PARK CITY, Utah — The Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau shared key insights from the 2025 Zions Bank Wasatch Back Economic Summit. Held on May 13 at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, the annual regional event brought attendees together for a day of economic updates, educational presentations and meaningful community conversations.
Hosted in collaboration with the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce and Summit Events, the summit covered a wide range of pressing regional issues, including the role of transportation and transit, insights into the 2025 legislative landscape, land use and housing strategies and more. Main takeaways from the event highlighted:
- The Power of Collaboration: The Summit showcased the interconnectedness of the Wasatch Back’s challenges and opportunities一emphasizing that economic development, workforce needs and community growth cannot be solved in silos.
- Embracing the AI Opportunity: Artificial intelligence is opening up new opportunities for businesses and communities. Rather than something to fear, AI presents a powerful tool for innovation and productivity. The Summit encouraged attendees to begin exploring AI now and stay ahead of the curve, harnessing its full potential in the Wasatch Back.
- Building a Stronger Workforce: Now is the time to double down on efforts to diversify and expand the region’s workforce to meet the demands of a changing economy. A key part of that work is spotlighting the many pathways to success following high school一options that may not follow the typical college route, but still offer strong avenues to financial stability. Supporting working parents through family-friendly initiatives and policies will also be critical to building and sustaining a strong, reliable workforce in the future.
“The 2025 Zions Bank Wasatch Back Economic Summit highlighted the incredible commitment of our region in facing complex challenges together,” said Jennifer Wesselhoff, President & CEO of Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau. “From housing and workforce needs to the rapid evolution of technology, it reminded us of the strength and potential of our community. When we come together with a shared purpose, we can build a bright future.”
Rob Hetrick, senior labor economist and author of The Demographic Drought and The Rising Storm, kicked off the day with an eye-opening look at the nation’s looming labor shortage, identifying at-risk industries and outlining actionable steps to build a future-ready workforce. Over lunch, Zions Bank’s Robert Spendlove offered a detailed analysis of the 2025 economic landscape, before concluding with a final keynote from Andreas Mueller-Schubert, CEO and chief strategist at WSI Next Gen Marketing, who explored the transformative impact of AI in the workplace and its potential for businesses.
Certain keynote presentations and panel discussions were graciously recorded by KPCW and will be available for replay at parkcitychamber.com/wasatch-back-economic-summit/. For additional information about the Park City Chamber, visit parkcitychamber.com.
About Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau represents over 1,000 businesses in Summit County. Founded in 1963 to promote local ski resorts, today, the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau is entrusted with fostering the health and wellbeing of the local community. From maintaining economic stability and addressing environmental concerns to developing sustainable tourism plans and preserving cultural heritage, the organization prides itself on being in the community for the community. Our Mountainkind brand is designed to support destination stewardship. For more information, visit visitparkcity.com.