'WHAT'S UP DOWN SOUTH' ECONOMIC SUMMIT

Governors’s Opening Remarks

Governor Spencer J Cox, the newly elected 18th Governor of our great state of Utah will open the conference with a warm welcome and some brief remarks on his thoughts and plans for Southern Utah.

15mins

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Governor Spencer J. Cox

Spencer Cox is Utah’s 8th Lt. Governor. He and his wife Abby live in his small hometown of Fairview and teach their four children the importance of hard work on the seventh-generation family farm. Spencer began public service on the Fairview City Council, then as mayor, county commissioner and state representative, all part-time positions. At […]

Amy Rees Anderson – Opening Keynote

Two of Utah’s top business leaders will be joining us to give insights into what they see coming in 2021 and give their thoughts on all the things we have going on in Washington County. Both Presentation will be available live on the day of the event. Chose one to watch live and circle back at your convenience to watch the other.

45mins

Online

Amy Rees Anderson

Amy is the Managing Partner of REES Capital, an Angel Investing Firm; the founder of the IPOP Foundation, a charity promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance; and currently serves on numerous Boards. Previously, Amy was the CEO of MediConnect Global, a healthcare technology company she grew and sold for over $377 million. She has been a contributor […]

What’s Up Down South

This year we will be featuring over 40 mini-presentations with information, announcements, updates and insights into everything that is happening economically in southern Utah. We have asked each municipality to share with us the top things that are taking place in their communities. When you walk out of this session you will truly be able to say I know ‘What is Up Down South’ in Utah.

1hr 30mins

The Internet

Break – Up Next

Take a break. Our keynote presenters will also be available via Zoom at this time if you would like to speak with them or ask any questions.

15mins

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Breakout Session: The Economic Overview Deep Dive

Take a deep dive into Washington County's economic indicators and demographics. Look at where we have been in 2020 and where we are going in 2021.

45mins

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Lecia Langston

Lecia Langston is a Senior Economist for the Department of Workforce Services. Her primary responsibilities include economic analysis for ten counties in the central and southwestern areas of Utah, making occupational projections and studying women in the workforce. During six years of her 30-plus years of service, she served as Chief Economist for the Department. […]

Breakout Session: Residential Real Estate In-Depth

Everything you need to know about our red-hot housing market in Southern Utah and where we are going in 2021.

45mins

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Vardell Curtis

I have been serving as the Chief Executive Officer for the Washington County Board of REALTORS for 24+ years and I am presently the longest tenured REALTOR Association Executive in Utah. Additionally, I was appointed in early 2020 to serve on the St.George City Planning Commission. I have been involved in various capacities with the Economic […]

Breakout Session: Public Safety In Southern Utah

We are not the small-town community of ‘Mayberry’ that we once were. Find out all of the incredible things our local sheriff’s office and police departments are doing to keep the Mayberry feel southern Utah.

45mins

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Chief Kyle Whitehead

Hired in 1999 as a full-time officer in the St. George Police Department, early in his career Kyle was a member of the SWAT team. He went on to become an assistant team leader, team leader, and SWAT team commander. Kyle taught defense and tactics at the Police Academy and to St. George Police officers. […]

Breakout Session: EXPOSED! – How COVID unmasked the value of tourism to the economy in Greater Zion

On March 11, 2020, NBA star Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 and the world of sports, travel and entertainment came to a standstill. The tourism valve in our economic pipeline closed and for two months the regenerating source of our local economy dried up. In this session you’ll learn the dynamic nature of tourism economics, the crucial role it plays in our growth and success, and the strategies used to rebound and recover. Find out why Greater Zion has been the most successful tourism destination in the state and what that means for our local economy.

45mins

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Kevin Lewis

Kevin’s influence has helped transform Washington County from a quiet golf and retirement community into an exciting destination for adventure, sports and outdoor recreation. With his leadership, the Tourism Office won the bid to host the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship that will take place in September of 2021. The world championship will be the largest, most globally […]

Breakout Session: Leadership Training – Building Your ‘A’ Team

An Army Green Beret’s perspective on leadership - Utah native, Colby Jenkins offers powerful ideas and tools to maximize and strengthen your own leadership potential while building your “A-team” in any organization.

45min

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Colby Jenkins

A Utah native, Jenkins has commanded a Special Forces A-team in combat as a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret and has worked on Capitol Hill for the U.S. Senate and Pentagon, where he managed the congressional portfolio for the nation’s No. 2 military leader. Additionally, he has taught as an adjunct professor at George […]

Break & Live Q&A Discussion Sessions

Take a break. Our First Breakout presenters will also be available via Zoom at this time if you would like to speak with them or ask any questions.

15mins

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Live Q&A – Chief Whitehead

Join Chief Whitehead in a live questions and answer session about public safety in Southern Utah

15mins

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Live Q&A – Lecia Langston

Join Lecia Langston in a questions and answers session about the economic overview of Southern Utah

20 mins

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Live Q&A – Kevin Lewis

45min

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Live Q&A – Amy Rees Anderson

Join Amy Rees Anderson in a virtual round table questions and answers session.

20 mins

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David Elkington – Second Keynote

David Elkington is the Founder and CEO of Xant (formerly Inside Sales.com) and one of five founders of Silicon Slopes. David helped build a vibrant technology industry in Utah Valley and will share his insights for the growing tech industry in southern Utah. David will be joined by local tech entrepreneurs who will share their vision for an industry that brings with it innovation, creativity, and high paying jobs.

45min

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David Elkington

David Elkington founded Xant (formerly InsideSales.com) in 2004 to revolutionize the Sales Industry through a data driven reformation by empowering sales reps and leaders with intelligent tools, insights and technology. Active in the Utah technology community, Dave is a co-founder of Silicon Slopes, an initiative to promote Utah’s high-tech industry. He teaches entrepreneurship at Brigham […]

Breakout Session: Mental Health Training

2021 has been a ‘irregular’ year to say the least. Our top mental health professionals will give us information and some training on how to be mentally prepared for anything 2021 may throw our way.

45mins

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Jordan Merrill

Jordan Merrill, Senior Community Health Specialist at Intermountain Healthcare serving Dixie Regional Medical Center, Cedar City, and Garfield Memorial Hospitals. Jordan has worked in the community health field for several years after receiving an education from Dixie State and Southern Utah University. He has served on state and local prevention coalitions and currently serves as […]

Corinne Draper

Corinne Draper is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been practicing for almost 30 years.  Early in Corinne’s career, she worked for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) in Washington, DC, and then later was the Director at the Washington County Children’s Justice Center when it opened in February 1997.  During […]

Breakout Session: Crucial Conversations Training

Wherever two or more people cohabitate or collaborate, interpersonal problems emerge. Our ability to prevent and resolve these problems largely depends on how well we hold one another accountable to standards, expectations, promises and commitments. In fact, accountability is a major marker between healthy and unhealthy relationships and organizations. As people improve in their ability to hold one another accountable, they also improve trust, responsibility, efficiency, engagement, and performance. Crucial Accountability teaches a straightforward process for resolving performance problems, strengthening trust and reliability, and eliminating inconsistency. It provides skills for holding peers accountable—regardless of position or authority. Participants will learn the skills through instruction, reflection, practice, and coaching.

45mins

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Mark Carpenter

Whether delivering a one-hour presentation, a two-day course, or an ongoing consulting assignment, Mark is known for engaging participants and motivating improvement. He adapts his message to the needs of an audience and explains concepts with memorable stories and illustrations. Mark has worked with industries from financial services to high tech, mining to manufacturing, and […]

Breakout Session: Attainable Housing in Southern Utah

What steps are our county, municipalities, landowners, planners and developers taking to help make housing attainable in our area?

45mins

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Shirlayne Quayle

Shirlayne Quayle is a champion for upward mobility and smart, sustainable growth. With relationship-based strategies, she advances diverse teams toward creative solutions. A background in healthcare, higher education, tech innovation, and entrepreneurship led to her current role as director of economic development and housing for the City of St. George. She co-founded the Women’s Influence […]

Breakout Session: Transportation and Connectivity

Full information on our current and future plans for our roads, urban trail systems, and regional hiking mountain biking trails that are being planned.

45mins

Online

Benjamin Rae

Benjamin Rae currently serves as Assistant Leisure Services Director for Washington City and has worked for the city since 2011. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University in 2003 and his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Southern Utah University in 2017. He has served in many leadership and civic […]

Kevin Christopherson

Kevin Christopherson is the President of the Trails Association of Southern Utah. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Trails Utah and is an Advisory Council member for the Utah Governor’s Office of Outdoor Recreation. He started Mountain biking in 1985. Shortly after, he began designing and building single track trails in 1990, […]

Jeff Sanders

Jeff Sanders is the UDOT Planning Manager for the southern Utah area. Jeff’s primary responsibilities include leading and supporting transportation planning activities throughout the region. This includes partnering with local communities to find ways to make them more connected, safe, and multimodal. Jeff enjoys working with bicycling advocates in southern Utah and serves as an […]

Marc Mortenson

Breakout Session: Commercial Real Estate

Everything you need to know about retail, office, multifamily, and investment real estate in Southern Utah and where we are going in 2021.

45mins

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Cody Felts

Cody is a commercial real estate veteran who has been closing deals for nearly 20 years. He began his career with an end goal in sight, and uses this same strategy to help clients obtain their own real estate goals. Cody is a very organized person who pays attention to detail.  He works hard and enjoys working […]

Jon Walter

Jon Walter is COO at NAI Excel. Having completed several hundred transactions over the last decade, he is a valuable resource for clients across the West. Jon enjoys finance, analyzing deals, and adding value to existing assets. Jon is a certified investment member(CCIM) and received his MBA from Brigham Young University. Jon is a partner […]

Travis J. Parry

Travis Parry is a founding Partner with LINX, providing industrial and investment brokerage services throughout St. George Southern Utah, and Southern Nevada (Mesquite). He is licensed in Nevada and Utah. Travis has leased and sold over 1,000,000 square feet of commercial property and over 3,500 acres of land in multiple states. As an industry leader […]

Live Q&A Discussion Sessions

15min

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Live Q&A – Shirlayne Quayle

Join Shirlayne Quayle in a questions and answers discussion about Attainable Housing in Southern Utah

20 min

Online

Live Q&A – Mark Carpenter

Join Mark Carpenter in a questions and answers round-table to discuss Crucial Conversations

20mins

Online

Live Q&A – Jordan Merrill

Join Jordan Merrill in a questions and answer discussion about Mental Health training

20min

Online

Live Q&A – Marc Mortenson

Join Marc Mortenson in a questions and answers session about Transportation and Connectivity

20min

Online