Despite 110 years of hosting the “super bowl of livestock shows,” looking toward the future was the main focus of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce‘s 22nd annual Boots ‘n Business luncheon this afternoon, kicking off the start of 16 days of the National Western Stock Show.
With the passage of Question 2C in November, voters signed off on extending a lodgers’ tax that will help cover some of the estimated $1 billion to revitalize the National Western Center and the surrounding community.
“It took an entire cadre of people to make the future of National Western viable again,” Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said at the event. In particular, he thanked the business community for its support of the renewal of the Stock Show. “Without you we would not be here. You stood up and proclaimed that indeed we would recommit to National Western.”
Boots ‘n Business drew over 1,000 business and community leaders to the National Western Stock Show to kick off its 110th year in Denver, show the business community’s commitment to agriculture and the state’s western roots.
“Being part of this event shows that our business community really understands the importance of this industry in our past and what it means for our future,” said Chamber President and CEO Kelly Brough. “And the future of National Western got a whole lot brighter when Denver voters approved investing in this property and programming on the November ballot, so for those who voted yes, thank you.”
The lunch is also one of four major events that benefits the National Western Trust scholarships to educate future farmers, ranchers and medical professionals who will work in rural areas. To date the scholarship has funded over 2,000 scholarships worth more than $8 million.
Receiving a scholarship has opened doors and introduced Jaelyn Whaley to new people, the Laramie County Community College sophomore said.
“To see these people that support agriculture is such an uplifting thing … The fact that we still have so many people who support agriculture is such a blessing,” said Whaley, who is currently studying animal science and agribusiness.
From revitalizing the infrastructure around the complex to making it a year-round venue, it’s anticipated that the new center will generate $6.7 billion in tourism spending.
“You just hear a lot of buzz about it and a lot of excitement,” Whaley said. “It’s really exciting to see where these renovations are going to take National Western in particular.”
From guests’ western wear to the entertainment, the focus at Boots ‘n Business was all things ag. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper noted that the industry supports over 173,000 jobs and generates more than $40 billion in economic activity each year. And, agriculture is innovating: research and development activities in agriculture and food have grown two to four times faster than the state’s economy overall over the last two decades.
“The ag industry here is such a huge part of our economy,” said Gov. John Hickenlooper. “It is the heritage and the lore and legend—but it is also the future.”
2016 Boots ‘n Business from Denver Metro Chamber on Vimeo.
See more photos from Boots ‘n Business here.
Sara Crocker is the communications manager for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.