Agenda

Our first main session features representatives from the summit’s presenting organizations: Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, Utah Office of Energy Development, and World Trade Center Utah.

It includes remarks and panel discussions on Utah’s economy, energy development, and international investment and trade opportunities. The morning session will also host conversations around belonging and connecting Utah's people, places, and stories.

It concludes with "Your Leadership Promise,” a keynote entertainment experience by Utahn Jason Hewlett, and remarks by Utah First Lady Abby Cox, with a Show Up service report and initiative for summit attendees.

Economic Opportunities in 2024
Utah, renowned for its appeal as a place to live, work, and play, has garnered national recognition. Mindful of economic growth, our efforts are focused on addressing challenges and seizing opportunities, from supporting rural communities to fostering a skilled workforce and attracting high-paying jobs. Learn how Utahns can work together to build a brighter future and keep Utah No. 1 not only for business but also as a place to live.
Ryan Starks, Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity

Education and Industry’s Workforce Alignment
Talent Ready Utah will lead a panel discussing the vital link between workforce and higher education. Industry experts will address how these two realms can intersect, innovate, and successfully shape the future of Utah’s talent landscape.
Will Clive, Chief People Officer, Pluralsight
Vic Hockett, Associate Commissioner, Talent Ready Utah
Astrid Tuminez, President, Utah Valley University
Brennan Wood, President, Southwest Technical College

What if We Prefer Talking To Machines?
As artificial intelligence chatbots improve and we raise a generation to interact with chatbots as a regular part of everyday life, might the calm, reassuring tone and demeanor of artificial humans become preferable to the wild and messy reality of human nature? What will the role of history and fiction be in this possible future?
Hollis Robbins, Dean, College of Humanities, University of Utah

Making Utah the Crossroads of the World 
From the Joint Utah Mexico Partnership initiative with Mexico to the recent memorandum of understanding between Utah and the U.K., Utah’s international connections are growing and solidifying exponentially. WTCU's president will speak to the state’s role in the global marketplace and what businesses can expect as Utah positions itself as the Crossroads of the World.
Jonathan Freedman, President and CEO, World Trade Center Utah

Ukraine and Utah: Focus on the Future
Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova will share updates on the war in Ukraine, including the progress made and the challenges they continue to face. Last May, Utah was the first to lead a business trade and humanitarian mission to Ukraine’s capital city since hostilities broke out. Ambassador Markarova will speak to economic opportunities between our two regions.
Jonathan Freedman, President and CEO, World Trade Center Utah
Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States

Energy: The Foundation of Modern Society
Greg Todd, Executive Director, Utah Office of Energy Development

Powering Our Future: The Relationship Between Energy, the Economy, and Security
Energy resources (fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables) have inherently different security value propositions within the U.S. economy, particularly concerning the U.S. industrial base and the technologies that comprise that industrial base. We’ll address those value propositions for energy security and national security.
David Gattie, Associate Professor of Engineering, University of Georgia’s College of Engineering; Senior Fellow, University of Georgia’s Center for International Trade and Security, and School of Public and International Affairs
Greg Todd, Executive Director, Utah Office of Energy Development

Magnify Utah: Connecting People, Places, and Stories
Utah's known for fast-paced growth and a strong economy. Utahns are also recognized for how we help and serve our neighbors and thrive on community connections. As we welcome newcomers, we know our future's brightest when opportunities and social capital abound for everyone. The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs has created Magnify Utah, a learning and resource hub for Utah's people, places, and stories. It provides statewide information and resources to support individuals seeking community connections. In this discussion, you'll learn how Magnify Utah can help us celebrate Utah’s growing and expansive story and retain the vibrancy each Utahn brings to the state.
Brian Garrett, Deputy Director for Military Affairs, Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
Claudia Loayza, Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator, Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs
Nubia Peña, Governor’s Senior Advisor for Equity and Opportunity, Director of the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs
Natalie Randall, Managing Director, GOEO Utah Office of Tourism and Utah Film Commission

Your Leadership Promise
Jason Hewlett brings his energizing and engaging message, "Your Leadership Promise," to the One Utah Summit stage. Combining the power of his Las Vegas showmanship through music, impressions, and comedy while weaving educational content and powerful principles immediately applicable to your leadership, you'll laugh, be inspired, and have new tools for the workplace as you guide the amazing people you lead to their Signature Moves and Leadership Promise.
Jason Hewlett, Leadership Expert, Author, and Hall of Fame Speaker, Jason Hewlett Entertainment

Hewlett’s book, The Promise To The One, is available for summit attendees at the Summit Store. Learn more about Jason Hewlett in this Business Elevated podcast.

Show Up Service Initiative
Hear from Utah's First Lady Abby Cox as she highlights the accomplishments of her Show Up initiative and shares how summit attendees can give back during the conference.
Sarah Allred, Director of Initiatives, Utah First Lady Abby Cox

The summit's partnership with First Lady Abby Cox and her Show Up initiative continues in 2024. Participate in the summit’s service activity, sponsored by the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation, where attendees will assemble school supply bags to be distributed to students in the Salt Lake City School District.

Summit attendees can take time throughout the day to provide service and check in with Utah nonprofits to see how they can help support their missions. Engaging in the service project and with exhibiting nonprofits will earn you more credits to spend at the Summit Store.

Breakout sessions provide opportunities to dive deeper into aspects of doing business in Utah. The summit breakout sessions include the following discussions.

Utah’s Entrepreneur Ecosystem
Imperial Ballroom A
Learn about tools and resources and how to avoid pitfalls from Utah’s startup community leaders. The conversation will feature the new startup.utah.gov resource and highlight other partners, networks, and funding opportunities.
Troy D’Ambrosio, Executive Director, Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute
Alan Hall, Founder, Chairperson, and CEO, Blue Sky Energy
Alecia Hart, Director, GOEO’s Startup State Initiative
Antonella Packard, Director, GOEO's Utah Small Business Credit Initiative (USBCI)

A Transformational Investment and Catalytic Life on SLC’s West Side
Imperial Ballroom B
Join the discussion with some of Utah’s top leaders as they share their vision of human capital and skilled labor growth, improved state amenities, and community building coming to Salt Lake City’s west side and the Salt Lake Valley’s southwest communities.
Sen. Luz Escamilla, Utah State Senate
Natalie Gochnour, Associate Dean and Director, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, David Eccles School of Business
Stephen James, Chief Visioning Officer, Larry H. Miller Real Estate
Derek Miller, President and CEO, Salt Lake Chamber
Sen. Scott Sandall, Utah State Senate

Energy, the Economy, and Security
Imperial Ballroom C
The U.S. proposes an industrial strategy to decarbonize the world’s largest, most important economy and military power and transition away from fossil fuels when facing arguably the most significant geopolitical challenges in our country’s history. This session will discuss the national security implications of such a transition with a view toward one question: Will the U.S. be in a stronger industrial and geopolitical position to counter 21st-century geopolitical competitors intent on displacing the U.S. as the world’s greatest superpower?
David Gattie, Associate Professor of Engineering, University of Georgia’s College of Engineering; Senior Fellow, University of Georgia’s Center for International Trade and Security, and School of Public and International Affairs
Greg Todd, Executive Director, Utah Office of Energy Development

Now Hiring: Out-of-the-Box Ideas to Address Workforce Shortages
Murano
Building a strong and well-prepared workforce is paramount to every business's success and our state's long-term prosperity. In an era of unprecedented challenges, it's time to think outside of the traditional HR playbook and consider innovative solutions to help reshape the landscape of our workforce. Join us for a dynamic panel discussion exploring out-of-the-box strategies to tackle workforce challenges.
Aimee Edwards, Executive Director, BioHive
Jake Hinckley, Director of Workforce Development, Sunroc
Tiffiny Lipsomb, Vice President of Human Resources, Intermountain Healthcare
Noella Sudbury, CEO and Founder, Rasa Public Benefit Corporation
Nycole Tylka, Assistant Division Director, Utah Department of Workforce Services

AI Horizons: Utah's Global Influence
Venezia
Utah and its companies are at the forefront of the global artificial intelligence landscape. Explore how we're pioneering advancements in AI and positioning ourselves as an international hub. This discussion will highlight our state's leadership in AI and provide insights into what the local business community can expect in the upcoming years.
Barclay Burns, Assistant Dean, Smith College of Engineering and Technology, UVU
Margaret Busse, Executive Director, Utah Department of Commerce
Tim Kapp, CEO, Cinco.ai
Yagub Rahimov, CEO, Polygraf
Sunny Washington, Co-Founder and CEO, Seer AI

Stop by the Summit Store during the networking break to select swag from summit-branded items to clothing and keepsakes provided by summit partners and sponsors.

Participation in activities, like the Show Up service project and submitting event feedback, gives you more credits to spend at the Summit Store.

Enjoy a plated lunch in the Grand Ballroom and discussion with fellow attendees.

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Introduction and Performance
Tshilidzi Ndou, soloist
Ndou will be joined by Utah Opera Principal Coach Dr. Carol Anderson at the piano

About Utah Symphony | Utah Opera
Utah Symphony | Utah Opera connects Utah communities through great live music and is the flagship arts organization of the Intermountain West. USUO’s 87 full-time symphony musicians and five opera Resident Artists perform for more than 400,000 residents in Utah and the Intermountain region each year, presenting more than 175 symphonic and chamber music performances and four week-long opera runs supported by a full-time production studio (as one of only six opera companies in the nation that self-produces sets, props, and costumes). Each year, USUO performances drive $5 million in economic activity and attract 20,000 out-of-state visitors to Utah. Leading the country’s most extensive music education programs, USUO engages 100,000 students and adult learners annually with many free programs.

One Utah Diamond Partner Remarks
Greg Sanders, CEO, Symbol Arts

Gov. Cox and Lt. Gov. Henderson will honor individuals and companies for their contributions at work and to the state.

Utah Business Leader Community Impact Award
Keith B. McMullin – Retired President and CEO, Deseret Management Corporation
Presented in partnership with the Salt Lake Chamber

Utah Businessperson of the Year
Lavanya Mahate – Founder and CEO, Saffron Valley Restaurants, Bix Bakery and Cafe, and RISE Culinary Institute
Presented in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity

Utah Business of the Year
bioMérieux
Presented in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity

Utah International Person of the Year
Fraser Bullock – President and CEO, Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games
Presented in partnership with World Trade Center Utah

Utah International Business of the Year
PMI Foods
Presented in partnership with World Trade Center Utah

Cameron Russell Williams Rising Impact Award
Kimmy Paluch – Managing Partner, Beta Boom
Presented in partnership with the Cameron Russell Williams Impact Fund

Pete Suazo Business of the Year
Rancho Markets
Presented in partnership with the Suazo Business Center

Energy Pioneer Award
OxEon Energy
Presented in partnership with the Utah Office of Energy Development

Utah Governor’s Medals for Science and Technology
Presented in partnership with the Utah Innovation Center

K-12 Education
Juliette Bautista Barahona – Founder and Director, Club Ability

Academic/Research
Cornelia Ulrich, PhD, MS – Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Huntsman Cancer Institute

Industry
Gregory C. Critchfield, M.D., M.S. – Co-CEO of EarlyDiagnostics, Inc., and board member of Sera Prognostics, Inc.

Check out the summit webpage on the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity’s site to learn more, including a history of previous award-winners.

Learn about the 2024 Governor's Awards on the awards webpage.

Disagree Better Initiative | 2024 Priorities
Gov. Spencer Cox

Promoting Student Service Learning
Our communities and neighborhoods genuinely reflect the benefits of service and volunteerism. Lt. Gov. Henderson recently met with school leaders and students from Garfield, Granite, Nebo, and Sevier school districts to partner on a new pilot program focused on student civic engagement. Studies show the positive impact service learning has on student success, including higher levels of academic engagement and enhanced understanding of course content, personal growth, and increased likelihood of earning a bachelor's degree.
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson

Utah’s Economic Future
Utah is among the global economic elite. As we plan for the future, we envision a synergistic approach that unleashes the power of free markets and enhances community prosperity. As the state grows, we must do more than change; we must improve. Together, we can achieve results that transcend our individual contributions.
Derek Miller, President and CEO, Salt Lake Chamber

2024 Utah Economist Covers
Learn about Utah’s most pressing economic issues and timely opportunities through the unveiling of the 2024 Utah Economist magazine covers. Each year at this event, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute shares compelling economic research findings through fictitious magazine covers. This year’s “economic artwork” includes images and data on inflation, labor force participation, work-from-home trends, aging, homelessness, and others. A picture (along with the data to back it up) is, indeed, worth 1,000 words.
Natalie Gochnour, Associate Dean and Director, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, David Eccles School of Business

Utah: America’s Film Set
In the last 10 years, visitors drawn to Utah’s image in film and television have spent over $6 billion in our state. We celebrate the 100th anniversary of film and television in Utah in 2024. Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission, will talk about the world's love affair with Utah’s uniquely western landscapes and why our state continues to draw filmmakers and film lovers.
Virginia Pearce, Director, Utah Film Commission

Sustaining Corporate Investment for Future Prosperity
Utah’s economic development landscape has changed significantly in the past 30 years. While a natural tension exists between quality of life and economic growth, the positive impact of corporate investments within our communities is clear. Learn how Utah can plan for long-term growth while continuing to attract the best jobs to support current and future prosperity.
Scott Cuthbertson, President and CEO, Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah)

Utah: The Startup Capital of the World
Utah continually enjoys recognition as the best state for entrepreneurs. Small businesses are essential to Utah’s diverse economy, where 99% of Utah businesses are small businesses employing 46% of Utah’s workers. Learn from the state’s first entrepreneur-in-residence how the new Startup State Initiative combines resources, delivers services on one platform, and promotes Utah's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Brad Bonham, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, State of Utah

Utah’s Targeted Industries
Learn about the accomplishments and opportunities in Utah's five targeted industries: advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, financial services, life sciences and healthcare, and software and information technology. You'll hear from a representative of each of Utah's strategic industries and learn their vision for the future of Utah's diverse economy.
Clint Betts, CEO and Co-Founder, CEO.com and Silicon Slopes
Kelvyn Cullimore, President and CEO, BioUtah
Kori Ann Edwards, Managing Director, GOEO
Tulinda Larsen, President, Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (UAMMI)
Frank Pignanelli, Executive Director, Utah Association of Financial Institutions
Aaron Starks, CEO and President, 47G - Utah Aerospace and Defense

Giveaway Drawings and Summit Conclusion
Ryan Starks, Executive Director, GOEO

Before you go, be sure to stop by the Summit Store to pick up a copy of Jason Hewlett's book, The Promise To The One, and select swag from summit-branded items to clothing and keepsakes provided by summit partners and sponsors.

Participation in activities, like the Show Up service project and submitting event feedback, gives you more credits to spend at the Summit Store.