As a reminder, with a 2.9% unemployment rate in Utah, Governor Spencer Cox announced the discontinuation of the $300 weekly federal stimulus payment as well as other federal unemployment programs on June 26, 2021.   You can read the press release at:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q7cuPNsPdS-wM-Dd85ODmTQEQbAcFw2d/view. 
 
It’s official!  I’m excited to announce the highly anticipated award finalists for the 2021 Annual Awards Gala.  Thank you to all who submitted nominations for consideration by our Awards Committee.  The committee was incredibly impressed with the caliber of the businesses nominated and were only able to select three finalists in each category.  Please join me in congratulating the following:
 
Best New Business:
Shiro Kuma Snow Cream
F45 Jordan Landing
Utah Warriors Rugby, LLC
 
Business of the Year:
Jordan Valley Medical Center
The Puppy Store
Danone North America
 
Best Place to Work:
Cyprus Credit Union
Summit Vista
Kearns Library Branch of Salt Lake County Library
 
Small Business of the Year:
Hidden Peaks Coffee & Roasting Company
Penny Ann’s Café
Ad Wear
 
Volunteer of the Year:
Clyde Marshall, Perspicacity, LLC
Oz Hutton, Melange, LLC
Wendy Buckner, Cyprus Credit Union
 
As a reminder, the ChamberWest 2021 Annual Awards Gala is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15^th from 5:00 – 8:30 pm at the Maverik Center.  The theme this year is “The Greatest Show in the West” with a fun celebration of business success, an evening of fun and an opportunity to see colleagues and friends, many we have not seen in person since 2019. 
 
We invite you to join an expected 400 attendees as we recognize Dan England, Chairman of C.R. England.  In addition, we’ll be highlighting the three finalists in five award categories with award winners announced that evening.  We will again offer a cash bar featuring local craft distilleries and non-alcoholic specialty drinks for your enjoyment. If you have interest in a gala sponsorship or would like to reserve your table now, more information and registration is available at:  https://chamberwest.com/events/details/annual-awards-gala-1414?calendarMonth=2021-06-01
 
Register today to attend the Small Business Development Series with the topic of Employee Attraction and Retention. This program runs from 8:30 – 10:00 am and will explore strategies to attracting the talent you need and discovering out-of-the-box actions you can take today to start finding and keeping the best employees.  Additional information and registration information are included below.    
 
The highly anticipated ChamberWest 2021 Golf Tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, August 18 at Stonebridge Golf Club.  We are excited to return to our normal tournament with 27 holes, a shot gun start, breakfast, and an awards luncheon.  Sponsorships, hole sponsorships, foursomes and twosomes are available so let us know how you want to be engaged.   We are also looking for raffle items if you have interest in providing an item(s) for the tournament. You can get more information and/or register at:  https://chamberwest.com/events/details/annual-chamberwest-golf-classic-1406?calendarMonth=2021-08-01.
 
Connie, Becky, or I are all available to provide personalized support with any of our programs.  You can reach us at 801-977-8755  or through becky@ChamberWest.org, connie@ChamberWest.org or barbara@ChamberWest.org.   
 
Upcoming programs and event highlights though the end of May include:

• Board of Governors Meeting – Thursday, May 20, 7:30 – 9:00 am
• Multi-Chamber Friday Connections – Friday, May 21, 8:00 – 10:00 am
  • https://chamberwest.com/events/details/friday-connections-speed-networking-1432?calendarMonth=2021-05-01
• Small Business Development Series – Tuesday, May 25, 8:30 – 10:00 am
  • https://chamberwest.com/events/details/chamberwest-small-business-series-1416?calendarMonth=2021-05-01
• Leadership Institute – Thursday, May 27, 7:45 – 3:30 pm