Building Utah

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Just over a year ago, Real Salt Lake was rejuvenated when David Blitzer and Utah’s own Ryan Smith purchased the Club. RSL President John Kimball tells us more. JOHN KIMBALL: In Utah, soccer has long been one of the great cultural unifiers in our community, with picturesque views from America First Field in Sandy or Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman advertising Utah’s stunning beauty and showcasing our exceptional backyard to viewers all over the world. Founded by Dave Checketts, expanded by Dell Loy Hansen and now inspired by the Blitzer/Smith partnership to steward this community asset, Real Salt Lake creates local, national and international connections to Utah. With 19 consecutive sellout crowds during the last two seasons, fans are our lifeblood; meanwhile, innovative entrepreneurs and blue-chip businesses across the region partner with our teams, venues and players to connect deeply with the community and achieve their goals. In addition to promoting Utah c

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Now more than ever before, educators need our connection, empathy, and kindness in their lives. Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox, is leading efforts to uplift and support educators across the state. She joins us with more on how to show our teachers that we care. FIRST LADY ABBY COX: As we go about our daily lives, it's important to remember that teachers are shaping the future of our world by educating and inspiring the next generation. As a former teacher and now Utah's First Lady, I know that supporting and uplifting our educators is a responsibility we all share. That's why I’m inviting all Utah educators to join me at the Show Up for Teachers Conference on July 19th at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy. Now in its second year, Show Up for Teachers brings together educators from across the state for a day of learning, growth, and connection, with a focus on emotional resilience and reducing stress. Registration is limited, so tell your favorite educat

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Utah is an energy-rich state with vast traditional and renewable resources. The opportunities to explore and develop new technologies will help maintain and grow Utah’s position as an energy leader. Energy Advisor to the Governor and Director of the Utah Office of Energy Development Greg Todd joins us with more. GREGORY TODD: Over the last year, energy development and where we get our energy have become more important than ever. It’s easy to forget about the work that goes into keeping our lights on and our homes armed against extreme temperatures, but without the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, we would all be in the dark. Skyrocketing energy costs affect the low and middle classes the most, and we owe it to them to do our best as a state to keep energy affordable and reliable. Energy technologies are continually developing, and with those advancements come changes – it is our commitment to ensure those changes, which some people call a transition,

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. As the world’s largest commercial real estate services organization, CBRE is acutely aware of the importance that timely and accurate data plays into client’s decision-making power, particularly during times of economic uncertainty. CBRE’s Research Manager Sierra Hoffer shares more. SIERRA HOFFER: Recent headlines—particularly about financial markets—have raised alarms. However, despite current headwinds, Utah’s commercial real estate market—which has direct ties to economic performance—has been relatively insulated from the recent bank failures. To highlight specifics, office vacancy reached an all-time high in 2022. This was driven in part by an increase in sublease availability, as companies continue to scale back their office footprints. Tech tenants and call centers were the most common sublessors. Within Utah’s industrial market, 2022 marked the highest year on record for new deliveries, and this is a good thing, as industrial demand is strong. Even with

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. April is Financial Literacy Month and it is designed to raise public awareness of the importance of financial literacy and maintaining smart money management habits. Mountain America Credit Union Senior Vice President Sharlene Wells joins us to share more about the services they provide. SHARLENE WELLS: For almost 90 years, Mountain America Credit Union has served its members in Utah and surrounding states by offering low rates on quality financial products and services. But guiding our members forward means much more to us than that. A recent survey found 83 percent of U.S. parents wish they had learned more about personal finance growing up, and the same number were looking for resources to teach their own children about money. Mountain America goes into our communities to deliver trustworthy financial education to schools, businesses, non-profits and community groups. Our employees share expertise about credit scores, avoiding scams, how couples can work tog

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. This month marks the 30th anniversary of Salt Lake City Mission, a front-line service provider focused on feeding the hungry and homeless, and assisting impoverished families and others caught in cycles of poverty, addiction, and hopelessness. Here is Executive Director Shawn Clay with more. Shawn Clay: With over 6.5 million meals served to the hungry and homeless since 1993, and hundreds of thousands of lives changed, we are more passionate than ever to build upon a great legacy of caring for others. We offer more than just a meal. We provide daily assistance to families in need and others struggling against life adversities. We have a daily meal outreach and shuttle service for the homeless. Free assistance, that includes a food pantry, clothing room, and other basic life essentials. We operate a residential life recovery program for men. We also offer crisis intervention and counseling. During major holidays, we host special outreach events to provide for th

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The driving force behind Utah's economic opportunity is the recruitment and retention of highly-skilled employees. Zettlor CEO Armand Patella shares how their employee referral software provides a competitive edge for businesses in Utah. ARMAND PATELLA: Zettlor is a modern employee referral program that acts like a talent magnet, effortlessly attracting the best employees for your company. There is no risk to be willing to pay for quality. Referrals are often the most effective talent acquisition channel. So, when you use Zettlor, you’ll recruit employees that are a high-quality fit for your company and only pay when this occurs. Get started today and set up a time to meet with a Zettlor team member. They will walk you through the software and share how other employers have utilized the platform for their benefit. Derek Miller: Zettlor is the first retention-based payment system that enables businesses to pay other individuals, groups or businesses based on

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. rPlus Energies is a renewable energy development company based in Salt Lake City, and has been instrumental in opening Utah’s market for utility-scale solar development. President Luigi Resta shares more on how they are helping meet the demands of the modern energy transition. LUIGI RESTA: Founded four and a half years ago, rPlus Energies develops utility-scale solar, wind, and solar plus battery projects, and, through a partnership known as rPlus Hydro, pumped storage hydropower projects. In Utah alone, we have eight large-scale projects under development or construction, or now in operation. Working closely with local stakeholders, landowners and county officials, rPlus developed Graphite Solar, which is operating in Carbon County, and is currently under construction on Appaloosa Solar in Iron County. These Utah-based projects denote more than a 2-billion-dollar investment in our economy, and continue Utah’s energy legacy. rPlus values partnering with elec

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. On February 14, 1898, one of our community’s most important institutions opened its doors – the City Library. Since then, the Library has only expanded its reach in the community. Salt Lake City Public Library Interim Executive Director Deborah Ehrman joins us with more. Deborah Ehrman: At The City Library, we know that a robust library system makes a city stronger and even more connected. In celebration of our 125th anniversary, and the 20th anniversary of the landmark Main Library, we are looking back at our history in 2023. The original City Library location had two rooms, with a collection of 10,000 books. We now circulate over 2.6 million items in eight locations throughout Salt Lake City’s neighborhoods. Besides books, movies, music, graphic novels, and magazines, we also have digital eBooks and audiobooks that our patrons can borrow without even stepping inside the library. We eliminated late fees back in 2017, and continue to break down equity barriers

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For nearly 150 years, Westminster College has been known for excellence in education that has evolved to meet the needs of its students, region, and the world. Starting this fall, the college will evolve once again and become Westminster University. President Bethami Dobkin shares more. PRES. DOBKIN: We’re excited to become Westminster University this summer. This transition showcases the opportunities we give our students while preserving our core values and small classes. We know students are looking for supportive experiences that help them build an academic journey, one which is challenging, diverse, and impactful, both personally and professionally. We know families and employers are looking for growth and skill development that prepares students for a lifetime of achievement. We excel in bringing passion and profession together. Our undergraduate education provides all students opportunities to do hands-on research with professors from the time they a

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The One Utah Summit provides a platform to engage in policy and business conversations. And, you can’t talk about Utah’s economy without placing it in the global context in which Utah companies compete and win every day. Presenting Partner World Trade Center Utah President & CEO Miles Hansen joins us with more. MILES HANSEN: This May, at Governor Cox’s One Utah Summit, we will once again convene the state’s industry and policy leaders to dive deep into the most pressing business, energy, and global issues facing Utah today. Whether you’re in the trenches as a business owner or just an engaged citizen who wants to learn more, you don’t want to miss the One Utah Summit. Here at World Trade Center Utah, we’re proud to partner on the One Utah Summit as part of our mission to accelerate global growth for Utah companies. In order to build economic resilience and boost prosperity, World Trade Center Utah helps businesses across the state increase international sales,

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Conventions, meetings, and leisure travelers have a remarkable impact on our economy. After shuttering the Salt Palace in 2020, it has now reopened to meetings and events, and is helping Salt Lake’s tourism industry bounce back. Visit Salt Lake President & CEO Kaitlin Eskelson shares more. KAITLIN ESKELSON: 2023 has been remarkable so far! We just had our biggest booking year ever, with 198 meetings, conventions, and sports events booked in 2022, representing nearly 900,000 room nights. We welcomed Outdoor Retailer back with a 5 year & 3 shows per year contract. Our first in-person Sundance Film Festival was a success with downtown Salt Lake activations like our Festival Music Lounges. And we just witnessed a record-setting NBA All-Star Weekend that created an estimated economic impact of $288 million and 33,000 booked room nights bringing more than 100,000 visitors. Tourism is a key economic driver for our state and county. In fact, It’s the 8th larges

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Childcare is crucial to Utah’s economic success. United Way of Salt Lake Vice President of Public Policy Elizabeth Garbe shares why. Elizabeth Garbe: Childcare is essential for working parents in Utah. It affords them time to further their careers or education and their children a strong foundation for future learning. Breakdowns in childcare, however, are putting families behind. We partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Salt Lake Chamber, Utah Community Builders, and Voices for Utah Children to release a report, “Untapped Potential in Utah,” examining Utah’s childcare landscape so the business community and legislative leaders can better understand the unique needs of working parents and impact of a lack of affordable childcare. The report estimates how often parents of young children leave the workforce or educational opportunities because of insufficient childcare. It outlines a conservative estimate of the direct financial impact the b

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Human trafficking occurs in every state and is vigorously prosecuted here in Utah. On the prevention side is the 3Strands Foundation, led in Utah by Terry Palmer, who is here with more. TERRY PALMER: One strand of string can be easily broken, but three strands woven together are strong. At the 3Strands, we bring together the three strands of employment, education, and engagement to strengthen the fight against human trafficking and exploitation. One of the key strands is education and through our PROTECT program, Utah educators are trained to identify physical signs and behaviors that might indicate a student is being victimized. Participants are also equipped with the resources needed to report cases of exploitation and help connect victims with services. We also offer age-appropriate curriculum to students to help prevent the crime before it starts. Students are taught to identify abusive tactics and signs of exploitation that occur both online and in person.

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Mayer Brown is a distinctively global law firm that regularly advises the world’s leading companies and financial institutions on their most complex deals and disputes. About one year ago, they opened an office in Salt Lake City. Partner Matt Moscon shares more. MATT MOSCON: Mayer Brown is a global law firm with 27 offices worldwide. Prior to opening our Salt Lake office, we hadn’t entered a new US market in more than 25 years. But, we saw something special in Utah its growing tech, life-sciences and clean energy industries, and we realized this is a market where we want local team. Our Salt Lake office has grown tenfold in just one year. Our client successes have exceeded all our expectations. We’ve also been active in the community working with organizations like The Road Home, we volunteered with Habitat for Humanity; the local universities; and we have joined organizations like the Salt Lake Chamber to support the community. We even formed an all-lawyer bowli

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Every March, the United States celebrates Women’s History Month, an annual month declared worldwide that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. It gives us the chance to reflect on and reevaluate our support for women at work, in the community, and at home. This includes talented business owners, leaders, legislators, and coworkers. Women’s History Month provides us the opportunity to highlight the achievements of women in business and to push for greater gender equality. This month we can all refocus and reprioritize our responsibility to make Utah a place where women are elevated in pay, responsibility, and support. Not only that, the Salt Lake Chamber will be celebrating by sharing stories about women who are making a difference in Utah, like Denevia Knight, External Affairs Director of Comcast Mountain West, and Ellen Winkler, Chief Visionary Officer of Q Factor and Industry, who believes in building communities t

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. The One Utah Summit on May 1st and 2nd is Utah’s largest bi-annual gathering of the state’s movers and shakers. And, is the only business summit organized and presented by the state through the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and its partners the Utah Office of Energy Development, World Trade Center Utah and Salt Lake Chamber. Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity Ryan Starks joins us with more. RYAN STARKS: The One Utah Summit, headed by the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity brings together the state top leaders in politics, business, energy, and community and provides a platform for engaging in business and policy conversations. Programming for the summit includes the most pressing issues and opportunities for growth and innovation. At this year’s summit, in addition to hearing from Governor Cox about economic opportunities and challenges facing the state, attendees will hear from headliners such as former NBA play

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. For almost 30 years, the local nonprofit, People Helping People, has been committed to helping low-income women and single moms reach their full potential in the workplace. Senior Program Manager Abby Warr shares more. ABBY WARR: Utah has one of the largest wage gaps in the nation, with women earning approximately 30 percent less than men. On top of that, the average working mom earned 58 cents for every dollar a working dad earned. People Helping People is dedicated to reducing the number of children living in poverty by helping low-income women and single moms reach adequate income through successful employment. People Helping People supports the long-term employment success of our clients by teaching from the employers’ perspective and providing positive role models, mentors, and examples of success. We have an upcoming Single Mother’s Seminar and Job Fair on March 23rd, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Sorenson Unity Center. This event is open to the public an

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. Vision disorders are the most prevalent disabling condition for children in the United States and most can be corrected. However, early detection can help. Friends for Sight Executive Director Jamie Justice shares more. JAMIE JUSTICE: An estimated 58,000 children in Utah alone struggle in school due to poor eyesight, and only half of those children who need vision correction receive it. The impact of poor eyesight on school performance is profound. In fact, many children with poor eyesight show some of the same behavioral problems as those who are ultimately diagnosed with attention deficit disorders. With timely diagnosis from a professional, marked improvement in all aspects of young lives is possible with vision correction. That’s why we spend so much time in schools providing vision screenings. We also have two Vision Clinics and SightFest event where we partner with local optometrists and ophthalmologists to provide free, full eye exams and access to glas

This is Derek Miller Speaking on Business. The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art believes in the power of the art of our time. Through programming, advocacy, and collaboration, they work with artists and communities to build a better world. Executive Director Laura Hurtado joins us with more. LAURA HURTADO: For 90 years, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art has worked with the leading artistic voices of our age. Originally called The Art Barn, and later Salt Lake Art Center, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art was founded by a woman named Alta Rawlins Jensen in the middle of the Great Depression. Her vision for the Art Barn was to create a gathering space for artists and writers through the state. Today, UMOCA is an award-winning aesthetic force dedicated to advancing contemporary art in Utah. Last year alone, the museum welcomed over 55,000 guests, showed the works of over 100 artists, and offered educational programming to 123,000 Utah K-12 students, both in person and online. The museum features groun