Utah Information Technology Association (UITA) Holds Roundtable Meeting with Gubernatorial Candidates

Nolan Karras and Scott Matheson, Jr. address IT issues in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Feb. 6, 2004 – The Utah Information Technology Association (UITA) held a roundtable discussion last week at the law offices of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll with gubernatorial candidates Nolan Karras and Scott Matheson, Jr. to discuss current issues including the expansion of the IT industry in Utah, as well as economic development concerns.

UITA President Richard Nelson mediated the roundtable discussion between the candidates and UITA members, who represent some of Utah’s most influential IT firms.

“We were privileged to have Nolan Karras and Scott Matheson, Jr. join us to discuss IT issues and the economic impact they have concerning the state of Utah,” said Nelson. “They are both keenly aware of how vital the IT industry is to Utahand the role UITA plays.”

Nolan Karras, former Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives and current Chairman of the Board of Regents, was asked to explain what latitude he would like the State to have in deciding which businesses to try and attract and if incentives should be used. “I believe we need more input,” said Karras. “We have to be more venturesome to be able to compete, but incentives are a slippery slope…We have 2,600 IT companies in Utahand would love to see that number double and more.”

Scott Matheson Jr., Dean of The University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, was asked to discuss the challenges of promoting economic development and attracting businesses to Utah.

“We have to rethink how we are organized to do this,” said Matheson. “We need to focus more on pursuing businesses we know we can win over than those we don’t have much of a chance to get.”

The next UITA CEO roundtable featuring gubernatorial candidates will be held on February 26 at the law offices of Durham Jones Pinegar. Candidates Gary Herbert and Fred Lampropoulos will be featured.
 
 
About UITA
 
As Utah’s premier professional organization for technology companies, the Utah Information Technology Association (UITA) exists to form closer relationships with industry and community leaders, develop superior management talent, sharpen professional skills, and help gain access to capital. For more information on UITA, please visit http://www.uita.org.

| 2/6/2004 1:12:49 PM | 0 Comments