SALT LAKE CITY (December 12, 2025) – Today, the Utah Chamber, Salt Lake Chamber and the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute announced Governor Spencer J. Cox and former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema will host the second keynote session at the 2026 Utah Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit, the state’s premier economic forecasting and public policy event attended by policy, business and academic thought leaders from across the state.
Together, they will lead a keynote address titled “Policy, Partnership and Prosperity: A Discussion with Governor Spencer J. Cox & Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema,” a candid conversation moderated by Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and associate dean of the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, on the policies and partnerships that will shape the economic future of Utah and the nation. Business leaders will have an insightful opportunity to hear directly from political leaders on how collaboration across levels of government and across political differences can strengthen Utah’s business climate.
“Now more than ever, Governor Cox and former Senator Sinema’s expert insight on how to communicate across government levels and varying political differences is essential to our business community,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Utah Chamber and Salt Lake Chamber. “Their discussion will offer practical, valuable insights for business leaders to stay competitive while being collaborative in today’s environment.”
Governor Cox has a long track record of public service, serving as a city council member, mayor, county commissioner and state legislator before being appointed as Utah’s lieutenant governor in 2013. He was sworn in as governor on January 4, 2021.
Senator Sinema currently serves as the president and CEO of the Arizona Business Roundtable, is a senior advisor at Hogan Lovells and a member of Coinbase’s Global Advisory Council. She is a distinguished professor of practice at the Arizona State University School of Social Work.
The Utah Chamber, Salt Lake Chamber and Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute will host the Utah Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit on January 16, 2026, at The Grand America Hotel. The Summit presents an unrivaled opportunity for attendees to gain insights into the future of Utah’s economy and the business community’s policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
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This year’s sponsors include Clyde Companies, Inc., AT&T, Zions Bank, Chartway Credit Union, Enbridge Gas Inc., Mountain America Credit Union, The Larry H. Miller Company and Visit Salt Lake. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and added weekly until sold out.
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ABOUT THE UTAH CHAMBER
The Utah Chamber is a statewide chamber of commerce, representing the diverse voices of the state’s 80,000-plus employers and employees. The Chamber unites the voices of Utah businesses, local chambers and industry associations to build a stronger business environment, increase healthy job creation and support prosperous communities across the state.
ABOUT THE SALT LAKE CHAMBER
The Salt Lake Chamber is Utah’s largest and longest-serving business association. It represents the broad interests of the Salt Lake metropolitan area, its employers, chamber members and employees. With roots that date back to 1887, the Chamber stands as the voice of business, supports its members’ success and champions community prosperity.
ABOUT THE KEM C. GARDNER POLICY INSTITUTE
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute serves Utah by preparing economic, demographic and public policy research that helps the state prosper. We are Utah’s demographic experts, leaders in the Utah economy and specialists in public policy and survey research. We are an honest broker of INFORMED RESEARCH, which guides INFORMED DISCUSSIONS and leads to INFORMED DECISIONS™. For more information, please visit gardner.utah.edu or call 801-587-3717.
SESSION INFORMATION:
Policy, Partnership and Prosperity: A Discussion with Governor Spencer J. Cox & Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema
This session brings together Governor Spencer J. Cox and former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona) for a candid conversation on the policies and partnerships that will shape Utah’s and our country’s economic future. With a focus on pragmatism and problem-solving, they will discuss how collaboration across levels of government and across political differences can strengthen Utah’s business climate, support smart growth and keep the state competitive in a changing economy. Together, their discussion will offer practical insights for business leaders on how principled partnership can strengthen Utah’s future and support long-term prosperity.
