THE CONNECTION METRO
2025 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Garrett Lofto, J.R. Simplot Company, Chair
Jim Shipman, Colliers, Chair-Elect
Dan Price, Mountain West Bank, Past Chair
Hart Gilchrist, Intermountain Gas, Treasurer
Matt Walters, Elam & Burke, Of Counsel
Emily Baker, Portman Square Group, At-Large
Rebecca Hupp, Boise Airport, At-Large
Gerald Hunter, Idaho Housing and Finance, At-Large
Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, Boise Metro Chamber, President/CEO
2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Alison Patt, Thomas Cuisine
Angela Taylor, Indulge Boise/Dignitas Agency. 2025 Visit Boise Chair
Adam Richins, Idaho Power Company
Amy Lindgren, Cushing Terrell, LB Chair (Ex-Officio)
April Arnzen, Micron
Chris Roth, St. Luke’s Health System
Christina Hardesty, Amalgamated Sugar Company
David McFadyen, Trinity Health, West Region
Erin Anderson, Idaho Botanical Gardens
Jeff Caywood, PetIQ
Jeff Newgard, Bank of Idaho
Jennifer Swindell, Idaho Ed News
Jessica Hagan, KTVB News Group
John Colgrove, Albertsons Companies
Kelly Olson, Western States Equipment
Laura Kendall, Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts
Michael Ballantyne, TOK Commercial
Mike Smith, Lamb Weston
Nate Brazier, Stinker Stores
Neil Nelson, E.S.I.
Paul Zurlo, Blue Cross of Idaho
Dylan Buckland, TalentSpark, BYP Chair (Ex-Officio)
Todd Gill, United Heritage
Tom Mortell, Hawley Troxell, Policy Committee Chair and BVEP Chair
Tommy Ahlquist, Ahlquist
Editorial Office: 1101 W. Front St., Suite 100, Boise, ID 83702 | (208) 472-5205
Boise Metro Connection (USPS 227-520) is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September, and November by Boise Metro Chamber. Copyright © Boise Metro Chamber, 2025. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Periodical postage paid at Boise, ID 83707.
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Send address changes to: Boise Metro Chamber, P.O. Box 2368, Boise, ID 83701
Chamber membership dues include $12/year subscription.
Publisher & Executive Editor: Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, President & CEO
Written by: Tori Thomas - Community and Government Affairs Manager
Dear Readers,
There were numerous local changes in the recent election, including a new set of legislators in the Idaho Legislature. With new lawmakers, comes new leadership roles and priorities for the session. We look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure Idaho businesses continue to succeed and thrive.
The Chamber hosts eight committees, councils and boards; focusing on the industries and issues that affect our business community. It is crucial to hear from our members, to better understand what businesses need and how the Chamber can help. The Chairs of each committee, council and board, sit on our closed Policy Committee that meets weekly during the legislative session, to ensure each industry is represented. We appreciate the work of our chairs as well as our members who attend the meetings. If you are interested in participating on any of these committees, councils or boards, please reach out to me!
Our annual Legislative Forum will be hosted on Wednesday, January 8th at the Boise Centre.
This event brings members and lawmakers together to create relationships and discuss priorities for the upcoming session. The topic this year is: “Managing Growth: A Legislative Perspective .” Join Senator Ali Rabe, Senator Camille Blaylock, Representative Rick Cheatum, Representative Jordan Redman and moderator Tom Mortell of Hawley Troxell, as they discuss managing Idaho growth and explore the legislative strategies and policies shaping the future of our growing communities. Visit boisechamber.org to learn more and register!
I will continue to keep you informed and up to date on legislative issues within the state and federally. If you have any challenges, questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for your support of the Boise Metro Chamber. Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Tori Thomas
2024 PRESENTING SPONSORS
The Boise Metro Chamber would like to thank our wonderful Chamber member sponsors, whose generosity made our 2024 lineup of events possible. We hope you are looking forward to 2025's events as much as we are! To sponsor a Boise Metro Chamber event, email: Teresa Kirkmire: tkirkmire@boisechamber.org
Conference
Tromp’s Address to the Business Community
Reception with Elected Officials
CEO Speaker Series
Annual Legislative Forum
Operation Thank You
Celebration & YP Awards
YP Development Summit
Annual Golf Classic
Annual Gala & Auction
Boise ROSE Awards President's Reception for New Members
Forums
Chamber Day at Bogus Basin
Start-Ups & Suds
Leadership Boise Alumni Reunion & Graduation
Governor's Address to the Business Community
Boise Mayor's State of the City Address
Small Business of the Year & Chamber Excellence Awards
WELCOME OCTOBER-NOVEMBER
Braintree Group* (208) 519-4200
918 W. Idaho St. Boise, ID 83702 btreegroup.com
GBS
6220 N. Discovery Way, Ste. 110 Boise, ID 83713 gbsbenefits.com
Toy POP! (208) 859-0095
780 W. Main St. Boise, ID 83702 shoptoypop.com
Treasure Valley Children’s Theater (208) 287-8828
7085 W. Overland Rd. Boise, ID 83709 TreasureValleyChildrensTheater.com
Wish Granters, Inc. (208) 377-9029
2208 E. Summersweet Dr., #170281 Boise, ID 83716 wishgranters.org
Teach For America (208) 509-2348
1120 S. Rackham Way, Ste. 300 Meridian, ID 83742 teachforamerica.org
Idaho Business for the Outdoors (208) 949-8961
P.O. Box 1965 Boise, ID 83701 idahobusinessfortheoutdoors.org
Luciano’s Italian Restaurant (208) 577-6415 11 N. Orchard St. Boise, ID 83706 lucianosboise.com
Resolute Road Hospitality (208) 519-4200 918 W. Idaho St., Boise, ID 83702 resoluteroadhosp.com
Telos Creative, LLC (208) 848-4787
592 N. Benjamin Ln. Boise, ID 83704 teloscreativeagency.com
Simple Suites (208) 908-7959
2909 W. Elder St. Boise, ID 83705 safarihospitality.com/ property/simple-suites
Pretty Little Hippies Boutique (949) 922-6410
4735 W. Chinden Blvd. Garden City, ID 83714 shopprettylittlehippies.com
GYMGUYZ Greater Boise (208) 900-4074 Eagle, ID gymguyz.com/ greater-boise-id
Caffe Luciano’s (208) 577-6010
3588 N. Prospect Way Garden City, ID 83714 caffelucianos.com
Workspace Concepts Corp. (208) 859-5414 P.O. Box 1274 Nampa, ID 83653 workspaceconcepts.com
Monarc, LLC (208) 989-8566 Meridian, ID monarcbrand.com
Sawtooth Development Group (208) 720-4690
371 N. Main St., Ste. 201 Ketchum, ID 83340 sawtoothdevelopment.com
MOJO Creative Digital (208) 996-1113 Nampa, ID mojo.biz
Leap Years, LLC (650) 930-0518
1529 W. Washington St., Ste. 100 Boise, ID 83702 leapyearsboise.com
Dream Clean Maid Services, LLC (208) 562-9012
6700 N. Linder Rd., Ste. 150, #210 Meridian, ID 83646 dreamcleanidaho.com
Waters Edge Event Center (208) 866-8671
287 E. Shore Dr. Eagle, ID 83616 awatersedge.com
Cece Gassner & Co. (208) 869-8113 P.O. Box 6021 Boise, ID 83707
Trini DeMarco Boise Premier Real Estate (602) 418-7014
1829 W. American Fork Dr. Meridian, ID 83642
BODYBAR Pilates Barber Valley (208) 757-4321
3176 E. Barber Valley Dr. Boise, ID 83716 bodybarpilates.com/studios /barber-valley
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER NEW MEMBERS!
Renaissance Remodeling (208) 384-0591
4220 N. Osage St. Garden City, ID 83714 remodelboise.com
Wood Tarver Financial (208) 343-2001
3232 E. Barber Valley Dr. Boise, ID 83716 woodtarverfinancial.com
HKC Public Affairs, LLC (970) 769-2487
P.O. Box 5932, Boise, ID 83705 hkcofidaho.com
Justin Gross Mikowski
Real Estate at Finding 43 (208) 488-2535 1609 W. Hays St. Boise, ID 83702 helpful-resources.myflodesk.com
Mountain Hardscape Systems (208) 284-4458
124 N. Seneca Springs Way Star, ID 83669 mountainhardscapesystems.com
Fenyx Health (775) 340-5136
373 W. 150 N. Blackfoot, ID 83221
Hawke Media (208) 850-7377
136 E. Idaho Ave., Ste. 100 Meridian, ID 83642 hawkemedia.com
Savory n Sweets (208) 999-6289
2900 W. Excursion Ln. Meridian, ID 83642 savorynsweets.com
Done Right Flood & Fire Services (208) 215-2577
4735 W. Chinden Blvd. Garden City, ID 83714 donerightfloodandfire.com
Marco’s Pizza (208) 563-4343
7375 W. Fairview Ave. Boise, ID 83704 marcos.com
Johnson Wood Floors (208) 391-9383 Boise, ID johnsonwoodfloors.com
Barrier Building (208) 941-5692 6893 Supply Way Boise, ID 83716 barrierbuilding.com
Earth Home Eco Cleaning (208) 559-6636 Boise, ID earthhomecleaning.com
Amplified Digital Agency (314) 884-2080 901 N. 10th St. St. Louis, MO 63101 amplifieddigitalagency.com
Cruise Planners (208) 908-6175
967 E. Park Center Blvd., Ste. 114 Boise, ID 83706 makingwavestravel.com
A1 Lock and Safe, LLC (208) 377-4500
1111 S. Orchard St., Ste. 160 Boise, ID 83705 a1lockandsafeboise.com
Nothing Bundt Cakes (208) 358-8938 6740 N. Glenwood Boise, ID 83714 nothingbundtcakes.com
Prodigee Logistics, LLC (208) 914-0405
3100 N. Lakeharbor Ln., Ste. 186 Boise, ID 83703 prodigeelogistics.com
Trail Creek Advisors (208) 559-6250 Boise, ID
CORE Construction (208) 314-1377
777 N. Fourth St. Boise, ID 83702 coreconstruction.com/ locations/idaho
Pella of WYIDAHO (208) 373-0002
1580 E. State St., Ste. 103 Eagle, ID 83616 pellaID.com
Grouse Creek Provisions (360) 907-6016
340 W. Dundee St. Boise, ID 83706 grousecreekprovisions.com
Lancaster Holdings (208) 510-7127 Boise, ID
*= Board of Advisor Level
PRESENTED BY:
10/2 Evoqé Medical Aesthetics
Hotel 43 & Chandlers Steakhouse and Seafood
Hearing Life
Waters Family Wellness
Marco’s Pizza
Bluffside Provisions & Butchery
Tamarack Grove Engineering 11/12 High Desert Heart & Vascular
West Ada School District Flyers Center
The Vervain Collective
10/22 Bank Of Idaho 10/25 America First Credit Union 10/25 Frontier Credit Union
10/29 Residence Inn by Marriott -Eagle Boise
10/11 Fast Lane Indoor Kart Racing
10/14 Hotel Renegade/ Baraboo Supper Club/ The Highlander/ Blue Collar Coffee Co.
SCAN TO LEARN MORE
TOP 10 BUSINESS STORIES OF 2024
1. IRONMAN 70.3
This summer, Visit Boise secured the bid for the IRONMAN 70.3, which will return in the summer of 2025. It has been over a decade since this event was last held in Boise. The return of the Ironman to Boise will have a significant economic impact on region bringing in over 2000 athletes and their spectators to the Treasure Valley.
2. BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN DOWNTOWN BOISE, HOTEL RENEGADE AND HOTEL 43 REMODEL
In 2024, Downtown Boise saw growth in boutique hotel offerings, adding to the Inn at 500 and the recently opened Avery Hotel. Hotel Renegade, a 122-room boutique hotel, opened its doors, while Hotel 43 completed a remodel, offering 112 boutique rooms. The Sparrow also opened its doors and adds 67 rooms to Boise. With 338 boutique hotel rooms in Downtown Boise continues to enhance its appeal for visitors.
3. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TOP 25
Boise was named one of National Geographic’s Top 25 Best Places to Travel in the world in 2025. The publication highlighted the Basque Jaialdi Festival as a standout reason to visit the “City of Trees” and the “Gem State.” Boise ranked number 17 on the list.
4. CONDE NAST’S - ‘BEST PLACES TO GO’ IN 2025 LIST
Boise earned a spot on Condé Nast’s Best Places to Go in 2025. The publication emphasized the return of the Jaialdi Festival after a 10-year hiatus, making Boise a must-visit destination for its cultural offerings.
5. BVEP SEES AN INCREASE IN OFFICE PROJECTS
Boise Valley Economic Partnership has seen steady project flow throughout 2024 with 32 new projects coming in from January through November. Overall, BVEP saw a strong increase in large office-user projects looking to expand in the market. Additionally, BVEP hosted 12 site visits, with two of them being large office users with 500+ full-time employees.
6. MICRON SUPPLIERS INCREASING PRESENCE IN THE VALLEY
Over 2023 & 2024, BVEP was engaged with 22 suppliers looking at expanding or opening a facility within the region. With the current announcements made by Micron suppliers, BVEP is anticipating an increase of around 550 new jobs from 11 companies.
7. DAN PRICE SUCCEEDED BY GARRETT LOFTO FOR NEW BOARD CHAIR
Dan Price will successfully complete his role as the Boise Metro Chamber board chair and will be succeeded by Garrett Lofto, president and CEO of J.R. Simplot Company. Price has left a lasting impact on the Chamber and Boise business community. Price has led Bobbi-Jo through her first year as Chamber president and CEO, addressed and acted on many topics brought up by Chamber members. Lofto currently serves as President and CEO of J.R. Simplot Company and will assume the board chair position for the 2025 year.
8. LB/ BYP/ LB ACADEMY/ LB ALUMNI PROGRAMS
This past year has seen tremendous success for all Chamber programs. Leadership Boise (LB) saw its largest class, and is preparing for the big 50th Anniversary & Class Graduation in May of 2025. The Chamber’s annual YP Summit (held each September with input and assistance from BYP members) also broke attendance records and is now the largest full-day conference for young professionals in Idaho. The day included networking, think tanks with mentors, top tier professional speakers and panelists and nonprofit exhibits and more. Leadership Boise Academy (LB Academy) had its largest application pool in the program’s 40-year history and the 2025 Class includes representation from 12 Treasure Valley schools. Finally, LB Alumni grew in membership numbers and will launch exciting opportunities for LB grads in January 2025.
9. ANNUAL GALA
The Chamber’s 2024 Annual Gala spotlighted the creative arts community, showcasing Ballet Idaho, Boise Contemporary Theater (BCT), Boise Phil, Idaho Shakespeare Festival - School of Theater, and Oinkari Basque Dancers. The event raised over $17,000 for these nonprofits. Keynote speaker Andy Scoggins highlighted the economic impact of the arts sector.
10. 100-YEAR MEMBER CAMPAIGN
The Chamber launched a campaign recognizing members who have been with the organization for over 100 years. Honorees include Idaho Candy Company, Idaho Power Company, Alsco, Inc., Idaho Statesman, Eberle Berlin Kading Turnbow & McKlveen, Chtd., CSHQA, Compton Transfer & Storage Company, Veolia, Idaho Surveying & Rating Bureau, Inc., U.S. Bank, Lumen, Peasley Transfer & Storage, Wells Fargo Bank, Oppenheimer Companies, Inc. and more. The campaign highlights the enduring legacy of these businesses and their role in Boise’s evolving economy.
& PHOTOS VIEW EVENT SCAN TO READ FULL
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