Photo: We3Travel
NOTE TO SUBSCRIBERS: Due to the holidays, we are not sending a full BEAM this week. We will resume regular publication the first week of January 2023.
Dear Chamber member –
2022 has come and gone. It has felt quick – and equally messy.
It is easy to forget that we started the year under local public health orders, as well as the Chamber's essential role as the leading pro-science, pro-data voice that asked the right questions and pushed us forward.
Returning to the office and in-person events became a big part of the conversation and work this year. The first thing I noticed was the joy of feeling connected again. You can see it in the smiles, hugs and handshakes in this video from this year's IceBreaker. This moment of connection represented a new opportunity to rethink, refocus – even redo – for the future Greater Madison needs.
That connectivity continued as we welcomed one of the world’s most renowned brand leaders to the stage at our 69th Annual Dinner to help us take the next step in designing the Greater Madison we aspire to be.
Beyond our programming, I am immensely proud of our collective work in a number of areas, including amplifying Greater Madison’s status as the most livable place in the country, traveling with purpose from coast to coast to promote the region, showcase our emerging companies and engage federal lawmakers; strengthening partnerships around key issues impacting the business community; and launching the Dije Data Sharing Pledge.
We also have much to look forward to in the coming year, from offering endorsements in local elections, to making technology upgrades to our Meet Madison VR talent recruitment project, to continuing to build on the Dije platform.
As I said in my Annual Dinner closing, the world today can feel messy, uncertain and full of friction and tension. For more than 110 years, the Chamber’s role has been to be part of solving the mess. To innovate, pursue change and turn that messy middle into a more focused and promising future. I am fortunate to be surrounded by a Chamber team, board members and Ambassadors that continue to bring that mission to life.
In the end, it is not what we did; it is what we do. So thank you for your trust, support and belief in our work. We could not do any of this without you, and I cannot wait to see what we accomplish together in the new year.
Until then, have a safe, happy and restful holiday.
With high regard,
Zach Brandon
President, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce |
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