Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and National Western Stock Show Celebrate Agriculture Industry with Business Community at Virtual Boots ‘n Business
Attendees Enjoyed a Colorado Steak at Home with Kelly Brough and Paul Andrews
DENVER – Today, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and National Western Stock Show (NWSS) united for a first-ever virtual Boots ‘n Business presented by U.S. Bank. The event, which is in its 26th year typically kicks off the Stock Show. This year Boots ‘n Business brought a delicious steak meal to attendees’ kitchens as they tuned in for a virtual cooking class, networked and celebrated all that Colorado’s agriculture industry has to offer.
With the cancellation of the 2021 Stock Show due to COVID-19, the National Western Complex sits empty, without bull riding, mutton busting or students showing their livestock to earn scholarships. On Jan. 7, however, Boots ‘n Business attendees drove through the expo hall to retrieve their steak meal kits before joining the virtual event today to cook the meal at home. There will be other virtual Stock Show events hosted through the “Celebrating the Spirit of the National Western Stock Show” campaign.
“What makes Colorado and the National Western Stock Show special is collaboration – collaboration between the business community and agriculture industry,” said Paul Andrews, president and CEO of NWSS. “We’ve seen that collaboration this year just as much as we have for the last 115 years when this whole event started.”
The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce helped create the National Western Stock Show, and 115 years later, stands firmly behind the agricultural community in Colorado. The agriculture industry has been hit particularly hard this year as many businesses face declines due to restaurant closures and restrictions. Before the pandemic, food and beverage and agricultural technology companies employed nearly 50,000 workers, earning $2.4 billion annually. From January to August of 2020, the state’s food and agriculture exports totaled $1.1 billion.
“Not even a pandemic will stop us from celebrating our Western heritage and showing our appreciation for the agriculture industry,” said Kelly Brough, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
While this event recognizes the importance of agriculture in Colorado, it is also providing a pathway for Colorado youth to pursue their education in agriculture, rural medicine and veterinary science. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the National Western Scholarship Trust. Since its inception in 1983, the Trust has awarded over 3,000 scholarships and grown to over $13 million, funding the future of Colorado’s agriculture industry.
Boots ‘n Business was a great example of how organizations can cultivate community and interact in the digital world. This “Home on the Range” event encouraged attendees to buy Colorado-sourced products as much as possible, with every attendee enjoying a Colorado steak.
The virtual 2021 Boots ‘n Business event was presented by U.S. Bank alongside Entertainment Sponsor Hensel Phelps and Innovations in Agriculture Sponsor Coors Brewing Company, Platinum Sponsors Cigna and Suncor, and Gold Sponsors AAA Colorado, Bank of Colorado, Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado State University System, FirstBank, Lockton, Otten Johnson, RS&H, Inc., SCL Health, Sherman & Howard and Xcel Energy.
About the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce: For 153 years, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has been a leading voice for Colorado’s business community. With a membership that spans the state and includes 3,000 businesses and their 400,000 employees, the Chamber is an effective advocate for small and large businesses. The Chamber’s family of organizations includes the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, the Colorado Competitive Council, B:CIVIC, Prosper Colorado and the Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative. For more information, go to denverchamber.org.
About National Western Stock Show: Established in 1906, the National Western Stock Show is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate level scholarships in agricultural science, business and rural medicine. It is our mission to serve producers and consumers throughout the world by being the premier annual livestock show and center for year-round events. The 16-day show in January also serves as an entertainment arena, hosting one of the world’s richest regular season professional rodeos, world-class horse shows, family, educational events and Colorado’s largest western trade show. For more information, visit nationalwestern.com.