Utah summit to examine economic opportunities

Times are tough. Money is tight. Trouble abounds.

In that environment, one would think that forking over $150 for the 2009 Governor's Utah Economic Summit would be prohibitive. One would be wrong.

Sign-ups for the daylong event taking place Monday at the Grand America Hotel are near the 1,100 total from last year's event.

"The registrations are pouring in now as we approach the date," said Jason Perry, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, which is presenting the summit in conjunction with MediaOne of Utah. "We're quite confident that we will have similar numbers to what we did last year."

With the poor economy, event organizers have shaped the summit accordingly. They're acknowledging the difficulties but also with the theme — "Utah: A State of Opportunity" — that opportunities exist.

"It's going to be a year of great instruction from leaders in the business community," Perry said. "There's going to be a very clear theme as we talk about the economic realities we all know, and about ways we can capitalize on the situation — how we can grow our businesses even in these types of markets, how entrepreneurs can still find access to capital, how to properly evaluate the finances of company, how to make it more profitable and interesting for investments.

"It's really about how to not just survive but also thrive in this type of economy. We have several people on the panels that are experts in that area and that will be very helpful for us."

Three breakout sessions will be presented in each of five categories: entrepreneurship, business opportunity, business development, business promotion and business tools.

"There will be information provided in these breakouts that will be very helpful for businesses that are struggling and businesses that are facing the realities of the economy, and for businesses still doing well in the state," Perry said. "In spite of the economy, there are a lot of very bright spots in the state of Utah.

"Apart from what you read or watch on TV, the talk about the doom and gloom, it's important that we think about where we are in that economic cycle and where we're going to be when that cycle changes."

The morning keynote will be presented by Ed Catmull, co-founder and president of Pixar Animation Studios and president of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Catmull previously was vice president of the computer division of Lucasfilm Ltd., where he managed development in the areas of computer graphics, video editing, video games and digital audio. Kelly Matthews, executive vice president and economist at Wells Fargo Bank, will discuss the Utah economy and "What the Stimulus Means to the State."

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will be the afternoon featured speaker.

A networking reception wraps up the day, with panelists and others available to attendees.

"That's been one consistent feedback the past couple of years, that the instruction has been great but that they wanted a chance to talk about it with each other at the end of the day," Perry said.

Summit registration costs $150. Details and registration are available at www.utaheconomicsummit.com.

E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com