EXECs Advocacy Program
Contact
The EXECs Advocacy Program is a 9-month program that offers exclusive insight into the workings of prominent Colorado companies through business tours and policy-based forums with key Colorado executives and officials.
Participants learn about policy issues impacting their business and community while developing a working understanding of business advocacy. Tours will be fascinating “insider” looks at businesses while integrating policy issues focused around Healthcare, Labor & Employment, Tax, Energy & Environment, Manufacturing, and Federal Affairs. The Colorado Chamber staffers, key legislators, and congressional staffers may be brought in for specific expertise.
Please click on the EXECs Advocacy Program menu in the table to the left to get to know our current EXECs as well as our EXECs Alumni. You can also view tours from past programs.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
- Develop a strong foundation in Colorado business policy and advocacy
- Network with other leaders from Colorado companies
- Gain perspective on critical issues that impact the different regions of Colorado and the industries that support them
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Rising leaders who are passionate about shaping and enhancing Colorado’s economy and strengthening Colorado’s business climate. Candidates should have 5+ years of experience in their field.
WHAT IS THE COST?
The EXECs Advocacy Program fees are based per person and include all required program materials, travel, food, and beverages. Class fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Programs range from half day to full day commitments.
Applicant’s Employer is an active member of the Colorado Chamber: $2950
Applicant’s Employer is NOT an active member of the Colorado Chamber: $3545
APPLY TO THE PROGRAM
The 2019 program is currently underway. The 2020 EXECs Advocacy Program Application Link, located in the EXECs Advocacy Program menu to the left, is currently open.
DATES
The program runs from February through October. Participants meet once per month for an interactive tour, participate in at least one council meeeting, and have the option to attend optional networking opportunities and special events.
2019 EXECs Advocacy Program Recap
February | Kick-Off Program
Guest Speaker
Chuck Berry
President, Colorado Chamber of Commerce
Topics
Program Introductions and Expectations
Program Calendar
Networking with fellow EXECs and EXECs Alumni
Recap
The 2019 EXECs Advocacy Program kicked off the new year with a fun and interactive icebreaker followed by a festive happy hour. Program attendees worked together in small groups scouring downtown Denver for answers to a set of questions. This fun and interactive event provided an rich networking environment where participants were able to work together and forge strong bonds in a more intimate environment. The event concluded with a great downtown happy hour where all of the 2019 EXECs came together to network and discuss the program in more details with EXECs Alumni.
March | EXECs Day at the Capitol
Guest Speaker
Joe Rice
Director of Government Relations, Lockheed Martin Space
Topics
House of Representatives (Observation)
Capitol Building Tour
Government 101
(Government Structure, Lobbying, and State Budget)
Recap
The session is in! The EXECs program made the short walk to the Capitol building for the March tour. The group took time to observe legislators in action from the House of Representatives Gallery. The group commented on their observations of the house dynamics, how the legislators interacted, and the manner in which they conducted business. Additionally, the EXECs hiked the 94 steps to the Capitol’s dome to take in the beautiful mountain view and learned about the construction of Capitol building on a guided tour of Mr. Brown’s attic. Immediately following the tour, the group met with Joe Rice, Director of Government Relations for Lockheed Martin Space. Joe, drawing from his legislative and mayoral experiences, guided the group through the state government structure, discussed lobbying and how everyone must be cognizant of how they are representing their company, and encouraged all the EXECs to be engaged in the political process.
April | Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center
Guest Speakers
Rick Medwedeff
General Manager, Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center
Kevin Hougen
President/CEO, Aurora Chamber of Commerce
Cathy Ritter
Director, Colorado Tourism Office
Recap
The EXECs group enjoyed a fantastic back-end tour of the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center. The group learned about the convention business, the Gaylord business model, as well as the technology and engineering involved in keeping a large facility operating. The post tour panel included enlightening discussion about the Gaylord brand, economic development in Aurora, and Colorado Tourism.
May 15th
EXECs | Afternoon at Lockheed Martin Space
Guest Speakers
Adam Sohn
Vice President of Communications, Lockheed Martin Space
Joe Rice
Director of Government Relations, Lockheed Martin Space
Panelists
Global Positioning System (GPS) III – Chris Jewell, GPS IIIF Program Execution Manager
Advanced Manufacturing Technician Apprentice Program (AMTAP) – Sarah Turner, AMTAP Program Manager
Orion & Long Duration Deep Space Exploration – Todd Sullivan, Acting Advanced Programs Director
Recap
Lockheed Martin Space hosted the EXECs group for an amazing presentation and tour lead by Adam Sohn, Vice President of Communications, and Director of Government Relations, Joe Rice. The group explored the Factory, led by Bryce Svihoveci and Brian Kaplun, and stopped in to learn about the Additive Lab. The Additive Lab tour provided the EXECs an opportunity to learn about and handle 3D printed materials and to view first-hand the Orion heat shield. The next stop on the tour was the new Gateway Center, led by Brian Sava, which is the new advanced satellite manufacturing facility. During our tour we learned that Lockheed Martin created the Advanced Manufacturing Technician Apprentice Program (AMTAP) which trains candidates on the skills necessary to build electronics. Vaughn Redmon explained the process of Lockheed Martin Space identifying a need for technical workers and filling that need by creating a training pipeline for individuals interested in building electronics. Finally, the group stopped by the Collaborative Human Immersive Lab (CHIL). Jared Harper and Christian Kennett discussed the CHIL and how this work space allows pertinent individuals the opportunity to analyze designs and manufacturing processes in virtual worlds prior to physical manufacturing. The CHIL was a big hit with the group as they were encouraged to participate in 3-D renderings of systems and make their way through virtual reality experiences.
June 12th-13th
EXECs Travels to the Western Slope
June 12th
Climax Molybdenum
Peach Street Distillery
June 13th
Terra Energy
July 17th
EXECs Morning at Five Rivers Feeding
August 13th
EXECs Afternoon at Native Roots
September 18th
EXECs Explores Zimmer Biomet
October 9th
EXECs Culmination Celebration
Laws Whiskey House
2018 EXECs Advocacy Program Recap
February | Kick-Off Program
Guest Speaker
Topics
March | CACI Day a the Capitol: HealthCare
Guest Speaker
Topics
April | Lockheed Martin Space
Guest Speaker
Topics
May | Native Roots
Guest Speaker
Topics
June | Climax Molybdenum & Terra Energy
Guest Speaker
Topics
July | Vestas
Guest Speaker
Topics
August | Western Sugar Cooperative
Guest Speaker
Topics
September | Google
Guest Speaker
Topics
October | End of Program Celebration
Guest Speaker
Topics