For its General Annual Meeting, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce (GACC)  invaded the home of the Lobos and descended into the Pit at the University of New Mexico (UNM) last Thursday. The athletes vacated the floor to 500 chamber members for whom the space was transformed for an elegant, inspirational luncheon.  

The Pit is a landmark stadium on the campus; branded for the team that calls it home. Mention the Pit, and it is immediately identified with UNM and athletes- wolves in their den, circling, moving, running, tumbling, tackling. attacking. The Pit is the playground of the Lobos football athletes watched by adoring screaming fans from the stands.

But last Thursday the stands were empty. The floor was transformed into an elegant luncheon dining area and the Pit was quiet and focused as Jim Stovall, a successful writer, motivational speaker and entrepreneur spoke to us of his most uncommon life's journey.

Much about the meeting was in fact uncommon; the speaker, the venue, the topic. But it all synchronized, and I think most of us left the meeting motivated and inspired. I drove away then felt the need to return to take pictures of the Pit and other neighboring buildings including the jazzier Isotopes baseball stadium across the street. As you can see, the Pit, unlike its neighbor across the street, does not attract attention. It is, in fact, quite humdrum in appearance, looking more like a warehouse than a stadium, and on entering, one does go down rather steeply into . . .a  pit. The view from the top on Thursday, however, was rather pleasant, not intimidating. Getting our was probably a challenge for some.

Jim Stovall's presence and presence was a gift, but we all left the meeting with an additional tangible gift, thanks to the generosity of our incoming Chamber president, and I feel sure, Jim Stovall. We all went home with Jim's book, The Ultimate Gift. I like the partnerships I get to observe and participate in through the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Thursday's partnerships - UNM with the GACC to provide a creative luncheon space; Jim Stovall, his presentation, Don Chalmers' gift of and the annual meeting itself are all worthy of lessons of The Ultimate Gift.