ST. GEORGE — Author Paul Gustavson and tech entrepreneur Peter Horan head the list of keynote speakers for the 2016 Washington County “What’s Up Down South” economic summit set for Jan. 14, 2016, at the Dixie Center St. George, 1835 S. Convention Center Drive.
The 20-year-old event, popularly called “What’s Up Down South,” has a solid history of growth, annually attracting up to 1,000 participants, many from outside the Washington County area.
Promoting the summit theme of “Think and Grow” will be Gustavson, author of “A Team of Leaders,” “Running Into the Wind” and “The Power of Living by Design.” As a consultant, author, board member, adviser and speaker on developing “teams of leaders” within great organizations, Gustavson will present ways to help create great places for people to work.
Gustavson’s book “Running into the Wind,” which he co-authored with Alyson Von Feldt in 2012, is about his work with Bronco Mendenhall and the BYU Football Program and features his “Five Smooth Stones” approach to building high-performance teams and organizations.
Horan is an entrepreneur and digital media investor with a history of building successful media, commerce and ad technology businesses. He has played a role in five major revolutions in media and technology, including home video games, personal computers, cell phones, Windows computing and the Internet.
As a CEO and independent director, he has been part of eight profitable exits in the last ten years, totaling almost $1.8 billion in value. You won’t want to miss “Ridiculous Dreams. Obsessive Execution: What Southern Utah Can Learn from Silicon Valley.”
According to Jana Carter, director of the “What’s Up Down South” economic summit, this year’s event will be notable in several ways.
“New this year by popular request will be the addition of a third breakout session packed with valuable information,” Carter said. “Also new this year, displays will be placed throughout the event for the attendees to find out what is happening in our community.”
A video highlight of the most compelling companies and projects in the next 18 months is being produced and will be unveiled during the Summit. This presentation will begin with an update of the local workforce and demographics by Department of Workforce Services economist, Lecia Langston.
The extended networking opportunities from last year received positive feedback, so the 2016 summit will feature a half-hour of networking right after lunch in the Garden Room.
New breakout sessions are planned for the 2016 summit that will cover subjects including marketing, business development, entrepreneurship, technology, healthcare and more.
Breakout sessions back by popular demand will include “Commercial and Residential Real Estate Previews,” the “Soltis Financial Forecast” and “Small Business Success.”
Stick around for the third breakout session after the networking session to find out what’s happening with water, tourism and tech and learn how to get things done in your organization.
The 2016 “What’s Up Down South” economic summit begins at 7 a.m. Jan. 14, 2016. Cost for the event includes two full meals, three premier ballroom sessions and three breakout sessions for $95 per person for pre-registration, Dec. 1-Jan. 13 at 5 p.m.
The price at the door will be $150 per person, if not sold out. Don’t wait to register; with this lineup, an early sellout is anticipated. For the full 2016 schedule and online registration, go here.
Resources
Event details
- What: What’s Up Down South economic summit
- When: Jan. 14, 2016
- Where: Dixie Center, 1835 S. Convention Center Drive, St George
- Admission: Pre-registration, $95 per person; at the door, $150 per person
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