2022 Annual Luncheon

Event Date: Nov 16

REGISTER NOW for the Utah Foundation’s 2022 Annual Luncheon. It will take place on November 16th at the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek. The event will run from noon to 1:30. We are pleased to announce that our keynote speaker will be Michael B. Horn. He is the author of several books, including the award-winning Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns; Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools; Choosing … Continued

Past Event: Breakfast Briefing: How Utah Can Thrive in a Clean Economy

Event Date: May 17

How Utah Can Survive — and Thrive — in a Greening Economy With the rapid emergence in recent years of a “New Climate Economy,” many state and local economies face a basic challenge: Get onboard or get left behind. Such efforts are taking place around the world. In the U.S., innovations and other measures from the private sector, along with policy pressures and investments from the federal government, provide states with both challenges and a … Continued

Past Event: Breakfast Briefing: Housing Challenges, the Missing Middle and the Future of Utah Communities

Event Date: Mar 22

Is it time to rethink how we create housing in Utah? Homeownership is moving out of reach for more and more Utahns. The state faces a never-before-seen squeeze on housing supply. The population is quickly expanding. The demographics are changing. In short, Utah faces unprecedented housing challenges. On March 22, 2022, the Utah Foundation held an important Breakfast Briefing seeking to address these challenges, with concrete answers to the big questions, such as: How can … Continued

Past Event: Breakfast Briefing: A New Administration, a New Air Quality Strategy?

Event Date: Oct 13

Can Utah Step Up its Game on Air Quality? As we emerge from a summer when the relief from hazy skies was nowhere to be found — and with the winter inversion season looming — the question arises: How will a rapidly growing Utah grapple with the air quality challenges ahead? What new strategies will the Cox-Henderson administration bring to the table? What should be our top priorities for reducing pollutants? What concrete steps can … Continued

Past Event: 2021 Annual Luncheon

Event Date: Sep 23

REGISTER NOW for Utah Foundation’s 2021 Annual Luncheon. It will take place on September 23rd in-person in the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek as well as online for those who prefer to connect remotely. The event will run from noon to 1:30. Keynote Speaker We are pleased to announce that our keynote speaker will be Shaylyn Romney Garrett, co-author with Robert Putnam of the influential new book, The Upswing: How America Came Together … Continued

Past Event: Breakfast Briefing: Mental Health in Anxious Times

Event Date: Aug 26

Lockdowns. Social isolation. Unrest. Soaring drug overdose deaths. Health worries. Economic anxiety. This decade is off to a challenging start for our nation’s sense of well-being. On August 26, the Utah Foundation will hold an important Breakfast Briefing focusing on the Beehive State’s mental health challenges and what we can do to address them. Our panelists include: Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Brigham Young University. Dr. Holt-Lunstad is a nationally-recognized expert on … Continued

Past Event: Breakfast Briefing: Health Care Costs and Access

Event Date: May 13

Addressing Utahns’ Top Priority: Health Care Costs and Access In 2020, as in 2016, Utah Foundation discovered that the No. 1 concern of Utah voters is health care costs and access. With the support of Intermountain Healthcare, we launched our 2021 Breakfast Briefing series on May 13 with a discussion of how we can better manage costs while expanding access. We covered cost challenges ranging from pharmaceuticals to Medicaid. We also explored issues related to … Continued

Past Event: Breakfast Briefing: Homeless in Salt Lake City

Event Date: Nov 10

Join Utah Foundation and the University of Utah’s College of Social and Behavioral Science from 9am to 10am on Tuesday, November 10, for: Homeless in Salt Lake: The COVID-19 Response and People on Streets How have Utah’s homeless service providers dealt with the pandemic? Where are the efforts to address service gaps going? How should we approach those who remain on the streets from a policy standpoint? This discussion will feature a panel of experts: … Continued

Past Event: 2020 Annual Luncheon and 75th Anniversary Celebration

Event Date: Sep 17

REGISTER NOW for Utah Foundation’s 2020 Annual Luncheon and 75th Anniversary Celebration. It will take place on September 17th in-person in the Grand America’s Imperial Ballroom as well as online for those who prefer to connect remotely. The event will run from noon to 1:30. Conversation with the Next Governor During the luncheon, we will hear from gubernatorial candidates Spencer Cox and Chris Peterson. KSL TV’s Deanie Wimmer will lead the discussion to address Utah’s … Continued

Past Event: Breakfast Briefing: Bridging Economic Divides in Utah

Event Date: Jun 30

Join Utah Foundation and the University of Utah’s College of Social and Behavioral Science from 9am to 10am on Tuesday, June 30, for: Bridging Economic Divides in Utah: Creating Opportunities, Addressing Disparities. One of Utah’s strengths has been its relatively low level of economic inequality. How do we build on this strength? How do we address existing challenges? This discussion will feature a panel of University of Utah experts: Dr. Sara Grineski, Professor of Sociology … Continued

Past Event: Breakfast Briefing: Game Changers

Event Date: Dec 17

Four major projects are expected to have significant impacts on Utah’s economy. These “Game Changers” include the new airport, another bid for the Winter Olympics, the inland port and the prison relocation. Utah Foundation will be talking about these projects, the connections between them and their impacts on the broader community at a breakfast event on Tuesday, December 17th. Our panelists include: Fraser Bullock, Co-Founder, Senior Advisor, Sorenson Capital; COO/CFO, Salt Lake Organizing Committee for … Continued

Past Event: Breakfast Briefing: Expanding Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Efforts in Utah

Event Date: Nov 12

Join Utah Foundation and the University of Utah’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences from 8 to 9:30 am on Tuesday, November 12, for: Expanding Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Efforts in Utah  There’s no charge to attend and a continental breakfast is included. However, we do ask that you RSVP, here. Moderating the event will be Jeremy Harris, reporter, KUTV news. Our panel will include some of the leading figures confronting Utah’s mental health … Continued

Past Event: Breakfast Briefing: Addressing the Challenges of Housing Affordability

Event Date: Sep 04

Join Utah Foundation from 8 to 9:15 am on Wednesday, September 4, for a critical policy discussion on the range of challenges that affect housing affordability, from the greening of Utah’s housing stock to rental and ownership strategies. Thanks to our sponsor, Garbett Homes, there’s no charge to attend and a continental breakfast is included. However, we do ask that you RSVP, here. Our panel will include some of the leading figures confronting Utah’s housing … Continued

Past Event: Breakfast Briefing: Building Community into Growth

Event Date: Jun 20

Join Utah Foundation from 8 to 9:30 am on Thursday, June 20, for a critical policy discussion on how we can maintain connectivity, community and quality of life in the face of rapid population growth. Thanks to our sponsor, UTA, there’s no charge to attend and a continental breakfast is included. However, we do ask that you RSVP, here. Our panel will include some of the leading figures confronting Utah’s growth challenges: Cameron Diehl, Utah … Continued

Past Event: 2019 Annual Luncheon with Robert Putnam

Event Date: May 21

Keynote Utah Foundation is pleased to announce that renowned Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam will serve as the keynote speaker at our Annual Luncheon on May 21 at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. Professor Putnam is the author of the landmark work on social capital, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. He is also the author of the recent best-seller, Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis. Join us to hear one of America’s foremost public … Continued

Past Event: Breakfast with Governor Gary Herbert

Event Date: Dec 06

The November election results will force momentous decisions pertaining to health care and education — in a legislative session with ambitions for tax reform. Meanwhile, voters approved a constitutional amendment that could shift the balance of power. Governor Gary Herbert will provide insights on the results of the midterm elections, his hopes for the 2019 session and his priorities for the coming year.   We’ll meet for breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m., Thursday, December … Continued

Past event: 2018 Annual Luncheon

Event Date: Oct 24

Utah Foundation’s Annual Luncheon at the Grand America Guest Speaker BYU professor Adam Brown was the keynote speaker at our 2018 Annual Luncheon. Dr. Brown is the author of an intriguing new book in time for election season, Utah Politics and Government: American Democracy among a Unique Electorate. Honorees Utah Foundation honored Ret. Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine Durham with our 2018 Insight Award and Union Pacific with our new Civic Cornerstone Award.  

Past event: The Future of Transportation in Utah

Event Date: Jul 10

Join Utah Foundation for a policy discussion about the future landscape of transportation. How is technology changing the way people will get from point A to B in Utah? How should policymakers respond? We’ll meet to discuss these questions and more at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 10th, at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy. There’s no charge to attend and a continental breakfast is included. Our speakers include: David Christensen, Executive Director of USU’s … Continued

Past event: Practical Solutions for Utah’s Air Quality Problems

Event Date: Feb 20

Join Utah Foundation for a policy discussion on solutions to Utah’s persistent air quality issues. We’ll meet at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20th in the Founders Room on the 18th Floor of the Zions Bank building at 1 South Main in Salt Lake City. (There’s no charge to attend and a continental breakfast is included.) Our speakers include Dr. Kerry Kelly, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Utah and a past … Continued

Past event: Homelessness: Exploring Solutions

Event Date: Nov 15

Utah has made some big commitments to address the problem of homelessness. What’s the strategy? Where do things stand? What lies ahead? Please join us for a breakfast at the State Capitol Auditorium at 7:30 a.m.on Wednesday, November 15th. We’ll hear from top legislative leaders, Senate President Wayne Niederhauser and House Speaker Greg Hughes. Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, who oversees the state’s efforts to address homelessness, will discuss the state’s strategy. And Jennifer Steele from the Department of … Continued

Past event: Leadership Matters: Celebrating 16 Years of Insight

Event Date: Jun 15

For the past 16 years — almost a quarter of its history — Steve Kroes has been at the helm of Utah Foundation, Utah’s pre-eminent public policy research group. In those 16 years, we’ve seen a lot of change: 760,000 more Utahns, two recessions, a growing economy, and Utah Foundation’s influence expanding through all of these developments. As Steve prepares to move on to the next phase of his career, come join us to celebrate … Continued

Past event: Policy in a Pub #2

Event Date: May 17

Utah Foundation’s first Policy in a Pub event in November was a grand success, with a great crowd at Squatters listening to conversation about the election just a couple of days before. We hope now you’ll join us for the second in the series on Wednesday, May 17th at 5:00 p.m. This time we’ll be talking about education funding with three of Utah’s top education leaders: Sydnee Dickson, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Heidi … Continued

Past event: Holding Our Breath

Event Date: Nov 16

Salt Lake City’s Capitol Hill is a good place to see the pollution trapped by winter inversions along the Wasatch Front. Some days it’s thick as soup, other days it’s the most splendid view you could imagine. What do we do on those ugly days — and how do we keep the bad ones from getting worse? We’ll have a panel of legislators and other experts to weigh in on what’s been done so far … Continued

Past event: Policy in a Pub

Event Date: Nov 10

After the rancor and noise of this election season, you might feel like drowning your sorrows in the company of friends. But even if you don’t imbibe, you’re invited to join a conversation in a pub with Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox (a Republican) and Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams (a Democrat). What’s the result of local elections and of the furious presidential campaign that has shredded past norms of political discourse? And what … Continued

Past event: Have Lunch with Utah’s Next Governor

Event Date: Mar 24

Don’t miss your first opportunity to see all four major party candidates for Governor of Utah offering their competing visions for Utah’s future. Since 2004, Utah Foundation has conducted the Utah Priorities Project in years with a gubernatorial election. With the help of Dan Jones & Associates, we’ve surveyed Utah voters statewide, asking about the issues they see as most important. Based on their responses, we rank the top ten issues and then ask the … Continued