Copyright Salt Lake City Deseret News
Utah-based aerospace and defense company 47G will again be hosting the Zero Gravity Summit, billed as one of the nation’s premier gatherings for aerospace, defense, energy and technology innovation. The summit, which is being held at the Salt Lake Palace Convention Center on Nov. 4 and 5, is expected to draw around 2,500 attendees, said Aaron Starks, president and CEO of 47G. “We felt last year that this industry, being 20% of the state’s economy, this organization and certainly the companies we work with — all deserve to have a conference, an annual convening, where ideas can be shared, where thought leaders can come and provide great content,” Starks said. Starks added that 35 states and five different countries will be represented at this year’s summit. While last year’s summit was a single-day event, this year’s will be two days, focusing on four different areas: defense tech, the future of flight, the new space economy and energy production and grid security. Keynote speakers headlining the summit include: Jen Easterly is one of the world’s foremost experts on the nexus of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and innovation. Easterly will share her views on safeguarding America’s critical infrastructure against evolving threats, according to a release from 47G. Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former governor of South Carolina, who 47G said she will be talking about America’s role in global security, defending U.S. interests and keeping the country safe. Payton Manning, a five-time National Football League Most Valuable Player and 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Starks said Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion, will talk about “building a championship organization.” Starks sees the Beehive State as the perfect location for such an event, evidenced by the state’s rapidly growing aerospace and defense ecosystem, backed by $6.1 billion in annual U.S. Department of Defense contracts. “We have the fastest growing aerospace and defense ecosystem anywhere in the United States, and the culmination of all these efforts create a very sustainable and durable economy,” Starks said. “These are higher-paying, more sustainable wages. And so, it’s an invitation for the state to get involved, to come to this summit (and) participate. Through doing so, I think the promise we offer is that they’ll walk away inspired, connected and motivated to get involved.”
