More than 150 business leaders gathered in Price today to talk about business growth
World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah), in conjunction with Carbon County Economic Development, hosted the Business Innovation Summit of Eastern Utah today at the Carbon County Fairgrounds in Price. The event included a keynote address by Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox, the presentation of the Vanguard in International Business Award to Synergy and the presentation of the Champion for International Business Award to Charlie DeLorme.
“It is a pleasure to honor Synergy and Charlie DeLorme for their efforts to grow international business in Utah and improve their local economies,” said Derek B. Miller, World Trade Center Utah president and CEO. “Eastern Utah is a trove of well-established businesses and beautiful landscapes and we are excited to share how these assets can be leveraged internationally to help companies, the community, and the state prosper.”
WTC Utah presented the Vanguard in International Business Award to Synergy for its outstanding work in exporting. Synergy produces high-quality, non-genetically modified health supplements with sustainable packaging. The company was founded in the early 1990’s by Mitchell May and has been privately and family owned ever since. Synergy started exporting in 1995 and now sells its products in 55 countries.
The Champion for International Business Award was presented to Charlie DeLorme for his outstanding impact on international tourism in the eastern regions of Utah. DeLorme began overseeing San Juan County’s economic development and visitor services in 2006. Since then, the proportion of international visitors in the area has grown from 52 percent to 80 percent, resulting in an increase of transient room tax revenue from $200,000 to nearly $1 million.
At the event, Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox spoke about the importance of exporting and how exporting elevates the Utah economy. He also stressed the significance of growing small businesses in rural areas of the state.
“It is exciting to see so many people from Eastern Utah interested in growing small businesses.” said Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox. “This region of our state has some incredible opportunities for growth. Attending these forums is the first step for companies to gain access to the millions of potential customers that exist outside of the U.S.”
In addition to the keynote by the Lt. Gov. Cox, attendees had the opportunity to hear from a panel of successful local exporters including Colleen Loveless with Love Less Ash Company, Craig Parry with Parr Brown, Frank Reid with iGlobal, and Charlie DeLorme with Utah Tourism. The event also featured speakers who gave presentations on how to grow a small business.
More than 150 local business leaders from Duchesne, Daggett, Uintah, Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan counties attended the Business Innovation Summit of Eastern Utah.