Life in Utah 2018 by Utah Media Group

2018

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Live in the heart of downtown, and discover the best of Salt Lake City. World-class shopping, fine dining, NBA basketball, theater and fine arts are within minutes of your City Creek home. Urban living like you’ve never seen it before. Call today to schedule a tour.

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business elevated. You start a business to ﬁnd independence and to grow and learn. You want your business—and life—to reach new heights. Year after year, Utah ranks among the top U.S. states for business and careers, personal income growth, family prosperity and quality of life. What’s Utah's secret sauce? You. That’s why the Governor’s Ofﬁce of Economic Development is committed to helping your business at every stage of growth. Discover why Utah is Business Elevated.

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Welcome to to Utah! Welcome Welcome to Utah! Utah! Congratulations, you you have have just just uncovered uncovered the the gem gem of of the the West. West. Congratulations, Congratulations, you have just uncovered the gem of the West. Countless media media outlets, outlets, including including Forbes, Forbes, Business Business Insider, Insider, Countless Countless media outlets, have including Forbes,Utah Business Insider,one Bloomberg, and CNBC, recognized as a number Bloomberg, and CNBC, have recognized Utah as aa number one Bloomberg, and CNBC, have recognized Utah as number business destination, a place where the American dream is alive business destination, a place where the American dream is alive one business destination, a place where the American dream is and well. well. And, And, while while II like like to to brag brag about about Utah’s Utah’s economic economic and alive and well. And, while I like to brag about Utah’s economic success, II am am even more more proud of of the work-life work-life balance we we success, success, I am even even more proud proud of the the work-life balance balance we continue to achieve. With world-class outdoor recreation continue continue to to achieve. achieve. With With world-class world-class outdoor outdoor recreation recreation opportunities, vibrant cities, nationally renowned restaurants, restaurants, opportunities, vibrant cities, nationally renowned opportunities, vibrant cities, nationally renowned restaurants, budding artists, artists, and aa diverse diverse cultural heritage, heritage, it is no wonder wonder budding budding artists, and and a diverse cultural cultural heritage, itit isis no no wonder Utah is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Utah Utah isis one one of of the the fastest fastest growing growing states states in inthe the nation. nation. Our sound sound fiscal policies policies and business-friendly business-friendly attitudes allow allow Utah Utah Our Our sound fiscal fiscal policies and and business-friendly attitudes attitudes allow to remain remain an an unparalleled unparalleled land land of opportunity. opportunity. We We believe our our to Utah to remain an unparalleledofland of opportunity.believe We believe residents and businesses thrive when we allow them the residents and businesses thrive whenwhen we allow themthem the the our residents and businesses thrive we allow flexibility they need to succeed. Ultimately, Utah’s success is a flexibility flexibility they they need need to to succeed. succeed. Ultimately, Ultimately, Utah’s Utah’s success success is is aa testament to the industriousness, foresight, and ingenuity of its testament testament to to the the industriousness, industriousness, foresight, foresight, and and ingenuity ingenuity of of its its residents. residents. residents. When Utahns Utahns aren't aren't working working in in our our thriving thriving tech, tech, finance, finance, manufacturing, manufacturing, tourism, tourism, and and aerospace aerospace When Utahns aren't working in our thriving tech, finance, When ® . Envision a day spent skiing the Greatest Snow on sectors, they can be found living Life Elevated ® ® sectors, Envisionaaday dayspent spentskiing skiingthe theGreatest GreatestSnow Snowon on sectors, they they can can be be found found living living Life Life Elevated Elevated . .Envision ® National ®® or backpacking through one of Utah’s Mighty Five ®® Earth Parks. or backpacking through one of Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks. Earth ® or backpacking through one of Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks. Life in Utah magazine will give give you you aaa better better look look into into Utah’s Utah’s economic economic and and cultural cultural landscape. landscape. Stories Stories Life in in Utah Utah magazine magazine will will give you better look into Utah’s economic and cultural landscape. Stories Life cover everything from global business ventures to the details of what it is like to live, work, and do cover everything everything from from global global business business ventures ventures to to the the details details of of what what itit isis like like to to live, live, work, work, and and do do cover business in in Utah. Utah. business time to to plan plan aa visit visit to to Utah—you Utah—you won’t won’t want want to to leave leave once once you you are are here. here. ItIt isis time Sincerely, Sincerely,

Gary R. R. Herbert Herbert Gary Governor Governor

LIFE IN UTAH 2018 | SLCHAMBER.com

When you come to Utah, be sure to visit

TEMPLE SQUARE in the heart of Salt Lake City Tours available in more than 30 languages

•

Many venues to choose from, and all are free

Listen

Your tour group can:

to the glorious music of the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsing and performing in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. The choir also performs in the 21,000-seat Conference Center. See templesquare.com for details.

Discover

repository of genealogical records.

Meander

through two upscale visitors’ centers and see the Christus statue by Danish sculptor Thorvaldsen. Visit the interactive map of ancient Jerusalem (kids love it!) and much more.

Step into the past,

your roots in the FamilySearch Center, where volunteers can help you find information about your family history from the world’s largest

where the story of family life of yesteryear will unfold room by room in the Beehive House, the seat of government in early Utah.

For information on these and many other fascinating venues on Temple Square, go to templesquare.com, or call 1-800-363-6027. facebook.com/templesquare © 2016 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. 11/16. PD50020206

Contents

LIVE 48

GETTING AROUND The growing state of transportation in Utah

WORK 14

COMING IN 2020: THE NEW SLC! Elevating Salt Lake City's connection to the rest of the world

BEST STATE FOR BUSINESS Five reasons why Utah continues to earn national praise as the Best State for Business

PARK CITY SETS CLIMATE GOALS Preserving the city's economy, natural setting, clean air, expansive open spaces and snow-covered mountains

START A COMPANY, CHANGE THE WORLD How Utah's economic prosperity spurs game-changing innovation

30 BUSINESS IN SILICON SLOPES From the office to the summit—all in one day

PLAY 72

DEEP TRAVEL BEYOND THE MIGHTY 5® Utah's outlaw past makes for a unique adventure

LEARN 38

FRESH FOOD ALL YEAR ROUND Farmers markets add energy and vitality to the downtown neighborhood

EXCELLING STEM EDUCATION Taking STEM education to the next level by providing excellent hands-on training for high school students

UTAH'S FINE ARTS DESTINATION Immerse yourself in the breadth of human creativity

THE FIRST STEP IN UPWARD MOBILITY How Utah prepares students today for a successful tomorrow

TEN THINGS TO DO AT TEMPLE SQUARE

94 FESTIVALS Get to know the state's unique culture

EVENT CALENDAR Activities from around the state

On Dixie Rock in St. George. Image courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism, Audrey Livingston

VOLUME

XXXII

ISSUE

2018

175 E. University Blvd. (400 S.), Suite 600 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 801-364-3631 | slchamber.com PRESIDENT & CEO

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Lane Beattie

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Marisa Bomis, Kimberly Flores, Maria Loftis, Mikael Short CONTENT PROVIDED BY

Lane Beattie, president and CEO, Salt Lake Chamber Image courtesy of Busath Photography©

WELCOME TO

Utah

Chances are, since you’ve picked up Life in Utah, you’ve already figured out there’s something special about this place. Whether you’re here for a quick trip or considering Utah as your new home, it won’t take long for you to realize that our state is unlike any other. With the most geologically diverse landscape in the country, Utah has something for everyone. From our famous sandstone arches and red rock canyons of southern Utah, to the Bonneville Salt Flats and the powder-covered mountains of northern Utah, where you can find some of the very best skiing on the Greatest Snow on Earth®, the Beehive State offers just about every outdoor experience you can imagine. We’re not just known for our beautiful landscape and recreational opportunities, Utah also boasts the number one economy in the country and is known as the best state for business. The Salt Lake Chamber is working to ensure Utah continues to be the strongest economy in the nation. We are also committed to being a welcoming, inclusive and caring community. That’s why we’ve created Life in Utah magazine, to give you a taste of what makes Utah so unique. No matter how long you plan to stay, we want you to know you are welcome here. Come join us and find out what makes Utah the best state to live, work, learn and play.

Lane Beattie President and CEO Salt Lake Chamber

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CBRE, Inc., Cedar City Chamber, Clyde Companies, Dell EMC, Downtown Alliance, Downtown SLC Farmers Market, EDCUtah, Envision Utah, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Hale Center Theater, Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce, Hope Gallery, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Larry H. Miller Group of companies, Mountain West Cider, Red Butte Gardens, Salt Lake Chamber, Salt Lake City International Airport, Sandy Chamber of Commerce, Ski Utah, St. George Chamber of Commerce, STEM Action Center, Sugar House Chamber of Commerce, Temple Square Hospitality, Uintah County Tourism, Utah Association of Realtors, Utah Film Commission, Utah Media Group, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation, Utah Office of Tourism, Utah Sports Commission, Utah State Board of Education (USOE), Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), Utah Valley Chamber, Vestar, Visit Ogden, Visit Park City, Visit Salt Lake, Women's Business Center (WBC), World Trade Center Utah

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Life in Utah is an official and yearly publication of the Salt Lake Chamber and is distributed throughout Utah. Copyright ©2018 by the Salt Lake Chamber. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any format without consent of the Salt Lake Chamber. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah Media Group and Utah Business magazine assume no liability for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. All critical information should be independently verified. Utah Media Group and Utah Business are proud to produce the Salt Lake Chamber’s official relocation magazine with a title that reflects its extended scope: Life in Utah.

Now I can play ball.

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5 Reasons Why Utah is the Best State for Business U tah continues to earn national praise as the Best State for Business for good reason. The Beehive State has some of the lowest taxes in the country, top-notch infrastructure, a fiscally minded government that encourages job and economic growth, and an unparalleled quality of life.

LOW TAXES Taxes count when it comes to economic competitiveness. People and businesses often seek out lower tax burdens when looking across state lines to move and set up shop. Utah is currently ranked 9th best tax climate for business in the country, according to a new study by the Tax Foundation. While Utah levies all of the major tax types—corporate, income, sales and property—the Beehive State earns its place in the top 10 in part thanks to its low property tax rates and healthy unemployment insurance tax system. And, according to Forbes' ranking of Utah as the Best State for Business in 2016, the cost of doing business in Utah is 5.3 percent below the national average.

TOP-NOTCH INFRASTRUCTURE Economic growth and prosperity hinge upon a state’s ability to plan for the future. This is especially true when it comes to infrastructure. A safe and efficient transportation system, modern energy and broadband infrastructure, and a reliable and clean supply of water are necessary to maintain the quality of life residents have come to expect here in Utah. That’s why in recent years the Beehive State has seen two of the largest locally funded transportation projects in U.S. history: the I-15 CORE project in Utah County and the UTA FrontLines commuter rail line, which stretches 89 miles along the Wasatch Front. Utah is one of only seven states where

LIFE IN UTAH 2018 | SLCHAMBER.com

Image courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

the legislature approved an increase in gas taxes in an effort to maintain and rebuild its transportation system. Roads and rail aren’t the only transportation plans on the docket. Salt Lake City International Airport is currently undergoing a $3 billion renovation project. Utah understands solving tomorrow’s problems means investing today.

A WELL-MANAGED GOVERNMENT Utah is a national leader in longterm fiscal management. In 2008, the Pew Center on States Government Performance Project gave Utah an overall “A minus” for how the state government manages information, infrastructure, people and money. “Utah manages itself with savvy business acumen,” according to the report. “Financial decisions are made wisely, with an eye toward return on investment and longterm performance in all facets of state government.”

EFFECTIVE REGULATIONS A streamlined and transparent regulatory system gives businesses the confidence they need to hire, invest and innovate. Governor Gary Herbert and the Utah

Legislature understand this, and that’s why during the last legislative session they passed regulatory reforms to ensure Utah's regulatory system produces rules and regulations that enhance, not hamper, jobs and economic growth. These reforms seek to improve the process of analyzing the impacts of regulations by requiring a regulatory note on every bill that outlines both the cost and benefits of the proposed legislation.

QUALITY OF LIFE From breathtaking red rocks to the Greatest Snow on Earth®, Utah has something for everyone. The Beehive State is home to more than a dozen ski resorts that provide the world’s finest skiing and snowboarding. In the summer, Utah’s outdoors offer numerous recreation activities including camping, hiking, mountain biking, ATV riding, rock climbing, fishing and hunting in some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. Utah is also home to the greatest concentration of national parks in the U.S. —Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion. It’s no wonder why U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah’s capital city as the 2017 10th best place to live in the nation.

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Start a Company, Change the World How Utah’s economic prosperity spurs gamechanging innovation

or the last decade, Utah’s business environment has topped national charts. Companies and workers flock to the Beehive State to reap success. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) is tasked with supporting Utah’s businessfriendly environment and maintaining sustainable success. In telling Utah’s story of “business elevated,” many often talk about the large companies that have expanded here in recent years—from Google, Adobe and eBay, to Boeing, Goldman Sachs and Procter & Gamble. But, if you dig deep

Image courtesy of Governor's Office of Economic Development

LIFE IN UTAH 2018 | SLCHAMBER.com

to the heart of our thriving ecosystem, you find something special. The state’s strong culture of entrepreneurship produces an unmatched spirit of innovation in its homegrown companies. Utah companies are churning out new products and original ideas with the potential for global impact, and that potential is likely to become a reality. The true test of a business climate lies at the roots: Can you successfully start and grow a business there? In Utah, the answer is a resounding yes. Utah consistently ranks in the top five nationwide for small business lending and as one of the best states to start a business. Thought leaders such as Forbes, WalletHub and Lendio recognize Utah’s growth in number of small businesses and access to monetary and human capital. Entrepreneurs also have access to several incubators, such as Sustainable Startups, Church and State, Impact Hub and the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, among others. The state has a strong ecosystem of small and medium-sized businesses, and newcomers can find the infrastructure they need to thrive. Many promising companies receive support from GOED’s Technology Commercialization and Innovation Program (TCIP). TCIP provides competitive grants to small businesses and university teams to help bring new technologies to market. The program helps companies secure non-dilutive funding at critical points in their commercialization lifecycles to ensure their long-term success. In addition, TCIP connects companies to vital training and curriculum through partner incubator organizations to help business owners learn the ins and outs of taking a company from startup to profit. More than 60 Utah companies have received funding from the program over the last three years. TCIP’s extensive vetting process ensures the grant money goes to the most promising companies—and let us tell you, these folks have incredible ideas. In our position as an economic prosperous state with a high quality of life, Utah is able to give back. The state readily supports the best and brightest ideas to improve quality of life worldwide. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the exciting innovations happening in Utah right now: PK Clean transforms plastic waste into usable fuel. Founded by MIT graduate

Priyanka Bakaya, PK Clean can convert 20,000 pounds of non-recycled plastic into 60 barrels of oil per day with zero toxic emissions. The company built its first test and manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City in 2013. Chapul, a company you may recognize from ABC’s "Shark Tank," is accessing a largely untapped food source and mass producing cricket powder for various nutritional applications, including protein bars. Elastocrete is making a splash with its flexible cement. Easy to install in large quantities with seamless finishes, Elastocrete can be used for flooring, countertops, wall panels and tables. Its flexible properties allow it to be poured over wood, rubber and even commercial carpet. SimpleCitizen streamlines immigration services to give applicants peace of mind during an otherwise complex process. No more high legal counsel premiums. Homie is disrupting Utah’s real estate industry significantly and received several million dollars in additional funding after its work with TCIP. The service removes middle men and simplifies the real estate process, bringing it up to speed with the 21st century market. On the medical front, MesaGen is working to develop a protein therapy to help patient immune systems fight cancer. Through the Chords is developing medical devices that ease the intubation process and lower the risks of this life-saving procedure. KneeMD is a patient-controlled knee rehabilitation device that helps patients who have undergone knee replacement and other surgeries. It augments formal physical therapy to maximize rehabilitation results. Distal Access’s Resectr device, designed to improve procedures to benefit women’s health, has attracted attention from some of the nation’s top life science companies, including Boston Scientific, which acquired the Resectr device in 2016. The Resectr will lower procedure costs and improve access to much needed health care worldwide. From cricket bars to cancer treatment, social services to sustainable energy, there’s a lot happening in the Beehive State. We intend to keep it that way. The state's economic ecosystem thrives with fresh ideas and a hot-bed of resources for the “little guy.” With the leadership of a business-friendly government and the

OF INTEREST

ACCOLADES No. 1 for Economic Outlook—American Legislative Exchange Council, 2008-2017 “Five U.S. Cities Poised to Become Tomorrow’s Tech Mecca” (Salt Lake City No. 1)—Forbes, 2017 No. 3 Top State for Business—CNBC, 2017 No. 1 SBA Loan Access—Small Business Administration data, 2006-2015 No. 1 For Small Business Lending— Lendio, 2017 No. 8 Most Innovative State—Forbes, 2017 No. 3 Best State for Government and Infrastructure—U.S. News, 2017 No. 3 Best State to Start a Business— WalletHub, 2017 Healthiest Cities in America (Provo-Orem No. 6 and Logan No. 7)—24/7 Wall St., 2017

ABOUT THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The state’s economic vision is that Utah will lead the nation as the best performing economy and be recognized as a premier global business environment and tourist destination. GOED provides extensive resources and support for business creation, growth and recruitment statewide, as well as programs to increase tourism and film production for the benefit of Utah residents. GOED accomplishes its mission through unprecedented partnerships. For more information, visit business.utah.gov

support of valuable partners such as the Salt Lake Chamber, GOED helps innovate and create sustainable economic growth. This foundation is fertile ground for fresh ideas. Do you want to change the world? Come to Utah. We’ll help you make it happen.

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Val Hale, Derek Miller and Dave Golden present at the 2016 Utah Global Forum. Images courtesy of World Trade Center Utah

Benefiting from International Business World Trade Center Utah is helping Utah companies grow globally

hen people think of the World Trade Center (WTC) they think of New York City. But Utah has its own World Trade Center in downtown Salt Lake City. In fact, the World Trade Center building at the corner of South Temple and State Street is one of over 300 WTC’s in more than 100 countries. World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah) is an organization dedicated to promoting

LIFE IN UTAH 2018 | SLCHAMBER.com

international business and helping Utah companies grow globally. Designated as the international business arm for the state, WTC Utah leads out on foreign direct investment efforts and offers trade services to help companies export their goods and services. Some of WTC Utah’s services include trade missions, market research, educational events and one-on-one consultations.

OF INTEREST

UTAH TRADE FACTS UTAH’S TOP 5 EXPORT DESTINATIONS OF 2016:

1. United Kingdom 2. Hong Kong 3. Canada 4. Mexico 5. China TOP 5 EXPORTS FOR 2016:

1. Metals 2. Computer & Electronics 3. Chemicals 4. Food Products 5. Transportation Equipment

IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS IN UTAH International business is an important part of the state’s economy. In 2016, Utah exported $12.1 billion worth of goods and services. More than 3,500 companies export from Utah, and 22 percent of all jobs are supported by international business. Utah ranked sixth in the nation for export growth over the last decade, which is impressive for a small, landlocked state of only three million people. This success can be contributed in part to the heavy focus placed on diversifying customers. More than 95 percent of the world’s consumers are located outside of the United States, and WTC Utah wants to help companies reach these people.

WTC Utah Trade Mission to Singapore and Vietnam.

HELPING COMPANIES One of the ways WTC Utah is helping companies grow their exports is through trade missions. In 2017, WTCU Utah in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, led trade missions to South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, London, Israel and Jordan. A Utah company that benefited from attending a past trade mission is Jaseboards USA, Inc. Jase Bennett, president of Jaseboards USA, Inc., got the idea for his company after accidentally running over his friend’s longboard while living in Hawaii. As he worked to reconnect the severed pieces, he decided he wanted to build boards that were resilient enough to withstand humidity and strong enough that they could be run over without breaking. Bennett created a one-of-a-kind product and immediately began the process of trying to find where to sell it. His big break came through Costco when he was invited to sell his boards on a 10-day roadshow. This endeavor was successful and led to more opportunities with the warehouse giant. Eventually, the opportunity came to sell Jaseboards in Costco stores in the mainland. Bennett selected Utah as the location for his trial run and ended up tripling the sales he had in Hawaii. As demand grew, Bennett knew it was time to relocate. He picked up his family and business and headed to the Beehive State. Three years later, Jaseboards now has 10 full-time employees and many more part-

Derek Miller, president and CEO of WTC Utah speaks to an attendee on the 25k Jobs Tour.

time workers and contractors. The company has expanded its global reach and can now be found in markets in Europe, Asia and South America. When an opportunity arose to attend a WTC Utah and Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development led trade mission to Mexico in March 2016, Bennett signed up. He believed Latin America might hold big opportunities for Jaseboards, and he wasn’t wrong. As a result of the trade mission, Jaseboards made connections with one of the largest distributors of sports and recreation goods in Latin America.

A RURAL FOCUS To ensure that its services reach all areas of the state, WTC Utah incorporates a rural component into its strategy. In 2017, WTC Utah partnered with Lt. Governor Spencer Cox’s office to execute the 25k Jobs Launch Tour.

This tour visited all 25 counties off the Wasatch Front. Derek B. Miller, World Trade Center Utah’s president and CEO, talked to each community about how they can grow jobs and stabilize their local economy by diversifying markets through exporting. Many companies in rural Utah have experienced success by selling internationally. Storm Bowling, in Brigham City, produces more highperformance bowling balls than any other company in the world. Other successes include a drill bit repair company named Superior Drilling Products in Vernal, Bailey Hay in Ephraim which exports highquality alfalfa hay and Young’s Machine Company in Monticello that manufactures underground haul trucks and equipment.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT Despite the rhetoric on the national level about the negative impacts of international trade, thousands of Utah companies know better. Thanks to the continued support from the private and public sector, the outlook for international business in Utah looks positive. In 2018, WTC Utah will work to connect even more companies to resources that will help them “think, act and succeed globally.” To view quarterly reports on Utah’s exports or to access WTC Utah’s services, visit wtcutah.com

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What's Trending in Utah's Economy? Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute examines where we've been and where we're going

he Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah prepares economic, demographic, and public policy research that helps Utah prosper.

TRENDS TO WATCH We live in a period of rapidly accelerating change. Technological advances, globalization and social shifts are altering the ground beneath our feet. In Utah, changes in demographics, debt levels, living preferences, urbanization, diversification, and other factors present opportunities and challenges.

AUTOMATION Automation has continued to alter the economic landscape. A recent analysis by the Utah Department of Workforce Services showed that the same number of Utah workers is now producing twice the value of product, a stunning rise in productivity. Complementary research prepared by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute revealed that Utah’s manufacturing sector is less vulnerable to imports due to advanced manufacturing. For this reason, Utah manufacturing jobs increased by nearly 6 percent since 1995, while the United States lost nearly 29 percent over the same period.

MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT PERCENT CHANGE 1995 – 2015: SELECTED STATES

LIFE IN UTAH 2018 | SLCHAMBER.com

GLOBALIZATION What has been the impact of globalization in Utah? Recent analysis by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute concludes that the impact of globalization has been widespread and nearly all positive. A large reason for Utah’s international success is due to advanced manufacturing in the state and its relative immunity to offshoring. Utah also has a great need for labor to support our growing economy. Immigrants, rather than displacing local workers, have been a welcome source of labor supply. Data on Utah’s foreign born, refugee resettlement, international travel, and international students also reinforce the positive economic impacts of the cross-border movement of goods and people. On the whole,

the Utah economy is larger and more prosperous because of globalization.

DEMOGRAPHICS Demographers at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute project Utah’s population will increase from approximately 3 million in 2015 to 5.8 million in 2065. Nevertheless, growth rates are projected to decelerate over the next 50 years. Utah’s fertility rates are at a historical low. Moreover, people are living longer. This means that Utah’s median age is climbing as our population gets older each year. This will have far reaching implications for the state. Transportation, housing, health care, and the economic consequences of an aging population will all have to be

UTAH'S FERTILITY RATE IS AT A HISTORIC LOW

taken into account by decision makers and community leaders in the years to come.

LIVING PREFERENCES While it’s no secret that younger generations are living differently than their parents, what is less talked about is how many live with their parents. In 2015, approximately one in three adults in Utah between the ages of 18 and 34 lived as a “child of a householder.” Moreover, people are choosing to live in cities. Downtown Salt Lake City has seen a stunning increase in apartments in recent years. It took 100 years for downtown to reach 5,200 apartments. We are now on track to double that amount in the next 10 years. Watch for Utah to continue to become more and more urban. As a result, urban problems such as congestion, crime, affordable housing and unclean air will be become even more pressing.

MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS Informed decisions are not easy to make. They take intention, time, and focused effort. At the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, we are an honest broker of INFORMED RESEARCH, which guides INFORMED DISCUSSIONS, and leads to INFORMED DECISIONS™.

help ensure the public’s voice is heard and provide valuable insight for decision makers. As a result, we are well-positioned to help leaders in the community understand trends that have the potential to reshape Utah for generations to come.

INFORMED RESEARCH

We convene summits where opinion leaders can take time to reflect and deliberate on innovative ideas and approaches. Our partnerships with public entities and private organizations help create opportunities for guided discussion on specific subjects. To help foster these opportunities, we engage the community with our monthly newsmaker breakfasts events and meetings of the Economic Club of Utah on topics of statewide, regional, and national importance. Our world-class venue on South Temple Street

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute delivers objective research and analysis leaders can rely on to make datadriven public policy decisions. Our seasoned team creates trusted analyses on a wide range of topics, from complex tax policy to the economic impact of specific industries. Our demographers make sense of Utah’s unique demographic characteristics and interpret how they affect policy choices. We conduct public-purpose surveys, focus groups, and interviews to

INFORMED DISCUSSIONS

provides an embassy of thought, ideas, and innovation.

INFORMED DECISIONS At the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, we are passionate about raising the level and quality of public discourse in ways that encourage leaders to make well-considered decisions that balance the needs of community members. We help by sharing economic, demographic, and public policy data by facilitating collaborative discussions. Business leaders and public officials at all levels of government—legislators, mayors, county commissioners, county and city council members, volunteer members of boards and commissions, and public employees—will all be more effective if they can call upon a trusted entity to share accurate data, prepare independent research, and convene policy discussions.

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An Unmatched Spirit of Collaboration Envision Utah's secret to success is collaboration for a better future

t’s no secret—Utah is growing fast. For the last several years the state has been consistently ranked one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. Utahns understand why people want to move here: booming business, world-class recreation, high quality of life, affordable living—the list goes on. But Utah didn’t become amazing on its own—our state is great because of visionary Utahns who made plans for the future. In fact, careful preparation for the future is part of the state’s DNA. From the very first pioneers who arrived in a desert to the innovative leaders of today, Utah is great because Utahns look to the future and try to make this place better for the next generation. Envision Utah is the most recent example of this. For 20 years, Envision Utah’s collaborative process has brought Utahns together to create and sustain communities that are beautiful, prosperous, healthy, and neighborly for current and future residents. And it’s been working. Since its beginning, Envision Utah has helped Utahns along the Wasatch Front add 140 miles of rail transportation, decrease lot sizes by 22 percent, save more than 200 square miles of rural land from development, reduce water usage by 25 percent, reduce emissions by more than half, and brought communities together to examine many other key issues. But the real secret behind Envision Utah’s success is the people who are willing to work together to do something about their future. “Our purpose is not to lead somewhere, our purpose is to let the public see their choices and let them lead,” said Robert

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Grow, president and CEO of Envision Utah. “They are going to choose the future, so we’re empowering them by letting them see what their choices are and helping them implement those choices.” For 20 years, Envision Utah has used the same process in each and every project it has taken on. The process focuses in on five areas to achieve what Utahns want for their future.

STEP 1: UTAHNS’ VALUES Finding out what Utahns love about living here—and why—is the foundation of the Envision Utah process. A vision has to be built on what Utahns want most for their future.

Image courtesy of Envision Utah

STEP 2: STAKEHOLDERS Envision Utah brings in key stakeholders from businesses, government, and the community to lead, empower, create momentum, and explore how future growth could occur.

STEP 3: SCENARIOS With input from key stakeholders, values research, workshops, public surveys, and other public outreach, Envision Utah compiles data, analyzes choices, and creates multiple scenarios for how growth might occur.

STEP 4: PUBLIC INPUT After the scenarios are created, they are presented to the public. Utahns review and compare scenarios, then select the future they want and the strategies to create that future.

STEP 5: A VISION A preferred scenario for the future is created from the public’s choices. That

preferred scenario becomes a vision for the future with goals and strategies for implementation. In 2015, more than 50,000 Utahns participated in this process and created a vision for the entire state for 2050 called, Your Utah, Your Future. Envision Utah is working to make that vision a reality. With projects ranging from education to air quality, Envision Utah has a deep understanding of what Utahns want and is working with key stakeholders to make that vision a reality. The work of Envision Utah wouldn’t be possible without the collaborative spirit of Utahns throughout the state. Utahns don’t believe in sitting back—they want to secure a great future for themselves, their families and those who come after. More information about Envision Utah can be found at envisionutah.org

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Building a Legacy Wilford Clyde of Clyde Companies works hard to build Utah's potential

he entrepreneurial spirit and innovative culture of the Utah business community is known across the country. The state is emerging as a leader in industries such as high-tech and life sciences, but high-caliber organizations are found in many different industries. Businesses founded upon hard work and ethical principles thrive in Utah’s business culture. Clyde Companies—a constructionfocused organization that specializes in heavy highway construction, aggregates, construction and building materials, and insurance—is one of those businesses. Under the direction of Chairman and CEO Wilford Clyde, Clyde Companies continues to build upon its legacy of growth, success

and community building in Utah and throughout the Intermountain West for more than 90 years. Clyde’s grandfather founded the construction company, which bore his name, W.W. Clyde, in 1926 in Springville, Utah. He built his business upon the core values that still guide the company today: deliver quality products and services, value the individual, our word is our bond, and give a full measure. Building the company upon hard work and these corporate values proved successful as Clyde Companies has grown from a small Utah construction company into a billiondollar organization with more than 3,500 employees and operations throughout the Intermountain West. Wilford Clyde, a lifelong Utah resident and previous mayor of Springville, has led the company for nearly two decades. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Salt Lake Chamber. “Utah is a great place to grow a business. Our success is due in large part to the quality employees here that have embraced our

Legacy Parkway development. Image courtesy of Clyde Companies, Inc.

corporate values,” Clyde said. Like his company, Clyde’s business sense is based on time-tested principles of hard work, loyalty and grit, something he says, “he is proud to have inherited from his father and grandfather.” As a child, his mother Louise described him as a “young entrepreneur.” She explained that Wilford would do nearly any chore—no matter how hard or how dirty—if he could earn a little money, once saying, "All I had to do was dangle a quarter." No matter the task, Wilford would figure out a way to get the job done. His father, Blaine Clyde, would take a

CLYDE'S FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT DOING BUSINESS IN UTAH tax rates, low property tax rates, and pro-business state and local governments, it’s a great place to do business.

Capable Workforce Entrepreneurial, Pro-Business Culture The state has done a terrific job at positioning Utah-based businesses to succeed. With one of the country’s lowest corporate

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You can thank the state’s familycentered culture for making Utah’s workforce educated, hardworking and driven. Utah’s workforce is the youngest and most linguistically diverse in the U.S., according to the U.S.

Census. In Utah, the typical 30-year-old is college educated, married and has children, and a solid career is important to him or her.

Quality of Life There’s a reason I’ve never wanted to live anywhere else. All the things you hear are true. Utah does have the Greatest Snow on Earth®, beautiful scenery, exceptional golfing,

and a wide variety of art, culture and athletic venues. Compared to other metropolitan hubs, the Wasatch Front boasts top-tier infrastructure, including efficient transportation systems and broadband communication networks. According to U.S. News, the average work commute is well below the national average at just 22 minutes.

young Wilford out with him to job sites where he had his first glimpse of the road building process in the State of Utah. As a kid, his job was to wait for his dad, watch the men work, and throw rocks. Later on, he had the opportunity to work for his brother Paul, where he learned a great deal about the basic dirtier tasks of road construction, management skills, and not throwing rocks. After graduating from Brigham Young University, Clyde officially joined the family business in 1977 as an accountant for one of the family’s companies, Geneva Rock Products. Later, he went on to lead that company as president. “Working in our family business was a great opportunity for me, but it also came with unique challenges. I’ve always cared greatly about upholding our corporate values as a key to business success and continuing our family legacy,” Clyde said. Under Clyde’s leadership, Geneva Rock Products grew to be one of Utah’s most successful and recognized construction companies. In 1999, the individual companies of the Clyde family—W.W. Clyde & Co., Geneva Rock Products, Sunroc Corporation, Sunroc Building Materials, and Beehive Insurance—were reorganized under the parent company of Clyde Companies, and in 2001, Wilford became president of the organization. During the course of his career, Wilford

has successfully lead the company through the Great Recession, was responsible for the acquisition of more than three dozen businesses that have been absorbed into the Clyde Companies, and has used leadership and organizational skills to grow the business across Utah state lines with additional operations in Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, and Hawaii. In 2017, Wilford celebrated 40 years with the company. Beyond his experience in the world of construction, Clyde has served the community in many capacities, including standing as Chairman of the Utah Manufacturers Association, President of the Utah Chapter of the Associated General Contractors, Chairman of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of Utah’s Higher Education Governing Board of Regents, and National President of the Brigham Young University Cougar Club. Clyde completed his second and final term as mayor of Springville in January 2018. In addition, he has served on the boards of the Utah State Employers Council and Envision Utah. This past year, he also served as the President of the Beavers, Inc., a national heavy engineering contractors association. “Our corporate mission is Building a Better Community. I’ve always believed that community service is an important element to business success and a responsibility of successful businesses,” said Clyde. Wilford had the honor of being one of the founding members of the Utah Valley University Wolverine Club and was elected to the UVU Wolverine Hall of Fame in 2000. He was the Utah Manufacturers Association Businessman of the Year in 1995, and in 2002 received the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 2015, Wilford received the Jay S. Newitt Construction Management Industry Professional Award from Brigham Young University and was inducted into the Nebo School District Athletic Hall of Fame. Also in 2015, he received the prestigious Pillar of the Valley Award from the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Clyde Companies organization, no doubt, owes much of its growth and success to Wilford Clyde. The State of Utah is also appreciative of his many years of volunteer service and commitment to building a better community.

3 KEYS FOR GROWTH, ACCORDING TO CLYDE 1. STICK TO YOUR MORALS The character of your organization is integral to your ability to gain customers and a positive reputation amongst peers in the industry. Don’t be afraid of setting high standards for yourself and your employees. Your employees will respect you for it, and your customers will happily pay you for it.

2. NEVER STOP BUILDING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS People are the key to business success. At Clyde Companies, our leading core value is ‘We Value People’. That includes our employees, our customers, our vendors, and members of our community. Don’t let small arguments or disagreements dissolve valuable relationships. Be that trusted partner, friend, and respected leader in your industry. Those relationships will bring you success on every level of your business.

3. CHOOSE TO BE A PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY Whatever your industry, find a way to build your business beyond itself. Investing in your community via corporate giving, associations, neighborhood projects, school programs, educational summits or any of the like, will bring a human element and passion to your brand.

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The Fox of Main Street Theresa Foxley lives, breathes and exemplifies Utah culture

heresa Foxley is not what you would immediately expect from a business and finance attorney turned CEO. While her demeanor is intentional and articulate, what shines through the most in her diction is her passion. Her love for the State of Utah is apparent in every conversation she has, which made her a perfect fit for the role of CEO at the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah). Since 1987, EDCUtah has worked with state and local government and private industry to attract and grow competitive, highvalue companies and spur the expansion of local Utah businesses. Foxley is homegrown, like many of the successful Utah companies that EDCUtah has worked with over the years, such as Qualtrics and Merit Medical, that have roots in Utah but customers and operations all over the globe. If there is one notion that exemplifies Utah companies and Foxley herself, it is that you can do big things in a small place.

“I love being able to walk down Main Street and bump into former classmates and people I have worked with on business transactions. I think that it’s a big enough city and a big enough state to offer really amazing career opportunities, but it still has a sort of small town charm to it as well,” Foxley said. “There is an ability for people that are working in this community to get their arms around what is going on and really still have an impact in a way that I think is pretty unique.” Foxley epitomizes making her success at home. She grew up in Salt Lake City and attended Highland High School. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics, she graduated with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. She then worked as a business and finance attorney with the Salt Lake City office of Ballard Spahr. Foxley represented numerous clients on corporate and financial matters. Like a true Utahn, she Foxley speaks with EDCUtah members at the company’s 2016-17 Annual Meeting, September 10, 2017.

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From left to right, Ben Hart (GOED), Representative Mike Schultz (Utah State House of Representatives), Theresa Foxley (EDCUtah), Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert, and Val Hale (GOED), on a recruiting mission in Northern California, May 2017.

EDCUtah President & CEO Theresa Foxley gives her remarks at the company’s 2016-17 Annual Meeting, September 10, 2017. Images courtesy of EDCUtah

fervently balances her work and life; early morning ski runs or hikes often precede late nights analyzing issues. Her eyes light up when she speaks about skiing The Greatest Snow on Earth® as equally as when she discusses a recent corporate expansion that will introduce hundreds of new jobs to Utah. The cliché “work hard, play hard” runs true in Utah, and Foxley is no exception. Before becoming EDCUtah’s CEO, Foxley served as the deputy director of corporate recruitment and business services at the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED). Her background in corporate law

allowed for a seamless transition when tasked with managing EDCUtah’s internal and external stakeholders as CEO. “Having an analytical background allows us as an organization to really understand what the decision drivers are for companies that are expanding and relocating here. Being able to apply that analytical framework to an individual corporate recruitment is helpful. I think it's trained me to ask good questions,” Foxley said. Her aspiration for EDCUtah is to help the 30-year-old company transition from a model that is focused on marketing to being a trusted

adviser on product development initiatives. Foxley’s analytical skill set has has become increasingly important as EDCUtah focuses on becoming a data-driven organization. She hopes to initiate flawless process execution, roll out a public development toolkit and transition members over to a new model that helps clarify EDCUtah’s value proposition in the market. “The whole world is turning to big data, and we're using it to solve big problems. Our emphasis on leading with data will carry us forward and make this organization similar to the clients we’re working with,” Foxley said. Despite the ambitious goals that Foxley has for EDCUtah in her first year as CEO, her passion for EDCUtah’s mission makes her job easy. Foxley has lived, breathed and exemplified Utah’s culture throughout her life. It makes sense that promoting the state to businesses looking for a new home, or expanding their existing footprint, comes naturally to her. That’s why she vehemently defends that Utah is the best state to live, work and play in. “You think about other western markets that sell themselves as having a great work-life balance, but when

you parse out the numbers, their airports are not within 20 minutes of the central business district (CBD); their mountains are not within 20 minutes of the CBD; their ski resorts are not within 40 minutes of the CBD. That proximity of the population center to our outdoor recreation assets is fantastic. I love the fact that you can have a great career here, but also have a really terrific lifestyle. I live 11 minutes away from the office and a half hour away from being in the hills. I can walk to a PAC-12 university football game from my home on a fall night. It's pretty incredible,” Foxley said. “It goes beyond that too. We're not just mountains. We also have a phenomenal arts and entertainment scene that is really enviable. Governor Gary Herbert talks about this, but the first thing the pioneers built when they came to the valley wasn’t a church or a temple; it was a performing arts center. That’s a big part of our DNA… being able to access beautiful art and performing arts.” It’s safe to say that Utah makes up a large part of Foxley’s DNA. Whether she’s biking into City Creek Canyon or walking to the negotiation table to bring a major corporation to Utah, she stays true to the state’s homage of “work hard, play hard” in every aspect of her life.

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Commercial Real Estate Cranes and scaffolds tell the tale of Utah's substantial growth

key Utah market indicators are robust and—in a regional context—highly competitive, locking in a positive outlook for continued, localized growth both for commercial real estate and the Utah economy.

OFFICE Office performance is fueled by Utah’s strong job growth, which ranks among the highest in the nation. This has driven demand for office space, both from businesses within Utah and out of state. Recent years have seen record levels of

Image courtesy of CBRE SLC

ommercial real estate is all around us; it is where we work, play, shop and eat—it is where we live. As an industry, commercial real estate is the economy’s footprint, with each market (including office, retail, industrial, investment, and multifamily properties) reflecting the health and condition of the broader economic environment. Across Utah’s populated core, cranes and scaffolds tell of substantial economic growth, but commercial trends also reveal nuanced shifts in business and consumer needs. Overall,

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leasing, with notable activity from sector giants in finance, technology and more. Near the end of 2017, the outlook was more cautious and less broad-based. However, demand remained strong for the more strategic office spaces, generally located along popular transit lines and on the border of Salt Lake and Utah Counties—the heart of the Silicon Slopes tech corridor. New office supply has followed and facilitated this demand, redrawing the market skyline for much of northern Utah. Relative to its size, Salt Lake City has the third-highest amount of active suburban office construction in the country (mid-2017). Construction has been demand-driven, but the vacancies in older offices left behind by moving tenants are getting harder to back fill. Still, the overall market is relatively strong and expected to continue healthy growth for the near future.

RETAIL Retail in Utah, as in other areas across the nation, is experiencing a major transformation. Shifts in consumer values and preferences, while favoring e-commerce channels, have not killed physical retail, but instead raised the bar. In Utah, the first half of 2017 was headlined by large retailers— mostly national chains—who failed to evolve, leaving behind a significant supply of large vacant retail. However, other retailers are expanding. Retail leasing in Utah has been strong and positive, especially for services like restaurants, fitness centers and theaters, which accounted for 81 percent of new leases in the Salt Lake area through the third quarter of 2017. As retail owners adapt, efforts to re-invent centers with updated branding and a more diversified, relevant tenant mix are high. Several major malls and shopping centers across

Utah are undergoing significant renovation or redevelopment, often incorporating mixeduse residential and office. Beyond the redevelopment of existing retail, several new, high-image centers are under construction to service rapid population expansion. Retail follows rooftops, and with residential growth at record levels in several Utah counties, the prospective for retail is positive.

INDUSTRIAL Utah’s strategic location and relatively low operating costs continue to provide an advantage to industrial operations, especially near Salt Lake City’s intermodal hub in the northwest. Industrial activity in the Salt Lake area has surged in recent years, with lease transaction sizes rising substantially on average. 2017 also saw the groundbreaking of several “mega-warehouses” from well-known e-commerce

and logistics companies. Other industrial industries also thrive in Utah; for example, years of strength in materials processing and compositing has more recently given way to a large presence of advanced aerospace manufacturing. While the supply of developable land is an ongoing concern near major Utah transportation hubs, the constraints have not yet limited activity. And thanks to the development of a new state prison, an eminent extension of infrastructure into the area west of Salt Lake City International Airport will open up a large quantity of land for development.

INVESTMENT As commercial real estate markets in Utah diversify and expand, so have its sources of capital. Salt Lake City, in particular, has acted as a relatively low-risk, good-return alternative to larger, saturated

gateway cities across the U.S. Along with strong employment and population growth projections, this has resulted in an increased amount of funds from diverse entities approved for local deployment. With this catalyst, investment volumes along the Wasatch have surpassed $1 billion in two of the last three years. But despite interest, activity in Utah is ultimately limited by the relatively small number of institution-grade assets up for sale. Looking ahead, this condition is expected to continue.

MULTIFAMILY Utah’s multifamily market continues to expand, spurred by strong population growth (more than double the national average) and, more notably, increased levels of in-migration. Catering to a younger, workingclass generation, multifamily development is most dense near burgeoning employment

centers along public transit lines in northern Utah. Along the Wasatch Front alone, more than 22,000 units have been built since 2011, with 11,500 more under construction as of mid-year 2017, and a similar amount with potential to start. Although multifamily growth is expected to continue, subtle signs of course corrections are present—helping to ensure the market stays affordable and keeping buyer-seller expectations in check. Only recently has rent growth slowed and vacancy ticked up—both just marginally. Still, relative to other markets in the region, lease-up is high and vacancy is tight. Altogether, the market remains healthy, with a strong demographic base supportive of long-term performance and growth. For further analysis on Utah’s commercial real estate market, visit cbre.us/slc

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Dell EMC Snowbird Summit Team. Images courtesy of Dell EMC

What It’s Like Doing Business in Silicon Slopes From the office to the Summit—all in one day

O Dell EMC employee rappels Cassidy Arch.

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nce during a presentation, a Dell EMC division executive from Denver remarked, “You don’t know how lucky you are to be this close to the mountains!” A bit perplexing as he was from Denver, which is considered a top ski and snowboard destination. When asked to explain further, he said, “Because of the traffic and distance, it takes me at least two hours to get up to the resorts.” Later that day, the team decided to adjourn an afternoon meeting early and drive 30 minutes to Snowbird to watch the sunset from The Summit. Dell Technologies is the largest private technology company in the world with more than 140,000 employees and $70 billion in sales of enterprise storage and consumer

products. It is considered one of the original big company “anchor tenants” in the Silicon Slopes, with two offices in Draper and more than 1,200 local employees in consulting, managed services, cloud offerings, support and deployment services. When the Utah office first started up in 2011, there was an enormous call for talent to supplement the local hires. Over a two-year period, managers chose to relocate to Utah from Ireland, Egypt, China, India, New York, Boston, Maryland and the West Coast. Most relocated employees were on a 1-2 year commitment; what none of them expected (including the company) was how many of them would stay. It was quickly concluded that Utah was one of the best

kept secrets in the West, and nearly all of those that relocated stayed beyond their initial contract obligations, bought homes, and have been enormous contributors to its local success story. Since those original company transplants, and since word got out that life in the Silicon Slopes offers unique adventures, many other employees from around the globe have similarly relocated for opportunity. While its Irish employees may call it a “caravan” instead of an “RV,” and its Egyptian and Indian employees may not love every aspect of the cold winter, ultimately they all see the benefits of working and raising their families in this vibrant tech environment. The company came to the same conclusion as its employees, and moved quickly to purchase a piece of land and constructed its first Class A office building at Vista Station in 2016. This transit-oriented development is part of an overall campus expansion, and includes a Customer Briefing Center, full-service café, 24-hour fitness center, training rooms, an employee lounge, and a Product Training Room where employees and customers can engage with high-end equipment.

WELLNESS @ DELL Part of the appeal of working in Utah is the access to the great outdoors, including its five national parks and protected state parks and trails. Employees at Dell take this one step further by organizing weekend hikes, geocaching, rappelling and mountaineering, carpooling up to ski resorts, mountain biking, and participating in the Salt Lake County Summer and Winter Corporate Games. As the Dell offices are adjacent to the Jordan River bike trails, the company also offers secure bike lockers and locker room facilities onsite. It’s incredibly common to start a Monday morning meeting by comparing weekend adventures and sharing pictures. When visitors, customers, and executives come to Utah, the company prides itself on scheduling an afternoon hike, visit to the slopes, or canyoneering experience so they can get a firsthand taste of all that Utah has to offer.

“OPENSOURCE” COMMUNITY With the growing number of tech companies doing business in Utah,

Dell EMC soccer teams at Salt Lake County Summer Corporate Games.

Dell EMC has been privileged to be an influential part of the Utah Tech Council, Silicon Slopes, Women Tech Council, Salt Lake Chamber, and many other industry associations. Vance Checketts, vice president and general manager of Dell EMC, has served as trustee on many of these organization’s boards and encourages the Dell leadership team to give back by participating in sub-committees, event planning and networking events. Even though there is a healthy spirit of competition among the companies within these industry alliances, there is a higher likelihood of these companies being suppliers, partners, and business accelerators. Dell EMC tries to keep the lines of communication open by hosting executive forums, inviting other tech companies to present demos and share best practices, and celebrating overall industry wins. In the broadest sense, most of these tech companies share similar concerns around STEM initiatives, the availability of technical talent, university relations, mass transit, environmental sustainability, and changing the perceptions of Utah for outsiders.

DIVERSITY LEADS TO INNOVATION One of the secrets to success in the Silicon Slopes is diversity. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because in an industry which is challenged to innovate and disrupt, having a diverse employee base is the best way to get diversity in ideas. So much so,

that during the annual review process, it is not uncommon to be asked the question: “What have you done to increase and enhance diversity?” While there is still a lot of work to be done regarding diversity initiatives, the company is focused on making Utah a great place to work for tech employees. The Dell EMC Utah offices has internal Employee Resource Groups such as Women in Action, Planet (environmental sustainability), Veterans, Pride, Latino Professionals, Caregivers, GenNext (Millennials in the Workplace) and the Indian Subcontinent team. In 2017, the Women in Action group partnered with the Women Tech Council to support SheTech at three Utah locations, impacting more than 1,000 young women in secondary education. The Pride group creates volunteer opportunities to work with the Utah Food Bank and Homeless Youth Resource Center. The Veterans group supported the Utah Honor Flight Squadron with wheelchairs and a send-off breakfast at the Fisher House. When you consider the quality of life, world-renowned recreational opportunities, collaborative industry environment, and the opportunity to give back meaningfully to the community and enlarge your employees’ perspective through the power of diversity, there is truly something compelling about the Silicon Slopes package. So even though Dell is operating in more than 180 different countries, they are no longer surprised to hear visitors tell them: “You don’t know how lucky you are.”

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James Marsden and Evan Rachel Wood in HBO's “Westworld,” filmed in Southern Utah. Image courtesy of Utah Film Commission

The Story is Utah The Business of Filmmaking in the Beehive State

ou don’t have to look much further than an ad for the State of Utah to see the draw for filmmakers. Utah has long been recognized for its red rock desert lands, green alpine splendor, and snowcovered mountains descending into blue skies. Visitors are often surprised, however, to hear about the state’s growing urban areas, with its foodie scene, hipster coffee shops and gourmet bakeries. Utah’s unique landscape and sheer diversity continue to lure tourists and filmmakers alike. And this is nothing new, its appeal began in the 1930s when John Ford set his iconic westerns here. However, if you think the extent of filmmaking in Utah is "Stagecoach" in Monument Valley, you are sorely mistaken. Utah has deep roots in the entertainment industry with almost 1,000 productions shot in state. The early westerns took advantage of southern Utah’s spectacular landscape, with "The Covered Wagon" filmed on Antelope Island, "The

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Deadwood Coach" in Cedar City and "The Searchers" in Monument Valley, but this was just the beginning. As these desert spaces became synonymous with the ‘wild west’, the rest of the state also began to spark interest. CBS series "Touched by an Angel" filmed nine seasons in the late 90s, and 2005 saw the first of three "High School Musical" films shot for Disney Channel, all in Salt Lake City. And that’s not all. Remember Tom Hanks as the bearded ‘Forrest Gump’ running through the valley? Or Thelma and Louise speeding through the desert in a Ford Thunderbird? What about James Franco scaling Moab in "127 Hours"? All of these iconic, and criticallyacclaimed moments, were filmed in Utah. A production’s backdrop is its backbone, setting the scene in every shot; it gives actors and audiences a chance to truly live the story. Utah has played itself in countless productions, as well as successfully masking itself as neighboring states (Nevada in "Thelma & Louise," Colorado in "Dumb

and Dumber," Wyoming in "Wind River"), and even appearing as fictional settings, utilizing its otherworldly backdrops such as the famous Salt Flats ("Westworld," "Galaxy Quest"). “The digest of disguises... might suggest that Utah has an identity crisis. However, its versatility, attested to by hundreds of productions successfully filmed in Utah, has, in fact, forged an identity uniquely its own,” says James V. D’Arc in "When Hollywood Came to Town." With the help of the Utah Film Commission, the state remains a powerful force in the filmmaking industry. In 2016, the film industry brought an estimated $55 million and more than 1,700 jobs to Utah. Clearly, the state’s biggest draw is its varied landscape, but acknowledging that location is not the only driving factor is key to understanding the industry. The current film industry relies on the capacity of states to provide financial film incentives, and these, more often than not, play a key role in determining the destination for a production. In response, Utah’s Motion Picture Incentive Program was founded

in 2011, offering a post-performance tax credit where approved productions can receive up to 25 percent tax credit on Utah spend. Since the program’s creation, $161 million has been spent in state by studios such as ABC, Fox, Disney and DreamWorks. “Our locations and incentive programs encourage initial interest to film in Utah, and our local resources, including our crews, drive filmmakers to return,” Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission, said. “Our creative community is hard-working, professional and skilled, going above and beyond time and time again.” With more than 1,600 registered crew members, Utah has a large enough resource base to handle three to four concurrent productions. Disney Channel’s "Andi Mack" returned to film its second season, after nearing 40 million views and ranking as the number one show of 2017 within the network’s target demographic. The show’s executive producer, Michelle Manning, commented: “I have shot all over the world, but Utah is now my favorite place to film. The cast and crew bond was like nothing I have

ever experienced.” At the same time, the all-star team behind HBO’s award-winning western-sci-fi series, "Westworld," returned for a second season, after garnering an average of 12 million viewers with the first. In addition, Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Taylor Sheridan, returned to Utah to shoot the anticipated series "Yellowstone," starring Kevin Costner, following the success of his previous made-in-Utah production, "Wind River." “We currently have a diverse set of productions shooting in State—from established national networks to smaller local filmmakers," Virginia Pearce said. “This is exactly our goal: to welcome and support talent from all angles and create the best possible content.” And it doesn’t stop at movies. Big brands including Ford, Volkswagen and Woolrich, continue to take advantage of Utah’s natural beauty for commercial backdrops, as well as musicians including Demi Lovato, Katy Perry and Imagine Dragons who have all recently shot music videos in the state. A new state-of-the-art studio space, based in Park City, has unlocked new

opportunities for larger productions to film in Utah. In addition, Park City is home to the internationally acclaimed Sundance Film Festival, which continues to be one of the state’s great creative assets. With this in mind, it is clear that there is more to Utah’s film industry than moviemaking. There is a wider entertainment culture and creative community, with successful industryfocused nonprofit organizations (Utah Film Center, Salt Lake Film Society and Spy Hop), as well as new focus on augmented and virtual reality. The Utah-born immersive VR experience, The Void, was recently named as the number one of its kind in the country. It’s clear that Utah’s film industry is on the rise, so what does the future hold? Advances in technology and the growth of the wider entertainment sector are likely to increase opportunities in the creative community as a whole, which in turn will result in an increased on-screen presence for Utah. Entertainment is certainly rooted in the state, and hopefully we will continue making history in this way.

“Best Places to Live”—Money Magazine 20 Minutes from Downtown Salt Lake City and the Salt Lake Interna onal Airport

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801-254-3742; bpreece@sjc.utah.gov

www. sjc.utah.gov

RiverPark Corporate Center

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Helping Virtually Every Woman Business Owner in Utah Women's Business Center helps business owners thrive WOMEN ROCK BUSINESS Women own and control over 30 percent of small businesses in Utah and rank in the top 10 in the nation for their ability to successfully operate, earn money and employ people, according to the 2016 American Express OPEN Report. For women who do not live along the Wasatch Front, however, access to resources and support has been very limited. Thanks to a new initiative at the Salt Lake Chamber Women’s Business Center, women, specifically in rural Utah, are now able to obtain the necessary resources and support that will help them thrive as business owners.

WBC consultant Deb Bilbao helps a client. Images courtesy of Women's Business Center

WHAT IS THE WBC? The Women’s Business Center (WBC), a nonprofit organization located within the Salt Lake Chamber offices, assists thousands of women each year on their path to successful business ownership through free and low-cost classes, counseling and resources. The Center’s primary purpose is to help women entrepreneurs. However, this is not a requirement and nearly 12 percent of the WBC’s clients are men. The WBC is one of nearly 150 similar centers throughout the country, all of which are partially funded through a federal grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Much like other western states, Utah has only one WBC, and therefore, the Center’s mission is to serve women throughout the entire state.

WHAT IS THE NEED? For nearly 20 years, the WBC only offered in-person services. For those women who lived nearby or those who were willing to travel to Salt Lake City, the WBC has been a great source for assistance and support.

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a reality. By establishing partnerships throughout the state, the WBC now delivers online training to women through Virtual Centers. Now, women across the state are able to work on their business at a time that is most convenient for them.

HOW DOES A VIRTUAL WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER WORK? Despite a history of excellent service, it became clear the Center needed to expand its reach to the underserved women geographically distanced from Salt Lake City.

WHAT IS THE ANSWER? A master plan for rural outreach was created to provide online services on demand to anyone with internet access. With funding from American Express and collaboration with AmeriCorps VISTA, the Women’s Business Center’s plan has become

Each Virtual WBC is hosted by a chamber of commerce, or other organization, in each county or region, which features a webpage loaded with local resources for women business owners in their area and a link to the WBC’s online training portal. The online training includes articles, How-Tos, checklists, materials, tips, FAQs, blogs, videos and access to WBC’s Jump Start: Intro to Entrepreneurship workshop and Build Your Dream Company, a 15-module video course customized for Utah women. Thanks to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, any woman living outside of the four counties along the Wasatch Front can access the Build Your

Dream Company course at no charge with a promo code ($99 savings). The Training Portal also features other online resources, such as Grow Her Business and SBA’s Learning Center. Although a local mentor is ideal, the WBC does have a fulltime consultant who can provide free virtual one-on-one assistance to help women stepby-step through starting a business and strengthening an existing business.

HOW DO VIRTUAL WBCS HELP UTAH WOMEN? Utah women are naturally industrious and, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Center for Women In Business, they tie second for self-employed women in the country. To compliment this drive, WBC services can help women understand how to start their own business, and then provide the resources, tools and support to get going. Whether it’s drafting a business plan, preparing financials for a loan or writing operational procedures, the WBC provides a wide variety of resources online. In just the last two years, the WBC has

assisted more than 460 individual clients who received more than 1,150 hours of one-on-one mentorship. From this mentorship, WBC clients have created 183 new businesses that earned $70.3 million in revenue and saw an increase of $4.4 million in profit. Most importantly, the WBC helped women build confidence, create opportunities and experience success.

ON THE HORIZON By the end of 2018, the WBC will have virtual services available in all counties of the state. By assisting women through Virtual WBCs, female entrepreneurs will substantially impact the Utah economy and, most importantly, their individual families. A more powerful female voice in the marketplace is sure to make Utah’s economy more diverse and vibrant. For more information about Women’s Business Center classes, training, counseling and events, explore wbcutah.com

CAPITAL CITY BY NAME, STATEWIDE BY MISSION TOP 10 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2018 MODERNIZING UTAH’S TAX CODE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE AIR QUALITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRANSPORTATION HOUSING AFFORDABILITY REGULATION REFORM FAMILIES AND WORKPLACE HOMELESSNESS QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MORE INFORMATION 801-364-3631 | info@slchamber | slchamber.com

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Utahns' Commitment to the Community and Environment Businesses lead the way to bettering the state, nation and world—now and in the future

s the top state for charitable giving and volunteerism, it’s no surprise that Utah businesses are known for the generous ways they give back to the community. Whether through corporate giving, cause work, volunteer efforts or environmental stewardship, Utah companies and employees go above and beyond to enhance the local, national and global community. Why is corporate responsibility so important and why should your business care? Engagement in cause work is no longer optional for a business—it is essential to attract and retain the best employees, especially millennials, who make up the largest labor force in the United States and place great value on working for a purpose. The Case Foundation’s 2014 Millennial Impact Report found a company’s involvement with causes ranked as the third most important factor for millennials applying for a job. “It’s not enough for a company to talk about their corporate social responsibility endeavors to gain public relations points,” the report concludes.

“To create a culture of cause work that inspires better millennial recruitment and retention, companies must offer employees meaningful opportunities to give, get involved and connect.” For millennial and non-millennials alike, a work environment that fosters meaningful engagement opportunities is where employees will feel they can have the greatest impact. A 2017 Deloitte study reinforces this idea, stating: “Many millennials feel unable to exert any meaningful influence on some of society’s biggest challenges; but, in the workforce, they can feel a greater sense of control—an active participant rather than a bystander. It is well documented that businesses with a genuine sense of purpose tend to demonstrate stronger long-term growth, and employees can usefully tap into this.” Regardless of the type of employees or the size of a business, creating an authentic culture of engagement through volunteering or corporate giving is mutually beneficial for the company and the community. Utah businesses play an important role in

giving back and making a difference locally and throughout the world. With a mission to stand as the voice of business, support its members’ success and champion community prosperity, the Salt Lake Chamber has made a point to recognize businesses who go above and beyond in their corporate responsibility efforts by highlighting their success and sharing their stories and best practices with the business community and general public. In addition to recognizing good actors and best practices, the Salt Lake Chamber has developed several corporate responsibility programs focused on engaging companies in key policy issues that matter to them. For example, air quality is a public policy issue businesses care deeply about, as poor air can affect employee recruitment, retention, health and quality of life, as well as economic development. Through the Chamber’s Clean Air Champions program, companies demonstrate their commitment to clean air by carrying out specific clean air strategies during their commutes or in the workplace. The program provides awareness, education, access to resources, and opportunities for Clean Air Champions to highlight their company’s efforts on air quality. When added to the collective actions of other businesses from throughout the state, each Clean Air Champion can help advance policy change through the united clean air efforts of business leaders. The Salt Lake Chamber’s policy-based corporate responsibility programming also includes topics such as sustainability, quality of life, water conservation and workforce development, with more planned for the future. Corporate responsibility is crucial to millennial employee recruitment and retention, overall business success, and enhanced community development. The Salt Lake Chamber is committed to providing simple and replicable opportunities for engagement through its policy-based programs. With good companies who are committed to making a difference, there is no doubt Utah businesses will continue to lead the way in bettering the state, nation and world now and for years to come. Learn more about opportunities to get involved at utahcorporateresponsibility.com.

Image courtesy of Getty Images

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Start Early. Start Right. Challenger School offers uniquely fun and academic classes for preschool to eighth grade students. Our students learn to think for themselves and to value independence. The results are unmatched at any price! Come see for yourself! Observe our classrooms any time— no appointment needed.

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The First Step in Upward Mobility PREPARING STUDENTS TODAY FOR A SUCCESSFUL TOMORROW

hen the Equality of Opportunity Project recently looked at upward mobility in the United States, they found that Salt Lake City was one of the five best places in the country for children from families in the bottom 20 percent of income to reach the top 20 percent of income in adulthood. The path to upward mobility for children begins in school, and for 95 percent of school-age children in Utah, that means a public school. The state makes a conscious effort to make its schools parent-friendly. Utah has an open enrollment policy with more than 1,000 public schools to choose from, including more than 100 charter schools. The open enrollment system means parents are free to choose schools other than their neighborhood school so long as parents are willing to transport their students, and the public school they wish to attend has not been declared overcrowded by a local school board. Utah’s robust charter school system includes schools focused on science and engineering, art, and alternative teaching methods. Some charter schools are specialized for targeted populations like those on the autism spectrum or new arrivals to the United States. There are also more traditional schools that operate as independent charters rather than district schools. Parents will also find virtual schools and individual classes available through the Statewide Online Education Program, which allows students to experience online education while still completing most of their coursework in a more traditional

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Image courtesy of iStock/Steve Debenport

setting. The state’s Digital Teaching and Learning Grant Program helps schools throughout the state build their digital infrastructure. The program is flexible enough to allow districts and charter schools to focus on what’s most needed locally whether that’s increased Wi-Fi or landline capacity, individual devices, software or other needs. When it comes to dual language immersion programs, Utah leads the way. Dual language immersion presents instruction in a language other than English for at least half of the school day. In the 2017-18 school year, there are 195 dual immersion programs in Utah public schools with choices available in Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. The availability of choice does not mean the Utah State Board of Education is

giving up on the rigor needed to maintain upward mobility for students and create students who are truly prepared for colleges and careers. In the 2016-17 school year, 26,544 Utah public school students took Advanced Placement (AP) exams and earned college credit 67 percent of the time. Nationally, the percentage of students earning college credit on AP exams was 56. In the 2015-16 school year, 29,758 Utah high school students earned 204,423 hours of college credit in concurrent enrollment classes. These are college classes, some of which are taught at a high school, some at a college, and some digitally, that are available to high school students. Whether it’s AP or concurrent enrollment, Utah education leaders are focused on expanding opportunities for advanced coursework for all students. You should

WELCOME LETTER FROM STATE SUPERINTENDENT SYDNEE DICKSON My job obligates me to review the financial and statistical performance data surrounding Utah’s public schools. It’s a job I take seriously and encourage all educators in the state to take seriously. One of the great opportunities my job affords me is the chance to visit public schools throughout the state. This is where I get the chance to see those statistics face to face, to see the dedication of teachers and the smiles of students as they learn something new. Statistically, I know the challenges that face the students in inner city Ogden, but I’ve also seen elementary students there working out design problems and then create model airplanes on 3-D printers. I watched

them proudly show their work to their teachers. I watched as students from rural Utah launched homemade—or should I say school-made?—rockets and built phenomenal chess tables under the supervision of caring teachers. Please visit some of our schools. There are incredible success stories playing out every day everywhere across the state. You will learn much from the annual reports on school finance and student achievement we put out at the Utah State Board of Education. You will learn even more talking to our incredible teachers and students.

Sydnee Dickson State Superintendent schools.utah.gov

know that year-to-year increases in AP and concurrent enrollment success came at a time when participation was also up as was the diversity of participating students. The ACT college entrance exam is given to all high school juniors in Utah public schools. There are 17 states in which all public-school juniors take the exam. Utah ranks fifth in performance among those states. It’s not all just academics though, the Utah State Board of Education also encourages more student participation in career and technical education. The state and industry partners have recently created pathway projects to give students the skills they need to participate in the aerospace, diesel and medical innovations industries. More than 150,000 Utah students participated in career and technical education in the 2015-16 school year. Nearly 19,000 industry certifications were earned by Utah students during that same time. In Utah, we know that success tomorrow begins in school today. We take that responsibility seriously.

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Image courtesy of the University of Utah

An Elevated Experience U Image courtesy of Southern Utah University

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tah boasts comprehensive higher education options, providing the lifeblood to the state’s robust talent force. There are eight public colleges and universities in the state: two research universities, the University of Utah and Utah State University; four regional universities: Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Dixie State University, and Utah Valley University; and two community colleges, Salt Lake Community College and Snow College. Eight out of 10 Utah high school graduates who enroll in college attend one of Utah’s public colleges and universities—the primary talent pipeline for Utah’s fast-

growing workforce. With more than 175,000 students, together they would rank as the state’s second largest city. Utah offers a broad education spectrum that starts well before college. Two-thirds of Utah's high school juniors and seniors earn college credit before graduating high school, saving them more than $32 million in tuition. Utah's public colleges and universities are also tuned to the workforce needs of the future. In recent years, industry pathway initiatives have been launched with industry leaders in fast-growing areas, such as aerospace, composites manufacturing, and diesel mechanics, ensuring a solid path for students from high school to the

HIGHER EDUCATION IN UTAH STUDENTS IN THE UTAH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION • Eight public colleges & universities • Eight out of 10 high school graduates who go on to college enroll at one of the eight public colleges and universities • Enrollment projected to increase by 52,000 students by 2025– adding roughly two large universities in a decade

UTAH HAS THE MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGE OPTIONS Image courtesy of Dixie State University

Image courtesy of Utah State University

workforce in high-wage, high-demand fields. Utah's colleges and universities are some of the fastest growing in the country, and are expected to collectively add more than 50,000 students to current enrollment by 2025—the equivalent of two large universities. Such rapid growth in the college-aged population is a central ingredient for Utah's thriving business climate. The state's governing authority, the Utah Board of Regents, has adopted three primary objectives: affordable participation, timely college completion and innovative discovery to stay focused on the opportunities and challenges of this tremendous growth. High-end research, innovative commercialization, and entrepreneurship in higher education are also critical to sustainable economic growth. Last year, Utah garnered a record $680 million of outside funds for research and development

at Utah's colleges and universities—leading to hundreds of patents and spin-offs throughout the state. College readiness of Utah's K-12 population is the foundational key to an educated and trained workforce. Utah's higher education leaders oversee several initiatives to increase college success and skill development in partnership with K-12 counterparts. One example is Utah College Application Week, where over 25,000 high school seniors in more than 100 high schools throughout Utah are given the opportunity to apply to college during the school day, with a special emphasis placed on low-income and first-generation students. Additionally, the Regents’ Scholarship is a statewide merit-based scholarship that encourages a college-prep course of study while in high school. The Regents’ Scholarship has experienced rapid growth since its inception in 2008 with an average 54 percent year-over-year increase. Finally, more than 31,000 eighth graders receive in-classroom support from higher education leaders through the StepUp Utah Scholars program, encouraging them to start thinking about college at one of the most critical times in their education–just as they are about register for their first high school courses. Last year, the program reached almost two-thirds of all eighth graders in Utah.

• 4th lowest four-year tuition in the nation • Lowest student debt in the nation • 2nd in number of degrees awarded per $100,000 spent • Of those who borrow, average student debt ($18,921) is lower than national average ($28,950) • The state's college savings plan (529), Utah Educational Savings Plan, has received Morningstar's Analyst Rating of Gold for the sixth year running, the only State 529 plan to receive such consistent top ratings

COLLEGE IN UTAH IS CRITICAL • College grads earn $830,000 more over a lifetime than those with only a high school diploma • College grads are three times less likely to be unemployed and four times less likely to live in poverty than those with only a high school diploma • In 2015, the unemployment rate of a Utahn with only a high school diploma was 11 percent, while for a Utahn with a bachelor’s degree, was 3 percent

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Excelling STEM Education TAKING STEM EDUCATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL BY PROVIDING EXCELLENT HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

ith more than 8,000 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs available in Utah, the push for students to fill STEM jobs is growing. Utah’s industry, education and government leaders are working together, investing time and funds, to engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and prepare them for the jobs of the future. These efforts are producing results. For example, the National Center for Education Statistics reported in 2016 that Utah students are leading the nation in eighth grade NAEP science scores. Higher education has also been impacted with 20 percent of the University of Utah’s incoming freshman indicating their intention to major in engineering or computer science in 2017, versus less than 10 percent in 2009. As such, University of Utah administration and STEM program faculty members are shifting their perspective from increasing enrollment to adding capacity in faculty and space. This initial success is promising, but the state hasn’t stopped there. In August of 2017, Governor Gary Herbert cut the ribbon—with some assistance from a robot—on the Utah STEM Bus, which travels to schools and other organizations across the state to provide hands-on learning experiences for students K-12. “The demand for the Utah STEM Bus is both overwhelming and exciting. It is evident that Utah students and teachers are eager to engage in STEM experiences, and we are working hard to reach all students,” said Dr. Tamara Goetz, executive director, Utah STEM Action Center. The Utah STEM Bus is supported and sustained by a $1.5 million grant from Andeavor (formerly Tesoro), along with the donation of a bus by the Utah Transit Authority and many other organizations that are helping with program development and sustainability.

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Governor Herbert test drives a robot at the STEM Bus press event. Images courtesy of STEM Action Center

Bert VanderHeiden, VP of Military Segment, Orbital ATK, speaks to students during a press announcement on the company's pledge to donate more than 500 computers statewide throughout the 2017-2018 school year.

“Andeavor was the spark that encouraged other companies to join our team, and we are grateful to everyone for their commitment to Utah students,” Goetz said. In the 2017 Legislative Session, Utah legislators dedicated a little over $1.2 million to create the Utah K-16 Computing Partnership, a collaboration between the Utah STEM Action Center, the Utah State Board of Education and Talent Ready Utah. This statewide initiative provides grant funds to support the development of K-16 computing programs, with a strong emphasis on creating more

opportunities for K-8 students. The K-16 Computing Partnership is a direct result of strong industry leadership and support. Numerous Utah companies, including Dell EMC, Adobe, Ivanti and Microsoft, worked with state legislators to secure the funding to support schools, school districts and charter schools in their computing efforts. The support for STEM education and career opportunities by Utah businesses extends beyond computing. Since 2011, Chevron has raised more than $3.5 million for teachers in Salt Lake, Davis and Utah counties to directly provide teachers with much needed resources. For example, Julie Laub, a chemistry teacher at Davis High School, received graphing calculators for her students. “It might sound small,” Laub said. “But these items make a difference between good and great lessons. Having solid equipment helps make our hands-on lessons more engaging, which increases students overall learning and makes it more interesting.” In February, Orbital ATK pledged to donate more than 500 computers to be distributed throughout schools statewide.

These computers will support STEM instruction and give more students access to technology, ensuring that all Utah students have the chance to engage in STEM activities. “At Orbital ATK, we believe investing in education is an investment in the future of our community and our company,” said Steve Earl, vice president and general manager of Orbital ATK’s Aerospace Structures Division. “Partnering with institutions like the Utah STEM Action Center to advance STEM opportunities in local elementary schools won’t just have an impact on how we make composite structures in the future; we believe it will help shape the future of aerospace transportation for our society.” Through the Digital Teaching and Learning Grant, funded by the Utah Legislature, the Davis School District has been able to significantly integrate technology into their schools, giving teachers the materials they need to offer students more hands-on, engaging learning experiences. “Davis School District has done an amazing job getting its technology

integration to where it needs be, but with this grant we can now take our efforts to the next level,” said Don Beatty, digital teaching and learning administrator with Davis School District. “When we initially made plans and mapped out the activities with proceeds from this grant we were not prepared for what would unleash! The demand from educators is huge, and now we are scrambling to provide the extra support. It’s a great problem to have.” The Digital Teaching and Learning Grant empowers Utah districts to identify their unique needs, inform their goals, create a local implementation strategy, and allocate resources to achieve these goals.

The positive results of these efforts are becoming apparent with students showing greater proficiency in STEM subjects and a greater tendency to declare a STEM major. Utah is showing the world that it’s more than ready to meet the challenge of creating a STEM-ready workforce. Industry, government and education are all dedicated to helping Utah students learn about the world around them and the opportunities before them. With a focus on making STEM subjects more exciting for students, Utah is filling the workforce pipeline to secure future economic prosperity.

I N V E S T I N YO U R B U S I N E S S The Salt Lake Chamber is Utah’s largest business association and Utah’s business leader. With roots that date back to 1887, the Chamber stands as the voice of business, supports its members’ success and champions community prosperity.

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HELP KEEP UTAH THE BEST STATE FOR BUSINESS INVEST IN THE SALT LAKE CHAMBER FOR MORE INFORMATION 801-364-3631 | info@slchamber | slchamber.com

SEE RESTAURANT LINEUP AND SAMPLE MENUS AT DINEOROUND.COM

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Finding & Thriving HUNTSMAN CANCER INSTITUTE FOCUSES ON PATIENT CARE, CANCER RESEARCH AND THE FUTURE

F Karen and Jon M. Huntsman, Sr. Founder of Huntsman Cancer Institute

rom the moment patients pull into Circle of Hope Drive and enter the lobby, they know there is something unique and special about Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah. That was the intention of founder Jon M. Huntsman Sr. and his wife, Karen, when they launched the facility in the late ’90s. It’s a personal mission. Cancer has touched the Huntsman family. It took the life of Mr. Huntsman’s mother when she was just 55 and took his father years later. Mr. Huntsman has battled the disease four times. He’s vowed to not just beat cancer. “Our job is to eradicate cancer from the face of the Earth. Eradicate it forever,” he said.

PATIENT CARE HCI’s guiding principal is “the patient first,” and it routinely scores in the top percentile nationally for patient satisfaction. It was recognized again this year as one of the best cancer hospitals in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. “Everything here, and I mean everything, is focused on bringing hope to the fight against cancer,” Mary Beckerle, Ph.D., CEO and director of HCI, said. HCI serves a large and geographically diverse population. As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Mountain West, HCI primarily serves patients from Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho—an area that represents 17 percent of the continental land mass of the United States.

Huntsman Cancer Institute campus. Image courtesy of Huntsman Cancer Institute

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INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS SMALL CLASS SIZES CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT MOTIVATED STUDENTS

Utah’s Independent Schools The Independent School Difference EDUCATION FOR THE WHOLE CHILD. Independent schools nurture students’ intellectual ability and curiosity, personal and social growth, and civic conscience. The schools listed are members of the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), an organization which promotes high educational quality through the establishment and advancement of comprehensive accreditation standards.

American Heritage School Accredited Member K to Grade 12 American Fork (801) 642-0055 american-heritage.org latterdaylearning.org

INDEPENDENT EDUCATION. Independent school teachers and administrators take the time to know each student to encourage achievement in and out of the classroom, and to generate excitement about learning. HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS. Faculty at independent schools combine top teaching skills with a passion for their subject areas. Many teachers bring to the classroom knowledge from advanced degrees and successful careers. Their energy and enthusiasm create significant learning experiences for their students. INCLUSIVENESS. Independent schools are diverse and vibrant communities that welcome and respect each family.

The McGillis School Accredited Member K to Grade 8 Salt Lake City (801) 583-0094 mcgillisschool.org

Rowland Hall Accredited Member Pre-K to Grade 12 Salt Lake City (801) 355-7485 rowlandhall.org

Park City Day School Accredited Member Pre-K to Grade 8 Park City (435) 649-2791 parkcitydayschool.org

The Waterford School Accredited Member Pre-K to Grade 12 Sandy (801) 572-1780 waterfordschool.org

ACCESSIBLE EDUCATORS. Independent schools understand that parents are important partners in a child’s education. Parents are encouraged to contact administrators and teachers with questions or concerns about their child’s school experiences. SAFE SCHOOLS. Independent schools maintain up-to-date facilities and provide a safe and nurturing environment for children. Parents can rest assured that faculty know their students well and can help them when they are confronted with problems. REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE. Independent school leaders know that students benefit from interaction with people who hold different perspectives and come from difference backgrounds. They strive to provide students real-world experiences to prepare them to achieve not only in school, but also in work, in further academic pursuits, and in life. In addition to being exposed to a broad array of courses, independent school students participate in community service work and keep up with political affairs.

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HCI’s clinical programs combine the skills of a team of medical experts to tailor a care plan for each cancer patient. The state-ofthe-art cancer hospital is fully integrated with the cancer research programs, delivering leading-edge cancer care to patients. HCI is one of only 27 organizations that form the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, which means its experts help write the policies for cancer care that are used worldwide. Patients going through treatment have access to HCI’s Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins Wellness and Integrative Health Center. The Center’s programs and services complement the medical care of HCI patients before, during and after treatment, and are also offered to loved ones. Providing accurate information about cancer has been a priority for HCI since its founding. The G. Mitchell Morris Cancer Learning Center is a free resource available to the public, and its staff is comprised of health professionals who answer cancer questions at a library located on the 6th floor of HCI, as well as via text, email and online. Thousands have been reached across six continents via this service.

Patient speaking with nurses at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Images courtesy of Huntsman Cancer Institute

RESEARCH With the goal of eradicating cancer, HCI focuses heavily on research. Scientists at HCI take what’s learned in the lab and transfer that knowledge to patient treatments in the clinic, and wherever possible, to prevent cancer outright. In June 2017, HCI dedicated its newest facility, the Primary Children’s and Families’ Cancer Research Center. The 225,000 square-foot expansion doubled the size of HCI research space and provides room for up to 40 additional research teams. Many of those teams work on childhood cancers and cancers that run in families. The new building has a biotechnology center, complete with state-of-the art genetic sequencing equipment. HCI researchers include award-winning scientists from all over the world. They have discovered more inherited cancer genes than any other cancer center in the world. They have identified genes responsible for breast and ovarian cancer, colon cancer, head and neck cancer, and melanoma. HCI has a unique tool to help its researchers. HCI operates the Utah

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Patient works out at the Wellness Center.

Population Database (UPDB), which is the largest resource of its kind in the world. The UPDB combines information on more than nine million individuals, including extensive genealogies with Utah Cancer Registry records and vital statistics. This information is critical for researchers looking for genetic patterns of cancer in families to help prevent cancer in the future.

CLINICAL TRIALS The cancer treatments of today were discovered through clinical trials. At any given time there are 200 ongoing clinical trials happening at HCI. HCI is the only facility between Denver and San Francisco offering Phase I clinical trials. Phase I trials are the first time drugs are tested in people. For some patients, clinical trials may be their last hope of finding an effective treatment. HCI clinical trials in immunotherapy have

led to treatments that have been adopted across the nation and are now considered the standard of care for melanoma and lung cancer. Immunotherapy treats the cancer by stimulating the body’s immune system to fight the disease. Kenneth Grossman, M.D., Ph.D., a medical oncologist at HCI and assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Utah, has conducted clinical trials on immunotherapy treatments for melanoma. “We’re beginning to crack the code of cancer. It’s all about figuring out how to get our bodies to do what they’re supposed to naturally,” rather than cell processes going awry as they do in cancer.

THE FUTURE HCI’s mission is to understand cancer from its beginnings, to use that knowledge to improve cancer treatments, to relieve the suffering of cancer patients and to educate the public about the disease. “Our patients see the science going on here and it gives them hope. Our researchers see our patients and it gives them motivation,” Dr. Mary Beckerle said. As doctors and researchers work toward accomplishing this goal, they hope to be part of achieving what, until now, has been considered unachievable, and of defeating what has previously been viewed as undefeatable. According to Mr. Huntsman, “Cancer moves fast. And we have to move faster.”

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Workforce & Economic Development SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS

Image courtesy of UTA, Eric Vance

Getting Around The growing state of transportation in Utah

tah is commonly referred to as the “Crossroads of the West” because of its central location. It is close to many major Western cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle and Denver. As a major transportation hub, Utah has created a comprehensive transportation system with an international airport, railroads, light rail and commuter rail systems, and a highway system with east-west and north-south interstate arteries. Here’s what you need to know to “get around” in Utah:

MASS TRANSIT Nobody likes sitting in traffic, which is just one of the reasons that more and more Americans are ditching their cars and choosing mass transit options. Utah has made some impressive strides in its mass transit system with these options: • Commuter train FrontRunner offers transportation from Ogden to Provo. • Light-rail line TRAX offers transportation to downtown Salt Lake City from various locations throughout the city, including the University of Utah. • Buses offer transportation throughout the state, including to many of the

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FrontRunner and TRAX stations as well as the ski resorts. The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has other mass transit projects in the works, including the Provo-Orem Transportation Improvement Project, the Southwest SL County Transit Study and the Ogden WSU Transit Study. For more information about transportation schedules and project updates, visit UTA’s website at rideuta.com

AIR TRAVEL As a Delta Airlines hub, the Salt Lake City International Airport serves an important role in both national and international travel; in fact, it services more than 22 million passengers a year. The airport’s current facilities aren’t equipped to handle that type of volume, which is why the state is in the process of building a new facility that will be sustainable, cost-effective and efficient. The project is scheduled to be finished in 2020, but the existing facility is still operational and running smoothly. For more information about the Salt Lake City International Airport and the services it offers, go to slcairport.com.

With a transportation infrastructure that consists of 45,120 miles of federal, state and local highways, Utah plays a significant role in our national transportation system. Utah’s longest highway is Interstate 15 (north to Canada/ south to Mexico) and its shortest is Interstate 215 (access from east to west in the valley). Other important routes include Interstate 80 (east to New York City/west to San Francisco) and Interstate 70 (east to Denver). Utah’s interstate highways are about to become much more functional. The state’s 402-mile I-15 corridor will become an electric corridor and part of the nation’s alternative fuels and electric charging network. Aside from the charging stations aligning I-15, part of I-80 from Salt Lake City to Park City and from Salt Lake City to Nevada will be highlighted with signs to alert motorists where they can find fuel for their alternative vehicles. The Utah Department of Transportation, with its core goal to “keep Utah moving,” has additional projects in the works. For more information, go to udot.utah.gov.

RAILWAYS Amtrak provides daily passenger service on the California Zephyr to and from points throughout the nation, including the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevadas and Moffat Tunnel. Amtrak trains arrive at and depart from the Salt Lake Central Station intermodal hub and accommodate passengers transferring among local bus services, automobile, bicycle, Amtrak and Greyhound.

OTHER OPTIONS Like the rest of the country, Utah has developed more options to address environmental concerns and modern trends, including the following: • GREENbike SLC is a bike-share program where members can take any bike from Salt Lake City’s 20 stations around the downtown area. Passes are available at greenbikeslc.org. • The S-Line is a street car that runs through Salt Lake City’s Sugar House and South Salt Lake neighborhoods. • Uber and Super Shuttle are other options for getting to and from the airport and around downtown.

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Airport improvement rendering. Images courtesy of Salt Lake City International Airport

Coming in 2020: The New SLC! T

ravelers flying in and out of Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) can see what looks like a steel city rising west of the airport. The construction underway is the skeleton of a new terminal, concourse and parking garage scheduled to open in 2020. That’s right, Salt Lake is building a new airport! The SLC Airport is long overdue for new facilities. Terminal 1 was built in the early 1960s to accommodate 10 million passengers. Terminal 2 was completed in the early 1980s, and the “newest” International Terminal was built more than 20 years ago. Today, SLC sees more than 23 million visitors each year and is growing at a rate of nearly 5 percent each year. Not only have

passenger numbers grown, but security needs have changed and earthquake safety standards have evolved. SLC has grown into a thriving hub airport with numerous flights arriving and departing around the same time. The new airport facilities are being designed with state-ofthe-art functionality and for ease of use. For example, most up and down movements via escalators and elevators have been eliminated in the design, making the terminal easier and quicker to navigate. Congestion on Terminal Drive will also be alleviated with an elevated roadway with one level for passenger pick-up and one level for passenger drop-off. Travelers will also enjoy the convenience of a parking garage with twice

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as many spaces compared to the current garage. One central terminal will eliminate redundant facilities for passenger check-in, security screening and baggage claim. Plus, the design will eliminate bottlenecks on the airfield allowing airlines to get planes back into the air more quickly and avoid delays. Also, the new facilities are being designed to meet LEED Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. The interior of The New SLC will, no doubt, leave passengers with a lasting impression. Copper and sage colors are incorporated into the interior to reflect those found in the surrounding environment and passengers will enjoy views of the surrounding mountains through the multiple windows

Elevating Salt Lake City's connection to the rest of the world planned in the terminal and concourses. Gate holding areas will be spacious with ample seating and concourses will offer a wide selection of shops and restaurants. Large-scale, permanent art installations will highlight the natural beauty found in the state, including The Canyon and The Falls by well-known artist Gordon Huether. The Canyon evokes the Salt Lake City landscape and spans 362 feet, roughly the length of a football field. The Falls sculpture makes use of natural light to create intriguing color effects and shadows. One unique feature that is planned for The New SLC is a meeter/greeter room to accommodate large groups coming to meet friends and

families returning from military service, religious missions and other events. And not a dime of local tax payer dollars will be spent on The New SLC. After the first phase of The New SLC opens in 2020, demolition of the existing facilities will begin so the second phase of construction can get underway to complete the concourses. Building the concourses to the east is expected to be finished in 2023/24. The New SLC will create a memorable travel experience for passengersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;whether connecting to another city or making SLC their final destination. To stay updated on The New SLC construction, go to slcairport.com. Airport improvement rendering.

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Examining the Market What you need to know to find the home of your dreams in Utah Image courtesy of Sugar House Chamber of Commerce

wo phrases describe the Utah real estate market in 2017: strong demand and low supply. Utah’s expanding job market and population growth fueled demand for real estate. Meanwhile, inadequate housing inventory pushed up home prices as buyers competed for the limited number of properties for sale. And yet, at the end of September, Utah Realtors were on track to beat the record for the most homes sold statewide in a single year. Utah Realtors sold 49,734 homes over 12 months ending in September 2017, just ahead of 2016’s pace of 49,564, according to the Utah Association of Realtors. In 2016, Utah Realtors set a record for the most homes sold in a single year, according to data going back to 2003. The strong sales performance in 2017 could exceed or come close to that mark. Even with the recordbreaking or near-recordbreaking performance, home sales could have been even higher but for supply shortages. At the end of September, seasonal inventory was at its lowest point in 14 years. Utah’s growing economy and population are creating this strong real estate market. In

fact, Utah is one of the top 10 states for population growth. Along with more people moving to the state, young Utahns are forming households while older Utahns are living longer—all components that create demand for housing. For 2018, expect the momentum to continue and anticipate real estate conditions to be similar to those in 2017. Here are some trends to watch.

STRONG HOME SALES Nationally, the National Association of Realtors expects a 7 percent gain in existing sales for 2018. Freddie Mac is projecting a 2 percent increase in both new and existing home sales from 6.18 million to 6.3 million. “Limited inventory will remain a persistent problem, and longer term trends like aging of the population and declining mobility across all age groups will keep a lid on existing home sales growth,” Freddie Mac said in its September 2017 forecast. “Growth in home sales will be primarily driven by new homes sales, which should continue to grind higher with single-family construction.” In Utah, 2018 home sales are likely to remain at 2017 levels or fluctuate slightly.

LIFE IN UTAH 2018 | SLCHAMBER.com

INCREASING BUT LIMITED INVENTORY Although demand for homes is strong, builders are limited in how many units they can construct. Shortages in skilled labor, building supplies and land limit the number of homes that will be built. Even so, the National Association of Realtors still expects an increase in home construction—good news for buyers. As of October 2017, the Realtors association forecasted U.S. housing starts to increase 10 percent in 2018.

CONTINUED HOME PRICE GROWTH The National Association of Realtors predicts existing home prices to increase about 5 percent in 2018. Similarly, Freddie Mac is forecasting the rate of price growth to be 4.9 percent in 2018, slightly slower than the 6.3 percent growth in 2017. “A gradual increase in housing starts and moderate increases in mortgage rates will reduce house price growth next year,” Freddie Mac’s September forecast said. In Utah, expect population growth and housing demand

to continue putting upward pressure on prices as inventory remains tight.

SLIGHTLY HIGHER MORTGAGE RATES With expected actions from the Federal Reserve, mortgage rates are likely to head up but remain at historically favorable levels. Freddie Mac forecasts rates to rise to 4.4 percent in 2018, up from 4 percent in 2017. The National Association of Realtors similarly predicts the average rate on the 30-yearfixed mortgage to be 4.5 percent in 2018. In summary, consumers should expect the following real estate conditions in 2018: sustained interest in purchasing Utah real estate, continued competition among buyers, rising prices—albeit at a slower pace—and favorable interest rates. Would-be buyers and sellers can learn more about the markets in their own areas by contacting a local realtor. A directory of Utah Realtors is available at utahrealtors.com

More Than Just Pretty on a Postcard A renaissance of culture, commerce and entertainment revitalizes Utah's urban core

Image courtesy of Downtown Alliance

he secret’s out on Salt Lake City. Other than being known for its namesake lake, the Greatest Snow On Earth® and hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics, the state's capital city was but a blip on the radar for a lot of people. Well, a lot has changed since 2002, and the city where your family used to take ski vacations has quickly established itself as a national hotspot for art, business, foodies and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Salt Lake has gone from simply being pretty on a postcard to one of the fastest growing cities in the Western United States. Breathing life into this transformation of culture, commerce and entertainment is the urban core of the state, Downtown. It’s not just people's perceptions that have changed. In the past 10 years, the skyline of downtown has risen to new heights. New buildings like the recently completed 111 Main and the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater have expanded downtown’s footprint and stand as physical representations of Salt Lake’s growth. These new state-of-theart buildings have attracted a young and talented workforce from throughout the country, with the likes of Goldman Sachs, dozens of tech firms and outdoor companies relocating or expanding to SLC. This influx of highly educated workers has driven the

overall value of downtown to an all-time high. In fact, in the recently published Emerging Trends in Real Estate produced by the Urban Land Institute, Salt Lake ranks number one in Office Property Buy, Hold and Sell Recommendations in the nation. The effect of these employees can continue to be quantified through office vacancy rates, wages paid and retail sales. Or, you can simply take a walk down Main Street on any given day of the week to see a young and vibrant workforce filling restaurants, enjoying a post-work brew or catching a free outdoor concert. With amenities aplenty, a reinvigorated workforce is choosing to live, work, shop, eat and play in the heart of the capital city. Downtown offers world-class dining options, professional sports, an arsenal of bars, clubs and living options that the rest of the Intermountain West simply cannot match. With new state-of-the-art apartment complexes and condos such as the 4th West Apartments and Paragon Station, residents of downtown don’t often need to leave downtown’s friendly confines—except of course for an adventure in the snowcapped mountains or the red rock desert. A booming business sector isn’t the only thing that is elevating the “salty city’s” status. Downtown’s art and culture scene

is oozing with talent with local and national artists leaving their mark on the downtown canvas. The most recent addition, by Brooklyn-based artist Vexta, features a five-story, 150-foot-wide owl composed out of geometric shards. Nationally renowned companies and events like Ballet West, the Utah Arts Festival and the Utah Symphony have set the stage for dozens of local dance companies, musicians and artists to share their respective mediums with the art-hungry community. This artistic renaissance is just getting started thanks to the Cultural Core, a 20-year governmental agreement that will devote serious funds to enhance placemaking and cultural initiatives throughout downtown. What it all boils down to is more murals, live music, activation and overall vibrancy in the downtown core for years to come. If the hustle and bustle of the city gets to your head, the refuge of the Wasatch Mountains and its foothills are just a stone's throw away. Featuring 10 renowned ski resorts within 45 minutes of downtown, escape is as easy as grabbing your gear and heading to the mountains. Yes, the powder is that good, but what makes Salt Lake truly unique is the fact that you can be skiing, biking or climbing world-class terrain during the day and catching an awardwinning play or a Utah Jazz basketball game within a matter of hours. If views are more your thing, City Creek Canyon is a quick 10-minute walk from downtown. It provides access to breathtaking views of downtown and the Great Salt Lake, and connects to miles of great hiking or biking through the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. There’s a reason that countless professional skiers, bikers, climbers and trail runners choose to train and live in Salt Lake—the proximity to the outdoors is unrivaled. With new buildings and businesses taking root at every turn throughout the city, the physical growth of downtown is obvious. The reasons why this up-and-coming city continues to thrive has remained a secret for years. Salt Lake has a unique blend of work and play that people around the country have begun to notice. A friendly business environment, countless cultural offerings, top-notch dining and outdoor options are a few of the reasons downtown SLC continues to prove that it’s more than a pretty postcard, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

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Cache Valley Come discover your own adventure

Image courtesy of Cache Valley Visitors Bureau

scape to Logan, Utah, a year-round wonderland for adventurers and families of all ages. Logan is an easy 90-minute drive north of Salt Lake City and the largest city in beautiful Cache Valley. The valley was named for the French word cache, which means “to hide or store one’s treasure.” The strapping young mountain men who trapped beaver in the 1820s stored their furs and supplies in caches by the banks of the river to hide them from potential raiders. Cache Valley is still full of undiscovered treasure. The area boasts award-winning arts, hands-on Western heritage and easy access to endless outdoor activities. Each summer, Logan becomes a heart for the arts with three live-performance theaters in the historic theatre district— outstanding shows with unbelievably affordable ticket prices. Residents roll out the red carpet for Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre’s talented musicians and performers who come from the nation’s most prestigious venues, such as the Metropolitan Opera and Broadway,

LIFE IN UTAH 2018 | SLCHAMBER.com

Ellen Eccles Theatre. Image courtesy of B and B Photography.

to perform four mainstage productions in Logan’s Ellen Eccles Theatre. Throughout July and the first week of August, the company presents grand opera and Broadway musicals, along with more than 100 concerts, lectures, classes, backstage tours and more. Right around the corner is the Caine Lyric Theatre, home of one of the Lyric Repertory Company, one of the only true remaining repertory companies in the nation. The same lead performers star in

a rotating schedule featuring a musical, a mystery, a drama and a comedy. Lastly, not too far away is the newly restored Utah Theatre with live performances and classic movies. Stop by the Welcome Center for handson learning. Throw hatchets or learn to set traps with the mountain men; make rag dolls or compete in a two-man logsawing contest on the pioneer site; learn to spin wool, weave rugs, milk a cow or just enjoy the fresh mountain air and beautiful scenery on a wagon ride around the site. The Welcome Center features exhibits on local history and a spectacular view of the Wellsville Mountains. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have an up-close experience with the small herd of bison onsite. Logan is less than a 10-minute drive to the Wasatch Cache National Forest and Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway. The journey ambles past dramatic limestone cliffs, colorful fields of wildflowers and the Logan River on the way to the breathtaking turquoise waters of Bear Lake. The forest abounds with opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, birdwatching, skiing, snowmobiling and rock climbing. Skip the crowds and commercialization of mega-resorts and ski or snowboard at Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, the longest running family-owned ski resort in the nation. Cherry Peak is Utah’s newest ski and snowboard resort. It boasts a tubing hill with a moving sidewalk so you don’t have to hike to the top. Another dreamy wintertime adventure is taking a horsedrawn sleigh ride through a huge herd of elk at Hardware Ranch. There are often more than 600 majestic elk lounging and munching on hay. To really get out and explore the area, rent snowmobiles from Beaver Creek Lodge and enjoy almost 300 miles of groomed trails. Cache Valley ranks in the best snowmobiling in the nation. In the summer and fall, you can rent horses or side-by-side off-road vehicles for additional exploration. Residents and visitors alike are treated yearly to festivals, pancake breakfasts, the Foodie Trek, golfing, shopping and everything in-between. Visit explorelogan.com for more information.

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Cedar City Exploring all that Festival City USA has to offer

magine a place where many opposites converge to form a unique harmony. Towering mountains collide with the desert, brilliant red and white-layered hills mark point of impact. Art, recreation, history, industry and education combine in rich refrains. A variety of residents from numerous cultures and backgrounds share this place as neighbors, and visitors from around the globe flock here to indulge in this area’s spectacular scenery and world-class entertainment. Everyone is welcome in Cedar City. This uncommon community of 30,000, tucked in the southwest corner of Utah, is where the arts, scenery, recreation, food, and fun coalesce. Cedar City is both quaint and bustling. It is rural and sophisticated. It is replete with entertainment, adventure, history and community spirit. Frequently, visitors here feel an instant, yet inexplicable connection to this inviting town. It’s almost as if this community is calling to you and inviting you to explore. It doesn’t take much exploration to discover that the arts, recreation, scenery, entertainment and history all thrive here. Cedar (as it is called by the locals) is home to the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, a phenomenal theatre that has mesmerized audiences for 56 years. Another staple in the local arts scene is the Neil Simon Festival. Recently the Southern Utah Museum of Art built in its brand new world-class museum featuring the works of artists from near and far on the campus of Southern Utah University. The Orchestra of Southern Utah, Master Singers, art galleries, and other performance groups provide excitement for those who love the arts.

LIFE IN UTAH 2018 | SLCHAMBER.com

Image courtesy of Visit Cedar City

When it comes to recreation and adventure, Cedar City has it all. The community is literally surrounded by breathtaking natural wonders. This community offers an overabundance of outdoor experiences from sensational scenery to exhilarating excursions. In Cedar, you can enjoy crisp clean air, vivid skies, spectacular mountain views, and stunning sunsets. Among the many recreational activities available are cycling, golf, fishing, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, disc golf, bike trails, rock climbing and more. Mother Nature utilized an impressive array of dazzling hues when sculpting the striking landscape that encircles the community. Cedar Breaks National Monument is a brilliant masterpiece carved out by erosion, featuring vibrant red, orange, pink, and rust in an imposing display of craftsmanship. The gently cascading waters of Kanarraville Falls offer serenity in a family-friendly hike. Connect with ancient civilizations by exploring the petroglyphs of Parowan Gap. Located atop Cedar Mountain is the gorgeous Navajo Lake surrounded by towering pine trees. Three Peaks Recreation Area allows for a wide array of adventures including horseback riding, RC flying, mountain biking, shooting, hiking and camping. Cedar City earned the nicknamed Festival City USA for the numerous festivals and events that take place throughout the year. The Cedar City

Livestock and Heritage Festival is a sight to behold featuring history, cowboy poetry, music, quilts, cars, a rodeo, dance, and sheep parade with approximately 1,000 sheep herded down Main Street. Cedar is home to several other events including the Utah Summer Games, Frontier Folk Festival, Fire Road Mountain Bike Race, Utah Midsummer Renaissance Faire, July Jamboree, Cedar City Half Marathon, Pumpkin Festival, and the list goes on. Rich in history, Cedar City is home to the Paiute Indian Tribe, which consists of five constituent bands: Cedar, Indian Peaks, Kanosh, Koosharem, and Shivwits. The area is also known for its abundant iron ore resources, which were discovered in 1868. Southern Utah University was built by pioneers and is depicted in the short film, "Back Up The Mountain." Not only is Cedar City a phenomenal place to visit, it is a tremendous place to do business. Cedar City has been discovered and is enjoying steady growth. Local companies are expanding, new businesses are moving in, and local entrepreneurs are charting the course for tomorrow. One of the main reasons companies are looking to move their businesses here is because of the lifestyle. Cedar City is a pro-business community surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery around. Discover for yourself why so many people call Cedar City their home away from home.

Image courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism, Douglas Pulsipher

Heber Valley

ver the past decade, Heber Valley has exploded in population, business opportunities and recreational amenities. Such growth can all be summed up by one word: proximity. Everything is nearby in the Heber Valley—in fact, most residents work within 25 minutes of home. The community’s small town feel provides a sense of unity and closeness, while world-class entertainment and outdoor recreation are just minutes away.

PROXIMITY TO LIFE The Heber Valley area in Wasatch County is growing, and growing quickly. Over the past few years, the county has been ranked in the top 10 fastest growing counties in the nation with an annual growth rate of nearly five percent. Since 2000, the population of the Valley has grown from approximately 15,000 to nearly 30,000 people. With growth comes new amenities and features, that before meant traveling outside of the valley. The area is attracting new investment from entrepreneurial start-ups to national retail brands. This investment into the community creates a strong balance by having small, local businesses that give the community charm and retail brands that residents and visitors recognize. Though the population has nearly doubled since 2000, many of the attributes that bring people to the valley remain the same—strong sense of community, quality schools and access to excellent health.

PROXIMITY TO WORK Beyond the high quality of life, Heber Valley is business ready. Most residents commute to work in under 25 minutes, meaning they find quality employment in or very near the Valley. Unemployment rates are low at 2.9 percent, and with the growth of the valley and new businesses opening their doors, job opportunities are on the rise. In 2012, roughly 73 percent of Wasatch County’s workforce commuted to other communities for employment opportunities. In 2017, the number of commuters decreased to just 50 percent. Only an hour away from Salt Lake City, and 30 minutes from the Provo/Orem area, Heber Valley has become an attractive alternative for businesses and residents who are looking to escape the metropolitan life. Businesses such as MIRO Industries, RoofTop Anchor, Probst Electric and Redmond Inc, have either moved to the Valley or started here because of the high quality of life. They prefer the benefits that rural Utah offers while maintaining the proximity to the Wasatch Front. This is possible because Wasatch County has invested into the necessary infrastructure for businesses to succeed—from public roads, high-speed internet capacity, and even a critical mass of supporting businesses. Essential to the success of any small, medium or large business is employee development through high quality education. The Utah Valley University Wasatch Campus continues to play a large role in training the next generation of business leaders. UVU Wasatch offers continuing education, college credit and

concurrent enrollment opportunities. Additionally, the campus houses the Wasatch Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS), one of the state’s premier job/college-ready programs for high school students. Beyond internships, the CAPS program provides mentorship, leadership, and real-world experiences for students who spend time working in business, marketing, engineering, digital media, medicine and health, or agriculture. Along the way, they develop skills in teamwork, creative problem solving and critical thinking. Students that graduate through CAPS become ready to enter college or the workforce.

PROXIMITY TO PLAY Finding fun is never too far away in the Heber Valley. Each year more than 3 million guests seek out Heber Valley to escape from the hustle and bustle of life to find the calming, clean, and quiet of the mountains, rivers, lakes, and trails that surround the area. Wasatch Mountain, Jordanelle, and Deer Creek State Parks offer endless exploration, fun activities, and education programs that locals love to enjoy. Most residents live within 10 minutes of a state park and can enjoy an evening stroll after work, or even a midday bike ride or hike. Besides the great outdoors, special events take place almost weekly throughout the year. Events range from the everpopular Soldier Hollow Sheepdog Championships, the Heber Valley Cowboy Poetry Festival, and Swiss Days, to fun runs and special train rides at the Heber Valley Railroad. Many residents enjoy the growing arts scene with community theater, outdoor concerts throughout the summer, performances from the local symphony, and art exhibits featuring photography and paintings from local guilds. Heber Valley continues to evolve. Once a quiet, sleepy, agricultural community, it is now waking up to new opportunities for business investment, greater quality of life, expanded recreational amenities, and a culture that is strong as ever. As the community in Heber Valley moves toward the future, it will continue to benefit from the proximity to outdoor life, a closeness to events and culture, and a strong relationship with Wasatch Front.

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levels to accommodate each skier and snowboarder. Approximately, 35 percent of the mountain is appropriate for beginners, 45 percent for intermediate skiers and 20 percent for advanced skill levels. Nordic Valley also offers night skiing, with 100 percent of the mountain under the lights.

APRÈS

Historic 25th Street in Ogden. Image courtesy of Visit Ogden

Ogden Where to wander this winter and experience what's new

gden may be a town with rich history, but we aren’t living in the past. Here are the ins and outs of what’s new and how to make the most of your time in Ogden.

NEW FLIGHTS Time is of the essence when traveling. If you’ve got limited time, fly into the Ogden-Hinckley Airport. This small airport, serviced by Allegiant Air, is located five minutes from downtown Ogden and currently offers two flights per week between Ogden and Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, and added two flights each from both Los Angeles and Las Vegas in Fall 2017. Perfect for the weekend warrior, flights from Los Angeles will be scheduled on Thursdays and Sundays with prices starting at $35 each way, while flights from Las Vegas will be scheduled for Fridays and Mondays with prices starting at $45 each way.

LIFE IN UTAH 2018 | SLCHAMBER.com

MOUNTAIN NEWS Powder Mountain is a one-of-a-kind resort that is hanging its hat on skier experience, adventure and preserving the pow. With the addition of two new lifts last year, this throwback, mom-andpop-style resort boasts the most skiable acres in North America with 8,464 acres. Powder Mountain is preserving the pow and the skier experience by capping day passes (1,500 total) and adult season passes (1,000 total). These skier caps make Powder Mountain not only the largest ski area in the United States, but also the most spacious. Powder Mountain offers a unique opportunity for skiers and riders of all levels to experience their personal adventure within expansive boundaries. Skiers heading to Snowbasin Resort this winter will discover some impressive on-mountain upgrades. This fall, the resort installed a new detachable six-pack chairlift that replaced the current Wildcat Triple Chairlift for the 2017-2018 winter season. Built in 1946, the Wildcat Chairlift was the first chairlift at Snowbasin Resort and the center of the ski area for several years. In addition to the chair, Snowbasin Resort is increasing their snowmaking so that guests can utilize the terrain off Wildcat more frequently and earlier in the season. Nordic Valley is celebrating their 50th anniversary this winter. Built in 1968, Nordic Valley is known for their familyfriendly atmosphere and small-resort feel. Nordic Valley offers a variety of skill

Après-ski is a staple in this mid-size mountain town. This is a time to keep the party going with a beer in hand while listening to live music. While the resorts all have live music on the weekends, and bars that you can easily retreat to, here are some alternative ways you can enjoy the après life downtown. Find your inner mountain man at Ogden’s newest attraction Social Axe. This is a place where you and your friends and family can get together and socialize after a day on the mountain while throwing axes and hatchets at wood targets. Think darts on steroids. Don’t be intimidated, there are coaches on site to get you started, and it only takes a few throws to become an axe master. New World Distillery, located in the Ogden Valley, is Utah’s newest craft distillery, producing naturalistic and GMOfree agave spirits, gin and vodka. They believe in being as sustainable as possible and have invested in a state-of-the-art still, cutting-edge fermenters, and a recirculating water chiller that recycles 100 percent of all cooling water. New World Distillery offers educational tours of their facility, tastings and sales of their spirits to those wanting to learn more about their technology and how the distilling process works. Downtown Ogden is expanding with new restaurants, bars and shops, some of which are in unexpected places. There’s no sign on the door to access Underground 225, a “speakeasy” that rests beneath Ogden’s Historic 25th Street. The correct door is easy to miss—like any speakeasy should be. Inside you will find an intimate bar with feather light fixtures, velvet and leather chairs, and mahogany tables. It’s an experience that shouldn’t be overly exposed, but the bartender makes a mean cocktail and the charcuterie is a must. Wander to Ogden this winter and experience what's new.

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KNOW YOUR HOSPITAL

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Park City Natural beauty and cultural sophistication make this city a rare gem of a community

Image courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism, Douglas Pulsipher

t’s no coincidence that Park City makes global headlines every year—the town’s rare combination of natural beauty and its cultural sophistication makes it that rare gem of a community. Condé Nast Traveler called it one of the Friendliest Towns in the World, Men’s Journal called it one of the Best Mountain Towns in America, and Outside Magazine named it, simply, the Best Town Ever. Most towns would be fortunate to have two ski mountains within its city limits, but Park City’s aren’t just any two mountains:

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Deer Valley Resort is the number one rated ski resort in America (Ski Magazine Reader’s Poll, 2017) with unparalleled snow grooming standards, on-mountain dining and extraordinary service levels. Park City offers the largest lift-accessed terrain in the USA from two base villages—the Canyons area featuring the Orange Bubble Express (the warmest chairlift in Utah with attention-grabbing, protective shielding from the snow) and Park City Village, which operates the Town Lift, delivering skiers directly onto Park City’s Main Street.

Nestled in between the two ski mountains is one perfect town, with 47 buildings on the National Historic Register and standards that prohibit chain stores and restaurants, for a truly memorable experience filled with art galleries, artisan eateries and western-style bars, the state’s first whiskey distillery and Utah’s first brew pub. The town also offers a completely free transit system and, in 2017, became the first mountain town in America to launch an emissions-free fleet of buses. The region also features the largest collection of true ski-in/ski-out luxury lodging in North America, including Waldorf Astoria, Stein Eriksen Lodge, Montage Deer Valley, Goldener Hirsch Inn, Hyatt Centric, Grand Summit and Westgate Park City Resort & Spa, to name just a few. For those who don’t ski or snowboard, Park City offers a plethora of alternate recreation opportunities, including dogsledding, snow shoeing, snow tubing, snowmobiling and sleigh rides. Visitors can explore area ice castles or even try out the Comet bobsled at Utah Olympic Park—the same one used during the 2002 Winter Olympics—open in both winter and summer. And once the snow melts, a whole new palate of recreational options are unfurled, including blue-ribbon fly fishing, gold-level lift-assisted mountain biking and hiking on 400 miles of trails, alpine coasters, more than a dozen area golf courses and festivals galore. Park City is the summer home of the Utah Symphony and each June, the town presents Savor the Summit—a three-block dining table event along historic Main Street. Each January, the town is home to the Sundance Film Festival, the world’s largest salute to independent films. In September, the Autumn Aloft Festival allows guests to soar over the rich fall foliage in hot air balloons. On October 31, the town closes its Main Street to vehicles so its canine residents can strut and show off their costumes in Bark City’s annual Howl-O-Ween parade. The Park City Museum brings the town’s silver-mining-era past to life, including tours of the Utah Territorial Jail Cells that date from the 1870’s. No matter your interest, Park City is sure to satisfy. It is a destination of truly Olympic proportions.

Park City Sets North America’s Most Ambitious Climate Goals Preserving the city's economy, natural setting, clean air, expansive open spaces and snow-covered mountains

ark City, a picturesque town nestled in the mountains of northern Utah, is home to some of the largest ski resorts in the U.S., as well as the Sundance Film Festival, the nation’s largest film festival. While the year-round population of Park City is quite low (around 7,800 people), with two-thirds of the real estate consisting of second homes, the town hosts over 3 million visitors each year. Park City is highly dependent on a winter of world-class snow to attract skiers from around the world, and moderate summertime temperatures for those who want to escape the heat and humidity of lower elevations. The weather is what sustains Park City’s resort economy and high quality of life. However, climate change is deeply affecting the community through changes in weather patterns, including droughts, volatile snow events, and warmer spring and summer temperatures that shorten the ski season and extend the fire season. The community has

expressed deep concerns for the environment, and the City listened. To preserve its economy, as well as its beautiful natural setting, clean air, expansive open spaces and snow covered mountains, Park City set North America’s most ambitious climate goals in early 2016. The goals include: net-zero carbon foot-print and running on 100 percent renewable electricity by 2022 for municipal operations, and community-wide by 2032. While the pathway to reach the goals was not clear when the City Council unanimously passed them, the target was set and the City has charged forward ever since. Since setting these goals, Park City employees have rallied and jumped into action. First and foremost, the focus has been to improve the energy efficiency of how the City runs its business across the board. For example, due to its steep elevation changes, Park City has one of the nation’s most complex (and energy intensive) water distribution systems in the country. The City’s Water

Image courtesy of Park City Transit

Department is looking at ways to get water to residents as efficiently as possible and implementing technical solutions that help optimize the pumping systems. In addition, a policy has been adopted that all new buildings and facilities built with municipal funds must be net-zero energy; that is, as energy efficient as possible with the energy balance being covered by on-site renewables. Another big win is the recent implementation of the initial phase of the nation’s first all-electric rapid transit line. Commuters and visitors can skip the traffic on their way into town, and instead enjoy the beautiful scenery and free Wi-Fi on Park City Transit’s Electric Xpress. Since its launch, the Electric Xpress has boosted Park City’s public transit ridership by 41 percent. In July of 2017, the City and Summit County also teamed up to kick-off the nation’s first fully electric bike-share program to enable residents and visitors of all physical abilities to bike in and around town. Behind the scenes, City staff is working closely with the local utility to ensure new renewables are brought online to meet the City’s 100 percent

renewable electricity goals. This is no easy feat in Utah as the state rock is coal. Although a major challenge, Park City does not want to rely on subscriber solar or RECs to meet its netzero goals, but rather to ensure that the City’s efforts result in bringing new renewable installations online, and as close to home as possible. Perhaps Park City’s greatest asset in its fight against climate change lies right in its own backyard: the vast open spaces which the City has placed under conservation easements. Park City has cooperatively preserved from development almost 10,000 acres of open space, and the City is investigating ways to effectively boost the carbon sink and sequestration potential through native tree plantings, grazing techniques, and more. The City has already developed a tool to quantify how much carbon its open space lands are holding, and is working with local conservation organizations and Utah State University to develop land management pathways to net-zero carbon in the near future. To learn more, visit us at parkcity.org/sustainability

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Sugar House T

he heart of Sugar House is an eclectic, diverse neighborhood in Salt Lake City. People in Sugar House come from all walks of life. They are students, long-term residents that have raised their children in the community, growing families, young professionals, and transplants from other states and countries. Residents here are often very active in the community and enjoy participating in civic engagements. Local Organizations like the Sugar House Community Council and the Sugar House Chamber of Commerce eagerly engage community members and help keep the community vibrant and evolving. Everything you need is within walking distance or can be accessed with public transportation, by bus or the S-Line Streetcar. There are several local and chain retailers, restaurants, pubs and other nightlife so there is always something to do. There is also an abundance of new office space that has recently been constructed in the area, offering opportunities for employment. You will also find the gorgeous historic Sprague Library, multiple plazas for community events, such as Monument Plaza, Wilmington Plaza and Hidden Hollow, a protected reserve of Parley’s Creek. Dog-friendly parks, a luxury movie theater, the McClelland Trail that connects Sugar House to the 9th and 9th business district, and the newly opened Parley’s Trail, connecting its residents to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail at the mouth of Parley’s Canyon and over to the Jordan River Parkway trail at 900 West, are also favorites to local residents. Sugar House Park itself is one of the best parks in Utah and has been a local favorite since it was set aside as a park in 1947. Prior to that, it was a prison, if you can believe it! Within its 110.5 acres you’ll find more than just green grass and a great view, but also a duck pond, seven pavilions,

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Images courtesy of Sugar House Chamber of Commerce

Monument Plaza on 1300 East and 2100 South.

Sugar House Park.

children’s play areas, sporting fields, volleyball courts, walking/biking paths and, some even say, the perfect sledding hill. Great community events can be found any time of year, including the Sugar House Farmer’s Market, the Sugar House Santa Shack and the Sugar House Art Walk spotlighting local Salt Lake artists. The Sugar House Farmer’s Market supports local growers, crafters, artists and entrepreneurs. It continues to grow every

year and is a weekly staple at Fairmont Park. In the Winter, people come from all over the state and even from out of state to visit the Sugar House Santa Shack—it has been taking children’s present requests back to the North Pole for 70 years! And, of course, some of Salt Lake City’s best shopping spots, dining establishments and hidden gems are found in this neighborhood. Sugar House Coffee, Kimi’s Oyster and Chop House, Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta, Wasatch Brew Pub, The Tap House, Spitz and The Ruin are a few of the unique and long-standing local favorites in the area. If it doesn’t sound like Sugar House could get any better, the selection of homes in the area are to die for. The cost of homes range from $200,000 into the millions, making this a diverse area and suitable for many socioeconomic classes. Homes in Sugar House come in unimaginable varieties, from the 1900s Victorian homes, to the bungalows, Tudors or the ultra modern netzero, eco-homes—each has its own unique character. Educational options for children range from private, charter to public schools. Sugar House is also home to Westminster College, a private liberal arts college, and a quick commute to the University of Utah. The community, beautiful homes, great schools, recreational opportunities, unique shopping and gourmet dining are just a handful of things that make Sugar House an ideal place to live!

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Sandy Where mountain meets urban

ime’s Money Magazine recently named Sandy, Utah, as one of the 100 best places to live in the United States. The city was recognized for its 8 percent projected job growth, 226 clear air days per year, 86 percent high school graduation rate, 23 minute average commute time and low home prices. Located on the Wasatch Front, the city is minutes away from world-class skiing, year-round mountain recreation, a plethora of trails, shopping centers, and unsurpassed dining and entertainment. Sandy offers a premier destination—the ultimate base camp for outdoor activities. If you’re looking for an exceptional outdoor adventure, head up the beautiful Little Cottonwood Canyon to one of Utah’s many world-class ski resorts. Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort is home of exceptional snowfall and wide-ranging terrain for both the skier and snowboarder. Just one-mile up the road is Alta Ski Resort where you’ll find casual runs or rugged backcountry trails exclusively for skiers. During the summer, both resorts offer trails and summer activities such as the alpine slide, tram rides, and hiking/ biking trails for experts or beginners. If you’re in the market to go to a sporting event—look no further than REAL Salt Lake—Utah’s premier Major League Soccer team. Rio Tinto Stadium is located in the heart of Sandy and offers spectacular seating to watch an intense soccer game. Looking for something other than the outdoors or sports? There’s something for you too! Hale Centre Theatre recently relocated and opened its doors in downtown Sandy—offering a 450-seat proscenium thrust stage and a world-class 850-seat theater-in-the-round stage for professional family theater. They offer a variety of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows as well as theatre education. Sandy also offers a variety of dining experiences. From an upscale dinner

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Images courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

experience at La Caille, to a low-key ski atmosphere like Porcupine Grill, there’s an experience waiting for every taste bud. "Sandy City has become an enviable, ideal Urban/Suburban mix containing all of the necessary conveniences of a large city, but maintaining the high quality of life and amenities of a small city," Sandy’s former Mayor, Tom Dolan, said. "In creating a 'Mountain Meets Urban' city, we've embraced our close proximity to world-class outdoor recreation and paired it with a new vibrant, entertainment-rich, convenient downtown." With a city plan that has been 30 years in the making, Sandy is rising to the top as it rethinks its downtown district. The recent Cairns Initiative in Sandy has begun exciting infrastructure changes including a 12+ story high-rise and a mid-rise upscale apartment community.

"Our 1,000-acre destination city center The Cairns, connects mountain adventure with an active urban lifestyle. It is truly a live, work, shop and play experience attracting attention from developers, residents and tourists who've all captured our unique vision," Dolan said. "A multimillion dollar mall renovation, state-of-theart Hale Centre Theatre, impressive trails network, growing job center and a variety of housing options prove that Sandy City is successfully transforming into a unique mountain city.” Sandy has also redeveloped its freeway entrance and exit strategies. In 2017, the 10600 South freeway off-ramp was redesigned to alleviate the traffic produced by the increase of surrounding businesses and buildings. Sandy offers a unique experience for millennials, empty-nesters and everyone in-between. As a hybrid between city and suburban, it offers all the amenities you would want from a big city, such as office buildings, restaurants, and shopping centers —without the traffic. With the mountains just minutes away from the city center, Sandy is truly the place where mountain meets urban.

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St. George Community thriving as it experiences its own renaissance

t. George is a truly phenomenal place to grow and thrive either as an individual, family, employee or business. Blessed with nearly year-round sunshine, azure skies filled with towering cumulus clouds, spectacular red rocks and air that is pure, it’s no wonder the southwestern corner of the state is experiencing its own renaissance. National Geographic ranked the St. George area among the top 50 places to live and play in the nation. St. George’s residential community is exploding while still retaining the spirit of kindness, hard work and strong family values. Gone are the days of remote opportunities and desert drought as it pertains to St. George’s economic climate. The city is transforming itself into a powerhouse of multifaceted growth, attracting world-class businesses, seekers of higher education, a multitude of outside adventures and an expanding culture. It’s no longer just the place the summer sun spends the winter, but instead, St. George is

evolving into the place people want to call home. If you are not quite ready to relocate to St. George, then consider it for your next travel destination. There are 12 challenging golf courses, astonishing landscapes found only in the State and National Parks such as Zion and Bryce Canyon, 60 miles of walking and biking trails in and around the city, ghost towns, cactus gardens, as well as horseback riding and ATV desert trails to take you off the beaten path. If pampering is your goal, visit one of the many top-rated spas, dining, shopping, museums or art galleries available throughout the community. Southern Utah hosts several world-class events throughout the year. In May, you’ll find nearly 3,000 athletes competing in the IRONMAN 70.3/St. George North American Pro Championship. October brings the Huntsman World Senior Games, the only competition in the world in which you must be 50 years of age or older to participate. It attracts more than 11,000

Golfing at Entrada at Snow Canyon. Image courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism

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older athletes from all over the world to St. George every fall. These lifetime athletes bring their sports expertise to a diversity of games and events that include softball, volleyball, basketball, shooting, swimming, pickleball, speed walking, and so many more! It’s two weeks of Olympic quality sports. Not only that, there is a vibrant arts scene that includes DOCUTAH Film Festival the first two-weeks of September, world-famous outdoor Tuacahn Amphitheater nestled in a red rock canyon, along with smaller venues, such as Dixie State University’s Dolores Doré Eccles Fine Arts Center, St. George Musical Theatre, Brigham’s Playhouse and the historic Electric Theatre. St. George generously supports its arts community. The city takes great pride in its dynamic downtown, business-centric community, family-friendly culture, world-class health care (specializing in cancer, heart and neuroscience services), along with an everexpanding innovative university. These civic attributes prove that St. George is fearlessly focused on becoming a destination for everyone who values a lifestyle that embraces these qualities. Whether you are looking to innovate, create, thrive, or simply survive, the St. George area is ready and full of endless opportunities for you to explore. Color outside the prescribed lines of life, and enjoy everything southern Utah has to offer.

St. George at night. Image courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism, Matt Morgan

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The eyes have it.

Dedication and commitment have their rewards Moran Eye Center was recently ranked the ninth best overall program in the country by Ophthalmology Times, sixth for our residency program, and other high marks in research and clinical care. Rankings are based on surveys from national chairs of ophthalmology and residency program directors who recognize Moranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s achievements and quality care. Eyes here at home agree. With nearly 50 world-class eye specialists and the most extensive subspecialities in the West at 11 convenient locations, those weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re privileged to serve recognize us for our commitment and expertise. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most rewarding. Congratulations to everyone at Moran Eye Center for their dedication and hard work, making this vote of confidence (and patient accolades) possible.

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Utah County Continuing to garner top honors as the valley exceeds in areas of tech, job market, liveability and housing growth

hile Utah Valley may seem like it is brimming over with soda shops on every corner and student housing complexes appearing almost overnight—with Provo being the birthplace of Sodalicious and Utah Valley University-owned property being sold to student housing developers— Utah County remains a growing hub of industry. Caffeine fiends and university students aside, the Provo/Orem area continues to garner top business and lifestyle accolades. The entire valley, especially the aptly named Silicon Slopes, continues to garner everincreasing respect for attracting premier tech companies and recognition for being one of the fastest-growing communities for on-the-rise startups. One of the most significant accolades is Provo’s No. 3 ranking on Forbes’ list of America’s Fastest Growing Cities in 2017, growing not only in population, but also in job growth, wages and home prices. As of September 2017, Utah County has welcomed a whopping 996 new businesses. According to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, the majority of those openings were in Orem (182), Provo (174), and Lehi (128). It only seems natural, considering Utah County is continually ranked among the top places for business

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and careers by Forbes, most recently ranking No. 2 for 2016. Just as the northern edge of Utah County is heralded for rapid tech growth, the southernmost cities like Santaquin, still known for their family-owned orchards, are becoming ideal bedroom communities as they experience a boom in housing developments. In 2017, Provo was ranked the No. 3 on the Hottest Housing Markets list by Zillow. That real estate strength is being felt throughout the county and is easily recognized by the increase in home prices and speed of sales. Take for example the hamlet of Vineyard. What once was an area dominated by a large steel plant and home to less than 150 people, according to the 2010 census, is now a growing community boasting more than 8,000 residents. Lifestyle is also highly valued among Utah Valley’s residents. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to the area for activities such as fly fishing or floating the Provo River, skiing and mountain biking at Sundance Mountain Resort, biking, walking and running the Provo River Trail, hiking and climbing Rock Canyon, and boating, jet-skiing and paddle boarding on Utah Lake. It’s no wonder Outside Magazine ranked Provo as the No. 2 on its list of the Greatest Places to Live in America.

Residents and visitors seeking a rich nightlife will find it in good supply as Utah Valley boasts a broad range of entertainment and dining options. It’s been proven time and again that Utah Valley is chock-full of talented people. Velour Live Music Gallery, for example, has helped launch the careers of bands like the Grammy Award-winning Imagine Dragons, as well as chart toppers Neon Trees, The Moth & The Flame and The Aces. The SCERA Center for the Arts, Rooftop Concert Series, Hale Center Theater and Covey Center for the Arts all boast a stellar lineup of concerts and theatrical productions each year, attracting audiences of all ages. And those seeking belly laughs can easily pull up a chair at ComedySportz, Dry Bar Comedy or ImprovBroadway. When enjoying a night on the town, food connoisseurs have a veritable buffet of eatery options, everything from fine dining to more casual grub. Top eateries in the valley include independent restaurants like Black Sheep, Communal, Station 22, Foundry Grill, Bam Bams BBQ, Cubby’s Chicago Beef, Guru’s and many, many more. Retail shopping also continues to grow, most recently with the new, muchanticipated expansion at University Place and the expansive list of outlet options at Traverse Mountain. Filling the distances around in Spanish Fork, Springville and Saratoga Springs are new retail developments featuring new grocery and big-box shopping options. While the accolades continue to pour in, recognizing Utah County for its prosperity, outstanding economic market and desirable locale, one thing is certain: residents throughout the county have long understood and agree that Utah Valley truly lives up to its moniker of “Happy Valley.”

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Growing and Changing with Utah

Ski the Largest Resort in the US PARK CITY IS NOW EPIC Ski the Greatest Snow on Earth® at the largest ski resort in the United States. With more than 7,300 acres, 300-plus trails, 41 lifts, 8 terrain parks, one super pipe and one mini pipe, Park City is without a doubt one of the top world-class ski destinations. The super resort was created in 2015, when Vail purchased Park City Mountain Resort and combined it with Canyons Resort. The two base areas are now connected with the new Quicksilver Gondola. The eight-passenger, highspeed, two-way gondola moves skiers and snowboarders from the base of the existing Silverlode Lift at Park City to the Flatiron Lift area at Canyons, with a mid-station stop to allow guests access to new trails. The Quicksilver Gondola was just one of the improvements Vail included in its $50 million makeover. Park City now boasts a new high-speed chairlift, new trails and new

restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat while taking in views of the snow-covered slopes.

THE EPIC PASS If you’re planning on skiing Park City more than just a couple of days next season, you might want to consider the Epic Pass. Not only does the Epic Pass get you access to the largest ski resort in the United States, it also gets you in to 14 other resorts across the U.S. and Canada. Plus, the Epic Pass can be purchased at a discount when purchased early. Find deals at parkcitymountain.com If you’re here in the summer, be sure not to miss out on the hundreds of mountain bike trails and summer concerts at Park City. The concerts are free and are held at the Canyons Village Stage and Park City Base Area on Saturdays throughout the summer. Be sure to bring your own blankets or chairs and a picnic to enjoy the great outdoors and amazing music.

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UTAH SKI RESORTS

Alta Ski Resort (skiers only) Little Cottonwood Canyon alta.com Beaver Mountain Garden City skithebeav.com Brighton Ski Resort Big Cottonwood Canyon brightonresort.com Brian Head Cedar City brianhead.com Cherry Peak Richmond skicherrypeak.us Deer Valley Resort (skiers only) Park City deervalley.com Eagle Point Beaver skieaglepoint.com Park City Park City pcski.com Powder Mountain Eden powdermountain.com Snowbasin Huntsville snowbasin.com Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort Little Cottonwood Canyon snowbird.com Solitude Ski Resort Big Cottonwood Canyon skisolitude.com Sundance Resort Sundance sundanceresort.com Wolf Creek Resort Eden wolfcreekresort.com

Park City Mountain. Image courtesy of Park City Chamber/Bureau, Abby Hein

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Deep Travel Beyond The Mighty 5® UTAH'S OUTLAW PAST MAKES FOR A UNIQUE ADVENTURE

Bryce Canyon. Image courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism, Frank Jensen

otoriously difficult to find, the remains of Butch Cassidy and The Wild Bunch’s famous hideout, Robbers Roost, still lives up to its reputation. The search for this piece of Utah’s outlaw past makes for a unique adventure through some of Southern Utah’s most remote and beautiful terrain. Writer Lindy Callahan’s search for Robbers Roost—a story from visitutah.com—traces legends and backways using a combination of spoken directions shrouded in mystery and GPS. It is an adventure that requires preparation, time, curiosity and self-sufficiency. While Utah’s Mighty 5® national parks—Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion—are for the most part sublimely easy to access, they are part of vast, rugged and sometimes very remote landscapes that also lure travelers deeper, beyond The Mighty 5. Look at a highway map of the southern half of the state and you’ll see a sparse web of highways and roads, some of which lead to little-known destinations of secret beauty, some of which seem to drop off without warning. Enter, the locals. Going beyond The Mighty 5 means charting slower, more deliberate travel to the places that barely make the generic road map. Building from inspiration at visitutah.com, local visitor centers, hoteliers, guides and outfitters become a wealth of information about favorite spots for a solitary or unexpected retreat, such as trails away from the main highway, weekend farmers markets and small-town festivals, quiet spots for car camping and grand scenic rewards you have to linger in a place to enjoy and work a little harder to experience. Sometimes “working a little harder” means being prepared with the right vehicle and gear, but more often it means coming equipped only with the right mindset and an openness to seek out something out of the norm. These same experts can advise you on current road conditions and let you

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know if you’re equipped for the journey, or reroute you to a better choice. When many travelers head to southeastern Utah, for example, Moab is the first—and for some, the only— destination. Travel a little further and Monticello, Blanding and Bluff complete the Four Corner’s spine of U.S. 191 (part of the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway) and provide excellent base camps to The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park and the ancestral cliff dwellings of the Cedar Mesa area and Hovenweep National Monument. Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum provides additional historical context and area visitor centers can direct considerate, leaveno-trace travelers to the trails and wellmaintained roads that few people consider. There are also more intimate ways of experiencing the national parks. While a drive through Arches National Park is beautiful, cycling the park is both challenging and deeply rewarding, as you earn every scenic mile and return home with a more complete picture of the park. A similar experience unfolds at Zion National Park, where monolithic landforms rise dramatically and slowly around you. Meanwhile, attentive visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park will discover lesser-used trails that carve deeper paths within the park and uncover stunning routes in the surrounding Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument.

For hikers, all parks offer an array of less-trafficked trails through the park and greater landscape to access different angles on the splendor. Again, Callahan reflects on a portion of her journey in search of Robbers Roost: “We were dazed and settling into the ongoing drive when heading up a large hill, an antelope doe and baby appeared running toward us. They quickly diverted right, leaping over the sage to escape the Jeep. The unexpected encounter jolted us back to

Image courtesy of Utah Office of Tourism, Steve Greenwood

the mission at hand. We decided to stop and hike around again. The red sand revealed dried up stream beds and delicate animal bones, remnants of life lost to time.” The Mighty 5 are equipped to welcome the greatest number of visitors to their protected landscapes. But that doesn’t mean visitors shouldn’t travel without care. Parks preserve places of intrinsic value, inclusive of scenic, historical and archaeological resources. They also protect fragile ecosystems, collections of living things existing in close harmony. Unhurried, purposeful travel exposes you to the nuances of place, so you see not only the arch or monolith, but the lines in the sandstone where the powers of erosion are concentrated, the delicate flowers that arise from deposited sand or cracks in the rock and the signs of wildlife that co-habitate in these places. Callahan’s adventure traces a vast, open space somewhere between Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley State Park and the most remote stretches of Canyonlands National Park. Her journey required a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle in which they carried extra fuel, water and provisions. The Capitol Reef area is also filled with adventures overlooked by those who drive down Capitol Reef Country

Scenic Byway (S.R. 24) and stop only for a short hike. Local guides lead rappelling adventures into the depths of the fractured landscape. Backcountry roads lead to quiet nights under the stars. An extended visit reveals secrets few visitors learn, bringing you closer to the local knowledge that early indigenous cultures understand, whose visions and memories are captured in the rock. “Places like Robbers Roost offer a glimpse into the way Southern Utah’s beautiful landscapes once looked, and they have a cultural and historical importance that is worth acknowledging.” When Callahan pauses to reflect on her experience, she has more than photographs of places she saw—she has impressions etched in her mind of places with horizons so vast and details so minute, only presence, mindfulness and experience form an idea complete enough to be called an accurate picture. Deep, careful and curious travelers in Utah will discover countless such opportunities to etch deep impressions of place, culture and beauty. Read Callahan’s two-part series online at visitutah.com/robbers-roost

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Utah’s Fine Arts Destination IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE BREADTH OF HUMAN CREATIVITY

Images courtesy of Utah Museum of Fine Arts

he Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) at the University of Utah is the state’s fine arts museum and the region’s destination for global visual arts. Located in the awardwinning Marcia and John Price Museum Building, the UMFA is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the breadth and depth of human creativity, from ancient objects to contemporary art. Revamped and revitalized last year, the galleries and public spaces are more dynamic, accessible and welcoming than ever. What will you discover? Ancient sculptures from Greece, Rome, and Mesoamerica. Exquisite paintings by celebrated European, American, regional and Utah artists. Stunning masks, textiles, and cultural objects from Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. Thought-provoking works of modern and contemporary art from artists around the globe. This extensive collection, unlike any other in the region, is showcased more beautifully than ever in the UMFA’s reimagined galleries. Hidden gems are featured

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alongside the Museum’s greatest treasures in ways that tell new stories and inspire fresh takes on human history, culture and creative expression. New interactives and wall texts inspire insights and personal interpretations. New conversation areas invite visitors to relax and explore further. The Trailhead is a comfortable starting point for exploring Utah’s world-famous Land art. The Lookout invites a deeper dive into the Museum’s lively modern and contemporary art through books and digital interactives. Basecamp encourages learning about African art and culture with a fun new hands-on station that engages the Museum’s youngest visitors. But that’s just part of the story. Special exhibitions bring to Salt Lake City artworks from renowned international museums as well as one-of-a-kind shows created especially for regional audiences. This year the UMFA will host exhibitions of worldclass western and Native American art, the first survey of a Japanese-American printmaker’s groundbreaking career, and new installations by important and innovative contemporary artists. This global art experience is enhanced by a robust slate of talks and panel discussions by distinguished artists and thinkers, tours, films, art making and other creative activities for families and adults, outreach for K–12 teachers and schools around the state, and resources for University of Utah students and faculty. The Museum Café is a bright oasis for casual meetings, conversation, and delicious bites, and the Museum Store offers oneof-kind gifts and mementoes, including handmade works from local artisans. The Museum’s architecturally significant spaces, including the G. W. Anderson Family Great Hall, Katherine W. and Ezekiel R. Dumke Jr. Auditorium, and Brady-Hansen Boardroom, can be rented for meetings, conferences, weddings, and other private events. The UMFA is more than a museum of

OF INTEREST

UTAH MUSEUMS The Leonardo, SLC theleonardo.org Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point, Lehi thanksgivingpoint.org/visit/ museumofancientlife Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point, Lehi thanksgivingpoint.org/visit/ museumofnaturalcuriosity Natural History Museum of Utah, SLC nhmu.utah.edu Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA), SLC umfa.utah.edu Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA), SLC utahmoca.org Clark Planetarium, SLC clarkplanetarium.org Discovery Gateway, SLC discoverygateway.org This Is The Place Heritage Park, SLC thisistheplace.org

world-class objects—it’s a vibrant hub for cultural exchange, a place where you, your family, and friends can make meaningful connections to great art and ideas. No matter how young you are, what you know, or where you’re from, works of art are one-of-a-kind human creations that tell unique stories, evoke memories, inspire conversations, and open possibilities. The Utah Museum of Fine Arts—come see what’s in it for you.

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Coming Summer 2018

Luxury Suites within steps of the Zion National Park Entrance

New Canyon View Suites & Residences, Full Service Resort Spa and Events Center

147 Zion Park Blvd - Phone: 877.590.3366 www.CableMountainLodge.com

Image courtesy of Hope Gallery, Tyson Monson Photography

Hope Gallery INSPIRING THE APPRECIATION OF GREAT ART FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

he historic Tracy Loan and Trust Co. building is home to Hope Gallery of Fine Art’s downtown Salt Lake City location. Built in 1916, and designed by prominent NYC architect, Walter J. Cooper, the 15,000 sq. ft. building reflects the Neo-Classical Revival style, yet offers modern structural and mechanical systems. It is among the finest historic structures in Salt Lake City and the perfect home for the Hope Collection. Hope Gallery features a distinct collection of European Masters, including Dürer and Rembrandt, from the 16th to 21st centuries; with works emphasizing La Belle Epoch and Nordic Luminists. With artists such as Bloch, Kroyer, Henningsen, Wegmann, and Molsted, Hope Gallery offers the largest and most unique compilation of Danish

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works outside the national museums in Denmark. The gallery's original collection and high quality giclee canvas and paper reproductions are available for purchase. Also featured is the Giclee’d Carl Bloch series on the Life of Christ. Hope Gallery offers its unique space as a venue for special events. The beautiful stained glass ceiling (original from 1916) on the top level, and an incredible collection of art, provides an atmosphere unmatched. President and owner, Soren Edsberg, has been collecting these works (totaling over 2,000 original works of art) for the last 50-plus years. Mr. Edsberg hopes to inspire a bigger appreciation of great art for future generations.

OF INTEREST

GALLERY STROLLS

Salt Lake Gallery Stroll is a free monthly event open to the public and is held in order to promote the visual arts and showcase galleries after hours (usually from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) on the third Friday of every month.

FEATURED GALLERIES Anthony’s Fine Art anthonysfineart.com Modern West modernwestfineart.com Rio Gallery heritage.utah.gov Urban Arts Gallery utaharts.org Find more information on Gallery Stroll by visiting gallerystroll.org

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THE GREATER OUTDOORS

AIRSTREAM OF UTAH

Utahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Exclusive Airstream Dealership 2651 South 600 West Salt Lake City, UT 84115 (801) 890-4363 www.airstreamofutah.com

Grand Opening Performance of ‘Aida’ in 2017-2018 season. Image courtesy of Hale Centre Theatre

Hale Centre Theatre NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART THEATER OFFERS THE ULTIMATE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE

fter 1,800 tons of structural steel, 1,700 tons of reinforcement and 9,700 cubic yards of concrete plus miles of electrical wiring, thousands of yards of fabric and light bulbs, the Hale Centre Theatre at the Mountain America Performing Arts Centre in Sandy City, Utah, is ready for showtime! The sparkling new Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Stage is bedazzled with star burst chandeliers, ruby red seats and a stunning velvet grand drape. Add extra legroom, cushy seating, marvelous sight lines and a complete looping system for those with hearing loss, then include crystal-clear acoustics which rival anywhere else on the planet, and you have an intimate, second-to-none theatrical

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experience completely designed with the patron in mind. Now open is the one-of-a-kind, worldclass, much anticipated, new Centre Stage. With 48 permanently moving parts—from stage level to innovative fly system—this astonishing venue tells stories seamlessly and magically in ways never before possible. Encircling the one-of-a-kind stage are giant LED screens, which engulf each patron in the wondrous time and space of each story. HCT’s 2018 Season of plays and musicals is fabulous, spanning from Disney’s "Newsies," to "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." From "The Music Man" to "The Wizard of Oz." From "The Scarlet Pimpernel" to "Wait Until Dark." Sprinkled in with the

uproarious comedy, "Cash on Delivery," the Disney timeless classic, "Pinnochio My Son," a regional premiere of the Broadway musical, "Tuck Everlasting," and the annual production of "A Christmas Carol." This is a rocking season not to be missed. Shows will alternate between the two beautiful theatres. Sandy City has completed a park plaza with a spectacular water feature that will be the theater’s entrance. Mountain America has provided a convenient 1,750 car parking terrace, which connects directly to the theater and is free of charge to HCT patrons. You won’t feel a raindrop or a snowflake! Both theaters are accessed from the same gracious lobby. And—as a plus—there are ample, beautiful restroom accommodations. Come join Hale Centre Theatre for its inaugural season in Sandy City. Hale Centre Theatre is the ultimate theatrical experience!

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Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series THE PLACE TO BE ON SUMMER NIGHTS

ed Butte Garden is Utah’s botanical garden and state arboretum located on 100 acres in the foothills on the eastern edge of the University of Utah. The Garden is renowned for its numerous plant collections, award-winning horticulturebased education programs, and world-class outdoor summer concert series, as well as a variety of other events. With its 3,000-capacity Amphitheatre featuring a lineup of consistently sold-out shows, Red Butte Garden is the place to experience some of the best summer concerts in Utah. Concertgoers get it all— panoramic alpine-glow views of the Wasatch Mountains, the Salt Lake Valley sunset, a botanical garden, blankets and picnics spread out on the lawn, and of course, the amazing top-name artists on stage. Major artists such as Chicago, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson, Trombone Shorty, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Thievery Corporation, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Steely Dan, Sheryl Crow, The Avett Brothers, TOTO, Wilco, Santana, Bon Iver, Chris Isaak, Ryan Adams, The Decemberists, Michael Franti and the Utah Symphony—to name a few—have performed at Red Butte Garden. Many artists have performed there multiple times because they enjoy the Garden, the state-of-the art Amphitheatre, and the Utah audience. As Utah’s botanical garden, Red Butte Garden may seem an unlikely place for such a major concert venue, but it didn’t start out that way. The Garden opened to the public in 1985, and in 1986, the idea of a concert series was born in a suggestion by the Garden’s founder, Zeke Dumke, Jr., as a way to introduce more people to the Garden and provide additional financial support for its operations. And just like that, in 1987, a concert series began featuring local jazz,

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Image courtesy of Red Butte Garden

RED BUTTE GARDEN 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 redbuttegarden.org / (801) 585–0556

bluegrass and folk musicians. The stage was a simple concrete slab under a canopy and concertgoers brought their own blankets and picnics to enjoy a handful of intimate summer concerts in the Garden every other Sunday evening. Things began to change in 1997 when the Garden hired promoter Chris Mautz to book more national acts. Mautz left in 2001 and Derrek Hanson soon took over as the Garden’s Events Director. The number of concerts increased year after year and they were selling out fast! By 2003, the series had grown to 11 concerts, including surprise break-out artist of the year, Norah Jones. With the success of the concert series came the idea for an improved stage and amphitheatre. So, in 2008, after an impressive capital fundraising campaign and a major expansion and renovation of the venue, Red Butte Garden launched its first concert series in the brand new

Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre. Since then, Hanson and Mautz (who returned in 2006), have worked together to become the stealth concert booking machine they are today. Stealth because the concert lineup remains top secret until the series is announced to much fanfare in early April every year. In the last five years, the Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series has grown into an annual lineup of 25-30 major acts stretching from May through September. As one of the many benefits of Garden membership, the full concert series goes on sale to Garden members for one week in late April. Once the members-only presale is over, available concert tickets go on sale to the public. Zeke Dumke, Jr. was right—from its small beginning 30 years ago, the concert series has increased Garden membership and has enabled the Garden to improve educational programming, gardens and facilities. And now, much like then, concertgoers return year after year, show after show, spreading out blankets and picnics on the lawn to experience big, yet intimate summer concerts in the Garden.

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Images courtesy of Downtown SLC Farmers Market

Fresh Food All Year Round ADDING ENERGY AND VITALITY TO THE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD

o many Utahns, the first official sign of summer is opening day of the Downtown Farmers Market. For more than two decades, thousands of urbanites have flocked to Pioneer Park to shop for local produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, as well as arts and crafts. The Market has become a defining gathering place where the city comes together, connected by fresh food, to create one of the most interesting culinary districts in Salt Lake City. Then, in October after the harvest, the Market hibernates again until the following June. A hunger for local food began to grow (no pun intended) as people became more connected to their local farmers and food purveyors. Since local farmers are able

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to store much of the season’s bounty for many months—think root vegetables, winter greens, apples and more—there was certainly opportunity, and so the Winter Market was born. Thanks to the strong support from the local community, the Downtown Farmers Market has evolved into one of the West’s largest community markets. The program has expanded to include four markets that operate 11 months out of the year. • Downtown Farmers Market: Saturdays, June – October at Pioneer Park • Downtown Art & Craft Market: Saturdays, June – October at Pioneer Park • Tuesday Farmers Market: Tuesdays, August – October at Pioneer Park • Winter Market at Rio Grande: Saturdays, November – April at the Rio Grande Depot

MEET YOUR FARMERS Wilkerson Farm

Wilkerson Farm began in 2010 with an abandoned four-acre lot, shovels, saws, one antique tractor, a plow and a whole lot of elbow grease. The modest start didn't impede success. By their second year, they had doubled their profits. The now 33-acre certified organic farm is run by Richard Wilkerson, his wife, and fewer than 10 employees. "We focus heavily on root crops, like potatoes, beets, radish, carrots and onions. We’ve been blessed with high quality sandy loam soil giving us straight carrots and round potatoes," says Richard Wilkerson. Lettuce, squash, kale, tomatoes, watermelons, peppers and pumpkins are also some of the farm's seasonal offerings—keep your eyes peeled for peaches in the next few years! The folks at Wilkerson Farm are dedicated to reinvigorate farming life within the community—bringing

awareness to the age-old practices that remain integral to modern agricultural to this day. "I want to see people enjoy with curiosity old farm equipment, actually feel the coarse grit of dirt in their hands, and be free to enjoy the wide open spaces and majesty of active farmland," said Wilkerson.

Chas. W. Bangerter & Son Local Farm and Stand

Chas. W. Bangerter & Son Local Farm and Stand has a long history of offering up fresh handharvested produce to all who seek it. Occupying 100 acres in Bountiful and Salt Lake City, this farm is your hub for local, high quality goods. "We decided long ago that we must grow, harvest, grade, pack, refrigerate, ice and package our produce the same or better than anything else available to the markets," said current owner Alan Bangerter. This promise was made at the farm's inception in 1902, and remains the mantra more than a century later. "We believe that having our produce fresher is what makes the difference to our customers," said Bangerter. "We strive to have the best varieties available with the best appearance and taste.” The farm is known to provide wide varieties of beans, beets, sweet corn, peas, radishes, summer and winter squash, eggplant, jalapenos, pumpkins, and tomatoes. Bangerter, three of his six children, and his staff of roughly 40 dedicated hands stand behind their product completely and see to it that their customers are happy and satisfied with their produce. Each and every one of their cartons is stamped with their steadfast slogan, “Utah’s Best Produce!"

Parker Farms

Parker Farms is a seven generational farm in Hooper, Utah. As immigrants from England, the Parker family settled in a small agricultural town with the hopes of sustaining themselves as farmers. The land accommodated enough crops to feed

the family and a small fleet of dairy cows. As the family's land expanded, the herd grew and the Parker family discovered their knack for dairy farming. As time went on, and the government began meddling in milk prices, the producers struggle to make ends meet—dairy farms across the region suffered and were forced to sell out. The Parker family was, unfortunately, not excluded from that. So they transitioned to planting and harvesting produce. Today, seven siblings share ownership of the 150-acre farm. With the help of 20 employees, Parker Farms supplies beautiful, sun-ripened produce every Saturday at the Downtown Farmers Market. Many of the workers, besides the Parker siblings, are local teens who return every year looking for work during summer vacation and to become fluent in the agricultural trade.

Nelson Farms

Nelson Farms occupies 200 acres of fertile land in Perry, Utah. Generations of Nelsons have been running the farm using tried and true methods for almost 140 years, all with a passion for preserving the rural, sustainable lifestyle of their American heritage. Keeping it in the family has proven to be a practice of success. Nelson Farms is one of the largest left in the area! While much of Utah's farmland has been sold off in the age of industry, the Nelsons have remained steadfast in their tradition of providing fresh, local products to the community members. In the summer you can enjoy an array of peaches, melons, blackberries, vegetables, squash and pumpkins from the hardworking Nelson family. And in the fall, visit the corn

maze at their farm in Perry! "We enjoy the atmosphere and being a part of something that provides the community with what they seek without them having to travel great distances to get it. We meet lots of great people and make many new friends," said April Nelson, of Nelson Farms.

Riley Farm Fresh

Upon returning home after World War II, William Howard Riley developed a taste for the simpler life and began a fruit farm. Now William's son and grandsons Alan, Jordan, and Christopher, respectively, run Riley’s Farm Fresh in two locations, 200 acres in Box Elder County and Utah County. "My dad, Alan Riley, has farmed all his life and my brother, Christopher Riley, began taking over in 2010. I was teaching school in 2014 when the opportunity to lease an orchard in Brigham City arose. I finished out the school year and moved my family to Brigham City," said Jordan Riley. Family is very important to the stewards of Riley Farm Fresh. Jordan continues to farm, in part, because he wants to work alongside his daughters when he grows old. Keep your eyes peeled for Riley's colorful selection of cherries, tomatoes, peaches and apples.

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Mountain West Cider N

ot only is Mountain West Cider proud to call Utah its home, but is also excited to be bringing the burgeoning cider scene to the intermountain region. Crafting year-round and seasonal artisan hard ciders, you won’t find your typical ultra-sweet ciders here. Instead you’ll find juicy, bright and uncomplicated ciders that are approachable and finish with subtle flavors of apples, hops and even prickly pear. Lighter than beer— and perhaps more bubbly and refreshing than wine—cider is the perfect choice for a night out on the town. Mountain West Cider is proud to source their ingredients locally and regionally, as well as honor its surrounding Utah landscape, by naming their ciders after canyons found throughout the state. In fact, its latest release, Desolation, features not only tart and palate-pleasing notes of prickly pear, but a portion of the proceeds of each bottle goes back to support their community partner, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). Protecting Utah’s public wildlands, including Desolation Canyon, is part of SUWA’s mission, and Mountain West Cider is happy to be part of supporting that effort. In addition, Mountain West Cider proudly supports and partners with many local organizations, such as The Green Urban Lunch Box, Humane Society, Utah Pride Center, Mark Miller Subaru, Humane Society, Nuzzles & Co., Volunteers of America, and of course, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance—and strives to be an integral part of the local Salt Lake City community and its surrounding neighborhoods.

CELEBRATING CIDER After falling in love with cider while on a trip to Ireland, husband and wife cofounders Jennifer and Jeff Carleton brought their love of craft cider west. They are passionate about sharing and celebrating cider, which boasts a historically rich past, and is incredibly easy to drink. Hard cider can be enjoyed by anyone, anytime, and anywhere. Naturally glutenfree, Mountain West ciders are the perfect

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Image courtesy of Mountain West Hard Cider

addition to a beer or wine line-up. And better yet, Mountain West Cider is made with only natural ingredients, with no added sugars or artificial flavorings. Just like the expanding craft beer scene in Utah, there are many opportunities to experiment and be unique with hard cider. Mountain West Cider’s head cidermaker, Joel Goodwillie, is not afraid to think outside of the box. From cocoa nibs to thyme and elderberry, Mountain West Cider is sure to make their mark on the industry, while paving the way as the first dedicated cidery in the state of Utah. Mountain West Cider is proud to call Utah their home, and is a member of Utah’s Own, which supports the diverse, local and quality product offered by the state. You can find Mountain West Cider at bars and restaurants in Salt Lake City and Park City, at Utah State Liquor stores, and in their Tasting Room at 425 N. 400 W., just off the 600 N. I-15 exit. More information is available at mountainwestcider.com

OF INTEREST

DISTILLERS IN UTAH Despite the misconseption that Utah is a dry state, Utah has a great variety of local distillers and brewerys. From whiskey to vodka to beer, you're sure to find something for all tastes.

FEATURED DISTILLERS Beehive Distilling beehivedistilling.com Dented Brick Distillery dentedbrick.com High West Distillery highwest.com Ogden's Own Distillery ogdensown.com Outlaw Distillery outlawdistillery.com Sugar House Distillery sugarhousedistillery.net

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DI S COVER all that is awaiting you in the Heber Valley

475 North Main, Heber, UT 84032 • 435.654.3666 • GoHeberValley.com

People enjoy recent updates to The Gateway. Images courtesy of Vestar

The Gateway

WITH AN ARRAY OF UPGRADES, NEW MERCHANTS, EVENTS AND PUBLIC ART, THE GATEWAY IS TRANSFORMING ITSELF INTO DOWNTOWN’S PREMIER CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

he era of traditional malls is over. The world of retail has changed, and so have the habits that go with it. At the same time, as cities and communities grow, the need for dynamic public spaces has grown with them. Salt Lake City is no exception, and as it has continued to evolve, so has The Gateway—transitioning from the traditional concept of what a mall

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used to be, into a mixed-use destination celebrating a new set of values: art, entertainment and culture. Think 40-foot tall murals and other interactive art initiatives. Think a community-driven calendar of events. Think great places for entertainment and shopping. Think places to gather and socialize… and you’re starting to get how The Gateway is creating a new name for itself. You get a sense of it when you head to the Olympic Fountain around lunchtime. You’ll find people lounging on green-turfed stairs. You’ll smell the intoxicating aromas of local food trucks as office workers spend their lunch hours out in the sun. You might hear a local artist performing on the nearby stage. And above it all, the all-new LED video tower runs through its lengthy loop of brightly colored vignettes.

The Gateway is not your traditional mall. “We’re incorporating so many new things,” said Edie Trott, marketing director for The Gateway. “First, I mean, look up and around. We have different forms of public art going up everywhere. Come here at night, and you’ll find people playing on our light-up swings and grabbing a drink or a bite to eat. Add with all the events we put on, it truly feels like an urban playground.” Jason Mathis, executive director of the Downtown Alliance agrees. “The Gateway has become an integral part of the Salt Lake art and culture scene,” he said. “The new murals and social activations are continuing to get traction, and our community—and all our visitors from out of town—are responding to what’s happening.” Since its opening in 2002—dovetailing with the Winter Olympics—The Gateway has remained a local hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment. With unique restaurants and merchants, The Gateway offers visitors of all kinds various places to dine, play and shop. Plus, as a neighbor to Vivint Smart Home Arena and with an array of restaurants and concert venues, it becomes the perfect home base for a day, night, or all of the above on the town. And it’s just getting started. After parent company Vestar’s $100 million investment to renovate and re-imagine the

future of The Gateway, there’s a lot on the horizon: attracting new local and national businesses and restaurants, working with world-renowned artists to curate one of the biggest outdoor art galleries, and creating a community gathering place with free concerts, gospel brunches, yoga classes, movie nights and more. Here’s a little bit of what The Gateway has to offer:

WHAT’S NEW Arts & Culture The Gateway is transforming the public art landscape of Salt Lake City with an inspiring blend of traditional, interactive and digital pieces from both local and internationally renowned artists. You’ll find large-scale murals from artists Dourone, 2Alas, Felipe Pantone, INSA, Brendan Monroe, and David Flores—with more to come. And with a oneof-a-kind video tower wrapped in enormous LED screens, The Gateway is adding color to the Salt Lake City skyline like never before. Don’t forget to stop by the Urban Arts Gallery, the official venue of the Utah Arts Alliance.

Full Event Schedule The Gateway is ramping up its event calendar, with more than 100 communitydriven events this year. You’ll find arts and culture festivals like Festa Italiana, Tastemakers (hosted by Salt Lake Magazine) the Hispanic Heritage Festival, Brazilian Fest, (presented by Tucanos), Last Hurrah (hosted by Downtown Alliance, formerly known as Eve), Made in Utah, Illuminate (Utah’s first light-projection festival) and Utah’s first Golden Spike Comedy and Podcast Festival (Utah’s first, coming in March). In addition, The Gateway continues to support the community with free public events like yoga classes, movie nights and a concert series.

Coming Spring 2018 Dave & Buster’s first-ever Utah location is taking over the former food court, offering a 40,000 square-foot entertainment destination for patrons to eat, drink, and play a huge variety of arcade favorites, both old and new. The Gateway is also expanding their dining options to include MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza Company, serving up

Image courtesy of Vestar

authentic and all-natural Italian-style pies. Additional new tenants are expected to be announced soon.

COMMUNITY FAVORITES Urban Playground As part of the new vision after its acquisition by Vestar in Spring 2016, The Gateway is going back to its roots as a place to gather. With the addition of urban playground zones featuring swing sets, teeter-totters, and swinging picnic tables, The Gateway’s new enhancements have made it a better-than-ever space for socializing. Don’t forget to check out the water-feature show at the Olympic Legacy Plaza, featuring the Olympic Fountain (built by the same company that made the world-famous Bellagio fountain displays).

Entertainment Destination For a family-friendly outing, both the Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum and Clark Planetarium have undergone recent renovations to add even more interactive, curiosity-inspiring exhibits to their already impressive offerings. See if you can stay cool under pressure while navigating the Mystery Escape Room, or experience the latest and greatest in VR gaming at Virtualities. Brush up on your chef skills with hands-on cooking classes at Sur La Table. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Macdonald, Margaret Cho, Marc Maron, and many more on any given night. Catch the biggest blockbusters at Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres. Please your palate with dining options like Tucano’s Brazilian Grill, Happy Sumo, ‘Bout Time, Fleming’s and California Pizza Kitchen. In the mood for some live music? Check out some of the biggest touring acts at The Depot, or enjoy a more intimate setting at The Acoustic Space. And if you’re craving the sound of a roaring crowd, The Gateway is right next door to the recently renovated Vivint Smart Home Arena, home of the Utah Jazz.

SHOPPING Sometimes, there’s no substitute for some good old-fashioned retail therapy. And while The Gateway has become much more than just a place to shop, you’ll still find a diverse list of shopping destinations like Victoria’s Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch, Bastille, Buckle, G-Star RAW, Gamestop, Hot Topic, Pac Sun, Morgan Jewelers, Sur la Table, Mountain Town Olive Oil, and more. The Gateway is open seven days a week, and located in the heart of Salt Lake City on 400 West, between 200 South and South Temple. For more information, visit shopthegateway.com

A NIGHT OUT Laugh until your sides ache at Wiseguys Comedy Club, selling out acts like Norm

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Top 10 Things to do at Temple Square L

ocated in downtown Salt Lake City, Temple Square is one of the most popular attractions in Utah's capital city. Covering 35 acres, it’s filled with a variety of things to see and do. It doesn’t matter if you spend 20 minutes or five hours, you’re in for a treat! All tours at Temple Square are free, so check out the top 10 things to do.

1. TEMPLE SQUARE TOUR The Temple Square Tour is led by missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is the perfect introduction to Temple Square and the Mormon heritage. You can book your tour online and choose from 40 languages! In the South Visitors’ Center, you’ll walk through the 40 years of construction of the Salt Lake Temple, learn about the role of temples in the LDS faith, see a model of the Temple and learn about the different rooms and ordinances performed there. In the North Visitors’ Center, you will see the famous 11-foot marble Christus statue and learn more about Christ’s life and teachings. The missionaries will also take you in the Tabernacle, a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark built by the Mormon pioneers in 1876, for more history and a pin-drop demonstration in what is one of the most acoustically sound buildings in the world.

2. BEEHIVE HOUSE TOUR Located on the corner of South Temple and State Street, the Beehive House was built in 1854 as the main residence of Latter-day Saint prophet and Utah’s first governor, Brigham Young. Today the house is a museum displaying artifacts that belonged to the Young family. The sister missionaries take you around the Beehive House explaining about the Young family and the early history of Utah and Salt Lake City.

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The 11-foot marble Christus statue in the North Visitors' Center. Images courtesy of Temple Square Hospitality

3. CONFERENCE CENTER TOUR Walking into the impressive 21,000seat auditorium and seeing the 7,667-pipe organ will take your breath away, but there is so much more to see and explore in the Conference Center. You can enjoy hundreds of original paintings, including Arnold Friberg’s "Book of Mormon" series and the famous "Jesus Christ visits the Americas" by John Scott. Between April and October, you can tour the incredible rooftop gardens, landscaped after the scenery of the pioneers’ settlement in the west. Volunteer hosts and hostesses take you on a tour of the Conference Center, and you don’t have to book it ahead of time. If your schedule is tight, feel free to ask your host or hostess for an “express tour," just to take a peek inside the auditorium.

4. JOSEPH SMITH MEMORIAL BUILDING TOUR The history of the Welcome Center of Temple Square dates back to 1911, when the grandiose structure opened as the Hotel

Family investigates their family history at the Discovery Center.

Utah. After 76 years as a hotel, the building closed for renovations and reopened in 1993 as the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, offering hospitality services for Temple Square visitors. Most of the building has been preserved to reflect the original architecture of what was once the most luxurious hotel west of the Mississippi. In this tour, you’ll learn about the building’s history, unique architecture and go to the 10th floor observation areas.

5. RELIEF SOCIETY BUILDING TOUR The Relief Society is one of the largest and longest standing women’s organizations

in the world. In this building, you’ll learn about the history of the organization, the incredible women who formed it, and also enjoy beautiful original artworks by Minerva Teichert as well as exquisite artifacts donated by members of the LDS Church from all over the world. The tours are led by volunteer hostesses eager to share inspiring stories.

6. CHURCH OFFICE BUILDING TOUR The Church Office Building is the second tallest building in Salt Lake City and offers breathtaking views of the Wasatch Mountains, Temple Square and Salt Lake Valley. Volunteers take you to the 26th floor observation area and share interesting facts about the pioneer settlement in the valley and some of the visible landmarks. Make sure your camera is ready so you can take these views home!

7. SEASONAL DAILY GARDEN TOUR The seasonal garden tours happen daily April through September, and everyone is welcome! You’ll be guided through the breathtaking gardens surrounding the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, the Lion House, the Beehive House, and the Conference Center rooftop garden. Learn about the 700 varieties of plants that adorn Temple Square and everything behind the design of these immaculate gardens.

8. DISCOVERY CENTER Located inside the Family History Library, the Discovery Center is a fun and free way to learn more about your family history. Discover more about who you are and where you came from with interactive displays, record stories and memories for future generations, and step into the lifestyle of your ancestors.

9. CHURCH HISTORY MUSEUM The Church History Museum features interactive experiences that tell the story of the Restoration of the LDS Church, including the early teenage years of prophet Joseph Smith, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and chronological Mormon life up to the Latter-day Saints exodus from Nauvoo in 1846. One of the highlights is the First Vision Theater, a 240-degree curved screen and 204 channels of surround sound.

The immersive experience allows visitors to feel what it may have been like to witness the First Vision from Joseph Smith’s perspective.

10. DINE WITH HISTORY AND A VIEW The legacy of The Garden Restaurant and The Roof Restaurant dates back to

1914. Today, more than 100 years later, the award-winning restaurants, located in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, continue to offer the best views of Temple Square and delicious food. The Garden Restaurant is the perfect place for a casual night out on the town, while the elegant atmosphere of The Roof is a local favorite to celebrate special occasions.

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Rendering of new Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Take Note HOME OF UTAH JAZZ REOPENS AFTER MAJOR RENOVATION

fter more than 25 years as the premier sports and entertainment venue in Salt Lake City, a new era at Vivint Smart Home Arena has begun with a $125 million renovation to enhance the guest experience on all six levels of the home of the Utah Jazz. As a community gathering place, the arena hosts more than 100 events annually with 1.8 million guests. An illuminated navy, green and gold J-Note statue, measuring 14-feet high and 21-feet wide, welcomes visitors on the plaza before entering the 12,000-square-foot America First Atrium with an exclusive Jazz Team Store, redesigned lower and upper bowl concourses with new fully cushioned seats in the bowl, and destination dining restaurants. “The renovations to the Vivint Smart Home Arena are about more than concrete, rebar and new blue seats—it’s about enriching lives in our 90

community,” said Gail Miller, owner of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. “This arena will continue to bring our community together and serve as a light to the city, state and world for generations to come.” While no events were held last summer, the facility was still abuzz each day as more than 2,000 workers participated in the project, demolishing concrete walls, removing all the green plastic chairs and building new dining, club and social spaces. Salt Lake City-based Okland Construction served as the general contractor for the project with valuable work from 78 subcontractors. “A tremendous transformation of the arena has resulted in a fan-focused sports and entertainment venue that will delight our guests,” said Steve Starks, president of the Utah Jazz. The lobby is a perfect location to gather, with the box office, Utah Jazz Team Store, full of

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J-Note statue outside northeast door of the Vivint Smart Home Arena. Image courtesy of Brent Asay

unique arena-only merchandise and memorabilia, and easy access to the Toyota Club on level two and the suites on level four. Concourse walls have been removed for the creation of a new porch that gives fans a full view of the lower bowl. What they’re seeing is an ocean of blue with the iconic green plastic chairs being replaced by fully-cushioned seats in both the lower and upper bowls. Fans are able to taste another change. A multitude of food selections—more than 30 restaurants and vendors—have created destination dining with a lineup of new culinary choices. The four corners of the main concourse at Vivint Smart

Home Arena feature specialty menus with barbecue from R&R, hand-tossed pizzas from Maxwell’s, Mexican food from El Chubasco, and gourmet hamburgers and signature beef sandwiches from Cubby’s. Technology has also been deployed to enhance the guest experience through a new mobile Jazz + Vivint app, high-speed public Wi-Fi, cloud-based technology and predictive analytics. More than 400 televisions are located throughout the arena, providing information, directions and a constant eye on what’s happening on the stage or court.

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RESOURCE GUIDE Map of downtown Salt Lake City

LIFE IN UTAH 2018 | SLCHAMBER.com

RESOURCE GUIDE Map of downtown Salt Lake City

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Utah Arts Festival. Image courtesy of Downtown Alliance

Festivals T

GET TO KNOW THE STATE'S UNIQUE CULTURE

here’s no better way to learn about the place you call “home” than through celebration. Utah’s wide variety of celebrations and festivals offer enjoyable glimpses into the state’s artistry, culture, diversity, heritage and history. With festivals centered around topics ranging from Holi to Shakespeare, Utahns of all ages and backgrounds can celebrate both familiar and unexplored facets of their home state. Spend time with friends and loved ones enjoying music, art, outdoor recreation and much more, and discover more of what makes Utah unique. Read on to learn about just some of the events that you won’t want to miss.

APRIL THROUGH MAY Along with welcome warmer temperatures, spring also brings about the arrival of 280,000 beautiful blooming tulips at the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. Spend some time exploring the 55-acre Ashton Gardens and see if you can spot each of the hundreds of tulip varieties on display. All tulips at this festival are imported directly from Holland.

JUNE Surround yourself with plumes of color during the World’s Happiest Transformational Event. Salt Lake City’s Festival of Colors, a celebration of the

LIFE IN UTAH 2018 | SLCHAMBER.com

The Shins play a sell-out show at Ogden Twilight in 2017. Image courtesy of Jared E. Allen

Hindu holiday Holi, includes music, dancing and an abundance of vibrantly colored dry powder. Another popular outdoor event is the Utah Arts Festival, which celebrates the creation and appreciation of multiple disciplines of the arts. Join more than 80,000 art aficionados at

Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City and enjoy music and performing arts, film, street theatre and an artist marketplace. Downtown Salt Lake City is also the setting of the Utah Pride Festival, an empowering celebration of Utah’s LGBTQ+ community that draws

out crowds from all backgrounds for a weekend of love and acceptance. Activities that this festival include the Utah Pride Parade, Utah’s second-largest parade.

JUNE THROUGH AUGUST Musicians from Utah, across the country and around the world come together at Ogden Amphitheater for the Ogden Twilight concert series. Enjoy a wide range of musical genres and outstanding performances for just $5 for advanced tickets. If you enjoy music at higher elevations, Park City’s Beethoven Festival offers live performances of classical music. Watch more than 30 public concerts performed by classical solo artists.

JUNE THROUGH OCTOBER Watch live performances of both classic and modern theatre fare at the Utah Shakespearean Festival, hosted annually on the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City. This festival showcases the work of Shakespeare and his contemporaries and features remarkable acting talent from around the world.

AUGUST Head to downtown Salt Lake City to taste and discover brews from Utah, and all over the country, at the Utah Beer Festival. Attendees of Utah’s largest beer event will be able to sample the some of the best brews and ciders, enjoy food from local vendors, and listen to live local music and DJs. It’s a great way to enjoy the last few days of summer.

AUGUST THROUGH OCTOBER

cultural events in Utah, the Salt Lake Greek Festival showcases the best of Hellenic culture at the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake in downtown Salt Lake City. Enjoy food, live performances and activities, and become “Greek” for a weekend. To immerse yourself in Utah culture, head to the Utah State Fair. This extravaganza offers a rodeo, demolition derby, truck pull, carnival rides and all the fair food you can eat.

DECEMBER Holiday magic is sure to transpire at the Festival of Trees, where hundreds of uniquely decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, playhouses and centerpieces are brought together and auctioned off to raise money for Primary Children’s Hospital. As the year comes to a close, Last Hurrah lights up Salt Lake City with performances and activities for all ages.

An exciting line-up of entertaining activities and events awaits people of all ages at the Duchesne County Fair. This annual event celebrates over 100 years of tradition, and includes barrel racing, a demolition derby, a parade, a rodeo and fireworks. Up at the Snowbird Resort, Utahns can take part in Oktoberfest and enjoy activities, food, and, of course, brews for days.

SEPTEMBER As one of the premier

Ok Go show at Ogden Twilight in 2017. Image courtesy of Jared E. Allen

JULY Celebrate the unofficial birthday of the Beehive State by taking part one of the numerous events associated with the Days of ‘47. This week-long celebration commemorates Pioneer Day— the day Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake valley in 1847. As one of Utah’s largest gatherings, the Days of ‘47 takes place in many communities across the state, and includes a rodeo, parade, fireworks and a day off. Last Hurrah attendees ring in the new year at The Gateway. Image courtesy of Downtown Alliance, David Newkirk Photography

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Event Calendar ACTIVITIES FROM AROUND THE STATE JANUARY Sundance Film Festival

Jan. 18–28: Various Locations sundance.org

FEBRUARY Kanab Balloons & Tunes Roundup Feb. 16–18: Kanab visitsouthernutah.com

MARCH International Sportsmen’s Expo

Mar. 15–18: Mountain America Expo Center, Sandy sportsexpos.com

St. George Art Festival

Mar. 30–31: Historic Town Square, St. George sgartfestival.com

Holi Festival of Colors

Mar. 24–25: Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, Spanish Fork festivalofcolorsusa.com

APRIL SLC Marathon

April 21: Library Square, SLC saltlakecitymarathon.com

Salt Lake Women's Show

Park City Food and Wine Classic

July: Park City parkcityfoodandwineclassic.com

Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre July–Aug: Logan utahfestival.org

Days of ‘47 Parade July 24: Downtown SLC daysof47.com

April 27–28: Mountain America Expo Center, Sandy saltlakewomensshow.com

AUGUST

Tulip Festival

Aug. 6–12: Statewide tourofutah.com

April–May: Thanksgiving Point Gardens, Lehi thanksgivingpoint.org

MAY Utah Pride Festival May 30–June 3: Washington and Library Squares, SLC utahpridecenter.org

JUNE Ogden Twilight

June: Ogden Amphitheater ogdentwilight.com

Utah Arts Festival

June 21–24: Library Square, SLC uaf.org

Utah Shakespeare Festival

June 28–Oct. 20: Southern Utah University, Cedar City bard.org

JULY America’s Freedom Festival July 4: Provo freedomfestival.org

LIFE IN UTAH 2018 | SLCHAMBER.com

Tour of Utah

Bear Lake Raspberry Days Aug: Garden City bearlake.org

Craft Lake City DIY Festival Aug: Downtown SLC craftlakecity.com

Sandy Balloon Festival

Salt Lake Greek Festival

Sept: Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake Community, SLC saltlakegreekfestival.com

Salt Lake Comic Con Sept. 6–8: Salt Palace Convention Center, SLC saltlakecomiccon.com

Dine O’Round Sept: SLC dineoround.com

Xterra Utah Off-Road Triathlon Sept: Ogden and Snowbasin xterraplanet.com

Utah Humanities Book Festival Sept: Statewide utahhumanities.org

NOVEMBER Downtown Lights Lit

Nov: The Gateway, SLC shopthegateway.com

Aug: Sandy sandy.utah.gov

DECEMBER

Oktoberfest

Dec. 1–31: Hogle Zoo, SLC hoglezoo.org

Aug.–Oct: Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort snowbird.com

SEPTEMBER Swiss Days

Sept: Midway midwayswissdays.com

Utah State Fair Sept. 6–16: Utah State Fairgrounds, SLC utahstatefair.com

Zoo Lights On

Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Dec: Mormon Tabernacle, SLC mormontabernaclechoir.org

Festival of Trees

Dec: Mountain America Expo Center, Sandy intermountainhealthcare.org

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