S.L. Chamber announces annual awardees

Nine individuals and six organizations and companies will be honored Aug. 31 during the Salt Lake Chamber’s 134th annual meeting in Salt Lake City.

The honorees include chamber volunteers and community leaders “who have shown exemplary support over the past year by committing their time and abilities to advance the chamber’s mission and bolster the business community,” according to the chamber, the state’s largest business association.

The event’s theme is “Future in Focus,” as the past year was one that no one could have seen coming, and the chamber is taking stock and looking forward to discussing the future focal points for the organization and the community.

“Overcoming the challenges of the past year have taken the best of our talents and coming together to solve problems to ensure we fully emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance.

“The leadership exemplified by our outgoing chair, Craig Wagstaff, to our mission-driven chamber team, and allies across the community have inspired many to dig deeper and give more. The important work the xhamber performs to advocate for maintaining our friendly business climate, building capacity in our community, and connecting people for the greater good has stood the test of time. I am honored we get to celebrate these leaders of change as they helped us all navigate uncharted territory with steady hands.”

This year’s honorees include:

• Outgoing Board Chair: Craig Wagstaff, senior vice president and general manager–Western Division, Gas Distribution, Dominion Energy.

• President’s Award for Excellence: Utah Black Chamber.

• Corporate Partners of the Year: Ivory Homes and WCF Insurance.

• Community Partners of the Year: Rich Saunders and Utah Department of Health.

• Board Chair’s Initiative Award: AT&T.

• Small Business of the Year: Saffron Valley Restaurants & Catering.

• Chamber Champions: James Hadlock, co-founder and chief evangelist, Bluvonus; Barb Johnson, commercial real estate advisor, CBRE; Ben Kolendar, director, Department Economic Development, Salt Lake City Corp.; Nate McDonald, Utah Department of Workforce Services; Jeff Tiede, founder and CEO, American Packaging Group Inc.; Miles Romney, senior benefits advisor, Diversified Insurance; and Sherry Weaver, associate director of sales, Park City Resort.

The annual meeting takes place Aug. 31, noon-1:30 p.m., at the Little America Hotel, 500 S. Main St., Salt Lake City. This year’s event sponsors are Kennecott Utah Copper Corp. – Rio Tinto and WCF Insurance. The cost is $65 for chamber members, $75 for nonmembers. Details are at slchamber.com.