From the CEO: The headlines say rebound. Your employees aren't buying it.

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Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce

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Apr 14, 2026, 4:30:34 PM (10 hours ago) Apr 14
to Jody
Don't Miss Connect@Lunch at Ike's Love and Sandwiches Next Week!
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Become a Member

Celebrating the Business Community at the 2026 Annual Celebration




Conversations sparked, connections were made, and the strength of our business community was on full display.


Almost 600 attendees gathered on April 8 at the Hilton Fort Collins for the Chamber’s 121st Annual Celebration, an evening dedicated to recognizing the people and organizations that make Northern Colorado thrive.


A highlight of the evening was the recognition of this year’s award recipients:


Collins Award: Dave and Steve Nichols, High Country Beverage
David May Advocacy Award: Jeni Arndt, Former Mayor of Fort Collins
Valerie Arnold Volunteer of the Year: Holli McElwee, Kilwins Fort Collins – Old Town Ice Cream & Treats, LLC


Each honoree represents a deep commitment to leadership, service, and the continued growth of our region.

Read More
 

The headlines say rebound. Your employees aren't buying it.



What Colorado Employers Need to Know About Culture and Retention When the Labor Market Shifts in 2026


Everyone thought the national jobs rebound would give employers the upper hand. March's headline number of 178,000 jobs added looked encouraging at first glance. I want to push back on that, because when you look at what actually drove those numbers, and what is happening specifically here in Colorado, the picture is considerably more complicated.


And from where I sit, talking to Colorado employers every single week, nobody on either side of the employment relationship actually feels like they have the upper hand right now. They just feel like they cannot afford to make a mistake.


That is a completely different dynamic, and if you are running a business in Colorado in 2026, it is one worth understanding clearly.

Continue Reading
 


Adapting Through Change – Spring Sessions


Monday, April 20 | 1:00 – 2:00 pm | Doors open at 12:30 pm
The Senior Center, Twinberry Auditorium | 1200 Raintree Dr

Facilitated by the Fort Collins Area Chamber, this session brings together leaders from five of Larimer County’s largest employers: the City of Fort Collins, Colorado State University, Larimer County, Poudre School District, and UCHealth.


Together, they’ll share:

· Key trends they’re monitoring

· How changing conditions are influencing decisions

· What they’re learning as they adapt

Registration
 


Connect@Lunch with Ike’s Love & Sandwiches

Wednesday, April 22 | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches | 2842 Council Tree Ave, Suite 161

Join us for the next Connect@Lunch at Ike’s Love and Sandwiches.


Exploding onto the crowded San Francisco food scene in 2007 as a small sandwich shop under the name “Ike’s Place” (founded by Ike Shehadeh), Ike’s Love and Sandwiches has been transforming the sandwich segment for over a decade. The brand has been defined by innovative offerings and iconic flavors. Every location comes with exclusive sandwich offerings that are eclectically named as a tribute to local celebrities and icons.

Register Now
 

NCLA Legislative Update: Key Business Positions

Your Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce represents your business interests at the State Capitol during every day of the 75th General Assembly.


In partnership with the Loveland and Greeley Chambers and UpState Colorado, the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance is fostering a strong collective voice to influence positive changes in state and federal policies, regulations, and legislation. We are working to enhance the business climate for the future success of Northern Colorado.

Read More
 

Upcoming Events

April 15



Connect@Happy Hour with SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fort Collins

April 17



NoCo Housing NOW: Metro Districts: Vital Community Tool or Hindrance to Housing Affordability?

April 20




Adapting Through Change – Spring Sessions

April 20



CIVIC Conversations - Balancing the Books - Trimming the Budget Without Losing the Magic

Learn More

Member News


Last week, the Chamber welcomed the following businesses into membership:

 


Affectus Sales Partners



Affectus Sales Partners believes sales success isn’t about quick tips, pushy tactics, or outdated clichés. It’s about building confidence, refining skills, and developing a process that works consistently in real-world situations. They don’t just offer training—they become your performance improvement partner, helping you and your team discover opportunities, overcome challenges, and achieve measurable growth.

Balance Point Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

Balance Point Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is the #1 choice for your HVAC and plumbing needs. they serve Fort Collins and the surrounding areas with complete installation, replacement, repair, and maintenance services. They focus on restoring the comfort you expect and keeping your systems running efficiently year-round.

Boykin Web Management


From a website built around your industry to SEO, Google Ads, integrations, and beyond — we handle the full stack. We build and market websites that bring paying customers to your door — designed specifically for how your industry gets found online.



Colorado Candy Company





Colorado Candy Company offers handmade candies in small artisan batches. They take pride in providing delicious candies available in natural flavors with no preservatives added.

They are a manufacturer and wholesaler, so look for their products in your local specialty store. They also have a small retail space in the front of our candy shoppe.



NOCO Party Bus






NOCO Party Bus offers safe and fun transportation for you and your guest. A party bus can provide all of the luxuries of a limo, but give you the extra space and comfort to enjoy your time on the road. Get the party started before the event and return safely with one of their licensed and insured vehicles.

Resonate A Fimple Plan LLC

Johnny Fimple inspires big brands, small businesses, and mission-driven organizations to find resonance, achieve rhythm, and—when needed—get a full turnaround with The Fractional Fixer™. Johnny transforms workplaces into thriving communities where employees feel valued and want to stay, customers get the experience they’ll come back for and owners see positive comps and growing revenue.

 

Earth Month Activities - Hosted by CSU

All through the month of April

This year CSU will be hosting a wide variety of events to celebrate Earth Month throughout the month of April. They encourage all members of the community to learn about and engage in sustainability activities! All events are free and open to the public, unless noted otherwise.


Events this week:


Colorado Wildland Fire Conference: April 13-17


Arbor Day Celebration & Tree Planting: April 17


Earth Day Festival: April 22

10 am – 2 pm, Lory Student Center Plaza

More Events & Details
 


Safety Training Registration:

Situational Awareness at Work

Tuesday, April 28 | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Elevations Credit Union | 221 E. Mountain Ave, Second-Floor Community Room


This 2-hour classroom presentation teaches attendees how to be aware of their surroundings, plan for contingencies, and avoid tunnel vision. Participants also learn how to plan, identify, mitigate, and remove themselves from potentially dangerous situations before they occur. Finally, the course discusses how to identify and handle different types of potentially dangerous situations, and how to recognize certain common criminal behaviors.

Register Here
 

Biz West Northern Colorado Women of Distinction

Nominate by May 1, 2026


Each year, BizWest celebrates the remarkable women shaping our Northern Colorado community through their leadership in business, philanthropy, and government. The Women of Distinction awards honor those who have made a meaningful impact — and you can be a part of it!


Nominations are now open for 2026. If you know a woman in our community who deserves recognition for her achievements, we encourage you to nominate her. Selected honorees will be guided through the event experience and given the opportunity to share their story through a nominee speech.


This is a wonderful chance to lift up the women who are making a difference and to inspire the next generation of leaders in Northern Colorado.

Submit a Nomination
 

Beocom Technologies:

Grand Opening and Capability Showcase

Friday, May 1 & Saturday, May2 | 11:00 am - 5:00 pm


Beacom Technologies | 109 N College Ave. Ste. #215, Fort Collins

Beocom Technologies is proud to announce the grand opening of their Fort Collins office. This two-day event marks the launch of a technology firm purpose-built to support government agencies, defense partners, and enterprise organizations with secure, scalable, and reliable IT solutions. This VIP-focused experience is designed to foster strategic partnerships, collaboration, and long-term alignment with organizations that value performance, security, and operational excellence.


The event will include an overview of Beocom Technologies’ mission and capabilities, demonstrations of theirtechnology services, a brief tour of the facility, and time to connect and celebrate.


Please confirm your attendance by emailing eve...@beocomtech.com to assist us with planning for refreshments and meals.

Learn More Here
 

Featured Trustee Member

 

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We pull selected events and articles submitted through the Chamber website to include in our newsletters. If you're a member, submit your news and events for the opportunity to be featured in our weekly newsletters.


Click the link below to submit!

Submit Your News & Events


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Apr 14, 2026, 4:30:40 PM (10 hours ago) Apr 14
to Jody
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