The Salt Lake Chamber hosted its annual Utah Veteran Owned Business Conference, alongside presenting sponsors the Veterans Business Resource Center, Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs and Zions Bank. The Conference helps to connect veteran entrepreneurs and business owners with the resources they need to be successful in the marketplace.
“Our servicemen and women are critical to the success of our local business community. In 2012, Utah had almost 19,000 veteran-owned businesses in the state, a number that has certainly increased to the present day,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “We recognize how important it is for our state’s prosperity to support and grow our local veteran-owned businesses, whether it is demonstrating how to apply the skills they’ve learned in the military to the marketplace, providing opportunities to network with other veteran-owned businesses or connecting them with available resources.”
Conference attendees heard from local experts about topics such as starting and growing a business, government contracting, accessing funding, available local and national resources, cybersecurity and more. Jeff Kirkham of Black Rifle Coffee Co. and ReadyMan kicked the day off with a keynote presentation on the three pillars of success. Joshua Adams of Perspective Approach gave the luncheon keynote on how veterans can apply their military leadership skills to the modern workplace.
“In the military, you develop a genuine camaraderie with others who have served and this does not end when you leave. It continues for the rest of your life. As veterans transition to business, this idea follows. One of the primary reasons we hold this conference exclusively for veterans is to provide a forum where this companionship can continue, as well as provide them access to resources and tools designed specifically for them and their experiences,” said Brian Garrett, chair of the Salt Lake Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee.
The Salt Lake Chamber is dedicated to supporting our veterans to be successful in our local business community. Learn more about the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee, here.
