Three Vail Valley Partnership team members were recognized for their work in the chamber industry at the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) annual conference in Glendale, AZ last week.
W.A.C.E. Names Erik Williams “Staff Person of the Year”
Erik Williams, Director of Community Development at Vail Valley Partnership was named the recipient of the Gerald W. Hathaway Staff Person of the Year Award. This award is given to an outstanding chamber staff member for contributions made to specific chamber goals and for personally designing innovative new programs and systems that contributed significantly to the chamber’s development.
Since joining the Chamber, Erik has embraced the idea and concept of using his role as Director of Community Development as a way to help our businesses and our workforce. He has led the efforts to implement the CareerWise Youth Apprenticeship program, which has resulted in a wholesale change in the way our community views talent pipeline development and growing our own workforce.
Erik’s efforts are not limited to workforce development programming. He helped to develop a workforce housing coalition, which used a variety of meetings to increase awareness not only of the community’s workforce housing challenges but also the solutions available at a regional and national level. Erik also started and leads local economic development programming such as our Community Resiliency Bootcamp and VVP’s trailing spouse program (MyPartner Career Network). He helped start The Partnership Podcast and serves as host for the podcast program.
Robinson Announced as a New Member of the Emerging Leaders Council
Anna Robinson, Program Manager at Vail Valley Partnership was announced as one of 6 new members of W.A.C.E’s Emerging Leaders Council. The Council was formed to identify & recognize future leaders (all under age 40) in W.A.C.E. and the chamber of commerce industry. Members of the Council will be asked to provide program feedback and ideas for the good of W.A.C.E. and will serve as advisors to the association’s Board and President.
The 6 chamber CEOs and staff professionals named to the W.A.C.E. Emerging Leaders Council are:
- Kristen Dare, Santee Chamber (CA)
- Natalie Leighton, Long Beach Area Chamber (CA)
- Niki Nickle, Lake Havasu Area Chamber (AZ)
- Jessica Penman, Yountville Chamber (CA)
- Anna Robinson, Vail Valley Partnership (CO)
- Victoria Valencia, Gilroy Chamber (CA)
“We are thrilled that Anna has joined this group of emerging leaders and will have the opportunity to share her impactful ideas with the broader chamber community. Her contributions to the group will no doubt enhance the programming of W.A.C.E. just as she does daily for VVP and our business members.”
Romer Honored by Peers at Annual Chamber Executives Conference
Chris Romer, ACE, IOM, President/CEO of the Vail Valley Partnership was named the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Russell E. Pettit Memorial Award. This award is given annually to a chamber executive in the West in recognition for a career of assisting those in the chamber business to attain higher professional standards and capabilities.
Chris Romer is passionate about inspiring the next generation of chamber leaders, encouraging participation in local, regional, and national associations, and leading by example. He is in constant communication with colleagues about the issues our communities and chambers are facing. Keeping his finger on the pulse drives him to create meaningful content shared industry-wide. Chris is always willing to share his knowledge at a conference breakout, hosting podcasts with others in the industry or authoring white papers used by executives across the industry. It’s safe to say that many professionals in the Chamber industry would call Chris a mentor and friend.
Chris encourages the VVP staff to try new ideas, take risks and embrace change. He has spearheaded an organizational culture where the team feels safe to share ideas without judgement and to openly express one’s unique perspective. He leads by example in always thinking outside of the box and allowing VVP staff the freedom to take calculated risks.
Maren Cerimele, Director of Membership at Vail Valley Partnership shared, “I recently saw a quote stating that leadership isn’t about having all of the answers, but is about having the confidence and courage to ask questions. This quote encompasses Chris’s leadership style, and I can safely say that each of us at VVP has learned this skill from Chris.”
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ABOUT WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF CHAMBER EXECUTIVES
Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E. ) is an association of chamber executives and staff professionals with members in 21 Western states and Canada designed to promote and enhance the professional development of chamber of commerce executives. With approximately 795 members, W.A.C.E. is the largest state or regional association of chamber of commerce executives in the United States.
ABOUT VAIL VALLEY PARTNERSHIP
Vail Valley Partnership is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization that serves as the Chamber and destination marketing organization for Eagle County, Colorado and the Vail Valley. Dedicated to community success, the Partnership leads collaboration for economic vitality. Vail Valley Partnership is the official resource and advocate for business and tourism in the Vail Valley with almost 900 members and was named “Chamber of the Year” by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in 2016 and 2020.