Building Utah

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Downtown Salt Lake City has a lot to offer this holiday season. The Gallivan Center is particularly festive this year, with the 2023 GLOW at Gallivan art experience now in full swing. Program Director of The Blocks Britney Helmers joins us with more. Britney Helmers: The Downtown Alliance and The Blocks Arts District are adding a layer of luminous magic to the Gallivan Plaza this year with the fourth and largest season of GLOW at Gallivan! This season’s art experience is the most magical yet, with more than two dozen larger than life sculptures designed by interior collective celebrating Utah’s diverse natural, cultural and social landscapes. This family friendly attraction is open every evening and completely free! In the middle of this whimsical experience, Gallivan's famous ice-skating rink is open until 10 pm every night, and skates can be rented for just 10 dollars. The Gallivan Center isn’t the only place to celebrate the holidays downtown, either — pay a

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Downtown Farmers Market has once again transitioned out of Pioneer Park and into The Gateway for the winter season. Carly Gillespie, Deputy Director of Urban Food Connections Of Utah, joins us with more. Carly Gillespie: The mission of the Market is to support sustainable, regional agriculture; build community gathering places; increase access to nutritious, local foods in urban areas; and educate the consumer about shopping local. This is our tenth year organizing the winter season – and by far, it is the largest! More than 60 farmers, ranchers, bakers, artists, and makers are setting up their booths indoors for the winter season. Farmers are increasingly using greenhouses in Utah, so new visitors might be surprised by the amount of fresh foods like garlic, carrots, onions and beets. Patrons will also find artisan cheeses, savory sauces and salsas, yummy baked goods and fresh meats. Plus, there is a wonderful, family-friendly atmosphere that is inviting to

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Founded in 2018 in South Salt Lake, Workshop SLC is a vibrant and creative hub dedicated to nurturing artistic talent and fostering a passion for fine arts and ceramics. Owner Lucia Murdock shares more. Lucia Murdock: Workshop SLC’s goal is to bring artistic excellence to the Salt Lake community with a wide range of programs for students of all ages and skill levels. Our mission is to provide a supportive and inspiring environment where artists can explore their creativity, expand their skills and find their unique artistic voice. At Workshop SLC, we believe that art is a powerful medium for self-expression and personal growth, and we are committed to empowering our students to reach their full artistic potential. Our studio is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, providing our members and students with the best possible resources to unleash their creativity. With a team of dedicated and experienced instructors, we are proud to offer an exceptional le

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Craft Lake City is a non-profit organization that works to educate, promote and inspire local artisans while elevating the creative culture of the Utah arts community through science, technology and art. Executive Director Angela H. Brown joins us with more. Angela H. Brown: Craft Lake City’s primary mission is to support local artisans through education, promotion and inspiration. We accomplish this through programming including Craft and STEM Workshops taught by local makers, the Craft Lake City Business Academy and the Youth Artisan Entrepreneur Program as well as events like our Annual DIY Festival, the Holiday Market and LetterWest. We prioritize inclusion by offering scholarships to our events and workshops and work to grow these programs every year. Through Craft Lake City, opportunities to engage with your community are endless. Join us for a workshop and learn a new crafting skill, or check out this month’s free outdoor exhibition along Broadway. If y

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For more than 80 years, the United Service Organization has been the nation’s leading nonprofit organization in serving the men and women of the U.S. military and their families. USO Intermountain Executive Director Tim Mullin joins us with more. Tim Mullin: From the moment people join, through their deployments, and as they transition back to our communities the USO has been by their side. In 2022 alone, the USO served military members and their families more than 10 million times. Thanks in part to the more than 700 employees and nearly 20,000 volunteers worldwide. The USO has locations in more than 85 locations across Europe, Southwest Asia, and the Pacific. There’s even a center at Salt Lake City International Airport. At this location, service members and their families can grab a quick snack, drink, use one of our laptops, or just relax and chill before or after a flight. The USO also hosts or supports on average 10-12 morale-boosting and family-st

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. BH Brand Co. is a women-owned commercial photography business that believes in the power of storytelling. They understand that businesses like yours thrive on authentic imagery that captivates an audience. Founder Becca Hofmann joins us with more. Becca Hofmann: Images are crucial to your business’s success. When done right, they captivate, tell your brand’s story, and connect you with your target audience. BH Brand Co. is a commercial photography and creative direction company that specializes in helping businesses thrive. With over 75 companies and 1000 individuals photographed in the last two years, we understand that you need images that are not just visually stunning, but purposeful too. That’s why we work with you to develop a custom photoshoot design that aligns with your brand's vision, helping you select the right wardrobe, props, and location to create the perfect look and feel. We bring your business to life through high-quality commercial photography

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. AMD Architecture, a woman-owned full-service design firm, prides themselves on truly understanding their clients’ needs and finding creative solutions for even the most complex designs. Founder and Principal Architect Angela Dean shares more. Angela Dean: I founded AMD Architecture in 1997 with the goal of providing quality architecture that is equally responsible to both clients and the greater environment. We find joy in approaching each project as a unique opportunity to explore creative, timeless and sustainable solutions. With diverse projects spanning from the Wasatch peaks to southern Utah deserts, we specialize in custom homes, historic preservation, commercial adaptive reuse, education, entertainment and more. Our expertise in sustainable design ranges from off-grid straw bale homes to LEED platinum certified medical clinics. In addition to our commitment to the environment through design, we prioritize our community and future workforce by providing sc

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Hilton Salt Lake City Center is a premier hotel located in the middle of downtown’s entertainment and business districts. With amenities ranging from event accommodations to on-site car rentals, the space is designed to ensure a delightful experience for all guests. Marion Neversummer shares more. Marion Neversummer: Hilton Salt Lake City Center is celebrating four decades of hospitality, offering upscale sophistication. Nestled in the heart of the convention district, our urban oasis invites you to experience the vibrancy of the city from the comfort of the hotel. Indulge in our meticulous guest rooms and suites with unparalleled mountain and cityscape views. Elevate your gatherings in our expansive event spaces and choose from a variety of catered options from our award-winning culinary team. Visit Spencer’s for Steaks & Chops for seasonal delights and classic dishes. Our new Rare Room offers prohibition-era cocktails, rich bites, and an ambiance of mystery

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Proximity, tech solutions for political campaigns, believes in helping good leaders become great candidates. They do this by providing tools and resources to improve election literacy, enhance political campaign innovation and foster equitable access and pathways to civic leadership. CEO Becki Wright joins us with more. Becki Wright: There are over half a million elected offices in the US today, and depending on race level, anywhere from 2 to 10 candidates run for each seat. Proximity is professionalizing and revolutionizing the way political campaigns are run and won. Whether left of center or right of center, we all agree far more than our election cycle would have us believe. Our own Governor reminds us: we need to disagree better. And we need candidates who are representative of you and me. But the problem exists that it’s difficult to start a political campaign, and it’s difficult to finish running that campaign well. I created Proximity to bring polit

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. GREENbike’s goal as a non-profit bike share is to help provide another form of transportation to the residents of Salt Lake City and Ogden, and one that is healthy and environmentally friendly. Executive Director Stan Penfold joins us with more. Stan Penfold: GREENbike aims to reduce carbon emissions and automobile traffic congestion by taking cars off the road while simultaneously encouraging healthy lifestyles through physical activity and a renewed interest in cycling as an effective means of transportation as well as exercise. Through our bike share program, we strive to improve the livability of the Wasatch Front and create a vibrant, thriving community. Bike sharing is a new kind of public transportation that makes urban bike commuting easy, fun and affordable. Bike stations are currently placed in strategic locations around town to create a network that’s useful for both residents and visitors. This past year alone, we opened 8 new stations and expanded

DEREK MILLER:  This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. In today's business landscape, high employee turnover rates have become a significant challenge, with a staggering 57 percent of companies struggling to retain their workforce. Local company Smart Resources™ is a revolutionary solution in labor management working to tackle this pressing issue head on. Owner Ted Browman shares about their journey and more. TED BROWMAN: We are people people. Our story began when I owned a large warehouse fulfillment center. Like many businesses, we were facing labor challenges. We tried traditional staffing agencies, but that hindered our growth. That's when Smart Resources™ was born.  Today, we're transforming labor management with our six divisions: Smart Trades, Smart Search, Smart Consulting, Smart Staffing, Smart HR and Smart Gigs. Each division focuses on different verticals, ensuring customized and industry-specific support.  Your success is our success, and we're proud to offer services across Utah, Texas a

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Open Streets is back in downtown Salt Lake City and better than ever. You might think you know what to expect, but get ready to be surprised and delighted by this year’s new improvements. Josh Jones with the Downtown Alliance joins us with more. Josh Jones: Derek, imagine an urban mini golf course, free yoga sessions, a silent disco, muralists, and lots of free concerts, all of it cascading down Main Street every Friday and Saturday this October. This Open Streets is actually a packed confetti cannon of fun thanks to our BLOCKS team who have curated talented artists and programmers from all across the valley. AND, the best part: it is entirely free. Each weekend has different activities and entertainment, so be sure to check out our website for what’s happening this weekend. We hope the community will wander down to Main Street without a ticket and explore and discover their city. There are more than 170 bars and restaurants downtown, and more than 30 on Main

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Drawing inspiration from the world’s landmark hotels, The Grand America Hotel exudes charm and luxury, holds a five-star service spa, and houses a variety of award-winning culinary options. General Manager Chris Erickson shares more. CHRIS ERICKSON: At The Grand America, excellence is in the details. From the finely trimmed topiaries and the coordinated bloom of tulips each spring to the carefully sliced tea sandwiches and the curated art on display. The hotel’s commitment to the details is a commitment to perfect place settings at every table in the Grand Ballroom, and a warm welcome waiting every time a bellman opens our golden doors. Every night a symphony of precision unfolds behind the scenes. The dedicated night crew ensures that each new day at The Grand is as enchanting as the one before. The Grand America takes unseen measures to ensure the 10-acre property is meticulously maintained, from the 775 guest rooms and suites to the 100,000 sq. ft. of meeti

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Utah Aerospace and Defense Association recently announced former Congressman Chris Stewart as their new Chair. He will help the organization continue to build the world’s premier aerospace and defense ecosystem in Utah. Former Congressman Chris Stewart tells us more. CONGRESSMAN CHRIS STEWART: The Utah Aerospace and Defense Association is charting an ambitious course for our state - to build the world’s premier ecosystem for aerospace and defense companies in Utah. We convene, advocate, and promote companies that are developing next-generation technologies to keep our nation safe and Utah’s economy strong. Utah is home to the world’s largest small satellite conference each year that draws thousands of leading researchers from around the world. A Utah company recently developed the technology astronauts rely on for oxygen in space. As a former world-record-holding Air Force pilot, I understand the importance of our state’s military assets to our quality o

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. At $36.5 billion in assets, MidFirst Bank is the largest privately owned bank in the nation as of June, and this combination of size and private ownership provides its customers a special brand of banking. Utah Market Executive Chris Tillack joins us with more. CHRIS TILLACK: With 36 consecutive years of profitability, MidFirst Bank has a long history of managing interest rate risk and hedging against it. Our highly diversified model, along with a significant amount of liquidity, provides strength and stability. MidFirst Bank offers a full range of commercial, trust, private banking and mortgage banking products and services. It is also part of the Midland Group, which is one of the largest mortgage service providers in the country. While our portfolio of services competes with those of the larger banks, our people and culture truly make all the difference. MidFirst Bank provides exceptional financial and deeply committed customer service. No matter the locat

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For 75 years, Chevron’s Salt Lake Refinery has provided affordable, reliable, ever-cleaner energy for Utah. Chevron Technical Manager at the Salt Lake Refinery, Linda Bachmeier joins us with more. LINDA BACHMEIER: When the Chevron Salt Lake Refinery started up in 1948 it played a crucial role in Utah’s history—fueling industry and growth after World War Two when demand for automotive products grew rapidly. In our 75-year history, the refinery has evolved to meet Utah’s changing needs. The refinery started as a simple facility making only low-octane gasoline and kerosene and has grown to a complex facility producing gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The refinery was and still is a crucial link between Rocky Mountain crude and communities across the Intermountain West. At Chevron, we pride ourselves on working to solve today’s biggest challenges, like air quality. We’ve invested in technology to reduce refinery emissions by almost 90 percent since the 1990s.

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. This year, Utah Arts Alliance celebrates its 20th anniversary. The organization has blossomed from its grassroots beginnings into a dynamic cultural organization that brings engaging arts experiences to hundreds of thousands of individuals annually in Utah. Founder and Executive Director Derek Dyer is here to tell us more. DEREK DYER: The mission of Utah Arts Alliance is to foster the arts in all forms in order to create an aware, empowered, and connected community. Each year, we support over 2,000 artists and engage more than 350,000 community members across Utah. Our six cultural facilities expand public access to the arts and give artists and creatives opportunities to thrive. These include Dreamscapes – Immersive Art Experience, Urban Arts Gallery, Counterpoint Studios, the SLC Arts Hub, Alliance Theater, and the Art Castle. Each venue is unique, and accommodates a wide range of activities while serving as creative incubators for artists, performance groups,

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, Kimpton Hotel Monaco offers guests a unique boutique experience with outstanding amenities and unmatched hospitality. To share more about the hotel’s latest transformation is General Manager Nathan Sporbert. NATHAN SPORBERT: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen Utah’s tourism industry not only recover, but start to boom. Salt Lake City specifically has seen an increase in visitors. Originally opened in 1999, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City was overdue for some cosmetic and structural changes to match this upbeat direction. Earlier this year, we embarked on a four-month long renovation that would pair our bespoke hospitality with a clean and modern aesthetic. Every facet of the hotel was reimagined – from the guestrooms and public spaces to the beloved Bambara restaurant and new cocktail-forward bar, The Vault. We’re now fully reopened, and our hope is that we can provide a major, positive impac

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Executive Director Stacie Kulp joins us with more. STACIE KULP: Alzheimer’s disease is arguably the most tragic and challenging health issue facing America today. It is the 7th-leading cause of death, and the only major disease without a prevention or cure. For 34,000 Utahns living with Alzheimer’s, as well as the 99,000 loved ones who provide unpaid care for them, you don’t have to face this disease alone. The Alzheimer’s Association is an essential resource, providing valuable information, programs and services, all at no charge to Utah families. In addition, the Association is the world’s leading non-profit funder of research to find a cure. To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, go to alz.org, or call our free Helpline at 800-272-3

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Get Healthy Utah is a non-profit organization working to improve healthy eating and active living in the state. It envisions a Utah where a culture of health permeates every Utah community. Executive Director Alysia Ducuara us with more. ALYSIA DUCUARA: Many people think of healthy behavior as an individual responsibility. At Get Healthy Utah, we understand that our health also depends on where we live, work, and play. Imagine two people. One lives in a neighborhood without safe walking or biking paths, a dozen fast food places but no grocery store, and a work environment of donuts and sitting all day. The other lives near parks, trails, grocery stores, and community gardens. Their employer has a great wellness program, with paid time to exercise. Who’s more likely to have a higher quality of life and productivity? Get Healthy Utah’s mission is to improve healthy eating, active living, and mental wellbeing. We partner with leaders across the state to build h