ACRA encourages civic engagement among local business leaders Business leaders in the Roaring Fork Valley gathered on Wednesday morning in a forum hosted by the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) where they learned how to better civically engage their businesses and their employees. ACRA leaders hosted the forum to discuss the importance of civic engagement from a business perspective to foster successful businesses in the community whose goals are being supported by their elected officials. Several speakers and local leaders spoke about their experience with civic engagement and how to encourage others to participate, as well. “Our strategic plan places a strong emphasis on public affairs, ensuring that the business community and workforce needs are well-represented in our policy discussions,” said Alycin Bektesh, ACRA public affairs manager. “By empowering our business leaders to advocate for themselves and their staff and developing civically engaged individuals throughout our business sectors, we ensure that Aspen thrives both socially and economically.” Andrea Palm-Porter, executive director of Roaring Fork Leadership, and Lauren Schwartz, executive director of the Colorado Chamber Alliance, both spoke at the forum, addressing how they have guided businesses to become more engaged in their communities. Palm-Porter pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of businesses engaging with elected leaders to convey their legislative needs as a business. “The COVID crisis was a beautiful example of seeing our communities come together because … we had things to deal with immediately, we had problems we’ve never dealt with before, and we didn’t know how to do it,” she said. “As a community, when that type of pressure’s on, we come together to solve it. “When the pressure’s off … we don’t tend to come together as well as we do in the heat of things,” she added. Advocating at a civic level as a business can help grow local businesses and local economies stronger, she said. Some of the major issues businesses in Colorado are facing are housing and cost of living challenges, and it’s much more acute in the Roaring Fork Valley, Schwartz said. As business leaders, advocating for housing solutions at a political level can help ease those pressures. While civic engagement is important, it is often not the most important thing in someone’s day to day lives, the speakers said. ACRA officials urged business leaders to help their employees navigate civic engagement, including reminding them of upcoming public meetings or showing them how to make public comments in meetings. Dwayne Romero, CEO of The Romero Group, moderated a panel of three local leaders during the forum to discuss how they have engaged with their communities. Emily Taylor, communications and development manager for the Aspen Center for Physics, discussed her role on the board of the Aspen Fire Protection District, her experience with non-profits, and how the Lake Christine fire in 2018 emboldened her to become an environmental advocate in the valley. Hannah Berman, sustainability and philanthropy senior manager for Aspen Skiing Company, discussed how she helps employees prepare for public comment at government meetings, how she helps work behind the scenes to ensure companies who make bold claims about climate action are “walking the walk,” and how she is looking to continue that work as a newly-elected Basalt Town Council member. Ben Wolff, managing partner and owner of Frias Properties, explained his role representing Frias Properties at several Aspen City Council meetings to lobby against the tax increase and limitation of short term rental permits. ACRA encourages civic engagement among local business leaders Business leaders in the Roaring Fork Valley gathered Wednesday morning in a forum hosted by the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) where they learned how to better civically engage their businesses and their employees. PHOTOS: Aspen Mountain closes out the ski season with Sundeck party DJ Naka G and DJ Dylan lit up the Sundeck stage on Sunday, leading the annual closing day celebration atop Aspen Mountain. See more
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