From Deseret News archives:
Variety awaits participants in Utah Economic Summit
Thursday's first-ever Governor's Utah Economic Summit is designed to have a little bit of everything.
"The program has shaped up very well," said Jason Perry, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, the event's organizer.
"We have experts in all the key industries, and we've tried to set it up so there's something for everyone. There are great tracks for young entrepreneurs, a great track on business law — particularly for small-business owners dealing with some of the legal issues everyone has to encounter — business tools, real estate items. We're trying to make it so there will be both public- and private-sector people coming to the event, and all of them will benefit from it."
The summit costs $150 and will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grand America Hotel. Attendees may register at utaheconomicsummit.com.
At the end of last week, about 800 had registered — including about 200 students from Utah universities — and Perry said about 900 are expected by the time Thursday rolls around.
"That's exactly where we thought we'd be for the first summit, and it's really a tribute to these great speakers," he said. "We've got experts."
The breakouts will focus on entrepreneurship, business development, business law, business promotion and business "tools." Many of the summit track qualify for continuing education in various professional fields.
An afternoon panel will address the topic "Why Utah?" and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will present a midday keynote and present the winner of an entrepreneurship funding contest. About 60 people have applied, and FundingUniverse will select finalists who will make their funding pitch to a panel of angel investors — with summit attendees able to witness both the pitching and the panel's subsequent deliberation.
"We're really excited about this (summit) event," Perry said, "and hopefully it's something we'll be able to continue year after year."
First-ever event begins at 8 a.m. Thursday
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday
Location: Grand America Hotel
Cost: $150
Registration/information: utaheconomicsummit.com
E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com
