SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 25, 2025) – Today, the Salt Lake Chamber hosted its 138th Annual Meeting, where, amidst celebration of the year’s accomplishments and strategies for growth, it announced the creation of the Utah Chamber. Separate from the Salt Lake Chamber, the Utah Chamber will bolster the 60+ existing local chambers of commerce in Utah and represent the diverse perspectives of businesses across the state.
“The need for Utah’s business community to speak with a unified voice has never been greater,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “Ongoing statewide prosperity as well as challenges facing Utah require vigilant attention and advocacy. The Utah Chamber will serve to unite our chambers and industry associations across the state.”
The creation of the Utah Chamber reflects the progress and evolution of Utah’s economy and state as a whole. For insights into the organization, leadership structure and ongoing progress visit, UTChamber.com.
The event also featured keynote speaker Dr. Arthur Brooks, recognized key achievements of the past year, released the Salt Lake Chamber’s 2024-2025 Annual Report and honored business and community leaders who exemplify dedication to the Salt Lake Chamber’s mission of promoting opportunity and prosperity in Utah.
Celebrating Milestones
The Salt Lake Chamber’s 2024-2025 Annual Report highlights initiatives that worked to shape Utah’s economy over the past year, including:
- Meeting with Utah’s Congressional Delegation and federal policymakers to discuss immigration reform, fiscal responsibility, electrical grid resiliency and permitting reform.
- Hosting Meet the Candidates Virtual Forums, featuring the gubernatorial, congressional and other major races.
- Unveiling of Utah Rising, the first statewide vision to make Utah the top-performing economy in the nation.
- Creating the Workplace Flexibility Guide to help organizations implement flexible work practices that improve productivity, employee wellness and talent retention.
To review the Annual Report, visit slchamber.com/resources/annual-report.
Honoring Exemplary Leaders
The Salt Lake Chamber also recognized individuals who have made significant contributions to Utah’s business landscape over the past year. Honorees include:
President’s Award for Excellence: Jonathan Hafen, Attorney, Parr Brown Gee & Loveless
Honors an individual or organization selected by the president and CEO
Legacy Award: Woodbury Corporation
Honors a long-standing business in Utah
Fortitude Award: American Express
Honors a corporate business in Utah
Beehive Award: One Kind Act a Day/Semnani Family Foundation
Honors an organization that helps build our community through volunteerism
Opportunity Award: Nothing Bundt Cakes Salt Lake City
Honors a small business in Utah
Icon Award: Pierpont Place
Honors a woman-owned business in Utah
Trailblazer Award
Honors “rising stars” in our community
- Makaila Kelso, Community Director, Kiln
- Elsie Powley, Project Manager, Clyde Companies, Inc.
Chamber Champions
Honors exceptional Chamber volunteers
- Benjamin Brown, Director of Government Relations & Public Affairs (retired), Fidelity Investments
- Brandon Hansen, General Manager, Hyatt Place – Salt Lake City Downtown/The Gateway
- Troy Keller, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
- Jen Parsons-Soran, Founder, Nonprofit Development Partners, Inc.
- Dr. Jennifer Robinson, Chief of Staff, University of Utah Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
- Don Stirling, Executive Director, Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation
“Each year, Utah’s success and competitive position at a national level has continued to grow, and the Utah Chamber will build upon the unique strengths of the businesses here as we step into 2026 and beyond. Utah’s business community has proven itself to be as resilient as the people of Utah, and our responses to the varied challenges ahead will fuel the trajectory of Utah’s robust economy,” said Miller.
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