Agenda
The agenda is tentative and subject to change.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH
Please pick up your credential badge at the check-in desks located inside the West doors of the America First Event Center.
Discover the heart of innovation at our Exhibit Hall, where cutting-edge products, inspiring displays, and interactive experiences come together to ignite your passion and drive for the future! You've never seen an exhibit hall like this one! | Ballroom, Student Center
Mainstage is located in the America First Event Center.
Musical Talent | National Anthem | Join us for the singing of the national anthem.
Donna Law | Welcome | The new AVP of Regional Services & Director of the One Utah Summit, Donna Law, welcomes attendees to the 39th annual Rural Summit and 6th annual One Utah Summit.
SUU President Mindy Benson | Welcome to Campus
Natalie Gochnour | Kem Gardner Institute's Economic Update | Utah's economy remains well positioned to outperform the nation even with a growth slowdown afoot and heightened economic uncertainty. A "Great Reordering"—driven by geopolitical change, artificial intelligence, demographic transformation, and technological disruption—continues to reshape the economic landscape. Utah's future will also be shaped by an unprecedented portfolio of major investments, including seven transformational mega projects with the potential to influence the state's economy for decades. Together, these forces make the leadership and decisions of the next several years among the most consequential in Utah's modern history.
Governor Spencer J. Cox | Kickoff
Take a break, enjoy light snacks, and connect with fellow attendees.
The night kicks off at 6:30 PM with savory hors d’oeuvres, refreshing drinks, and plenty of time to mix, mingle, and connect. Add your mark to a collaborative large-scale mural painting, created one brushstroke at a time by Summit attendees. | Bristlecone Hall Lawn
Experience the best of Utah's theatre with an evening at the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival.
The Utah Shakespeare Festival has generously offered One Utah Summit attendees $10 off tickets during Summit week. Use discount code 1UTAH26 and make your Summit experience even more memorable by enjoying world-class theatre in the heart of Cedar City.
Tickets are available for purchase at https://www.bard.org/plays/
8:00 PM | Hamlet | Englestad Shakespeare Theatre
8:00 PM | See How They Run | Randall L. Jones Theatre
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5TH
If you haven't already, please pick up your credential badge at the check-in desks located inside the West doors of the America First Event Center.
You may purchase a warm breakfast provided by Chartwells in the Student Center Dining Hall. You’ll find the Dining Hall on the east end of the Student Center.
Discover the heart of innovation at our Exhibit Hall, where cutting-edge products, inspiring displays, and interactive experiences come together to ignite your passion and drive for the future! You've never seen an exhibit hall like this one! | Ballroom, Student Center
Mainstage is located in the America First Event Center.
Donna Law | Welcome | Welcome to the 2026 One Utah Summit!
Joel Ferry, Isaiah Taylor, Emy Lesofski | Fission Forward: Utah’s Role in Nuclear Innovation | While the world watches the global energy transition, Utah is emerging as a hub for nuclear innovation. Join Joel Ferry, Commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources; Isaiah Taylor, CEO of Valar Atomics; and Emy Lesofski, energy advisor to the governor and director of the Office of Energy Development, for a discussion about Valar’s decision to establish operations in the Beehive State and Utah’s growing role in shaping the future of civil nuclear energy.
Celeste Maloy | Great Salt Lake | Description coming soon!
Rural Awards | Presented by Governor Spencer J. Cox and Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson | Celebrate the people helping Utah thrive. The Rural Awards recognize outstanding leaders and organizations whose vision, service, and impact strengthen communities across the state and build prosperity for generations.
Utah First Lady Abby Cox, Jen Milett | Building Strong Readers: Literacy, Service and Utah's Future | Utah First Lady Abby Cox will join Jen Milett, a Granite Kindergarten Specialist, (and found/mind behind the literacy kits we’ll be doing for the day) for a Mainstage conversation on literacy needs across the state and the work underway to support young readers. The discussion will also highlight the day’s service project in the Exhibit Hall, where attendees can help assemble 1,300 literacy kits for local kindergarten and first-grade students.
Take a break, enjoy light snacks, and connect with fellow attendees.
Mainstage is located in the America First Event Center.
Jefferson Moss, Chad Linebaugh, Brooks Kirchheimer | Convergence: How the Collision of Three Economies Will Shape Opportunity for Utahns | Utah’s economic landscape is evolving past traditional sector boundaries. By intentionally understanding and leveraging three unique economies within our state — the Experience, Creative, and Innovation economies — Utah can move toward a unique and unified system of value creation that plays to our strengths as a state. Led by Jefferson Moss, this discussion brings together leaders from each of these three areas to explore the power of convergence. While each economy is powerful on its own, their intersection enables compelling cross-pollination of ideas, energy, and talent. The discussion will center on how this convergence can serve as an economic catalyst for Rural Utah, elevating regional strengths and ideas by blending local authenticity with ingenuity.
Speaker Announcement Coming Soon | Presentation Title | Description coming soon!
Speaker Announcement Coming Soon | Presentation Title | Description coming soon!
Step outside and treat yourself to a complimentary lunch from a curated lineup of your favorite local food trucks. Enjoy a relaxed lunch filled with bold flavors and great conversation. | Library Parking Lot, Outside Exhibit Hall
Ready to snag some Utah gold? The One Utah Summit Store will be located inside the SUU Campus Store, in the hallway connecting the America First Event Center and the Student Center. Stop by for exclusive swag and complimentary books from select speakers. Once it’s gone, it’s gone! | SUU Campus Store
- Financing Infrastructure for Future Growth | Presenters to be announced. Moderator to be announced. | Bristlecone Hall, Room 104
- This breakout session will explore how communities can prepare for growth by planning and financing infrastructure early. Attendees will learn how infrastructure tools, public-private coordination and thoughtful capital planning can help communities reduce risk, attract investment and move important projects forward.
- Powering Tomorrow: Operation Gigawatt and Utah's Energy Future | Presenters to be announced. Moderated by Emy Lesofski. | Bristlecone Hall, Room 105
- Utah has an ambitious plan to more than double its power capacity under Governor Cox’s Operation Gigawatt. How is the state balancing rapid growth with grid reliability and affordability? Join Emy Lesofski, director of the Utah Office of Energy Development, and a panel of industry leaders to explore Utah’s "any-of-the-above" energy strategy. This session dives into major infrastructure opportunities, supply chain hurdles, and regulatory streamlining. Understanding the next decade of Utah’s energy economy is key to shaping a secure energy future.
- Resource Introductions for Rural Small Business | Presenters to be announced. Moderator to be announced. | America First Event Center, Room 227
- An opportunity for small business resources in rural Utah to reverse pitch to rural leaders and businesses, and have an extended networking period for the companies in our target industries and rural communities to connect. We see this as a layering of rural small business centers, regional innovation centers/hubs, and statewide programs — showing people the pathway and resources they have to get started and find support as they grow.
- Connecting Communities | Presenters to be announced. Moderator to be announced. | America First Event Center, Room 229
- Description coming soon.
- Breakout Title | Presenters to be announced. Moderator to be announced. | Bristlecone Hall, Room 104
- Description coming soon.
- The Federal Challenge: Unlocking the Land with Common Sense Management | Presenters to be announced. Moderated by Redge Johnson. | Bristlecone Hall, Room 105
- For rural Utah, “the Feds” aren’t just a distant reality – they are the neighbor that owns 67% of the land. This session explores the challenges and opportunities posed by federal oversight and its direct impact on rural communities. Redge Johnson, director of the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office, alongside state and local land managers, will discuss the opportunities that arise when a federal administration prioritizes energy dominance, common-sense land management, and recreation – while sharing strategies to navigate shifting federal priorities.
- Rural Playbook: Navigating High-Impact Projects | Presenters to be announced. Moderated by Colette Cox. | America First Event Center, Room 227
- Rural Utah is drawing some of the nation’s most capital-intensive infrastructure projects — from advanced energy initiatives to large-scale digital infrastructure and logistics hubs. While these projects offer significant economic upside, they also raise complex community questions about resource management, water and land use, and long-term local value. Local leaders are often on the front lines, navigating these high-stakes conversations not just with interested parties, but their constituents. Led by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, this panel is designed as a practical session for rural civic and business leaders. The aim is to share learning and insights that they can bring back to their communities on how to evaluate major infrastructure proposals, engage and protect local interests, and craft proactive engagement and messaging that can generate informed alignment.
- Rural Health | Presenters to be announced. Moderator to be announced. | America First Event Center, Room 229
- Description coming soon.
5:00 - 6:30 PM | Downtown at Dusk | Johnson Center for the Arts
Experience the best of Cedar City as the sun sets during Downtown at Dusk, a fun and interactive evening showcasing our local restaurants, dessert spots, retailers, and downtown atmosphere.
Start your evening at the Johnson Center for the Arts, where attendees can enjoy live music, small bites, a soda, and connect with fellow One Utah Summit participants before heading out to explore downtown. Pick up your event passport and set off on a self-guided adventure through participating businesses.
To complete your passport, visit downtown businesses for:
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Drink
- Retail item
Along the way, enjoy special offers, discover local favorites, and capture memories at photo opportunities throughout downtown.
Completed passports can be turned in the following day, August 6, at the One Utah Summit Cedar City Lounge by 1:00 PM for a chance to win great prizes.
Whether you're looking to network, explore, shop, dine, or simply enjoy a summer evening in Cedar City, Downtown at Dusk is the perfect way to experience the community's local flavor and vibrant downtown.
Participating Locations: IG Winery, Cedar Sports, Firehouse Subs, The Pub Spirits & Craft Kitchen, The French Spot, Park Place, Bulloch's, Cardon's Shoes and Clothing (More to be announced soon!)
Experience the best of Utah's theatre with an evening at the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival.
The Utah Shakespeare Festival has generously offered One Utah Summit attendees $10 off tickets during Summit week. Use discount code 1UTAH26 and make your Summit experience even more memorable by enjoying world-class theatre in the heart of Cedar City.
Tickets are available for purchase at https://www.bard.org/plays/
8:00 PM | She Loves Me | Randall L. Jones Theatre
8:00 PM | Twelfth Night | Englestad Shakespeare Theatre
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6TH
If you haven’t already, please pick up your credential badge at the check-in desks located inside the West doors of the America First Event Center.
If you haven’t already, please pick up your credential badge at the check-in desks located inside the West doors of the America First Event Center.
Mainstage is located in the America First Event Center.
Donna Law | Welcome | Welcome back to the 2026 One Utah Summit!
Transformational Leader Awards | Presented by Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson and Melinda Pfundstein | Celebrate Utah's Transformational Leaders—graduates of the Utah Rural Leadership Academy and Utah Local Leadership Academy whose leadership is strengthening communities, workforce, culture, and industry across the state. These honorees are lifting those around them and helping build stronger towns for tomorrow.
Eric Gehringer | Union Pacific: Operations, Growth and the Future of Freight Rail | Union Pacific EVP of Operations Eric Gehringer will share the company’s operations, network priorities and the potential implications of a merger for freight movement, economic growth and Utah’s logistics future.
Mick Thomas, Nate Walkingshaw, Turner Caldwell | Mission Critical: Utah’s Strategy for a Domestic Critical Mineral Future | As demand for secure, reliable critical mineral supplies intensifies, the United States stands at a crucial turning point, and Utah is leading the way. Our holistic approach to permit coordination, infrastructure development, and economic incentives is quickly becoming the blueprint other states and nations are emulating. This couch conversation brings together industry leaders and policymakers to examine Utah’s role in bridging the gap between resource potential and a fully domestic supply chain. Join Mick Thomas, director of the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining; Nate Walkingshaw, CEO of Torus; and Turner Caldwell, CEO of Mariana Minerals, as they explore the strategic investments, regulatory landscapes, and cross-sector collaborations required to solidify Utah’s blueprint for mineral independence, ensuring long-term stability for our energy, defense, and economic sectors.
Take a break, build a plate, and make connection at Utah's Largest Charcuterie Board Networking Break, presented by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and Utah's Own. Join fellow Summit attendees Thursday morning in the West Entrance check-in hallways of the America First Event Center for a grazing-style spread featuring Utah-made favorites and time to connect before the next session.
Mainstage is located in the America First Event Center.
Brad Wilson, Mindy Benson | 2034 Olympic Update
Kat Cressida | "Flipping the Script": How to Re-Write Your Stars | At the height of a successful 30+ year career as a celebrity voice artist, Kat Cressida was recording for Entertainment’s biggest networks and studios… FOX, ESPN, HBO, DISNEY, PIXAR, CARTOON NETWORK, WARNER BROS. …and bringing to life some of pop culture’s most iconic characters... Until, in an instant, a terrifying, fatal cancer diagnosis annihilated her career, and threatened her very existence. Almost as heartbreaking- IF she survived risky, untried surgery… she’d be doomed to a fate that seemed worse than death: Permanently deformed. Chronic, debilitating pain… and NO VOICE. Her passion, joy, livelihood… her very IDENTITY – DESTROYED. Forever. In a powerful, emotional keynote that mixes artistry, wit, and more than a little stage magic, Kat shares her odyssey from the most incandescent highs to the darkest lows… revealing hard-won insights and wisdom learned along her dramatic battles back to the light, and life… not only reclaiming her identity- but discovering new-found purpose, leading others in transforming their own fate– be it debilitating diagnosis, despondency, pain, hopelessness… or more ‘everyday’ shadows like fear, grief, disillusionment, inertia. With warmth, courage and a pinch of pixie dust, Kat will take you on an immersive, captivating adventure that will leave you believing in your own power to ‘rewrite your stars’. Her astonishing Story speaks to the importance of hope – providing crucial insight as to how to conquer “unbeatable odds”… proving how resilience, conviction, and conscious choice create triumph and success… when your own life inevitably ‘flips the script’.
Head to the Dining Hall in the Student Center for a complimentary lunch provided by Chartwells, featuring a variety of options to satisfy every appetite. Enjoy a relaxed break with great food and even better conversation as you connect with fellow Summit attendees. | Dining Hall, East end of Sharwan Smith Center
Experience the best of Utah's theatre with an evening at the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival.
The Utah Shakespeare Festival has generously offered One Utah Summit attendees $10 off tickets during Summit week. Use discount code 1UTAH26 and make your Summit experience even more memorable by enjoying world-class theatre in the heart of Cedar City.
Tickets are available for purchase at https://www.bard.org/plays/
2:00 PM | See How They Run | Randall L. Jones Theatre
2:00 PM | The Book Club Play | Anes Studio Theatre