Last Monday, October 6, the PA Chamber welcomed more than 1,500 business, civic, and government leaders to the Hershey Lodge for the 41st PA Chamber Annual Dinner—an evening that proved yet again why this event is Pennsylvania’s premier gathering of influence, insight, and inspiration.
Pittsburgh’s own nationally acclaimed speed painter Cody Sabol electrified the room with a stunning portrait of Shaquille O’Neal—completed in under 10 minutes!
Retired four-star U.S. Army General and former CIA Director David H. Petraeus then took the stage for a fireside chat with abc27 News Anchor Dennis Owens. General Petraeus offered timely and insightful reflections on America’s evolving role in the geopolitical landscape and the enduring principles of leadership under pressure.
One of the most memorable moments came when Pitt Johnstown freshman Tamara Humphries, affectionately nicknamed “the Firefly” for her brilliance on the wrestling mat, introduced keynote speaker Shaquille O’Neal and shared a heartfelt moment with him on stage. Shaq recounted how he discovered videos of Tamara dominating boys in wrestling while scrolling through Instagram. Inspired, he reached out personally and gifted her a car so she could travel to competitions. Moved by finally meeting her in person at our Dinner, Shaq pledged to continue supporting Tamara’s journey.
Shaq brought his trademark charisma, humor and wisdom to the stage. Sitting with PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein, Shaq shared stories from his journey—from growing up with supportive yet strict parents to dominating the court; to building a business empire rooted in his mantra, “The Business of Fun.” His message of respect for his teammates, perseverance in the face of challenges, and finding purpose while striving to achieve more as a force for good resonated deeply with the audience.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Exclusive Diamond Co-Sponsors, Highmark and United Concordia Dental, whose support helped make this unforgettable evening possible; along with the dozens of additional sponsors whose commitment to Pennsylvania’s business community continues to elevate this event year after year.
Save the date for Monday, October 5, 2026, when we look forward to welcoming you back to the Hershey Lodge for the 42nd PA Chamber Annual Dinner, which is sure to be another unforgettable evening of inspiration and connection.
Relive the moments of the evening by viewing the following photo galleries of the receptions and the dinner, here and here.