If Denver’s government, corporate, agriculture and social leaders were seemingly nowhere to be found for a good part of Friday, don’t be mistaken — they weren’t playing hooky or shirking their duties.

Chances are they were at the National Western Events Center for the annual Boots ‘n Business Luncheon.

This popular prelude to the 118th year of National Western Stock Show began at 10 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m., giving all 1,400 guests ample opportunity to schmooze — and maybe broker a deal or two — while celebrating the start of the 16-day Stock Show that is predicted to boost the local economy by some $171 million.

The luncheon is a fundraiser for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and the National Western Scholarship Trust. The latter supports students seeking degrees in agriculture, rural medicine and veterinary science at colleges and universities in Colorado and Wyoming. Since its inception in 1983, the National Western Scholarship Trust has awarded more than 1,800 scholarships totaling $10 million.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston spoke briefly at the luncheon’s start, noting that he was particularly proud of the fact that there wasn’t a “single tent or encampment in sight during the traditional Stock Show parade” Thursday.

“I was hearing people say they wanted to come back downtown again,” he said.

The Stock Show, Johnston added: “Is the tradition that bonds us. And whatever’s next for this city, you can bet it is going to be built by the 5- and 6-year-olds who’ll be mutton bustin’ at this year’s Stock Show.”

(Mutton Bustin’ is one of the Stock Show’s many activities for children. It involves kids trying to hang onto a sheep as it dashes around the Denver Coliseum arena floor).

J.J. Ament, the Chamber’s president/CEO, addressed how those involved with the Stock Show’s expansion are working to involve those living in the surrounding neighborhoods.

“Our future is both promising and challenging,” he said, “but we can’t solve complex problems without everyone at the table.”

Luncheon guests also were treated to singing of the National Anthem by Teagan Joseph, state president of Future Farmers of America, entertainment by several of the acts that will appear in one or more of the Stock Show rodeos and a beef tenderloin buffet catered by the SSA Group.

SSA’s chief executive, Sean McNicholas, knew he had his work cut out for him this year.

“It seemed like we were adding tables every day,” McNicholas said. “I don’t think we could squeeze in another one if we tried.”

But, he added, “We’re used to big crowds, and everyone should enjoy what we’re serving.”

The SSA Group, formerly K-M Concessions, was founded by McNicholas’ late father, Kevin McNicholas, and has been the Stock Show’s concessionaire for some 50 years.

Politicians in attendance also included U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper; Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser; state Reps. Julie McCluskie, Lindsey Daugherty, Jenny Willford, Kyle Brown, Shannon Bird and Anthony Hartsook. Also, Denver City Council members Darrell Watson, Chris Hinds and Diana Romero Campbell; former Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul and Mayor Johnston’s chief of staff, Jen Ridder.

Other notables spotted were Stock Show President/CEO Paul Andrews; Brad Buchanan, CEO of the National Western Authority; Doug Jones, chairman of the Stock Show board of directors; James Mejia, the first Latino elected to serve as an at-large member of the Denver School Board and current chief strategy officer for Metropolitan State University of Denver; Denver Health CEO Donna Lynne; Adam Frisch, a candidate for U.S. Congress in the 3rd Congressional District; and Adeeb Khan, executive director of Denver Economic Development & Opportunity.

From the business world were Andy Aye, U.S. Bank’s market leader for Colorado and New Mexico; Matthew Groves, who succeeded Tim Jackson as head of the Colorado Auto Dealers Association; Alpine Bank president Norm Franke; Richard Scharf, CEO of Visit Denver; Sage Hospitality co-founder Walter Isenberg; Rob Cohen, chairman/CEO, and Paul Washington, executive vice president, of IMA Financial Group; Vectra Bank President/CEO Bruce Alexander; lobbyist Josh Hanfling and Peter Coors, director of capital projects for Molson Coors.