The Salt Lake Chamber reported a perfect record on its 2026 legislative priorities and honored eight Utah businesses and leaders at its annual meeting Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper.

The Chamber said it passed 100% of its priority legislation during the 2026 session, though it did not publicly name the specific bills. President and CEO Derek Miller framed the achievement as part of what he called the "Utah model" of balancing business and community interests.

"There is a false choice running through the country right now that asks whether you are for business or people, for employers or employees," Miller said at the meeting, according to Utah Policy. "Utah is the proof that we can support both because the businesses that make a lasting difference are the ones that succeed alongside their employees and their communities. That is the Utah model, and it is why we remain optimistic for the years ahead."

The event at 12033 Lone Peak Pkwy., just off Interstate 15 at Exit 291, drew sponsors including Enbridge and Rio Tinto Kennecott. The meeting marked 139 years of the Chamber's operation.

Award winners

Dr. Brian Steed received the President's Award for Excellence. Steed serves as vice president for government and external relations at Utah State University and was the inaugural commissioner of the Great Salt Lake until July 1, 2026. He previously served as executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources from 2019 to 2022.

The Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation took the Utah Rising Award for advancing the Chamber's statewide economic initiative focused on workforce development. The foundation, established in 2003, focuses on sustainable communities, early childhood literacy and housing affordability.

Other honorees included Wasatch Electric (Legacy Award), a full-service electrical contractor founded in 1919; America First Credit Union (Fortitude Award), which serves more than 1.3 million members; and Utah Food Bank (Beehive Award), which distributed 69.6 million pounds of food last year, the equivalent of roughly 58 million meals, through 309 partner agencies. Utah Food Bank was founded in 1904.

Sandy-based Avalanche Studios, a film production company founded in 2000 by Dave Lindsay, won the Opportunity Award for small business. Bossible, a brand strategy firm operating for 10 years, received the Icon Award for woman-owned businesses. Kylee Spjut, senior public relations manager at Penna Powers and adjunct faculty at Brigham Young University, earned the Trailblazer Award as a community "rising star."

Five Chamber Champions were also recognized: Alicia Gleed of The Road Home, Andrew Gruber of the Wasatch Front Regional Council, attorney Tom Jacobson, Amanda Morton of Cyprus Credit Union and Cory Robinson of America First Credit Union.

Miller also highlighted Utah Rising, the Chamber's business-led economic initiative. No specific policy deliverables were detailed.

The Chamber's full annual report is available at slchamber.com.