Last week, the Hershey Lodge played host to the 39th Annual PA Chamber Dinner, transforming into a beacon of Pennsylvania pride and a celebration of the state’s accomplishments as well as its boundless economic potential.
The evening featured an action-packed program, including two receptions, a concert by award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist, and Pittsburgh-area native Gabby Barrett, remarks from PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein, a formal dinner, a dynamic exchange between two influential state legislative leaders, a video welcome from Gov. Josh Shapiro, and a fireside chat with Hollywood star and Pennsylvania native Bradley Cooper. This year’s PA Chamber dinner attracted 1,800 guests, including business leaders, lawmakers, and prominent personalities from across the Commonwealth.
In his opening remarks, Bernstein laid out a hopeful economic vision for Pennsylvania, calling for improvements to the business tax code as well as updates to the state’s permitting process and action on the PA Chamber’s workforce development priorities. “These are not Republican issues. These are not Democrat issues. These are Pennsylvania issues,” Bernstein said.
Additionally, the constructive dialogue between Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward and House Speaker Joanna McClinton offered a glimpse into the collaborative spirit between the two legislative leaders and the positive prospects for bipartisan, pro-business policy advancement in the new year.
Despite a year marked by partisanship, their conversation revealed a robust working relationship. The discussion, moderated by abc27 anchor Dennis Owens, addressed questions about a perceived “trust deficit” in Harrisburg, with both lawmakers emphasizing the need for collaboration in delivering legislative wins for Pennsylvanians.
Governor Shapiro, though not present in person, delivered a compelling pre-recorded message to the dinner attendees. His remarks underscored the administration’s dedication to making Pennsylvania a leader in innovation, job creation, and economic opportunity. Gov. Shapiro also spoke about his administration’s forthcoming strategic plan for economic development.
Finally, the much-anticipated talk by Hollywood heavyweight Bradley Cooper served as the evening’s crescendo. Cooper, a nine-time Academy Award nominated actor, writer, producer, and director known for his roles in the films “Silver Linings Playbook,” “A Star is Born,” “American Sniper,” and his newest film, “Maestro,” brought a charming perspective to the evening as he shared reflections on his home state and his remarkable journey in the film industry.
The PA Chamber would like to thank our generous sponsors, partners, and our guests for helping to make the 39th Annual Dinner an unforgettable experience! To view photos from the event, please click here.