Past Events
A time-honored tradition, the Chamber Dinner offers attendees an opportunity to gain insight from and enjoy some of the nation’s most visionary speakers and top entertainers. The event has featured an array of distinguished speakers, including former President George W. Bush; former Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell; and renowned political strategists Karl Rove and James Carville, among many others.
| HEADLINER | EMCEE/ENTERTAINMENT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 41st 2025 | Shaquille O’Neal | The 41st Dinner featured Shaquille O’Neal, one of the world’s most successful athletes-turned-businessmen, as General David Patreus. | |
| 40th 2024 | Serena Williams | The “Biggest Night out in Pennsylvania” featured the greatest tennis player of all-time and international trailblazing icon Serena Williams, as well as U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and the now former U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm. Anthem Singer: Meghan Farrell | |
| 39th 2023 | Bradley Cooper | A “Celebration of Pennsylvania” featuring a fireside chat with Pennsylvania’s own Academy Award nominated actor, director, writer, and producer Bradley Cooper. Entertainment: Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist Gabby Barrett Anthem Singer: Gillian Smith | |
| 38th 2022 | Gov. Chris Christie & Donna Brazille | A point-counterpoint discussion featuring former DNC Chairperson Donna Brazile and Gov. Chris Christie. Candidate Conversations featuring Dr. Mehmet Oz and PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 Entertainment: Gillian Smith | |
| 37th 2021 | Ben Shapiro & Ana Kasparian | “Leading Political Voices of the Next Generation of Leaders” Virtual Program: “Reshaping Pennsylvania’s Political Parties” Featuring Lawrence Tabas and Lt. Governor Mark Singel & “A Majority Outlook on the Future of PA Business” Featuring PA Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman and PA House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 | |
| 36th 2020 | “Rise to the Challenge” Virtual Program | To ensure the health and safety of our speakers, staff, and guests amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Annual Chamber Dinner was cancelled. The virtual program “Rise to the Challenge” was created and broadcast in it’s place. | |
| 35th 2019 | Nikki Haley | A Conversation with Nikki Haley, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 Entertainment: Katie Schreckengast Civility in Public Life Award presented by Hilary Link. Recipients: Senator Camera Bartolotta, Senator John DiSanto, Representative Sheryl Delozier, and Representative Jordan Harris | |
| 34th 2018 | Alex Trebek | Debate: 2018 Gubernatorial Candidates Gov. Tom Wolf and Scott Wagner Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 Entertainment: Joselyn Terry Civility In Public Life Award presented by Tom Mullen: Recipients Former Congressman Charlie Dent and PA Auditor General Eugene DePasquale |
VIEW MOMENTS |
| 33rd 2017 | Chris Wallace | Perspectives from the West Wing: Jay Carney and Andrew Card Emcee: Dennis Owens, acb27 Entertainment: Olivia Notto Civility In Public Life Award presented by Tom Ridge: Inaugural recipients Alan Novak and T.J. Rooney |
VIEW MOMENTS |
| 32nd 2016 | Michael Strahan | Centennial Program: A Conversation with Pennsylvania’s Governors Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 Entertainment: Amma Johnson |
VIEW MOMENTS |
| 31st 2015 | Kevin Spacey | Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 Entertainment: Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School | |
| 30th 2014 | Tom Brokaw | Debate: 2014 Gubernatorial Candidates Gov. Tom Corbett and Tom Wolf Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 Entertainment: Second Hand Suits and Saint Theresa School Student Choir | |
| 29th 2013 | Dennis Miller | Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 Entertainment: Steve Rudolph Quartet; Tina Perry; Calvert Arms Fife & Drum Corps; 142nd PA Volunteer Infantry | |
| 28th 2012 | Karl Rove, James Carville | Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 Entertainment: The Dream Kids; Neil Wright Quartet; Trinidad North Steel Drum Band; Visions of America/Joe Sohm custom videos. | |
| 27th 2011 | President George W. Bush | Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 Entertainment: Neil Wright Quartet; Cantate Carlisle; Erin Kelly | |
| 26th 2010 | Ted Koppel | Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 Entertainment: Dr Zoot; Steve Bridges (President Obama impersonator); Katherine Rossiter | |
| 25th 2009 | Condoleezza Rice | Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 Entertainment: Dr Zoot; Courtney Roy | |
| 24th 2008 | Mike Huckabee, Arianna Huffington | Emcee: Dennis Owens, abc27 Entertainment: Frank Caliendo; Dr. Zoot; Matt Lamb | |
| 23rd 2007 | Gen. Colin Powell | Emcee: Kim Lemon, WGAL Entertainment: Dr. Zoot; Ken Gehret Duo; Erin Kelly; Philadelphia Fife and Drum Corps | |
| 22nd 2006 | Lesley Stahl | Emcee: Kim Lemon, WGAL Entertainment: Second City; Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks; Courtney Roy | |
| 21st 2005 | General Hugh Shelton | Emcee: Kim Lemon, WGAL Entertainment: The Three Waiters; Ryan Traub; Egidio Faiella; The Verdi Band | |
| 20th 2004 | Sen. Bob Dole | Emcee: Kim Lemon, WGAL Entertainment: Steve Bridges (George Bush impersonator); PA Academy of Music Children’s Choir; The Mummers All-Stars | |
| 19th 2003 | Ben Stein | Emcee: Kim Lemon, WGAL Entertainment: The Philadelphia Fife & Drum Corps; Cantate Carlisle | |
| 18th 2002 | Tim Russert | Emcee: Kim Lemon, WGAL Entertainment: The Capitol Steps | |
| 17th 2001 | David McCullough | Emcee: Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan | |
| 16th 2000 | Mark Russell | Emcee: Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan | |
| 15th 1999 | Tim Russert | Emcee: Kim Lemon, WGAL | |
| 14th 1998 | Edward Rollins | Emcee: Andrew J. Sordoni III | |
| 13th 1997 | The Capitol Steps | Emcee: Rev. Daniel Gambet | |
| 12nd 1996 | Jim Morris | Emcee: Rev. Daniel Gambet | |
| 11th 1995 | Charles Osgood | Emcee: Rev. Daniel Gambet | |
| 10th 1994 | Dick Cheney | Emcee: Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan | |
| 9th 1993 | John McLaughlin | Emcee: Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan | |
| 8th 1992 | Mark Russell | Emcee: Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan | |
| 7th 1991 | Zbigniew Brzezinski | Emcee: Andrew J. Sordoni III | |
| 6th 1990 | Art Buchwald | Emcee: Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan | |
| 5th 1989 | The Capitol Steps | Emcee: Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan | |
| 4th 1988 | Mark Russell | Emcee: Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan | |
| 3rd 1987 | John Naisbett | Emcee: Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan | |
| 2nd 1986 | George Will | Emcee: Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan | |
| 1st 1985 | Sen. Howard Baker | Emcee: Drew Lewis |