During a recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce meeting, I proudly announced to my colleagues that the Salt Lake Chamber is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year.
Many were astonished to learn our Chamber had been around for so long. I explained to more puzzled faces that, in fact, the Salt Lake Chamber’s roots date back to before Utah was granted statehood. To put this in perspective, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce wasn’t founded until 25 years after the Salt Lake Chamber’s inception.
While my colleagues from around the country may have been astonished, it comes as no surprise to me that the Salt Lake Chamber has remained Utah’s voice of business for 130 years. With your help, our state’s economy is thriving, our business climate is top-notch, and our quality of life is unparalleled.
So, what’s the secret to the Chamber’s success over the past 130 years?
First and foremost, it’s the engagement and leadership of our members that makes the Salt Lake Chamber great. Your participation in all aspects of the Chamber embodies our mission to stand as the voice of business, support our members’ success and champion community prosperity. From attending events and programs, contributing to leadership discussions and acting as strong business advocates, the Chamber owes its continued achievements to your efforts.
Secondly, as a long-standing institution in the state, the Chamber continually garners a strong reputation as a coalition-building organization. We have always been committed to bringing together leaders from the private and public sectors to collaborate on tough issues, solve problems, and advocate for Utah’s continued economic success.
Lastly, we create partnerships with the state, local government and other organizations to champion community prosperity. Whether it was revitalizing downtown, securing the most successful Winter Olympic Games in history, or shaping business-friendly public policy, the Chamber has been at the forefront of advancing the state of Utah to where it is today. I believe our members’ contributions to the community have been, and will continue to be, immeasurable.
There has never been a more exciting time to do business in Utah, so let’s take this momentum into the next 130 years. Through the strength of our members, a continued focus on collaboration and championing the advancement of our local community, I am confident the Chamber can tackle any challenge, creatively solve any problem and ensure Utah remains the best state to live, work, learn, and play.
Congratulations on 130 successful years!
