by Jim Mikula, President/CEO

We have redesigned our programs to offer more collaboration, information and service to our members—the three pillars of our mission. In the first half of 2025 the Chamber will offer five events: two Master Classes, two Leaders Breakfasts, and our annual Economic Summit “State of the Burg.”
For the Master Classes and Leaders Breakfasts we are tapping local talent to share their expertise, putting two of our mission pillars in action—collaboration and information. Also, the sessions will be held in the Ballroom in the Historic Nimitz Hotel on the campus of the National Museum of the Pacific War. A symbolic venue for our leaders and learners.
February 25 Master Class—Marketing
This session will have three highly qualified presenters. The Bevvy Group, the team that handles the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival for the Chamber, will share their expertise in producing and marketing events. Cathy White of WhiteCat Marketing will make a presentation on AI in marketing—a very relevant topic today. The third presenter will be Ruth Ann Hattori, Marketing Director of the National Museum of the Pacific War. Ruth Ann brings decades of marketing leadership in both B2B and B2C—she will share her expertise in designing effective marketing plans.
March 27 Leaders Breakfast—Update on FISD CTE programs
FISD Superintendent Dr Joe Rodriguez and Career Technology Education (CTE) Director John Hext will present a highly informative session. The CTE programs at both our middle and high school have grown significantly in the past five years. This is an opportunity for business leaders to learn about the CTE programs and how our business community can provide support to this important workforce development campaign. They may also discover that students in these programs are great future employees for their businesses.
April 16 Master Class—Non-Profits Staff Recruitment, Development and Retention
When the German immigrants arrived in 1846, they brought with them the German traditions of societies or “Vereins” (in German). Today this tradition continues with over 150 non-profit organizations in our community. Sharing their expertise in leading non-profits will be Austin Dickson, Executive Director of The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, and Mike Hagee former President/CEO of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation.
May 14 “State of the Burg” Economic Summit
This year’s summit has two excellent keynote speakers. Alejandro "Alex" G Meade, III, a Texas Transportation Commissioner and Texas Regional Bank board member will kick off the summit. Dr Ray Perryman will return to share his ongoing research of the Texas Economy and will be the closing speaker. Thank you to Happy State Bank for being the title sponsor for the event.
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