Silicon Valley Chamber honors businesses, sports legends and young innovators at The Domes

The Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce & Innovation hosted a sold-out awards celebration on June 29 at The Domes in San Jose, ahead of the venue’s July 1 public opening. The event recognized business leaders, soccer figures, nonprofits and student innovators while highlighting the Chamber’s push to connect economic growth, community impact and emerging talent.

Why it matters: - The Chamber used the event to spotlight Silicon Valley’s mix of business leadership, sports legacy, civic engagement and youth innovation in one room. - The sold-out gathering also helped introduce The Domes, a new immersive venue in Downtown San Jose, to Chamber members before its public debut. - The awards program showed how local recognition is being used to elevate businesses, nonprofits and students already producing measurable community impact.

What happened: - The Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce & Innovation held its Legends & SV Champions Annual Awards & Celebration on June 29 at The Domes in Downtown San Jose. - More than 300 business and community leaders, elected officials, international representatives, soccer legends and young innovators attended the early-access event. - The celebration took place before The Domes opened to the public on July 1. - BTA Sports presented the event. - The Domes welcomed Chamber guests into its 360-degree immersive environment.

The details: - The venue experience included global imagery, jungles, cityscapes, oceans and views of Earth projected across the dome. - Awards were presented in four major categories: City of Santa Clara, Games, Youth and Silicon Valley. - The event included a red-carpet welcome, global cuisine, immersive experiences and a Legends meet-and-greet. - Chris Lawes of The Domes publicly credited the Chamber for helping support the venue’s San Jose opening. - Harbir K. Bhatia, CEO and president of the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce & Innovation, called the night a “Silicon Valley moment.” - Bhatia said the event brought together local and global leaders, business champions, sports legends, innovators and young people already creating impact.

Between the lines: - The Chamber framed the night as more than an awards ceremony and more like a regional showcase for Silicon Valley’s identity. - The venue choice reinforced that message. The Domes was presented not just as a host site, but as an example of local innovation in entertainment and experience design. - The program also signaled that the Chamber wants to connect legacy sectors such as sports and business with newer pathways in youth leadership, technology and civic service. - The mix of elected officials, international guests and civic organizations suggests the Chamber is positioning the event as a relationship-building platform as much as a recognition program.

What happened: - The evening opened with a video message from Steve Sampson, former U.S. Men’s National Team head coach, who reflected on U.S. soccer history, the 1994 World Cup legacy and the wider economic impact of major sports events. - Honorees connected to soccer included Shea Salinas, Chris Dangerfield, Jan Eric Nordmo, Thomas Silvas, Easy Ismail Perez and George “King George” Lamptey. - Aubrie Tolliver, sports media host for the San Francisco 49ers, emceed the program. - Chris Dangerfield and Jan Eric Nordmo received Legacy & Impact Awards. - The Chamber said both were recognized for lasting contributions to soccer, leadership and community.

The details: - The Chamber named The UPS Store, Almaden Expressway, and Selectiva Systems Silicon Valley Businesses of the Year. - Jashn Restaurant/Jalsa was named Santa Clara Business of the Year. - METHOD 42 Productions received Small Business of the Year for work in event design, scenic fabrication, themed environments and immersive production. - Sutter Health received the SV Leader of the Year Award for work in healthcare, innovation, community health and economic vitality. - The Chamber pointed to Sutter Health’s expanded urgent care and healthcare facilities, medical innovation and plans for a new medical school in Santa Clara with Santa Clara University. - The Domes San Jose was named SV Innovator of the Year. - America SCORES received Nonprofit of the Year: Youth Empowerment. - Rotary District 5170 was recognized as Non Profit of the Year for Impact. - Miles Barber received a Lifetime Legacy Award for more than 60 years of community service. - The late Joe Siecinski received a posthumous Lifetime Legacy Award for his impact on entrepreneurs, leaders and the Chamber community.

What happened: - Anagha Shirahatti received the Youth Leadership Award. - Amrit Kaur Rana was recognized for the Girl Scout Gold Award project Safe Streets, Strong Voices. - Rana’s work identified traffic and pedestrian safety concerns near Carolyn Clark Elementary School. - Rana surveyed more than 100 residents and worked with local government and education leaders. - Her advocacy helped lead to 19 new traffic safety signs. - Rana also created a toolkit to help other young people advocate for safer communities. - Nirav Adavikolanu, a 16-year-old student at The Harker School, was honored for AI-powered tools that support multilingual learners. - Adavikolanu’s projects, Shruthi and Lectio, help learners understand English concepts and classroom content. - The tools are already being used in settings including citizenship preparation classes at the San José Public Library’s Seven Trees Branch. - The Chamber also recognized Shelene Huey-Booker for youth empowerment and leadership development and Skanda Naveen for youth volunteer leadership.

Between the lines: - The youth awards emphasized action over promise. - The honorees were recognized for work that already changed safety conditions, improved learning access or built community leadership. - The Chamber used those examples to frame Silicon Valley innovation as a civic skill, not only a tech one. - That framing also widened the event’s focus beyond companies and sports figures to students and volunteers.

What happened: - International guests included community and consular representatives connected with Türkiye, Colombia and Mexico, along with Steven Saum representing Czech Republic community connections. - Civic leaders included Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas, Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano, Cupertino Mayor Moore, Santa Clara Vice Mayor Albert Gonzalez and Santa Clara Councilmember Kevin Park. - The program included participation from the offices of State Senator Dave Cortese, State Senator Aisha Wahab, Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens and Congressman Jimmy Panetta. - Mariam Ghallab represented Senator Cortese’s office, Elizabeth Vacca represented Senator Wahab’s office and Carter Hu represented Assemblymember Ahrens’ office. - Award recipients also received additional recognitions through the offices of Congressman Jimmy Panetta, State Senator Aisha Wahab, Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas and Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens.

What’s next: - Ravinder Lal will lead the Chamber as incoming Board Chair for 2026–27. - The incoming Executive Board also includes Rafael Eljou as Vice Chair, Savinder Singh as Treasurer and Alice Village as Secretary. - Franchesca Lacanlale stepped out as outgoing Chair and reflected on her tenure as the first young professional in Chamber history to hold the role. - Lacanlale also paid tribute to Joe Siecinski and credited his mentorship with shaping her leadership. - The Chamber said its broader vision is to create a thriving Silicon Valley economy for all through business growth, innovation, workforce pathways, advocacy, regional collaboration and global connections. - The Chamber said it will continue acting as a convener and catalyst for business, government, community and innovation.