The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce: Elevating Local Business and the Community

By the Executive Committee of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce

Back row from left to right: Kyle Case, Chair; Shonie Christensen, Vice Chair; Don Willie, President and CEO. Front row from left to right: Annie Howell, Secretary/Treasurer; Rebecca Box, Past Chair. Photo courtesy of Benjamin Braten

The first chamber of commerce was founded in 1599 in Marseille, France, primarily as a defensive tactic for traders, who banded together for protection against common enemies and established best practices when it came to trading goods. The first chamber in the United States was established in 1768 in New York as the New York State Chamber. That was eight years before the Declaration of Independence. Our local chamber got its start in 1926. The idea of a chamber of commerce is certainly not new.

What may be new is the current energy, momentum, and direction of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce. Even in the face of global challenges (think COVID-19, supply chain disruption, and Vladimir Putin), the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce is moving boldly forward into 2022 with a goal to provide unsurpassed member benefits while serving as a hub for business, providing dedicated support to its members, elevating the local economy, and championing community prosperity.

Supporting Our Members

One of the most visible, accessible, and most enduring benefits to members is the Chamber’s weekly luncheon. Over the years, the format has changed and the topics important to businesses have evolved, but the opportunity to get together regularly with other community leaders and business owners to network cannot be undersold.

Currently, the luncheon calendar designates the first week of each month as an opportunity to meet the newest chamber members. Week two is scheduled for community updates. The third week of the month focuses on learning skills that can enhance your business, and week four provides an opportunity to meet other chamber members where they do business. If it’s been a while since you attended a luncheon, maybe it’s time to check it out again.

Even if you can’t make the lunches as often as you’d like, the Chamber’s website has a mountain of training videos and other resources that you can access to help you in your business. And there is so much more the Chamber offers: the Young Professionals program, legislative bill tracking, government advocacy, an annual trip to Washington D.C. to see our representative government in action, and more.

If you are looking for exposure to new customers, the Chamber’s Southern Utah Business Magazine, the annual Area Guide, and many social media opportunities get you in front of people who need your goods and services.

Continued from Page 19

Chamber Sponsored Events Elevating the Local Economy

Have you heard of the RISE St. George Business Summit? This is an annual business conference that is going places. Even in the midst of COVID-19 protocols, last year’s event brought hundreds of business leaders together from around the state. This one-day event was filled with influential speakers from innovative companies like Walker Edison, Skywest, Pelion Venture Partners, David Eccles School of Business, Bondir, Colliers, Lovesac, and more. Attendees tuned-in to cutting-edge business solutions aimed at helping owners, managers, and employees run their businesses at the top of their game. And this year is programmed to be even better.

The Chamber hosts the annual State of Business address, which is an accounting of the Chamber’s significant impact on the local community, giving members a bird’s eye view on what’s happening in the community.

Throughout the year, the Chamber holds multiple events that highlight—and even drive— economic prosperity. These include the Element Awards, honoring women in the area who go above and beyond to make an impact on the community, and the 30 in Their Thirties Awards, which recognizes up-and-coming business leaders.

Championing Community Prosperity

So much of what happens in our community is related to public policy, and the Chamber is committed to acting as the spokesperson for area businesses in the process of crafting this policy. Much can be accomplished with the unified voice of the business community, something the Chamber is determined to provide. In addition, the Chamber Votes committee takes a very active role in encouraging voter registration and participation in the political process, elevating that voice even more. The Salute to America, an annual event hosted by the Chamber, celebrates American capitalism and the free-market economy.

Speaking of impactful committees, the Chamber Serves committee gives back to the community by hosting a service project every month, providing members with an opportunity to “pay it forward.” From picking up trash along highways and byways to pitching in with donated labor for the latest Habitat for Humanity project, the Chamber builds, beautifies, and makes our area better through service.

None of this could take place without the leadership of the dedicated staff, board of directors, and board of governors, all of whom are committed to elevating the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce as an organization as well as the communities in which our members do business. If you would like to take advantage of all the Chamber has to offer or if you have questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us. We are here to serve you.