out among the rest.
This honor has garnered attention from other communities around the nation who are trying to emulate Mason City’s success. In 2023, a delegation from Indiana spent several days in North Iowa to study the community’s progress and work to replicate it in their area.
Mission and Vision
The Chamber’s mission is to promote progressive community and economic development to benefit Chamber members and the North Iowa region.
VISION
The Chamber’s vision is grounded in its mission. To this end, the organization works to develop a region with well-designed community programs and economic development best practices that assist free enterprise to create jobs and prosperity. Tomorrow’s headlines will be the product of actions taken today behind the scenes to keep North Iowa vibrant.
LEADERSHIP
The Chamber of Commerce provides leadership on key issues and strategic policy recommendations to stimulate economic growth in North Iowa. Such growth is achieved by creating an environment conducive to business success – which leads to job expansion and increased state and local revenues.
ADVOCACY
The Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)6 organization. They are non-partisan, but do take positions on issues at the local, state and federal level to stimulate economic growth opportunities for local business. They challenge elected officials to be responsible stewards of taxpayer money, and to invest in programs and policies that will enable North Iowa to grow. ➝
North Iowa Regional Commerce Center
The Business Hub
Members of the Chamber of Commerce have the option to use the many amenities of the North Iowa Regional Commerce Center.
• Use of meeting rooms is available to members free-of-charge, and the special events room, patio and board room can be reserved for a small charge.
• Spacious, climate-controlled storage units are available for off-site records storage and other needs.
• Beautiful, well-appointed serviced offices are rented by the hour, day, week or month.
Chamber Programming
Members of the Chamber are very active in the overall success of the organization. Staff members work with volunteers to carry out a number of programs to strengthen the business community.
Ambassadors
The Chamber Ambassadors promote goodwill on behalf of the organization by calling on new members, new businesses, and new managers; performing ribbon-cuttings and ground breaking ceremonies; and participating in Chamber events.
Educational & Networking Opportunities
The Program Committee provides fun networking opportunities by planning and organizing functions such as Business After Hours, Operation Thank You, Moonlight Bike Ride, and the annual Chamber Golf Outing. They also organize speakers for the Breaking Glass Women’s Leadership Series.
Recognizing the importance of agriculture to the North Iowa economy, the Agribusiness Committee sponsors the annual Ag Breakfast, Ag Tour, and provides scholarship funding for Agribusiness studies at NIACC.
The Chamber’s Workforce Committee is focused on resources and programming to grow the area’s population and increase the workforce pool. They oversee the Building CommUNITY inclusion efforts, assist with Community Concierge, and provide guidance about placemaking and wellness initiatives.
The North Iowa Band Festival is the area’s signature community event and is planned by chamber volunteers. This committee organizes a parade, carnival, 5K run, and free musical entertainment.
Leadership
The Chamber provides three signature programs with a rich tradition of helping to shape future leaders: Leadership North Iowa for business professionals in the area; a high school youth leadership program, YIELD; and College Connections for summer interns. People who commit to these leadership programs are difference-makers; the loyal sponsors and supporting businesses are a strong testament to the effectiveness.
Global Familiarization
The Chamber views Global Familiarization Trips as a way to assist in the transition to a global economy. For the most part, our destinations are important U.S. trading partners that Iowans may not feel comfortable traveling to on their own. The program is directed toward helping Iowans understand the culture, customs and history of other countries as one step toward bringing the people of the world closer together.
Since the program began in 2011, the Chamber has hosted 21 trips to 15 different countries, including China, India, Turkey, Cuba, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Egypt, South Africa, Germany, Japan, Croatia, Greece, Portugal and Spain.
Chamber Accomplishments
100 Years and Counting…
In 1916, Mason City’s population stood at 17,712. The industrial revolution, a youthful population, a flood of immigrants, vast natural resources, and a strong spirit of entrepreneurism were propelling Iowa, and the rest of the nation, forward at a dizzying pace.
It was 1916 when business leaders in Mason City, with a passion for economic growth and prosperity, formed the Mason City Chamber of Commerce. Almost immediately, the Chamber began making an indelible mark in North Iowa:
■ In 1920, the Chamber sponsored a 20-piece band of professional musicians that performed two concerts daily for ten weeks. The only “local” musician on the roster was Meredith Willson – playing the flute and piccolo. These performances led to the establishment of the Mason City Municipal Band.
■ The Chamber of Commerce Glee Club originated in 1922 under the direction of Harry Keeler. In 1952, this acapella group transitioned to the River City Barbershop Chorus. Today, more than 70 men of all ages participate in this program.
■ The Chamber established a “Community Chest” in 1923 to benefit the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, YMCA and YWCA. The Chamber continued to operate this organization until 1946 when it was launched as the United Fund, and later became today’s United Way.
■ In 1927, the Chamber’s Aviation Committee founded the Mason City Municipal Airport with assistance from the Clausen-Worden Post of the American Legion. Charles Lindbergh attended the airport’s dedication ceremony shortly after completing his historic transatlantic flight.
■ In the dark days of the Great Depression, the Chamber organized a scrip program by issuing 10,000 one-dollar certificates. For each transaction with a Mason City merchant, a stamp was affixed to the certificate. When 52 stamps were collected, the certificate could be redeemed for 98 cents at the First National Bank.
■ The Chamber sponsored the very first North Iowa Band Festival in 1938, a tradition that continues today and serves at the official kick-off to the summer season.
■ In 1971, the Chamber began admitting women to its membership. It had operated as an all-male organization since 1916.
■ In the late 1990s, the Chamber spearheaded a program to install “WELCOME SIGNS” at the four major entrances to the Mason City community. The limestone masonry structures are a nod to Mason City’s heritage.
■ In 2002, the Chamber began leading annual trips to Washington DC to advocate for the business community and the North Iowa region. These efforts have resulted in improved relationships with federal officials and staff members as well as significant federal investment in the region.
■ In 2011, the Chamber served as the applicant and lead organization for Mason City’s Vision Iowa project – which resulted in a $9.2 million renovation to the public library; the $20 million restoration of the Historic Park Inn; construction of the Architectural Interpretive Center; and the Federal Avenue streetscape improvements. ➝
■ The Chamber offers Global Familiarization Travel opportunities as a means of helping North Iowans transition to the global economy. Destinations are important U.S. trading partners that our members may not feel comfortable traveling to on their own. Since 2011, Chamber travelers have visited China, India, Turkey, Cuba, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, and Japan, to name a few.
■ In 2012, the North Iowa Regional Commerce Center opened in a formerly vacant downtown building. The renovation was made possible through previous Chamber fundraising efforts earmarked for a permanent location and an I-JOBS grant from the state. The Commerce Center serves as the business hub for North Iowa.
■ The Chamber served as a key partner in Mason City’s 2012 bid to be selected as a pilot Blue Zones Project community. Today, Mason City is a certified Blue Zones community and the Chamber continues to partner as the lead for the Worksite Wellness component.
■ River City Sculptures on Parade was launched by the Chamber of Commerce. This sculpture walk takes participants on a 1.7 mile winding loop through the Cultural Crescent and back to the Downtown Core. Nearly 80 sculptures by artists from across North America are included in the exhibit.
■ Partnering with regional leaders, the Chamber helped initiate the Vision North Iowa strategic plan. This project will bolster entrepreneurship, support future growth and workforce development initiatives, position North Iowa for success, and enhance a quality of place for citizens. Most importantly, it will lead to an ongoing, intentional planning process for the region.
■ In 2017, the Chamber’s Leadership North Iowa class led the community in the Mason City Says YES! campaign, an effort to bring a new hotel, conference center, performing arts pavilion and multi-purpose arena to the region. The public vote passed overwhelmingly and the Chamber has continued to promote progress on the project and will see it through completion.
■ With the Chamber’s leadership, Mason City is making strides in “Building Our Brand” as a destination for Prairie School architecture, while also improving the appearance of the backside of downtown buildings with beautiful murals in the spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie School style.
■ The Iowa Association of Chambers of Commerce (IACC) named the Mason City Chamber of Commerce “Chamber of the Year” in 2019.
■ In 2023, the Chamber was recognized by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) as the Chamber of
the Year.
Today, the Chamber of Commerce remains true to its mission of promoting progressive community and economic development to benefit Chamber members and the North Iowa region.
It remains an independent organization operated by a small group of paid staff and many volunteers. The Chamber is not supported by tax dollars and has no power to impose taxes or other measures that would directly increase the cost of living for the citizens of our community. The Chamber is simply a private business with a vested interest in activities to grow the local economy and improve the business climate.
Studies show that being active in the local chamber of commerce is a good strategy for businesses to use in communicating to consumers that their company uses good business practices, is involved in the community, cares about customers, and is reputable and trustworthy. Well-balanced programming and dedicated volunteers focused on the Chamber’s mission keep it the thriving organization it is today. ■