SALT LAKE CITY, UT, USA - The year 2016 marks 10 years since Gov. Jon Huntsman called for the creation of World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah). To celebrate the successes achieved, Gov. Huntsman, former U.S. Ambassador to China and former presidential candidate, returned to the state to be the keynote speaker at the 10 Year Anniversary Thought Leader Symposium on Jan. 20.

The event focused on the founding of WTC Utah, the progress that has been made in growing state exports over the last 10 years and what Utah’s international goals are for the next 10 years. Two major announcements were made: a new goal for state exports and the decision by WTC Utah to partner with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute to begin a study on the creation of an inland port in Utah.

“We doubled exports over the last 10 years and have set the goal to do it again. I believe doubling exports will be necessary to maintain Utah’s stellar economic growth and create jobs for Utah’s burgeoning population,” said Derek B. Miller, WTC Utah president and CEO. “Having an inland port would be a game changer, which is why we have decided to take a closer look at the reality of doing that.”

In his remarks, Gov. Huntsman expressed his delight that WTC Utah is accomplishing precisely what he envisioned when he called for the creation of the organization a decade ago.

“World Trade Center Utah takes the state to a new level in terms of its ability to compete internationally. It is an important asset,” said Gov. Huntsman.

When asked about what businesses can do to succeed in a global economy Gov. Huntsman emphasized that the United States has reached an "inflection point," stressing the significance decisions made now play in avoiding what could become a "generation of chaos."

Other speakers at the event included WTC Utah President and CEO Derek B. Miller, current Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert, inaugural president and CEO of WTC Utah Lew Cramer and original founding board member Jack Sunderlage. 

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