No Limits

Mark Your Calendars for January 11, 2024!

Early Bird Pricing Ending Soon!:

What is “What’s Up Down South”?

SoUtah Economic Alliance is proud to present our 28th Annual “What’s Up Down South” Economic Summit. This event is designed to provide you with all the business information you need to help plan for the year ahead. The summit includes inspirational keynote speakers, informational breakout sessions led by industry experts, and valuable information to keep you up-to-date on “What is Up Down South” in Utah.

Keynote Speakers

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Spencer J. Cox

Governor of the State of Utah

Justin Osmond

Speaker/Author
Producer/Humanitarian

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Natalie Ashby

President of Intermountain Health Desert Region

Mark Knold

Chief Economist – Utah Department of Workforce Services

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Lincoln Naduald

CEO of Culmination Bio

Summit Schedule

7:00am

Location: Concourse

Summit registration, buffet breakfast

7:55am

Location: Ballroom

Pledge of Allegiance

8:00am

Location: Ballroom

Welcome & Opening Remarks

8:10am

Location: Ballroom

Keynote: Governor Spencer J. Cox – Keeping Utah Weird

18th Governor of the Great State of Utah

8:30am

Location: Ballroom

What’s Up Down South Video Series – St. George, Santa Clara, & Ivins

Presented by Shawn Christensen, President & CEO of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce

8:45am

Location: Ballroom

Keynote: Mark Knold – Seeing Beyond the Economic Bubble

Chief Economist for the Utah Department of Workforce Services

9:20am

Location: Ballroom

What’s Up Down South Video Series – Washington Area

Presented by Ed Tracey, President of the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce

9:35am

Location: Ballroom

Keynote: Dr. Lincoln Nadauld – Culmination Bio: A Novel Data & Technology Company

CEO of Culmination Bio

10:20am

BREAK

10:30am

Breakout Session #1

Washington County Real Estate Market Update: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Heading

Emily Merkley

CEO, Washington County Board of Realtors

Room: Garden Room

Trends & Outlooks for Southern Utah’s Economy

Marilyn Cannon

Room: Sunbrook A & B

AI-Generated Content: Striking the Balance Between Innovation & Ethics

Joshua Aikens, John Collier, & Dr. Paul Hill

Room: Sunbrook C

An Introduction to the Women’s Business Center

Ann Marie Wallace

Room: Entrada A

Washington County Water Update

Zach Renstrom

Room: Entrada B & C

Pioneering Logistics in Utah: Exploring the Utah Inland Port Authority’s Role in Revolutionizing Utah’s Economic Landscape

Moderator: Scott Wolford Panel: Danny Stewart, Stephen Smith, & Jen Wakeland

Room: Auditorium Facilitator: Freeport West

11:15am

BREAK

11:30am

Breakout Session #2

The Good News Housing Report

Joseph McPhie

Room: Garden Room

What’s Up With Commercial Real Estate?

Troy Scheel

Room: Sunbrook A & B

A Bolder Way Forward

Jamie Shaw

Utah Women & Leadership Project

Room: Sunbrook C

Supporting & Expanding Utah’s Five Targeted Industries in Washington County

Lance Soffe

Director of Targeted Industries, Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity

Room: Entrada A

The Economic Value of Water

Zach Renstrom

General Manager, Washington County Water Conservancy District

Room: Entrada B & C

Creating High-Wage Tech Jobs in Southern Utah: What We’re Doing, and What More We Can Do

Moderator: Peter Fuller
Panel: Rick Atkin, Jen Janke, Brad Plothow, & Isaac Barlow

Room: Auditorium

12:15pm

BREAK FOR LUNCH

12:45pm

Location: Ballroom

Keynote: Justin Osmond – Don’t Limit Your Challenges… Challenge Your Limits!

Speaker / Author / Producer / Humanitarian

1:00pm

What’s Up Down South Video Series – Hurricane Valley Chamber of Commerce

Presented by Victor Iverson, Washington County Commissioner

1:10pm

Location: Ballroom

Keynote: Natalie Ashby – Beyond Authority: How Authentic Care and Empowerment Shape Exceptional Leaders

President of Intermoutain Health Desert Region – Southwest Utah Market & of St. George Regional Hospital

2:10pm

Closing Remarks

2024 Sponsors

2024 Presenting Sponsor

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