On Friday, October 28, 2022, the Chamber convened over 1,200 regional professionals and civic leaders at the Pennsylvania Convention Center for our 222nd Annual Meeting.  

The sold-out luncheon, our first in-person Annual Meeting in two years, was a welcome reminder that Greater Philadelphia’s business community is united and thriving with a shared focus on furthering inclusive economic growth.  

Leaders from throughout the region were in attendance, representing a diverse sampling of Greater Philadelphia’s key industries and organizations of all types and sizes. The excitement was palpable as attendees settled into their seats to focus on the main stage. 

The program was kicked off by Kirsten Michelle Cills and Amir “The Bul Bey” Richardson, Co-Hosts of the So Curious! podcast, the Franklin Institute, who infused the crowd with anecdotes, reflective of a spirit unique to our region, during their welcome. Philadelphia’s most recent successes in the professional sports arena, and the subsequent camaraderie among us, were themes echoed throughout the program. Attendees were encouraged to wear red in support of the Phillies’ World Series run, which would begin later that evening. 

The crowd was further engaged when Susan Jacobson, President, Jacobson Strategic Communications and Chamber Board Chair from 2020 – 2022, began her address. Jacobson, whose invaluable contributions to the Chamber have driven regional impact for many years, conveyed her thanks to supporters for their commitment to empowering Greater Philadelphia’s business community.  

She reflected on her time as Board Chair, highlighting progress made in initiatives aligned with our Recharge & Recover PHL aspirations. The Inclusive Growth Coalition’s (IGC) recent success in advocating for wage and BIRT tax reform in Philadelphia and the Diverse Procurement Collaborative’s (DPC) efforts to grow minority-owned businesses by facilitating an additional half-billion dollars in total diverse spending in the region since June 2022 were both mentioned.

Jacobson introduced the audience to our new Chamber Board Chair, Michael Innocenzo, President and CEO, PECO, an Exelon Company. Innocenzo, no stranger to the Chamber community given his long-term involvement, formally assumed his role as Board Chair in October 2022 and took the stage for his first public address in this capacity.  

He introduced the new Chamber Board and Executive Committee members. He then outlined his vision for the next two years, “to continue to work together to tackle the most pressing issues facing our region.” Community, partnership, engagement, and opportunity were common themes throughout his address.   

 A short video highlighting local professionals from a sampling of Greater Philadelphia’s key industries played. Speaking to the economic competitiveness of the region, the video can be viewed below:

Gregory Deavens, President and CEO, Independence Health Group, parent company of the event’s Title Sponsor, Independence Blue Cross, and Chamber Board Member, then took the stage to comment on the region’s economic competitiveness. In alignment with the video that played before him, Deavens went on to mention various topics including business attraction and retention, inclusive growth, and improving the quality of life for residents. He drew on the importance of the link between Greater Philadelphia’s business community and the community at large – tying in the significance of the Chamber’s work in that respect.  

Deavens welcomed Chellie Cameron, President and CEO, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, as she commanded the stage to provide her inaugural remarks at the first major Chamber event since assuming her role in July 2022. Cameron shared a message of gratitude – extending thanks to regional business and civic leaders, Chamber investors, event sponsors, and other contributors – with evident authenticity and deep appreciation for their combined efforts and impact.   

While her overarching theme remained true to the Chamber’s long-time goal to make Greater Philadelphia a great place to do business, Cameron went on to provide insight into the region’s future with her at the Chamber’s helm.    

She reiterated three simple promises to Chamber members: 

  • Listening to them to understand their needs. 
  • Demonstrating complete transparency. 
  • Providing real and measurable results.  

Cameron continued to speak of implementing strategic planning – enacting year-round issue-based advocacy efforts, ensuring that the region is “clean and safe” to support growth, and fostering improved economic competitiveness with an emphasis on continued job creation, growth, and livability. She painted a bright outcome and explained how it’s critically dependent on the Chamber’s work. 

In closing, Cameron stated, “We [Greater Philadelphia’s business community] deserve to and can be great… and your Chamber and I, with your help, are ready to deliver.” 

As the program ended, the room continued to burst with the positive energy of old and new friends building lasting connections. A shared sense of optimism for the enhanced business climate of our future was evident. 

The Chamber thanks those of you who were able to attend and invites you to join us at more of our upcoming programs and events. Visit our event calendar for more information: https://portal.chamberphl.com/s/events.