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Chamber of Commerce

Surprise Chamber to resume events

Annual Update to restart year at West-MEC

Posted 5/12/21

The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce is returning to live events for the first time since the COVID-19 shutdown more than 12 months ago.

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Chamber of Commerce

Surprise Chamber to resume events

Annual Update to restart year at West-MEC

Posted

The Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce is returning to live events for the first time since the COVID-19 shutdown more than 12 months ago.

The chamber said it plans to capitalize on positive news about the economy by opening up the year with its popular Annual Economic Update.

“There is a lot of talk and economic predictions that we could see a very robust recovery,” said Raoul Sada, president and CEO of the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Some experts are even predicting our GDP will return to pre-COVID levels this quarter, and by the fourth quarter of the year, the economy will exceed its pre-pandemic trajectory.  This is welcomed news for our local business community.”

This year’s economic update will feature two well-known economists, Jim Rounds of Rounds Consulting, and Curtis Dubay, senior economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Both guests and their reports are frequently cited in business publications, newspaper stories, TV and radio broadcasts and government reports.

“Having both experts address our local business community will be a wonderful way to begin our return to normalcy,” Mr. Sada said.

The Surprise chamber lobbied hard for legislation  Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law that provided businesses, nursing homes and others a broad shield from  lawsuits related to COVID-19.

Mr. Sada said the bill’s recent passage made the chamber’s decision to meet in person easier. He said it still plans to follow public health protections.

Mr. Dubay of the U.S. Chamber calls the recovery the “great resurgence” and cited the U.S.’s first-quarter economic data showed 6.4% growth for the first three months of the year.

That’s the second-highest quarterly growth in nearly two decades — behind only the 33.4% rate in the third quarter last year as the economy emerged from its large-scale summer lockdown.

In a recent chamber article, Mr. Dubay said: “This could be the beginning of the Great Resurgence — assuming we continue to gain control over the pandemic and that policymakers do not pass harmful legislation that will harm small businesses.”

Mary Orta, vice president of marketing for the chamber, said, “small businesses have been on the front lines when it comes to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the community is very keen to getting the inside scoop on current and prospective economic trends.”

Ms. Orta said interest is high to have the opportunity to connect with peers and start building up community networks.

“There is a lot to be optimistic about right now in our economy,” Mr. Sada said.

The chamber’s Annual Economic Update will give our local businesses community direct access to want the experts are predicting and a chance to meet in person once again.  

For information about the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce, go to SurpriseRegionalChamber.com.