Leo Buscaglia once said, “Change is the end result of all true learning.”

The Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association has been serving the business community for over 100 years, and we have lasted this long by continually evolving. To support our members to the best of our ability, in 2017, we knew it was time for the Chamber to evolve yet again.

To receive unguarded feedback and evaluate our current structure, programs, goals and initiatives with a fresh perspective, we hired a well-respected industry consultant. We organized focus groups to learn about the priorities and needs or our members.

We surveyed the community to make certain we received diverse insight. We discussed future objectives and priorities with the Young Professionals Network, Destination Marketing Committee and Economic Development Council. We reached out to numerous community members to ensure we heard various opinions.

As a result, hundreds of people offered their opinion. We emerged from the process energized, and we took action.

The Steamboat Springs Chamber is rededicating itself to the business and economic health of Steamboat Springs and Routt County.

One component to ensuring our continued economic success is attracting visitors to our wonderful mountain town, but the evolution of our mission goes much further, including programs designed to support our whole community — our businesses and those who work, live and play here. Maintaining our lifestyle, environment and cultural heritage will play a key role in how we deliver on our mission.

Our new vision is to be the leading regional business organization laying the foundation for an exceptional quality of life.

Our new mission states that the Chamber is dedicated to economic vitality within Routt County through business advocacy, destination marketing and economic development.

We restructured the Chamber to align with our new direction and better deliver on our mission.

Economic development advances activities, programs and policies that build a more diverse economy and create a stronger, more resilient business community.

Community development connects our community through programs, educational opportunities and partnerships that help make Steamboat a great place to live and work.

Destination marketing shares what makes our valley special with those who live near and far will help continue to bolster our economic goals and stability.

We updated our logo, branding and website under our new name, the Steamboat Springs Chamber. We are excited to offer new programs that benefit the workforce and community including Thrive Together — Steamboat Women’s Leadership Summit on Oct. 4, Leadership Steamboat alumni programs and professional development opportunities through continuing education.

What hasn’t changed is our staff’s dedication to our team’s guiding values: integrity, leadership, innovation and passion. We look forward to working alongside our community to bring vitality to the valley.

Kara Stoller is the Steamboat Springs Chamber CEO.