Residential Real Estate: What happened and how did it happen?
This breakout will look back at the wild ride of 2005 that has brought us into today's market. Vardell Curtis, Chief Executive Officer for the Washington County Board of REALTORS® will again take a comparative look at the real estate industry from a national, state and most importantly, a local vantage point. After a significant market adjustment, many now look with uncertainty toward the economic future of real estate in Southern Utah. Vardell will not offer rose-colored glasses, but rather an optimistic and encouraging outlook for 2008 and beyond. Sunbrook A, B, & C.

USTAR's Resources Working for Your Business.Join the Utah Science and Technology Resource (USTAR) team in a panel discussion on managing technology development and growth. Panel members will address: How to structure your company to be attractive to Angels and VC's; An example of the birth and life of a technology startup; Betting on the jockey instead of the horse; and Strategies for human capital. Entrada A.

Illegal Immigration: Legal Advice to Responsible Employers.
One need only open up the Letters to the Editor section in any local newspaper to gather a perspective of the public's concern (or even outrage) at the illegal immigration "crisis" in this county, and particularly in the Southwest. The Employment and Immigration Section of the Durham Jones & Pinegar law firm will present timely advice on an inflammatory topic to help employers hire non-residents without fear of governmental or public opinion reprisals. Entrada B & C.

Five Ways to Create Explosive Growth in Any Business in Any Economy.
If your business isn't growing, it's probably headed for eventual failure. You can change that by learning to create growth no matter what's happening in your marketplace or the overall economy. Steve Carwell of Jadestone Consulting will present the 5 Factors that determine the rate of growth for your organization, and then investigate how you can control those 5 Factors to create and drive explosive growth. As your company masters these 5 fundamental factors, you pull ahead of your competition and win the market share race very time. Garden Room.

20 Year Workforce Needs of the Future - Washington, Iron, Beaver, Kane, and Garfield Counties.
Jan Crispin, Senior Research Economist will discuss the results of a recent study detailing future economic conditions, opportunities and changes in workforce skills requirements to accommodate economic growth. The demographic and economic characteristics of each county and the region in 2010, 2020 and 2030 were developed using the historical trends, current baseline and economic projections.

Commercial Real Estate.
The slowdown in the residential real estate market has not found its way to the local commercial market, although some changes and corrections are appearing. This session will provide the very latest information and outlook for the non-residential Real Estate market in Dixie. A panel representing the top commercial real estate brokerage firms in the area will present facts and figures on existing and upcoming retail, industrial and office developments. Sunbrook A, B & C.

Coaching - A Manager's Handbook.
Obviously, when you became a manager, people thought you had the talent and ability to be a terrific coach. Now you will be empowered to live up to those expectations. One of a manager's most important responsibilities is to affect change. This breakout will provide the tools that will simplify the process of improving employee performance. Diana Guetschow, Corporate Advisor with the University of Phoenix, will facilitate this interactive training which includes a business booklet for each participant. Entrada A.

Washington County Demographic and Economic Report.
Economic knowledge is economic power. The Washington County economy has changed dramatically in just the last year. Businesses face totally different economic forces today than they did during the big boom years. Join this breakout session to learn about the current local economic climate from Department of Workforce Services Economist Lecia Parks Langston. Discover the trends in Washington County's employment, unemployment, wages, population, construction, in-migration and more. Auditorium.

Forces for a Perfect Economic Storm.
Soltis Investment Advisors will once again feature nationally recognized experts by remote broadcast to discuss the developing dynamics that are affecting our global economy and the future of the our financial markets. The potential forces creating the environment for cataclysmic change include: The aging demographics of the world, the growing demand for commodities in the developing economy, and the challenging political landscape that will impact businesses. Soltis' President/CEO Lon E. Henderson will moderate the session of participating industry specialists, while providing additional insights from recently released national prognosticators. Entrada B & C.

Success Secrets of Top Tier Startups.
The Grow Utah Ventures team of Alan Hall, Greg Warnock and Craig Bott will again present their insights and experience from companies they've started, funded and mentored on the road to success. This breakout session, which was one of the most popular of the 2007 Summit, will preface the afternoon SEED Dixie Ignitor which will provide further financing and mentoring networking opportunities for southern Utah entrepreneurs. Garden Room.

Vision Dixie Report.
After months of work, the final product of Vision Dixie is ready to roll out. This session is open to the public at no cost and will be the first of what will be an annual report to the public. Ted Knowlton, Planning Director for Envision Utah will lead the presentation and the Q & A segment to follow. Guiding Principles, Implementation Procedures, Community Checklist and Scenario Maps will be presented and explained. This forum will provide a comprehensive report of the $500,000 two-year effort to develop a community-led vision plan to help guide the future of Washington County. Auditorium.

SEED Dixie Ignitor.
The comprehensive strategic plan for Stimulating the Expansion of Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) in the Dixie Region is ready to roll out! This event will capitalize on the economic vitality of Washington County by hosting a networking event open to all entrepreneurs. Besides rubbing shoulders with mentors and funders, attendees will be able to ask questions of a panel of seasoned entrepreneurs from northern as well as southern Utah. This event is free and open to the public. Garden Room.