Greater Mason City 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 Chamber of Commerce was named the Association of Chamber of
Commerce Executives (ACCE) Chamber of the Year in 2022. ACCE is based in Alexandria, VA 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. Most recently, a delegation from Indiana spent several days in North Iowa to
study the community’s progress and work to replicate it in their area.
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,
and patio 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, Trivia Night, Operation Thank You, Moonlight Bike Ride, and the annual
Chamber Golf Outing.
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 well-being
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; North Iowa LINC for young professionals 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 22 trips to 15 different countries, including
China, India, Turkey, Cuba, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Egypt, South Africa, Germany, Japan, 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 as 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.
■ 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.
■ River City Sculptures on Parade got its start at 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 back side of downtown buildings with beautiful murals in the spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright’s
Prairie School.
■ The Iowa Association of Chambers of Commerce (IACC) named the Mason City Chamber of Commerce
“Chamber of the Year” in 2019.
■ In 2022, 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. ■
