Ogden City Business Development in partnership with Acceler8 Wasatch, 47G, Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI), Weber State University, APEX Accelerator, Catalyst Accelerator Ogden, and Hill Air Force Base, will host a week of events celebrating aerospace & defense and advanced materials manufacturing with the vibrant downtown and stunning mountain landscape of Ogden as a backdrop.
From May 13th to 16th, industry leaders, defense agencies, entrepreneurs, academia, and policymakers will converge in Ogden for the inaugural Acceler8 Wasatch Week to inspire collaboration, innovation, and business growth to further the trajectory of Northern Utah’s growing role in national defense. Liesl Limburg, Ogden City Business Recruitment Manager says, “Ogden is a community of makers – both of things and of relationships that are crucial to the success of the aerospace and defense industry. Here, you will find an environment that emboldens technology and innovation that supports the current needs of industry while looking ahead to the future.” Each day of the inaugural Acceler8 Wasatch Week brings a new business networking experience.
Monday (May 13th) events kick off with an introduction to the unique history of Ogden through a Scavenger Hunt presented by Visit Ogden, the city’s premier tourism host. Participants can expect to be entertained not only by trivia and games, but the opportunity to network with Acceler8 Wasatch Week attendees as they stroll Historic 25th Street, the original “Two-Bit Street”.
Tuesday (May 14th) from 9am to 4pm, UAMMI and 47G bring together leadership from government, private industry, small business, and the military for their annual Spring Crosstalk Conference & Exhibition, held this year at Ogden’s iconic Union Station. This conference focuses on emerging opportunities for small businesses in advanced materials manufacturing, aerospace and defense, while spotlighting industry trends, emerging technologies, and avenues for funding. Guy Letendre, UAMMI Vice President says, “We have been working with Ogden City, HAFB, and Weber State University to grow the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem in northern Utah for a number of years. It is great to connect our Aerospace and Defense Crosstalk event with the other excellent events of this week.”
From 5 to 8pm, Ogden City, Weber County, Northern Utah Economic Alliance, EDCUtah, and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity will host Acceler8 Wasatch attendees for a networking reception, followed by dinner at the Copper Nickel Events, once the original shooting range for Browning back in the early 1900s. Further proof of Ogden’s history of innovation.
Wednesday (May 15th) brings the APEX Accelerator Defense Matchmaking event inside historic Union Station. Early registration for the experience allows small and mid-sized businesses to meet one-on-one with representatives from Hill Air Force Base and prime contractors. Chuck Spence, program director with Utah APEX Accelerator says, “With this Matchmaking event the Utah business community has the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with key leaders in the Aerospace and Defense industry, learn their forecasted business opportunities, subcontracting needs, and what products and services are needed.” Other opportunities at this event include information booths hosted by buyers, agencies, and prime contractors.
Simultaneously, Career Awareness with Hill Air Force Base will be in the Union Station breezeway. Come learn about career opportunities at HAFB, including skilled trade, acquisition, and non-appropriated positions. Career Awareness will also highlight how to apply and search for future job openings with Hill.
Thursday (May 16th) the inaugural Acceler8 Wasatch Week goes out with a bang by celebrating entrepreneurship through the Wildcat MicroFund Pitch Event, followed by the Catalyst Accelerator Ogden Alumni Demo Day at Union Station. Weber State University’s Wildcat MicroFund offers cash award grants to early-stage start-ups and entrepreneurs in all industries and from across the state of Utah.
Catalyst Accelerator Ogden’s Alumni Demo Day is the pinnacle of innovation and entrepreneurship with alumni from previous Ogden Accelerator cohorts unveiling their groundbreaking ideas and revolutionary technologies. Here, investors can find the next big opportunity in tech while attendees have a front row seat to innovation.
As the sun sets on Acceler8 Wasatch Week, attendees can enjoy the kickoff Ogden Twilight Concert featuring indie rock bands Phoenix and Metric. Twilight Concerts offer stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains and a fun atmosphere to round out this week of networking.
"Utah's Aerospace & Defense industry runs through the heart of Ogden City. With significant growth and development in recent years, this critical industry employs thousands throughout the state who are working on projects and initiatives critical to the health of our national security strategy as a country,” explains 47G President, Aaron Starks. “We are thrilled to support Mayor Nadolski and the team at Ogden City in their efforts to convene industry and position Utah as a premier destination for companies and partners in this space."
Ogden City thanks Weber County, Northern Utah Economic Alliance, EDCUtah, Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, The Mercantile, Bank of Utah, J. Fisher Companies, and Mortenson for their support and sponsorship of Acceler8 Wasatch Week events.
To see more information about Acceler8 Wasatch Week and register for each event, head to Details | acceler8wasatch.