Join us at Utah Business Forward, the premier conference designed exclusively for executives seeking practical insights and actionable strategies to propel their businesses forward. This dynamic event brings together Utah’s brightest business minds, curated specifically to address the challenges faced by today’s executives.
Where Utah’s brightest business minds address the challenges faced by today’s executives.
Presented By:
Where Utah’s brightest business minds address the challenges faced by today’s executives.
November 20, 2024 at The Grand America Hotel
With six distinct tracks covering acquisitions, AI, branding, entrepreneurship, people & culture, and performance, attendees will gain invaluable knowledge across a range of crucial areas. Our hand-picked session speakers are industry experts renowned for their expertise and success in Utah’s vibrant business landscape.
- General Sessions
- Acquisitions Track
- AI Track
- Branding Track
- Entrepreneurship Track
- People & Culture Track
- Performance Track
Time
Topic
Speaker
7:00 - 7:30 AM
CHECK IN FOR BREAKFAST WITH AN EXPERT (PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
Scott Anderson, Tunisha Brown, Cheryle Caplinger, Gary Crittenden, Kurt Dirks, Dr. Angela Dunn, Mike Headrick, Rose Maizner, Patrick Manning, Robert Pedersen, Nubia Peña, Bill Schuffenhauer
7:30 - 8:30 AM
GENERAL REGISTRATION, BREAKFAST & NETWORKING
N/A
8:30 - 8:45 AM
WELCOME
Melanie Jones, Burke Olsen
8:45 - 9:15 AM
Opening Keynote
Steven Sharp Nelson
9:20 - 11:30 AM
Breakout Tracks
See other tabs
11:45 - 12:30 PM
Lunch
N/A
12:30 - 1:15 PM
Return to Office (Without Mutiny)
Jeanette Bennett, Arian Lewis, Linda Llewelyn, Trent Savage Connie Washington
1:15 - 4:20 PM
Breakout Tracks
See other tabs
4:20 - 4:30 PM
Break
N/A
4:30 - 5:00 PM
Main Stage closing keynote
Hannah & Daniel Neeleman
5:00 - 5:10 PM
Closing Remarks & Drawing
Burke Olsen
5:15 - 6:15 PM
VIP Afterparty (Pre-registration required)
N/A
The Acquisitions track provides insights for business leaders seeking to expand through strategic acquisitions, covering topics such as identifying targets, conducting due diligence, negotiating deals, and successfully integrating acquired companies.
Time
Topic
Speaker
9:20 - 10:20 AM
Dealmaking in 2024
Troy Keller
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Buy, don't build: How Smart Entrepreneurs Fast-Track Growth Through Acquisition
Heather Griffith Barber
11:45 - 12:30 PM
Lunch
N/A
1:15 - 2:15 PM
What Story Do Your Financials Tell?
Patrick McMillan
2:25 - 3:25 PM
Accelerating Growth: The Power of Acquisition Funding
Omar Melo
3:25 - 3:35 PM
Break
N/A
3:35 - 4:20 PM
Q&A Panel
Track Speakers
The AI track explores the transformative power of artificial intelligence in optimizing processes, enhancing decision-making, improving customer experiences, and driving innovation across industries, with guidance on implementing AI solutions effectively and ethically.
The AI Track is Sponsored by:
Time
Topic
Speaker
9:20 - 10:20 AM
You Will Be Replaced by Someone Who Uses AI
Matt Harrison
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Google & Goliath: How Small Businesses Can Leverage AI to Punch Above Their Weight
Clémence Roger
11:45 - 12:30 PM
Lunch
N/A
1:15 - 2:15 PM
Leveraging Uniqueness with AI
Br33 Jon3s
2:25 - 3:25 PM
Demystifying AI for Business Innovation: Strategies for Competitive Advantage
Tyler Folkman
3:25 - 3:35 PM
Break
N/A
3:35 - 4:20 PM
Q&A Panel
Track Speakers
The Branding track empowers entrepreneurs and marketers to create strong, authentic brand identities by sharing proven strategies for crafting compelling brand narratives, engaging target audiences, and leveraging various channels to build brand awareness and loyalty.
The Branding Track is Sponsored by:
Time
Topic
Speaker
9:20 - 10:20 AM
Sensory Branding Experiences
Fernanda Böhme
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Economical Branding Guide for Everyday Businesses
Jen Hunsaker
11:45 - 12:30 PM
Lunch
N/A
1:15 - 2:15 PM
Leveraging Personal and Professional Branding to Build an E-commerce Business
Karalynne Call
2:25 - 3:25 PM
Behind the Campaign: Silent Night on Times Square
Chris Carlson and Jeff Taylor
3:25 - 3:35 PM
Break
N/A
3:35 - 4:20 PM
Q&A Panel
Track Speakers
The Entrepreneurship track is designed to guide aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs in building successful ventures, covering ideation, validation, funding, scaling, and navigating the challenges of starting and growing a business in today’s competitive market.
The Entrepreneurship Track is Sponsored by:
Time
Topic
Speaker
9:20 - 10:20 AM
Igniting Startup Breakthroughs
Curt Doman & Cord Bowen
10:30 - 11:30 AM
From Startup to Scaleup
Nicole Tanner
11:45 - 12:30 PM
Lunch
N/A
1:15 - 2:15 PM
Business Exponential: Pivoting Your Small Business
Dr. Sidni L. Shorter
2:25 - 3:25 PM
Strategic Exits
Paul Burgon
3:35 - 4:20 PM
Q&A Panel
Track Speakers
The People & Culture track focuses on the critical role of human capital in driving organizational success, providing insights on building and nurturing a strong, inclusive company culture, attracting and retaining top talent, developing effective leadership skills, and fostering employee engagement and well-being.
The People & Culture Track is Sponsored by:
Time
Topic
Speaker
9:20 - 10:20 AM
Radical Accountability
Dave Durocher
10:30 - 11:30 AM
The Connected Leader
Julie Lee
11:45 - 12:30 PM
Lunch
N/A
1:15 - 2:15 PM
The Power of We
Heather Brace
2:25 - 3:25 PM
Building Culture at Scale
Junghun Song and Dok Kwon
3:25 - 3:35 PM
Break
N/A
3:35 - 4:20 PM
Q&A
Track Speakers
The Performance track is designed to help business leaders and managers optimize their teams and operations for peak performance, covering strategies for goal-setting, productivity, performance management, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement to achieve sustainable growth and success.
Time
Topic
Speaker
9:20 - 10:20 AM
Bring Your Best Self to Work
Lyn Christian
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Negotiating Like a Boss: Contract Tricks and Traps for Business Leaders
Nicolas Wenker
11:45 - 12:30 PM
Lunch
N/A
1:15 - 2:15 PM
How To Sell Like a Buyer
Justin Ashby
2:25 - 3:25 PM
How to Build a High-Performing Team
Lynne Roberts
3:25 - 3:35 PM
Break
N/A
3:35 - 4:20 PM
Q&A
Track Speakers
2024 Speakers
Meet our track speakers by clicking on the navigation/filter buttons on the left.