April 1, 2026

Leading the Capital Region Forward

A Message from Robert Heidt 

Dear Members,

Last month marked my two-year anniversary leading the Sacramento Metro Chamber. It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has passed and all that we have done together. What has stood out most is the opportunity to work alongside the leaders, members, and partners who believe deeply in the promise of the Capital Region we call home.

Over the past two years, we’ve strengthened the Chamber’s role as a convener, advocate, and champion for business. The momentum we have built together continues to position the Chamber as a driving force for collaboration, leadership, policy, and regional progress.

We’ve also grown our team, welcoming new staff who are expanding the energy, talent, and impact behind our work. At the same time, we have welcomed new members to our Board of Directors who bring fresh perspectives and leadership to help guide the Metro Chamber and the Capital Region forward.

A Strong Start to the Year

2026 began with one of the most successful starts in recent Chamber history.

We exceeded our new member goals for January, February and March, demonstrating the value businesses see in connection, advocacy, and partnership through the Metro Chamber.

Our largest Annual Dinner & Business Awards drew over a thousand leaders for a sold-out evening celebrating the people and organizations moving our region forward.

Our Cap-to-Cap program has sold out once again, breaking participation records as hundreds of regional leaders prepare to travel to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the priorities that matter most.

This year’s Cap-to-Cap delegation will focus on four key regional priorities: Innovation Ecosystem, Government Efficiency and Effectiveness, Strategic Infrastructure and Regional Connectivity, and Workforce Readiness and Industry Competitiveness. 

This kind of regional alignment remains one of the Capital Region’s greatest strengths.

With 2026 being an election year, the Chamber is focused on building strong relationships with elected officials while working closely with the Metro Chamber PAC on candidate endorsements, ensuring we support leaders who understand the needs of our business community and are open to policies that spur innovation and economic prosperity.

At the same time, our leadership programs are in full swing:

• Leadership Sacramento has kicked off with a new cohort of 41 regional leaders
• Metro EDGE, our young professionals’ program through the Metro Chamber Foundation is growing and continues delivering impactful programming such as the Emerge Summit coming up on May 21, 2026

Together, these programs are building leaders who will shape the Capital Region for decades to come.

Through the Sacramento Speakers Series, we’ve welcomed voices that challenge, inspire, and broaden perspectives. Recent speakers included former Vice President Mike Pence and Anthony Ray Hinton, Celine Cousteau and later this month, we will host Mayim Bialik. These conversations continue to reinforce the Chamber’s role as a convener for big ideas and regional dialogue.

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead to the rest of 2026, our focus remains clear the Metro Chamber will continue advancing strategic priorities that strengthen the Capital Region’s economic competitiveness and position our business community for long-term success.

• Advocating in Washington, D.C. through Cap-to-Cap, reinforcing our leadership on regional policy priorities and advancing a clear, pro-business agenda on behalf of the Capital Region
• Continuing to develop Study Mission to Detroit this September, building a program grounded in real-world insight and innovation that can shape what comes next for our region
• Advancing the region’s leading young professional program through Metro EDGE’s Emerge Summit this May
• Growing and strengthening our team to expand programming, advocacy, and member engagement across the Capital Region
• Convening leaders to tackle the region’s biggest challenges and opportunities, bringing together business, government, and community voices
• Creating opportunities for businesses and individuals to connect, grow, and succeed through meaningful engagement and high-impact programs

At its core, the Chamber’s role is simple: to lead with a collective voice that brings members together for businesses to prosper by providing the opportunity, service, and solutions for a thriving regional economy.

And if there is one thing I’ve been reminded of over these past two years, it’s this: Our region’s greatest strength isn’t a policy, a project, or a plan.

It’s the people.

The people who build here.

The people who lead here.

And the people who choose every day to invest in the future of this region.

Thank you for continuing to be part of this work and for believing in what we are building together.

With appreciation,

Robert W. Heidt, Jr.
President & CEO
Sacramento Metro Chamber