Annual Meeting
On August 29, 2023, the Salt Lake Chamber hosted the 2023 Annual Meeting at the Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek!
Attendees showed up in their finest to celebrate the Chamber’s 136-year-old legacy of doing business in Utah. Business and community leaders gathered to recognize our past year’s accomplishments and look toward the year ahead.
The Chamber also released its 2022-2023 Annual Report which outlines collective successes of the organization and celebrates an ongoing vision for the future.
“A commitment to working together and bridging divides has sustained the Chamber for an astounding 136 years. Our history of seeking and standing on common ground in order to build the most prosperous society for Utahns pushes us to climb higher. The Chamber, and our business community, will continue its efforts to expand opportunity and build prosperity across the state for many years to come. Each business represents a dream and a chance to make a difference in other’s lives. Today, we celebrate and recognize businesses and individuals for the good they are doing in our community.” – Derek Miller, President & CEO, Salt Lake Chamber
Honorees
President’s Award for Excellence
Honors an individual or organization selected by president & CEO
Brandon D. Fugal is a prominent business leader, recognized as a market leader nationwide, previous EY Entrepreneur of the Year – Western Region and Chairman and co-owner of Colliers in Utah.
Before merging and partnering with Colliers, Brandon was co-founder and owner of Coldwell Banker Commercial Advisors, where his leadership was critical to the firm being recognized for 14 years in a row as the number one operator internationally with 30 offices in 11 states, and where he was recognized as the #1 agent globally. Colliers is the number one commercial real estate firm in the Intermountain West, and one of leading commercial real estate firms in the world. Brandon was recently named 2022 CCIM Utah Office Broker of the Year, for which he has been recognized for the majority of the past decade.
Brandon has developed a sterling reputation as a trusted advisor, entrepreneur and business infrastructure expert on a national, regional and localized basis. Recognized as an authority in business, he has been interviewed and featured in numerous publications. In addition to his commercial real estate endeavors, Fugal is an active entrepreneur and investor, co-founding and leading companies including Cypher, Axcend and Texas Growth Fund. His special projects include the development and master planning of 1,250 acres on the North Shore of Oahu, the 512 acre Skinwalker Ranch in Utah, Evermore Park in Pleasant Grove and the 120 acre Thanksgiving Development in Lehi.
A lifelong resident of Pleasant Grove, Brandon both attended Utah Valley University (leadership scholarship recipient) and served for a decade on the Utah Valley University Foundation Board. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, formerly on the Governor’s Economic Council (GEC) and the board of Junior Achievement. Brandon has four children, and he and his wife Kristen are active philanthropists and serve in the community.
About Colliers
Colliers is a leading diversified professional services and investment management company. With operations in 66 countries, our 18,000 enterprising professionals work collaboratively to provide expert real estate and investment advice to clients. For more than 28 years, our experienced leadership with significant inside ownership has delivered compound annual investment returns of approximately 20% for shareholders. With annual revenues of $4.5 billion and $98 billion of assets under management, Colliers maximizes the potential of property and real assets to accelerate the success of our clients, our investors and our people.
Legacy Award
Honors a long-standing business in Utah
Rio Tinto Kennecott has been a part of the Salt Lake Valley for 120 years. Their rich heritage stretches from when the Utah Copper Company’s steam shovels first broke ground in the Bingham Canyon Mine in 1903 to today. They supply American industry, helping to create products ranging from cell phones and computers to hybrid electric cars and solar panels. They are the only producer in the US market with a completely integrated supply chain, from the mine to the concentrator, to the smelter, to the refinery. In the Salt Lake Valley, they directly employ over 2,000 people and indirectly contribute to a further 14,000 jobs. Driven by their team’s innovation and ambition, they are playing a central role in producing the materials essential to make modern living possible – and maintaining the US status as a global mining leader.
Fortitude Award
Honors a corporate business in Utah
Fidelity’s mission is to strengthen the financial well-being of their customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses they serve. With assets under administration of $11.7 trillion, including discretionary assets of $4.5 trillion as of June 30, 2023, they focus on meeting the unique needs of a diverse set of customers. Privately held for over 75 years, Fidelity employs over 70,000 associates – including more than 2,900 Utahns – who are focused on the long-term success of their customers.
Opportunity Award
Honors a small business in Utah
Nexus IT is a leading Managed Service Provider based in Utah, dedicated to delivering exceptional IT solutions. With a deep understanding of technology and a passion for innovation, they empower businesses to thrive in the digital landscape. Their team of skilled professionals offers comprehensive IT support, strategic consulting, and cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions. They specialize in managing infrastructure, optimizing networks, and ensuring data protection. With their proactive approach and commitment to reliability, Nexus IT is the trusted partner that helps businesses in Utah harness the full potential of their technology for sustained success.
Icon Award
Honors a women-owned business in Utah
Alpha-Lit Salt Lake City was founded in November 2019 by Julie Johnson. She brought the Alpha-Lit Marquee Letter Rentals to Salt Lake City as a fun little side hustle to do on the weekends, but it has since turned into so much more! She rents the highest quality marquee letters, numbers, and symbols and has lit up everything from weddings to corporate events, birthdays to TV show premiere parties. Julie feels so lucky to be in the business of helping Utah celebrate!
Inclusive Business Award
Honors a business that is dedicated to diversity and inclusion through corporate values and policies
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of products and services. Through responsible growth, they deliver for our teammates, clients and shareholders and help address society’s biggest challenges. Their focus on profits and purpose reflects how they help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with.
Trailblazer Award
Honors a “rising star” in the business community
At Dorsey & Whitney, Cloe Nixon manages government affairs initiatives for clients across various industries. An experienced project manager, adept in problem solving and stakeholder engagement, she is passionate about advancing businesses’ strategic goals. With experience working in Senator Hatch’s office and under Governor Herbert’s Administration, she provides unique insight into issues shaping Utah’s economic and political landscape. Cloe holds a Political Science degree from Brigham Young University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Utah.
