Fort Worth Chamber Briefs: Leader Speaker Series, Young Professional Nominations, and State of Economic Impact Program
FORT WORTH, Texas — The Fort Worth Chamber has released a July roundup of upcoming events and initiatives, including a Leader Speaker Series session examining North Texas’ successful FIFA World Cup planning efforts, the opening of nominations for the 2026 Young Professional of the Year Award and the Chamber’s annual State of Economic Impact program focused on education and workforce development. The Chamber also previewed upcoming Leader Speaker Series events featuring prominent government and business leaders.
FORT WORTH CHAMBER BRIEFS
What’s Happening at the Fort Worth Chamber
A summary for quick reference, with complete details below.
July 28 - Leader Speaker Series, What It Takes To Host The World
Now-Aug 12 - Nominations open for Fort Worth Chamber Young Professional of the Year
Aug 20 - Annual State of Economic Impact, Education and Workforce Development
Sept 17 - Leader Speaker Series in Government, Texas state senator Tan Parker
Oct 28 - Leader Speaker Series in Business, Ross Perot Jr. chairman of The Perot Group and Hillwood
Fort Worth Chamber’s Leader Speaker Series Goes Inside North Texas’ FIFA World Cup Game Plan
The Fort Worth Chamber will host three of the leaders who helped bring the FIFA World Cup to North Texas — and made the region’s turn on the world stage a smashing success — at its next Leader Speaker Series event, presented by Fidelity Investments, on Tuesday, July 28 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The speakers are Drew Hays, executive director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission; Jerome Woodard, chief operating officer of DFW International Airport; and Monica Paul, president of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee and executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission.
The conversation will explore how North Texas secured its role as a host region and coordinated the infrastructure, transportation, aviation operations, public safety and visitor experience needed to welcome millions of fans from around the world.
Registration is now open on the Fort Worth Chamber’s website through July 23. Registration for non members is $90, $80 for standard tier members, while upper-tier members can register for $70.
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location:
Palmwood Event & Conference
640 Taylor Street, Suite 1300, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Speakers:
Drew Hays, executive director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission
Jerome Woodard, chief operating officer of DFW International Airport
Monica Paul, president of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee and executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission
Sponsors:
Presenting sponsor, Fidelity Investments
Keynote sponsor, Kelly Hart Attorneys at Law
Platinum sponsor, Lockheed Martin
Gold sponsor, American Airlines
About Drew Hays
Drew Hays became the executive director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission in September 2025, and has led the team through a record year of events, including a run last spring of 7 major events over 8 straight weekends, including the NCAA Women's Basketball Sweet 16 & Elite 8 Rounds, NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships, FEI World Cup and the PBR World Finals. Before joining the Fort Worth Sports Commission Team, Hays served as executive director of the Austin Sports Commission and held leadership roles with Visit Wichita, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Corpus Christi Hooks.
About Jerome Woodard
Jerome Woodard is executive vice president and chief operating officer of DFW International Airport, where he provides vision, strategy, and execution to advance DFW’s business objectives related to the airport’s physical operations and oversees the Departments of Public Safety and Environmental Affairs, as well as the Integrated Operations Center and Operations. A former private pilot, Woodard brings more than 20 years of aviation leadership experience, including operational, security and executive roles at major airports across the United States.
About Monica Paul
Monica Paul is president of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee and executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission. She played a key role in Dallas being selected as a FIFA World Cup 26 host city and securing nine tournament matches — more than any other host market in 2026. She has spent her career leading efforts to attract major professional, collegiate and amateur sporting events to North Texas, and also serves on the SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors, Cotton Bowl Classic Board of Directors, the Jason Witten’s SCORE Foundation Board of Directors, Women in Sports & Events (WISE) DFW Chapter Advisory Board, and the University of North Texas Sports Entertainment Management Industry Advisory Board.
Fort Worth Chamber Opens Nominations for 2026 Young Professional of the Year Award
The Fort Worth Chamber is now accepting nominations for its 2026 Young Professional of the Year Award. This annual award recognizes Fort Worth professionals ages 21 to 40 who pair innovation and leadership in their fields with measurable community impact, strong character and the potential to help shape Fort Worth’s future.
The award will be showcased at the Fort Worth Chamber’s 2026 Young Professionals Summit, presented by UTA West on Sept. 9.
Last year’s recipient was Nicholas Ditto, founder and CEO of Fort Worth STEAM Academy, who was recognized for his entrepreneurial leadership and work to create a tuition-free public charter middle school designed to prepare students for future success and strengthen Fort Worth’s workforce.
Nominations can be received until August 12 through self-nomination or peer nomination.
For more information or to nominate a candidate, visit this link.
Fort Worth Chamber’s Annual State of Economic Impact Program to Explore Education and Workforce Development
The Fort Worth Chamber will host the annual State of Economic Impact event, presented by UTA West, on Aug. 20 from 8:30 – 11 a.m. This year’s program will examine how education is shaping the future of Fort Worth's workforce and economy.
The program includes “The Business of Education,” a fireside conversation with Steve Montgomery, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber and Dr. Peter Licata, superintendent of Fort Worth ISD. Bobby Adieh, dean of Texas A&M University School of Law and member of the Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers will moderate.
The program also features “From Classroom to Career: Meeting Tarrant County Workforce Needs,” a panel discussion highlighting innovative education programs developed in direct response to industry demand.
Registration fees are $10 for members and $40 for nonmembers.
For additional details or to register, visit https://business.fortworthchamber.com/events/details/state-of-economic-impact-workforce-starts-here-22847.
Date: Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Location:
Kimbell Art Museum - Piano Auditorium
3333 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Speakers:
Steve Montgomery, president and CEO, Fort Worth Chamber
Dr. Peter Licata, superintendent, Fort Worth ISD
Todd Smith, superintendent, Azle ISD
Tamara L. Brown, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs
Dr. Zarina Blakenbaker, President of the Northwest Campus, Tarrant County College
Cindy Hames, president, Junior Achievement of the Chisholm Trail (moderator)
Sponsors:
Presenting sponsor, UTA West
Keynote sponsor, Huntington Bank
Platinum sponsor, Alcon
Silver sponsor, Frost Bank
Leader Speaker Series – Save The Dates
The Fort Worth Chamber is finalizing details for the remaining events in its 2026 Leaders Speaker Series, which brings together business, civic and community leaders for conversations about the issues shaping Fort Worth’s future.
Additional details about these events will be announced soon.
August event: details to follow
Leaders in Government, Sept. 17: Tan Parker, Texas state senator
Leaders in Business, Oct. 28: Ross Perot Jr., chairman of The Perot Group and Hillwood
ABOUT THE FORT WORTH CHAMBER
The Fort Worth Chamber, with more than 1,250 member businesses, serves as the leading voice of the business community in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Through its core functions of leadership, engagement, and advocacy, the Chamber’s mission is to bring the Fort Worth region together to identify issues, solve problems and align resources, resulting in a stronger business climate and greater economic prosperity for all.
For more information, visit fortworthchamber.com.
