Economic Development

Staff: Michael Looney, Andrew Killingsworth and Steve Ahlenius

The San Angelo Chamber of Commerce is the driving force behind the city’s economic growth, dedicated to attracting new businesses and industries, supporting the expansion of existing enterprises, and fostering a thriving start-up ecosystem. Through strategic initiatives, partnerships, and resources, the Chamber ensures San Angelo remains a prime destination for investment, innovation, and long-term business success.

Destination Marketing and Economic Development

Jeremy Bartz, Jonna Gaddy, Carter Rowe, Linda Burdell, Jim King, Art Garcia and Steve Ahlenius

Destination Marketing is a key economic development initiative that attracts meetings, conventions, and events to San Angelo. By promoting the city as a premier destination, this effort drives visitors' spending, supports local businesses, and infuses new money into the economy. Destination Marketing enhances San Angelo’s appeal through strategic marketing and outreach, fostering growth and long-term economic benefits for the community.

Ribbon Cuttings

Staff: Asher Rogers

One of the core events the Chamber is known for is ribbon cuttings. Ribbon cuttings are fabulous for new openings, expansions, celebrating, key milestones, or anniversaries.

Four Bullet Fridays

Staff: Steve Ahlenius, and Communication Firm

This weekly email shares thoughts and ideas about business, leadership, philosophy, and upcoming Chamber events.

Electronic Newsletter

Staff: Communication Firm

The Chamber’s newsletter, which is published on the first Monday of each month, features events, happenings, and advertising opportunities. It's an easy way to stay informed and see where you can get involved and connected.

Leadership San Angelo Program

Staff: Jessica Behringer

The Chamber’s San Angelo Leadership program is over 30 years old. Leadership San Angelo is an intense nine-month program offering some of the most effective training a business can offer its employees.

Leadership San Angelo Alumni Association

Staff: Jessica Behringer

Membership is open to San Angelo leadership program graduates. The program is designed to support Leadership San Angelo, foster additional leadership training, promote and network alumni, and provide leadership opportunities through boards and commissions in San Angelo.

San Angelo Quarterly Economic Review

Staff: Michael Looney and Andrew Killingsworth

The Quarterly Economic Review tracks retail sales, industrial production, housing, hotel occupancy, housing permits, and housing affordability. It is the fundamental economic indicator for understanding San Angelo and the local economy.

Young Professionals

Staff: Jessica Behringer

This program is designed to foster young professionals through training and networking events. It is designed to continue the development of emerging business leaders and foster deeper commitments to the community.

20 Under 40

Staff: Danielle Carman, and Staff

This premier event recognizes “up-and-coming” business and community leaders and is one of the Chamber’s most popular events.

Business @ Happy Hour

Staff: Danielle Carman and Staff

These events are designed to help showcase local businesses by the business hosting a mixer at its company location. Hosting an event is a quick and easy way to market your business and promote your location and services or products.

Membership Luncheons

Staff: Daniell Carman, Crystal Glaspie and Staff

San Angelo Chamber Membership Luncheon, where community leaders, business professionals, and key partners come together. This event provides a valuable opportunity to network with fellow members, hear from influential speakers, and learn about initiatives shaping our community. Enjoy a delicious meal while building meaningful relationships and strengthening partnerships that support San Angelo’s continued growth and success.

Annual Meeting

Staff: Danielle Carman, Crystal Glaspie and Staff

The Chamber’s annual meeting recognizes the success of the San Angelo business community and presents the community’s most prestigious award, the Citizenship Award. This event is typically held in February.

Chamber Golf Tournament/Pickleball Tournament

Staff: Danielle Carman and Jessica Behringer

The Chamber will host either a Golf Tournament or Pickleball Tournament each fiscal year, providing a premier networking and fundraising opportunity that appeals to a diverse range of businesses, sponsors, and participants. Each event attracts a unique audience while creating opportunities for members to build relationships with customers, employees, and fellow business leaders in a fun and engaging environment.

West Texas Legislative Summit

Staff: Daneille Carman, Crystal Glaspie and Staff

The West Texas Legislative Summit, hosted annually by the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, serves as a pivotal forum for policymakers, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to address pressing regional and national issues. Each year, the summit alternates between state and federal themes, with recent topics including agriculture, energy, national security, and border policy . Notable figures such as Governor Greg Abbott and former Governor Rick Perry have participated, underscoring the event's significance in shaping policy discussions that impact West Texas and beyond.

Military Affairs Committee

Staff: Steve Ahlenius and Crystal Glaspie

The San Angelo Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee (MAC) supports Goodfellow Air Force Base through active involvement in working groups, strategic partnerships, and advocacy initiatives focused on sustaining the installation, enhancing its resiliency, and ensuring mission success.

Coffee and Commerce

Staff: Asher Rogers, Steve Ahlenius

Coffee and Commerce is a monthly networking event allowing participants to make easy contacts and begin a comfortable networking experience. It is held on the first Friday of every month at the Clarion Hotel.

Cash Mob

Staff: Asher Rogers, Steve Ahlenius

An event designed to support and boost small local retail businesses, the Chamber’s cash mob is held quarterly. The Chamber board members, Concho Cadre, and members show up at designated local businesses to a chosen hour, spend $20 each person, and positively impact a local small business.

Inventors and Entrepreneurs Network (I&E Network)

Staff: Steve Ahlenius, and Crystal Glaspie

The Inventors and Entrepreneur Network (I&E Network) is a monthly gathering designed to support start-ups and individuals with ideas to launch new businesses. This welcoming ecosystem brings together aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and experienced mentors to share ideas, make connections, and receive guidance along their journey. The I&E Network meets once a month—excluding July and December—to foster collaboration, spark innovation, and build a strong community of business creators in San Angelo.

DMO San Angelo DMO Leadership Roundtable

Staff: Jeremy Bartz, Jonna Gaddy, Carter Rowe

The San Angelo Destination Leadership Roundtable (DMO) will host a quarterly meeting with local hotels and tourism-related partners to review current marketing efforts, discuss upcoming group bids, and provide updates on the DMO programs. This collaborative forum is designed to align strategies, share insights, and strengthen our collective efforts to attract visitors, events, and overnight stays to San Angelo.

San Angelo Foodie Trail Year

Staff: Steve Ahlenius, Jeremy Bartz, Carter Rowe

The San Angelo Foodie Trail program supports and elevates the city’s culinary scene by spotlighting local restaurants through curated events, targeted digital campaigns, social media engagement, and interactive community contests. This initiative is designed to increase restaurant visibility, drive foot traffic, and stimulate local economic growth.

San Angelo Economic Development Foundation

Staff: Michael Looney, and Steve Ahlenius

Creating the San Angelo Economic Development Foundation provides the Chamber with a powerful platform to pursue grants, philanthropic funding, and private-sector investment that are not typically available to traditional Chamber operations. As a 501(c)(3), the Foundation can support workforce initiatives, business recruitment, community development, and research efforts—laying the groundwork for new revenue streams that enhance the Chamber’s impact while maintaining its core mission. This structure broadens funding opportunities and strengthens long-term sustainability.

 New Member Bizz Bazar and Mixer Christmas Open House 

Staff: Asher Rogers, Steve Ahlenius, and Danielle Carman

Join us for an exciting evening of connection and celebration at the New Member Bizz Bazar & Mixer! This special two-hour event spotlights our newest Chamber members who joined in the past year. The Bizz Bazar and Mixer offers a mini-tradeshow experience where new members will each host a table to showcase their products, services, and brand. It's a fantastic opportunity for fellow Chamber members to network, explore new businesses, and strengthen community ties in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

San Angelo Talks

Staff: Steve Ahlenius, Danielle Carman, and Crystal Glaspie

San Angelo Talks is a program designed to bring together business leaders and subject matter experts for informative and engaging discussions on topics of interest to the business community. Typically held once or twice a year, the programs feature people sharing their insights and perspectives on specific issues. This would be a breakfast event.

Economic Summit

Staff: Steve Ahlenius, Mike Looney, and Administrative Support

The San Angelo Economic Summit is the premier gathering of business leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators from across the region, coming together to explore the future of economic growth in West Texas. This forward-looking event features high-impact keynote speakers, expert panel discussions, and insightful data presentations highlighting trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping our community and the regional economy.

Chamber Cast

Staff: Steve Ahlenius and Communication Firm

The Chamber Cast is a monthly (30-minute) series featuring business and community leaders. The cast aims to explore trends, leadership, and success stories related to San Angelo monthly. In addition, the program provides insight and inspiration for businesses, executives, entrepreneurs, and community members interested in learning and hearing the thoughts and experiences of other business leaders in San Angelo.

Legendary Businesswoman of San Angelo and Rising Stars  

Staff: Danielle Carman and Crystal Glaspie

Signature Luncheon event designed to recognize, celebrate, and elevate women who have helped shape the fabric of our business community through leadership, service, entrepreneurship, and professional excellence. This event would serve not only as a recognition program, but as a meaningful community conversation about leadership, perseverance, mentorship, and the future of women in business and community leadership in San Angelo.

Chamber Connect-Meet the Buyers

Staff: Andrew Killingsworth and Asher Rogers

The San Angelo Chamber of Commerce will host Chamber Connect – Meet the Buyers, a half-day event designed to help local businesses build direct relationships with key purchasing leaders across the community. This event will bring together procurement representatives from major public and institutional buyers like the City, County, San Angelo Independent School District, Angelo State University, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Shannon Medical Center, West Texas Rehab, and other key organizations.

Advocacy Committee

Staff: Steve Ahlenius and Asher Rogers

The Advocacy Committee has been established to provide the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce with a structured and proactive approach to public policy, legislative engagement, and government relations. The regulatory and legislative landscape affecting Texas businesses has never been more complex or more consequential. At both the state and federal levels, decisions regarding taxation, workforce development, infrastructure funding, regulatory compliance, military funding, and the future missions of Goodfellow Air Force Base are being made at an accelerated pace. The businesses and communities that thrive are those with organized, informed representation in these conversations.