Denver Metro Chamber celebrates 126th annual meeting

Accepting the gavel to begin his term as chairman of the board of directors of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce on September 15, Bill Lindsay told Colorado's business leaders that it is up to them to work together to grow the economy and jobs and to pull Colorado from the depths of economic recession.

Addressing nearly 800 members of the Denver Metro Chamber at its annual membership meeting and luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, Lindsay, benefit group president of Lockton Companies said, "For us to move ahead successfully, we need to work together to grow our economy, to grow jobs, and thus return to a place of economic stability. We all agree that it is up to us, not the government or someone else."

He said, over the coming year, he will guide the Chamber in continuing its support for small businesses, encourage the commitment of time and financial support of the Denver Metro Chamber and to work to defeat a trio of job-killing ballot measures, Amendments 60 and 61 and Initiative 101.

"Let's not kid ourselves. Any of these measures, if enacted, will ruin our economy and will wreck our plans for economic recovery. Should all three pass, our Colorado business environment will be affected in ways we cannot even contemplate," said Lindsay.

Outgoing board chairman Chuck Ward, president of Qwest - Colorado, lauded the Chamber's efforts over the past year to move Colorado's economy forward amid economic recession.

"Through it all, the Chamber has always been the stable force for our business community, regardless of the turbulence around it," Ward said.

He noted that the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation assisted growth in the state's newest industry cluster - cleantech - while the Chamber's public policy efforts helped the passage of Senate Bill 191 - Principal and Teacher Effectiveness. The Metro Denver Small Business Development Center matched clients with more than $9 million in capital and $8 million in contracts, he added.

Chamber President and CEO Kelly Brough added, "When we convened at this meeting one year ago, we discussed our plan to build upon our strong foundation to focus our efforts given the uncertain territory ahead. Amid the worst recession in decades, we promised you we would do all we could, as the strongest advocate for business in the state, to help lead Colorado out of economic downturn. Today, as I stand before you a year later, I can proudly say that we have kept our promise." 

Also during Wednesday's meeting, the Denver Metro Chamber selected Dan Ritchie to receive the 2010 Del Hock Lifetime Achievement Award. Ritchie, chairman and CEO of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, is a long-time advocate for many causes in Denver, most notably his service and donations to the University of Denver.

Ritchie is a past chairman of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce's board of directors, as well as past chairman of the Daniels Fund.

Of Ritchie, Daniels Fund President and CEO Linda Childears said, "Dan brings out the best in other people. Everything he touches is really golden."