Bill Connors could teach you a few things about the value of a good adventure. Before becoming the CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce in the summer of 2009, Connors spent most of his career in the travel industry. He was the executive director and chief operating officer of the National Business Travel Association before moving to Boise. Earlier in his career, Connors spent 13 years working as captain of a 500-passenger cruise ship, and he has also been an educator and school administrator.
A milestone moment in Connors’ life occurred on Lake George in the Adirondack region of New York.
“We were married aboard one of the ships in my company’s fleet on Lake George,” Connors says.
Bill and Anne Connors, who will celebrate 13 years of marriage in October, are now embracing their lives as Boiseans. They live in Southeast Boise with their dog, Minnie (named in part for a ship that Connors captained). Anne Connors works as a travel counselor at Global Travel, which happens to be a longtime member of the Boise Chamber.
What drew you to Boise and to this job?
My wife, Anne, and I came here on an anniversary getaway a few years ago and fell in love with the place. It was the people, the Downtown, the surrounding areas — this all stood in pretty stark contrast to the madness of the D.C. Beltway. I had been looking around the country for a chamber, tourism or economic development job that was in a place that you can really enjoy selling and promoting and being a part of. We found it, and I’m grateful to have been offered such a great opportunity.
How do you describe Boise to someone who has never been here before?
I like to say this is a surprisingly hip, lean, green, high-tech mecca for innovation with a Western edge. I also like to say, “Think Boulder, Colorado, only better.” I know I will now hear from the Boulder Chamber. ...
What are three places you like to take Boise visitors?
The Greenbelt, the blue turf and Downtown.
What was the best advice you received as a newcomer to Boise?
Boy-C, not Boy-Z; saw it on a Ward Hooper print but was told to get that straight right off the bat. Also, if you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes.
What’s your favorite thing to do on a Saturday?
The marketplace Downtown and a stint on the Greenbelt.
What is your favorite getaway spot in Idaho?
Hard to narrow down; we really have been exploring this magnificent state, but we really like McCall. McCall is very much like Lake Placid, N.Y., which we used to live near.
If you take a lunch break at work, do you brown-bag it or go out to eat?
In this job, I have lots of business lunches. The Valley has a great restaurant scene, and, of course, I do stick with chamber member restaurants. I also brown-bag it a couple times a week at least.
Landline, cellphone or both?
Both still.
What’s your favorite app?
Crab-stuffed mushrooms (LOL)! In my past life, it would be TripIt, lots of travel.
How are you most likely to communicate with a colleague: by phone, email, text or in person?
All of the above, plus I still actually write letters and postcards. I’m a big postcard guy.
What’s your go-to stress-reliever?
My wife, my dog, my Adirondack chair.
What’s on your bedside reading table?
“1776,” by David McCullough. Steve Stuebner’s “Boise Trail Guide” is also omnipresent in our house.
What is your favorite thing to do on a vacation?
Take in a ballgame at a new venue, play a new golf course, ski a new slope, hike a new trail and sleep in.
Jeb Bush was a great success at the 2010 chamber gala. This year marks the 125th year. What should we expect at the 2011 chamber gala?
It will be bigger and better. We have worked to make this a signature event for the Valley’s community leaders and doers. We want to have nationally recognized speakers and make it a real must-do event. This year, we’ll have one of America’s great heroes with a great story: Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger, hero of the “miracle on the Hudson.” One of the most moving speakers I have ever heard, with a great lesson. October 18, save the date!
How do you think your professional experience has influenced the way you make decisions at the chamber?
I have had lots of experience in education, politics, membership organizations and the travel industry. All of those things play into the life of an organization that is charged with promoting our region.
Who inspires you?
I’m a baseball nut, so Cal Ripkin, although I think his work ethic transcends sports. My dad was a big influence, and my first boss, a guy named Joe Reiners. Joe taught everyone who worked for his small business life lessons that one can only learn in the real world. We talk a lot about the importance of small business at the chamber. They are America’s great job-training ground ... most of our first jobs were at a small business.
What’s the best part of your job?
Never a dull moment. (It) sounds cliché, but that is life at a chamber.
I love promoting this community and doing whatever we can to make it grow better without losing its heart and its uniqueness. The friendliness and access to all sorts of business, political and civic leaders is a thrill, too. We have some real talented people here in Idaho.
What’s on your wish list for the chamber in the next five years?
I want to see us continue to grow, build a solid financial foundation, bring in some good business acquisition wins for the Valley and win some more help for existing businesses, like the recent Hire One Act (Gov. Butch Otter’s effort to get Idaho businesses to hire one additional employee apiece). I personally want to see the vision of an entertainment and recreation corridor extend from BoDo to the west side of the city as JUMP (the proposed headquarters for the Simplot Foundation, public meeting space and arts education center) comes to life, perhaps a new convention center, a new stadium complex punctuated by the new whitewater park. Think of the economic activity and positive development that would bring to that area ... then we’d be WAY better than Boulder.
