JANUARY 14TH 2027
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
7:00 AM
Summit registration, buffet breakfast
View sponsor videos
Exhibit Hall & Concourse
8:00 AM
Presentation of Colors by Washington County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard
National Anthem by Preslee Heppler
Exhibit Hall
8:15 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
EMCEE: Christa Hinton
Exhibit Hall
10:00 AM
Networking Break (30 min)
Visit vendor booths and participate in event activities
Concourse
11:15 AM
Networking Break (15 min)
Concourse
12:15 PM
Networking Break (15 min)
Concourse
12:30 PM
Buffet Lunch & What's Up Down South Video Presentation by Steve Brough, VP Zions Bank
Exhibit Hall
3:05 PM
Closing Remarks
Exhibit Hall
JANUARY 15TH 2026
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Meet Our Speakers
Get ready to be inspired by a talented group of leaders and visionaries shaping the state’s economic landscape.
Keynote Speakers
Trent Staggs
Trump Administration Region 8 Advocate for the US Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy
Keynote Speaker
Breakout Session #1 Presenters
Emily Merkely
CEO of the Washington County Board of Realtors & the local Multiple Listing Service
Residential Real Estate
Todd Brightwell
President of Advisors Consulting Services and leads the Southern Utah Economic Alliance
Regional Economic Development Panel
Ryan Starks
President & Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah
Economic Insights
Lance Soffe
Director of Industry Partners at the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO)
Business Development
Danny Stewart
Associate Vice President of Regional Project Area Development for the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA)
Business Development
Breakout Session #2 Presenters
Joseph McPhie
General Manager and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Southern Utah Title Company
Real Estate (Sponsor)
LaDel Laub
Chief Operating Officer at Dixie Power, Chairman of House Public Utilities & Energy Committee
Business Development
Scott Wolford
Vice President of Business Development for the Utah Inland Port Authority
Manufacturing
