Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry celebrates its 50th anniversary, honors Napolitano and Ducey with Heritage Award

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry last Thursday celebrated its 50th anniversary by honoring two former governors with the Heritage Award, the organization’s highest honor.

CEO @dbseiden kicks off our 50th Anniversary Celebration & 33rd Annual Heritage Awards! Excited to honor two great leaders & former AZ Governors, @DougDucey & Janet Napolitano, for their contributions to Arizona’s success. Great way to celebrate 50 years! pic.twitter.com/7qHRH3eOWi
— Arizona Chamber (@AZChamber) December 6, 2024

Janet Napolitano and Doug Ducey were recognized for their leadership and contributions to the state.

Huge congratulations to @DougDucey on receiving this year’s Heritage Award! From historic tax reform to universal occupational licensing recognition, his bold leadership and business-minded approach have set Arizona up for longterm success. Well-deserved! pic.twitter.com/LRxnAIbo0S
— Arizona Chamber (@AZChamber) December 6, 2024

Here are some highlights of the evening.

Ducey on governing in crisis

“I think the evidence of how we came out of COVID and how the state is thriving today, where other states are still digging out of some of the decisions that they made, and just like Governor Napolitano said, you have to have people around the table that will challenge the decisions, ask you to think about things from a different perspective,” Ducey said. “But once you come out of that 9th floor conference room, you’re shoulder-to-shoulder, and then it’s all about communication.”

Congratulations to Janet Napolitano, recipient of our 33rd Heritage Award! Her dedication to education reform and her strong commitment to public service, both in Arizona and on the national stage, have left a lasting impact. Thank you for your leadership! pic.twitter.com/wSdXDpr7bc
— Arizona Chamber (@AZChamber) December 6, 2024

Reflections on the Heritage Award and the Arizona Chamber

“First, I want to say thank you to the Arizona Chamber, and congratulate the Chamber on 50 years. The Arizona Chamber is a key part of Arizona, the Arizona community,” Napolitano said. “I think the future of Arizona is a bright one indeed.”

“I’d just like to say thank you to the Chamber. It’s an honor for me to have this award, and to be celebrated alongside Governor Napolitano, who is such a giant in our state,” Ducey said.

Great to join Governor Napolitano to celebrate the @AZChamber 50th anniversary and to be awarded the Heritage Award. Since the AZ Chamber's founding 50 years ago, Arizona has transformed into a high tech hub of innovation and entrepreneurship. Let's keep this momentum going! pic.twitter.com/KXqzvPIXXJ
— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) December 6, 2024

Napolitano on a governor’s policies that might get changed by a subsequent administration

“I think in politics, in a way you write in sand. You do everything you can during your term in office. Then there’s an election, and somebody else occupies the seat, and that’s part of the democratic process. And you may not like it; you may think that everything you did was perfect, and how could it be changed, altered, amended, or eliminated? But it’s the process. And, so, you can do as much as you can while you’re in office, and then it’s time to turn it over to someone else,” Napolitano said.

The award

The Heritage Award has been given to some of Arizona’s greatest contributors from the worlds of business, the arts, politics, civil society, and sports.

The award was crafted by Arizona artist and sculptor and former lawmaker Rusty Bowers.