Southern Utah Economic Summit Highlights Key Economic Drivers
Cedar City, Utah –The Cedar City Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah), hosted the Southern Utah International Business Forum & Cedar City Economic Summit at Southern Utah University in Cedar City. WTC Utah presented the Vanguard in International Business Award to Squatty Potty and the Champion for International Business Award to Cedar City-Iron County Office of Economic Development
“Squatty Potty and the Cedar City Iron County Office of Economic Development are changing the Southern Utah economy for the better,” said Derek B. Miller, World Trade Center Utah president and CEO. “Southern Utah boasts strong entrepreneurial spirit and creativity. The hardworking, innovative people found in the region are truly its greatest resource.”
WTC Utah presented the Vanguard in International Business Award to Squatty Potty for its international growth. The Squatty Potty is a specialty wellness stool that is designed to cure bathroom problems by aligning the human form in a more natural way. Squatty Potty has grown the international share of its business from 1 percent to 4 percent over the last several years, and they plan to grow to 10 percent international sales by the end of this year.
The Champion for International Business Award was presented to Cedar City-Iron County Office of Economic Development for growing Southern Utah’s economy. Iron County’s economy is growing at a rate of 5.9 percent, which is significantly higher than the 2015 state average of 3.7 percent.
The two-part summit included a lunch forum with a keynote address by Gov. Gary Herbert, remarks by WTC Utah President and CEO Derek B. Miller, and an Export Pro Series featuring local successful businesses.
Gov. Herbert spoke about Utah’s strong, growing economy. He stressed the significance of creating a good economic environment for businesses and entrepreneurs.
“The most important aspect of success is good soil. Even if you have marginal seeds, if there is good soil, they will grow.” said Gov. Gary Herbert. “There is no better place to plant seeds than in Utah.”
Attendees also heard from an Export Pro Series of successful local companies that have expanded internationally. Speakers included Mike Green, CEO at G.O. Green Enterprises, Brian Dalley, director of Engineering at Casino Game Maker, and Bobby Edwards CEO & co-founder of Squatty Potty.
During the evening portion of the event, the Cedar City-Iron County Office of Economic Development presented the 2016 Economic Driver Award to the Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Cedar City Chamber presented the Friend of the Chamber Award to Rocky Mountain Power.
More than 220 local business leaders from Iron, Washington, Garfield, and Kane counties attended one or both meetings of the Southern Utah International Business Forum and Cedar City Economic Summit.
ABOUT WORLD TRADE CENTER UTAH
World Trade Center Utah is a private, nonprofit organization that’s mission is to accelerate international growth for Utah companies through our global network, programs, and services. Officially joining the World Trade Center Association in 2007, the organization has helped companies throughout the state actualize their global potential and was recognized with the 2021 President’s “E” Award for Export Service — the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. For more information, visit wtcutah.com or follow @WTCUtah on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
