EVENT: What's Up Down South - Economic Summit

resource active confidence: Medium status: Draft updated 2026-08-11

Type: resource
Status: Draft
Confidence: Medium
Tier: D
Builder-tier: D
Founder-tier: D
Activity-signal: 2027-01-14 · https://whatsupdownsouth.org/
Activity-checked: 2026-08-14
Focus: Close or Exit a Business, Entrepreneurship Communities, Funding, International Trade, Late Stage Growth, Marketing and Sales, Other, Relocate a Business to Utah, Start a Business, Taxes and Finance
Primary Location: St. George, UT
Utah Location: St. George, UT
Region: St. George
Map Location: 1835 S Convention Center Dr, St. George, UT 84790
Coordinates: 37.077325, -113.582639
Location Precision: exact
Location Source: https://whatsupdownsouth.org/
Website: https://whatsupdownsouth.org/
Updated: 2026-08-11

Summary

What's Up Down South is southern Utah's largest annual economic summit, presented with Intermountain Health and Select Health. EVENT: What's Up Down South - Economic Summit provides a bounded benefit: Southern Utah business owners, executives, and community leaders — especially those planning around regional growth, tourism, utilities, and workforce trends.

Who It's For

Southern Utah business owners, executives, and community leaders — especially those planning around regional growth, tourism, utilities, and workforce trends.

What It Provides

The official site schedules the summit at the Dixie Convention Center (1835 S Convention Center Dr, St. George). The January 14, 2027 edition includes breakfast and lunch, an exhibit hall, keynotes (listed speakers include Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute economist Phil Dean and SBA advocate Trent Staggs), and two breakout blocks. General admission is listed at $200. The site also retains a separate Rural Utah Data Symposium ticket dated January 15, 2026; do not treat that legacy listing as a 2027 add-on without confirmation.

How To Use It

Official website · https://whatsupdownsouth.org/
Purchase tickets via the official site ticket section
Startup State listing: https://startup.utah.gov/business-resource/whats-up-down-south-economic-summit/

Cost

General admission is listed at $200 and includes breakfast, lunch, and networking. Verify current pricing before purchase; the separate $25 Rural Utah Data Symposium listing is still dated January 15, 2026 and is not confirmed for the 2027 summit.

Best Fits

Best for St. George/Washington County operators who want data-driven regional planning and peer networking in one day.

Weaker fit for pre-revenue founders outside southern Utah unless they are evaluating expansion into the market.

Evidence

Open Questions

Which breakout tracks are most relevant for founders vs. established operators?
Will the Rural Utah Data Symposium return after the 2027 summit? The official site still displays a legacy January 15, 2026 ticket listing.