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 board member Lacee Brown welcomes attendees as guests gather before the program. The luncheon featured presentations on community resources, tourism innovation and dark-sky preservation. Photo by Nicholas Meyeres.

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.