Ann Hutchison
Ann Hutchison, Executive Vice President of the Fort Collins Area Chamber is the recipient of the 2012 Hathaway Award that recognizes the top chamber staff person.
In memory of Gerald W. Hathaway, a 25-year veteran of the chamber management profession, and CACCE president in 1971, who died of leukemia in 1978. The award is given to an outstanding chamber staff member for contributions made to specific chamber goals, and/or for personally designing innovative new systems that have contributed significantly to the chamber development, this award includes a scholarship to next year’s W.A.C.E. Conference.
Ann Hutchison is the recipient of the 2012 W.A.C.E. Gerald W. Hathaway "Staff Person of the Year" Award. Ann serves as the executive vice president of the Fort Collins Area CO Chamber.
The following is the presentation by Toni Padron (Carlsbad CA), the 2009 recipient of the Hathaway Award to Ann Hutchison.
“This Executive Vice President like many of us wears many hats. They directly oversee the communications and event departments, assists in the day-to-day operations of the Chamber.
They provide management support to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Responsibilities include but are certainly not limited to Public Policy, Board Retreat Coordination, Annual Dinner, and Small Business of the year to a name just a few. Wow, this person sounds like me, I can’t wait to meet them.
The innovations this person has driven have been internal to existing projects rather than creating new ones – It’s a subtle distinction but one that has made a huge difference to the Chamber and how it is viewed by leaders and members.
For example the Annual meeting at this chamber (like many of us) tended to be long, boring with a lot of talking heads – this was converted to a more exciting, more interesting, “ Let’s celebrate GREAT stuff” production that celebrates successes of the chamber in a fast paced new media broadcast format. Same event – different energy and affect. I want to be invited to your next event!!!
Another example is the ability to take a very boring topic “Healthcare Reform” and turning this event into something that gained statewide attention. Now that is MAGIC!
This person understands what chambers do and should be doing for their communities and members. They managed to assist in helping the business community “flip” their City Council from an anti-growth, anti-business group to one that is acceptably pro-business – this while working with a City Council and staff that for a generation abused the business community rhetorically and with fees and regulations.
When this person's President convinced the Board that they needed to establish a political program, they led the charge with their drive, skills and intelligence to carry it out. This person rallied the business community, conducted public opinion polling, and coordinated messages with the end result being a new Council majority. This person is sought out by peers from around the country - I know I want to meet her – Ann Hutchison, Executive Vice President of the Fort Collins Area CO Chamber.”
2012 Hathaway Staff Person of the Year Award