{"id":227261,"date":"2026-03-30T17:47:44","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T17:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/227261\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T17:47:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T17:47:44","slug":"fort-worth-chamber-annual-meeting-debuts-centennial-club-marks-plans-for-future-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/227261\/","title":{"rendered":"Fort Worth Chamber annual meeting debuts Centennial Club, marks plans for future growth"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Fort Worth Chamber<\/a>\u2019s 144th Annual Meeting highlighted growth in various business areas throughout the city, while debuting the Centennial Club to honor companies that have operated for at least 100 years.<\/p>\n

What happened?<\/p>\n

The event was held on March 25 at the Will Rogers Auditorium. After the event, attendees were able to watch portions of the 2026 NCHA Super Stakes<\/a>, a cutting horse event which runs through April 26 at Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum.<\/p>\n

The 90-year-old facility underwent $50.5 millions in renovations<\/a> in 2025 and more updates are planned, according to the Visit Fort Worth website.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something meaningful about convening in a venue that has stood at the center of Fort Worth for decades,\u201d said Steve Montgomery, the Fort Worth Chamber president and CEO. \u201cOur business community is built on that same combination of strong foundations and the ability to evolve, and hearing how Fort Worth\u2019s legacy companies continue to adapt offers an important perspective as we look ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

The details<\/p>\n

Montgomery said the Fort Worth Chamber will be launching a forward-looking roadmap that ensures Fort Worth will compete in bringing in businesses on a national and global stage in the upcoming weeks.<\/p>\n

He said the plans start with business retention and expansion. He pointed out projects such as the University of Texas-Arlington West<\/a> campus groundbreaking and the Law & Education building at Texas A&M-Fort Worth<\/a> that will help bring new businesses to Fort Worth.<\/p>\n

The Fort Worth Chamber annual report<\/a> highlighted the expanded research and development tax credit, an increase in personal business property tax exemption, an increase in public education funding, expanded film incentives and the designation of Fort Worth as the Aviation and Defense Capital of Texas.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery effort is driven by a single goal, which is making Fort Worth the best place in America to start, grow and operate a business,\u201d Montgomery said. \u201cFort Worth’s future is bright. Together, with each of you, we will continue to build a city where businesses flourish, innovation thrives and opportunity is within reach for all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Put in perspective<\/p>\n

Freese and Nichols Inc.<\/a>, Ben E. Keith Foods<\/a> and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary<\/a> had representatives who were on a panel to talk about each organization’s history in Fort Worth dating back more than 100 years.<\/p>\n

American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, was a title sponsor and will celebrate its 100th anniversary April 15. According to the airline’s website<\/a>, the first flight was by Charles A. Lindbergh, delivering mail from Chicago to St. Louis.<\/p>\n

Other organizations or businesses in the Centennial Club<\/a> include:<\/p>\n

Fort Worth Police Department, 1873Texas Christian University, 1873Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, 1882Fort Worth Stock and Rodeo Show, 1886Freese and Nichols, 1894Fort Worth Public Library, 1901Fort Worth Humane Society, 1905Ben E. Keith Foods, 1906Mrs. Baird\u2019s, 1908Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary, 1908Fort Worth Zoo, 1909Atmos, 1909Tarrant County Water District, 1924What else?<\/p>\n

Crescent Real Estate was given the Chairman\u2019s Spirit of Enterprise Award.<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old company has several Texas-based developments in its portfolio<\/a>, including the American Airlines Robert L. Crandall Campus, which is south of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.<\/p>\n

That award has been presented since 1975 to recognize local companies that have made significant contributions to the advancement and prosperity of the city, according to a news release.<\/p>\n

Bob Jameson, who will retire<\/a> as the president and CEO of Visit Fort Worth, was the Susan Halsey Executive Leadership Award winner. According to the presentation, Jameson has played a defining role in shaping the city\u2019s identity as a premier destination, championing the visitor economy and supporting local businesses.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n