A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

2023 Executive Committee

Odette Bolano, Saint Alphonsus, Chair

Dan Price, Mountain West Bank, Chair-Elect

Emily Baker, Portman Square Group, Past Chair

Tom Van Hemelryck, WaFd Bank, Treasurer

Matt Walters, Elam & Burke, Of Counsel

Gerald Hunter, Idaho Housing & Finance, At-Large

Rebecca Hupp, Boise Airport, At-Large

Bill Connors, Bo ise Metro Chamber, President & CEO

2023 Board Of Directors

Adam Altwies, Inn at 500

Adam Richins, Idaho Power Company

Adan David Callsen, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, BYP Chair (Ex-Officio)

April Arnzen, Micron Technology, Inc.

Charlene Maher, Blue Cross of Idaho

Chris Roth, St. Luke’s Health System

Cord Christensen, PetIQ

Dean Sandros, United Heritage

Erin Anderson, Idaho Botanical Gardens

Garrett Lofto, J.R. Simplot Company

Jeff Newgard, Bank of Idaho

Jennifer Swindell, Idaho Ed News

Jessica Hagan, KTVB

Jim Shipman, Colliers International

Jodi Whittaker, KDP Certified Public Accountants, LLP

John McCreedy, Amalgamated Sugar

Kate Eldridge, HDR Engineering

Kelly Olson, Western States Equipment

Laura Cobb, Citi

Lee Scott, Unleashing Leaders Inc., LB Chair (Ex-Officio)

Michael Ballantyne, TOK Commercial Real Estate

Nate Brazier, Stinker Stores

Susan Morris, Albertsons Companies

Tom Mortell, Hawley Troxell

Todd Gill, United Heritage

Tom Werner, Lamb Weston

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Boise Metro Connection (USPS 227-520) is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September, and November by Boise Metro Chamber. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Periodical postage paid at Boise, Idaho, 83707.

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Publisher & Executive Editor: Bill Connors, President & CEO

Amber Hawton-Hill Boise Metro Chamber Senior Marketing & Communications Manager

Bill Connors Boise Metro Chamber President & CEO

We’ve been hard at work for the nearly 2,000 members of the Boise Metro Chamber. As Idaho’s largest business-first organization, we work to support businesses large and small. We provide networking opportunities, host many of the most renowned events in the Boise Valley, advocate for business-first policy at the state and federal levels and help businesses increase their visibility and value - 2023 is set to be a banner year. We are thrilled that we have assembled the most influential business board in Idaho, made up of CEOs from across our metro area and beyond. Another reason why this organization is so successful is because we have three powerhouses under one roof: The Boise Metro Chamber, BVEP and Visit Boise.

Our partners at Boise Valley Economic Partnership (BVEP) work extremely hard to assist businesses and entrepreneurs to relocate, start up, or expand in the Boise Valley. BVEP reported that 2022 ended with the largest business investment project in the history of the Boise Valley and four project announcements resulting in a total of $15.9 billion in new capital investment to the region and 2,346 new jobs. Incredible!

Visit Boise, formerly known as the Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau, rebranded their efforts, and continues to lead the way in showing the world why Boise is a premier destination for tourism, events, conventions, meetings and recreation. Along with their PR team at Fahlgren Mortine, Visit Boise helped generate 42 stories about the Boise Metro area in 2022, which reached over 650M people in outlets such as USA Today, Thrillist, Small Market Meetings, Food and Wine, Sports Destination Management, Northwest Meetings & Events and Fodor’s to name a few. And the biggest announcement on the media front was when Boise, Idaho was included in Lonely Planet as a Best in Travel 2023.

As Idaho’s only five-star accredited chamber, the Boise Metro Chamber leads the way in promoting strong business practices, recognizing leadership and outstanding contributions to the community, advocacy and staying in-step with industry changes.

None of the work we do would be possible without the generous support of our members and sponsors. We are incredibly grateful that our community leaders generously support the mission and work of the Boise Metro Chamber. We are excited to bring the community more high-quality events, programs, trainings and speaker series in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Bill Connors