LEXINGTON, Ky. — Commerce Lexington’s annual Leadership Visit intercity trip presented by Central Bank & Trust Co has taken a delegation of about 170 Central Kentucky business, education, government and nonprofit leaders to Salt Lake City, Utah. The intercity visits not only enable the study of best practices from benchmark cities across the country but are responsible for many programs, initiatives, events and projects occurring in Central Kentucky today.
One of the longest-running and largest intercity visits of its kind among chambers of commerce and economic development groups, the Leadership Visits have been responsible for the creation of many great programs and initiatives right here in Central Kentucky, including things like the popular Thursday Night Live, the EMERGE conference for support new local leaders, Commerce Lexington’s Minority Business Development program and Access Loan small business financing initiative, the recent Courageous Conversations movement, and more.
“There will be a lot for us to learn during this trip — from Salt Lake City’s thriving tech industry to its exceptional quality of life and efforts in the talent attraction space. It is also home to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, a nationally recognized cancer hospital and research center and benchmark institute for the UK Markey Cancer Center,” Commerce Lexington Board Chair Steve Byars said. “I’m also excited to see how the entrepreneurial ecosystem helps commercialize intellectual property generated at the University of Utah.”
The delegation kicked off the trip at The Gallivan Center to hear from Salt Lake City community leaders Natalie Gochnour (Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at University of Utah), Sui Lang Panoke (Rethink International), and Dee Brewer (Salt Lake Downtown Alliance). Day two today features panel discussions on the city’s tech industry and health care, as well as a presentation on air service – one of the key drivers of business recruitment. The final day Friday will include a discussion with Salt Lake City Chamber President and CEO Derek Miller, followed by a moderated session to help the group reflect on their experience during the trip.
In addition to the sessions, participants will also have opportunities to experience Salt Lake City through a variety of elective tours featuring the downtown area, The Blocks Art District, the Aster Development, Temple Square, and the Huntsman Cancer Institute, as well as recreational activities such as bike and hiking tours, and a visit to Olympic Park.
Those who are not able to travel with the group can be part of the ongoing conversation and experience what others are seeing and doing in Salt Lake City from right here in Lexington through social media using the hashtag #SLC2024. For regular updates during the trip, follow facebook.com/CommerceLexington and instagram.com/CommerceLex. Find trip materials, an agenda and other information posted at www.commercelexington.com/slcparticipant.html.
Commerce Lexington (Greater Lexington KY Chamber of Commerce) is a nearly 2,000 member-driven organization that seeks to promote economic development, job creation, and overall business growth in Lexington, Kentucky, and its neighboring communities, while strengthening its existing businesses through its many programs and services. Commerce Lexington Inc.’s ECONOMIC FOCUS centers on promoting entrepreneurial start-ups, business expansion and retention, and new job creation; workforce development; connecting people and businesses; advocacy; community, minority, and small business development; and the cultivation of local and regional leadership. www.commercelexington.com
