Photos provided by Dave Anderson at InSync Photography + Design. View all event photos.
DENVER—Aug. 23, The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce held its 2023 Annual Meeting, showcasing the organization's remarkable achievements and positive impact on the Metro Denver community. More than 530 members of the business community gathered at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts to celebrate the Chamber’s anticipated recap of the previous year and goals for the future.
“[The Chamber’s] mission is to be an advocate for effective public policy, develop civic leaders and drive a sustainable economy,” said President & CEO of the Chamber, J. J. Ament, when opening the event.
Some of the key highlights of the Chamber’s impact was their 23% growth in membership; the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation’s attraction of 86 prospects, with $7.6 billion in potential capital investment; and the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s raising of $120,000 in scholarships for 66 program participants. This surge in membership reflects the Chamber's dedication to providing valuable resources, networking opportunities and advocacy for businesses of all sizes. The full 2023 Impact Report for the Denver Metro Chamber can be viewed online.
The Annual Meeting marked the introduction of Lori Davis as the new board chair of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Davis, the Denver Office Managing Partner for Grant Thornton LLP, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. She was welcomed by George Sparks, the Chamber's outgoing chair and the President & CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
“I think this next year’s going to be extremely important,” said Davis, “because everyone in this room knows the challenges we’re facing... our legislative environment is challenging at best for the business community.”
The Del Hock Lifetime Achievement Award was presented at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting. The award; which recognizes outstanding individuals in the community who embody wisdom, involvement and leadership; was awarded to recently retired CEO/Manager for Denver Water, Jim Lochhead.
“We have such an amazing culture of collaboration and working together as a state, as a region, to provide for the most sustainable and resilient future,” said Lochhead in his acceptance speech.
Attendees heard an insightful keynote address by Alexandra Levit, Founder and CEO of Inspiration at Work. Levit shared her expertise on the future trends of the workplace, with a particular focus on hybrid work models, technological advancements and strategies for streamlining work processes. Her thought-provoking presentation provided valuable insights for businesses navigating the evolving landscape of work.
“We learn from experience,” said Levit in her presentation. “COVID-19 is not going to be the last disruption... We need to be willing to challenge our cherished assumptions about how things have always been, and we need to be adaptable.”
The Chamber's 2023 Annual Meeting showcased the organization's dedication to fostering a thriving business community and driving economic growth in the Metro Denver area. With its impressive achievements and visionary leadership, the Chamber is poised to continue making a positive impact on the region for years to come.
The event’s Presenting Sponsors included the Boettcher Foundation, Comcast, Daniels Fund, DaVita, Denver International Airport, Empower, FirstBank, HealthONE, Pinnacol Assurance, Tallgrass Energy, UCHealth, United Airlines, the University of Colorado, U.S. Bank, VF Corporation, Wells Fargo and Xcel Energy. The Keynote Sponsor was Colorado State University Global; and the Platinum Sponsor was Sherman & Howard LLC.
About the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
For 157 years, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has been a leading voice for Colorado’s business community. With a membership that spans the state, the Chamber is an effective advocate for small and large businesses. The Chamber’s family of organizations includes the Metro Denver EDC, the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, the Colorado Competitive Council and B:CIVIC. For more information, go to denverchamber.org.
