Government Affairs Boot Camp 2025

The Salt Lake Chamber is now accepting registrations for its annual Government Affairs Boot Camp. This intensive two-day boot camp is designed for new and experienced government affairs professionals, company executives and public policy advocates to learn how to improve their effectiveness and understanding of advocating in the state of Utah. A maximum of 35 people will be admitted to the program. Attendees will graduate with a Certificate of Government Affairs from the Salt Lake Chamber and will gain an understanding of lobbying.

DAY 1: November 7, 2025

Navigating Power: Effective Government Affairs Strategy 

Agenda

• 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. | Registration and Networking
• 9:15 - 9:30 a.m. | Opening Remarks
  • ​Mary Catherine Perry, Executive Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs, Salt Lake Chamber
• 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. | Republican Legislator Panel: Hot Issues and What to Expect in 2026
  • ​Moderator: Renae Cowley, Lobbyist & Partner, Foxley, Piganelli, Cowley Styler
  • Panel:
    • Rep. Ariel Defay (UT-15)
    • Rep. Steve Eliason (UT-43)
    • Rep. Anthony Loubet (UT-27)
• 10:15 - 10:45 a.m. | Lobbyist Registration and Ethics
  • ​Chris Bleak, Lobbyist & Partner, RRJ Consulting
• 10:45 - 11:30 a.m. | Democratic Legislator Panel: Hot Issues and What to Expect in 2026
  • ​Moderator: Liam Thrailkill, Government Affairs Policy Advisor, Holland & Hart, LLP
  • Panel:
    • Minority Assistant Whip, Sen. Jen Plumb (UT-9)
    • Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost (UT-22)
    • Rep. Grant Amjad Miller (UT-24)
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Tour of the Utah State Capitol
• 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. | Lunch
• 12:30 - 1:15 p.m. | Effective Engagement: Contract Lobbyists
  • ​Moderator: Miranda Jones Cox, Government Affairs Manager, Wasatch Front Regional Council
  • Panel:
    • Des Barker, President, Des Barker Associates, Inc.
    • Cloe Nixon, Government Affairs Manager, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP
    • Frank Pignanelli, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Foxley, Pignanelli, Cowley Styler
• 1:15 - 2:00 p.m. | How Local, State and Federal Policy Intersect
  • ​Moderator: Erin Barry, Vice President of Government Affairs, Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
  • Panel: 
    • ​Neil Abercrombie, Senior Advisor for Legislative Affairs & Policy, Office of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox
    • Angela Price, Legislative Affairs Director, Salt Lake City Corporation
    • Lisa Roskelley, Outreach Director, Congressman Blake Moore
• 2:00 p.m. | Q&A and Day 1 Wrap Up
  • ​Mary Catherine Perry, Executive Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs, Salt Lake Chamber

DAY 2: November 14, 2025

From the Boardroom to the Capitol: Building Your Advocacy Toolkit

Agenda

• 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. | Networking and Overview of the Day
  • ​Mary Catherine Perry, Executive Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs, Salt Lake Chamber
• 9:15 - 10:00 a.m. | Effective Communication with Policymakers
  • ​Maura Carabello, President & Owner, The Exoro Group
• 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. | Online Toolkit - Bills and Code + COBI
• 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. | The State Budget and How to Ask for an Appropriation
  • ​Jonathan Ball, Legislative Fiscal Analyst, Utah Legislature
• 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. | How a Bill Becomes a Law and Finding a Bill Sponsor
  • ​John Cannon, Director, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, Utah Legislature
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Effective Engagement: In House Government Affairs
  • ​Moderator: Jen Somers, Vice President, State Government Affairs, Comcast
  • Panel:
    • Nathan Anderson, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Union Pacific Railroad
    • Kelsey Berg, Director of Government Relations, Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 Olympic Winter Games
    • Thom Carter, Vice President of Government Affairs, Rocky Mountain Power
    • Nate McDonald, Director of Government & Community Relations, Clyde Companies, Inc. 
• 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch and Keynote: Utah’s Political Landscape
  • ​Jason Perry, Vice President for Government Relations and Director, Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah
• 1:15-1:30 pm Q&A and Close Out of Boot Camp
  • ​Mary Catherine Perry, Executive Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs, Salt Lake Chamber