The Fort Worth Chamber (FWC) recently hosted a crucial meeting aimed at developing an effective onboarding process for companies relocating to the vibrant city. The transition from being considered a prospective member of the Fort Worth business community to a fully engaged local business is a critical step in the relocation process. The group, convened and lead by co-chairs Ben Robertson, Chair of FWC’s East Area Board and member of the FWC’s Business Retention and Expansion Committee, and Robert Sturns, Director of Economic Development for the City of Fort Worth, will seek to fill the current gap in relocation stewardship.
The initial group included influential community organizations such as the United Way of Tarrant County, the City of Fort Worth, Leadership Fort Worth, Tarrant County College (TCC), Texas Christian University (TCU), Hillwood, Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (FWEDP), as well as members of the Fort Worth Chamber's Area Boards and Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) committee. Future meetings will include an expanded list of representatives from the real estate industry, healthcare, emergency services, utilities sectors and other economic development agencies.
As part of their discovery, the group’s leadership will invite several recently relocated companies to share their experiences and firsthand perspectives on current best practices as well as opportunities for improvement.
Highlighting the significance of this initiative to the community, Robert Sturns, Co-chair, expressed his support for this effort: “Enhancing the onboarding experience for new companies is crucial for the growth and prosperity of our community. We are excited to partner with the Fort Worth Chamber on this initiative, as it reflects our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for businesses and fostering economic development in our city.”
“We are dedicated to enhancing the experience of companies relocating to Fort Worth,” stated Sara Thurber, Vice President of Economic Development for the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership. “Through valuable feedback from SmartCap executives, a company that expanded to Fort Worth, we have identified an opportunity to further improve our support during the transition. By establishing a comprehensive onboarding process that offers guidance on local resources, networks, and community engagement opportunities, our objective is to deliver exceptional customer service to new companies. This will facilitate a more seamless integration into the community and foster accelerated growth in our vibrant city.”
As the initiative progresses, the Fort Worth Chamber and its collaborative partners will continue to provide updates. Through their collective work, they aim to strengthen the business ecosystem in Fort Worth, ensuring that companies not only choose to relocate to the city but also thrive and contribute to its ongoing success. With a well-defined onboarding process in place, Fort Worth solidifies its reputation as a destination that values the growth and prosperity of its local businesses, further cementing its position as a vibrant and dynamic community.
