Kanab Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon highlights business innovation, community resources

The Kanab Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off the summer with its June luncheon at Dark Sky RV Camp­ground.

Chamber President Pat Guerrero wel­comed attendees and recognized new and renewing Chamber members. Dark Sky co-owner Rick Kessel highlighted the camp­ground’s 40 acres of sagebrush landscape with views of the Red Cliffs, Vermilion Cliffs and Kaibab Plateau.

Guerrero introduced the day’s program by noting Utah’s strong rankings for economic growth, innovation and small business development. She add­ed that business suc­cess also depends on healthy communities and employees.

The first speaker, Mercy Stout, founder of REACH Survivor Services, discussed resources available for survivors of do­mestic violence and sexual assault in Kane and Garfield counties. Stout outlined her or­ganization’s mission of providing safety, stability and support for survivors while also working on education and prevention efforts.

The luncheon also highlighted four Chamber-member businesses selected for ELEV8 Utah, a prod­uct development work­shop offered through the Utah Office of Tourism and Veneto Collaboratory.

Representatives from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Desert Healing Med Spa, East Zion Adven­tures and Kanab Tour Company shared new visitor experiences developed through the program, ranging from behind-the-scenes ani­mal care tours and wellness retreats to outdoor adventures and immersive dark-sky experiences.

The focus on dark skies continued with Sylvia Timothy-Sims of Stellar Vista Obser­vatory, who introduced the observatory’s Friends of the Night Sky program. The initiative recognizes businesses that install dark-sky-friendly ex­terior lighting, help­ing preserve Kane County’s renowned night skies.

Kanab Tour Com­pany co-owner Tiffany Unsworth shared her positive experience participating in the program, and Eric Sims of Stellar Vista Observatory spoke about visitors inspired to help protect South­ern Utah’s dark skies after witnessing the region’s remarkable nighttime views.

Chamber luncheons are held on the sec­ond Thursday of each month at varying loca­tions. July’s luncheon will be held at the Kanab Center and will feature Kane County Office of Tourism Di­rector Janette Peat­ross presenting her annual tourism report.