Pennsylvania’s premier annual event attracted nearly 1,500 attendees and statewide media coverage, as the Commonwealth’s business, governmental, and civic leaders flocked to Hershey last Monday, October 3, for the 38th PA Chamber Dinner.
The evening’s program highlighted Pennsylvania’s central role in the nation’s political landscape; celebrated the success accomplished when we work together to move the Commonwealth forward; and featured conversations with two Pennsylvania candidates for statewide office.
Following welcoming remarks by PA Chamber Board Chairman Nick Bertram, President and CEO Luke Bernstein highlighted the Chamber’s recent bipartisan, pro-growth policy achievements, including business tax reductions and reforms, and joined with his predecessor, Gene Barr, to announce the Gene Barr Leaders Scholarship. Bernstein also outlined his vision for bringing leaders together for PA, saying, “When we put the best interests of Pennsylvanians first and work together, anything is possible.”
Keynote speakers Donna Brazile, former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman, and former Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie engaged in a lively conversation moderated by abc27 News anchor Dennis Owens about Pennsylvania’s rich political history, the 2022 midterm elections, and the role they expect the Commonwealth to play in the 2024 presidential contests. The speakers recognized that Pennsylvania is often an arbiter of which way the nation’s political winds will blow. Brazile and Christie agreed that Americans have a duty to take an active, educated role in our democracy and that, while we should advocate for causes with passion, we should do so with civility and respect for one another.
Bernstein then moderated two, 30-minute conversations with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz and Democrat Gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Josh Shapiro. You can read more about how each candidate outlined their vision for moving Pennsylvania forward here.
Additional links to coverage of the 38th Annual Chamber Dinner from news outlets statewide can be found on the PA Chamber’s website.