The Western Governors’ Association is scheduled to hold its annual meeting in Deer Valley this summer, a gathering that will bring a political crowd to Park City in the days before the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The event is slated from June 30 to July 2 at the Stein Eriksen Lodge. Gov. Spencer Cox is the chair of the association, which involves states from the Great Plains westward. The Denver-based association said up to eight governors usually attend the annual meeting. The total attendance typically reaches between 300 and 400, including the gubernatorial delegations, federal officials, lobbyists and the entourages of presenters. The general public may purchase tickets. An agenda and speaker lineup had not been finalized by the middle of the week. The association said Cabinet members are usually selected to deliver keynote addresses. The event offers an opportunity for attendees to delve into a range of policies important to the West and the Midwest. Some of the topics expected to be addressed include agriculture, energy, healthcare and workforce issues. “I’m excited to host WGA’s Annual Meeting in Park City this year. Beyond its natural beauty, Park City is a powerful example of how economic strength and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand. That balance will be reflected in many of the important policy discussions we’ll have at the meeting and is an ideal that I think we, as governors across the West, can help model for the rest of the country,” Cox said in a prepared statement to The Park Record. A draft agenda posted by the association includes: Opening remarks by Cox and the executive director of the Western Governors’ Association midday on June 30. A July 1 session regarding policy and business, with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green being featured. There is also a series of receptions, breakfasts and dinners on the agenda. Several panels covering unspecified topics were also listed. The attendee list by the middle of the week included numerous corporate representatives and business groups. A representative from Park City Mountain owner Vail Resorts was listed. The Colorado-based firm has mountain resorts across the West. Park City has hosted the association’s annual meeting three times, in 1995, 2009 and 2013. The 2013 event, held during the Obama administration, included remarks by Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, an address by the late energy executive T. Boone Pickens and comments by Gary Herbert, who was the governor of Utah and the chair of the Western Governors’ Association at the time. Rob Bishop, then a U.S. congressman whose district included the Park City area, also appeared. Then-Gov. Gary Herbert, right, chats with the late energy executive T. Boone Pickens during the 2013 Western Governors’ Association gathering in Deer Valley. Pickens was one of the featured speakers. The organization is scheduled to hold its annual meeting in Deer Valley this summer. Credit: Park Record file photo by Christopher Reeves The organization, during the 2013 gathering, released a document that outlined a vision for energy production. Energy was an overriding subject that year, and the document called for the U.S. to move toward energy security, for the West to become a leader internationally in new energies and for infrastructure for energy distribution to be established. The event this summer will likely add to the buzz in Park City that week. The gathering of governors is planned from Tuesday to Thursday. The event ends two days before Independence Day, usually a busy holiday in the community. This year’s Fourth of July celebrations in Park City could be especially jammed with 2026 being the 250-year mark for the nation. The post Western governors plan summertime gathering in Deer Valley appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less