2026 San Juan County Business Basecamp
by David Boyle
News Director
Local entrepreneurs and community members are invited to the 2026 San Juan County Business Base Camp Conference and Expo.
The event kicks off this Thursday, March 12 through Saturday March 14 at the USU Blanding Arts and Events Center. You can view an online publication for the event here.
Now in its fifth year, the event has grown into a cornerstone for economic development in the region, offering business leaders opportunities to network, discover practical solutions, and scale their operations.
San Juan County Economic Development Director Talia Hansen joined the Red Rock Morning Show to highlight how feedback from previous years has shaped the 2026 curriculum.
"Feedback is crucial for us to be successful," Hansen noted, pointing to the introduction of two new specialized trainings. The Artisan Track will cater to the local craft economy, while a new Agriculture emphasis is designed for those looking to enter the food production industries.
These sessions will provide specific training for historical local industries, offering technical assistance, marketing support, guidance on navigating state grants for producers, and even help businesses grow from small-scale production to shipping their goods outside the county.
The event also features Steven Sharp Nelson as the keynote speaker.
Nelson is a world-renowned cellist and co-founder of The Piano Guys.
Nelson has been a billboard charting artist, a youtube rock star and has performed on television programs and even for the President of the United States.
Hansen says Nelson will bring an inspiring perspective to the main conference day on Friday.
The basecamp includes three days of events starting with the debut of an evening breakout session on Thursday March 12.
The event is designed for startups, those with a business idea, or owners needing a quick refresher. "This is really great place if you need a refresher or you’re a startup, I’m really excited about that because that’s something that I was asked for a lot," Hansen explained.
The main event continues Friday with the majority of breakout sessions and the keynote address. Breakout sessions include sessions around funding, social media sales, website management and search engine optimization, getting art into showcases, planning strategies, cyber security, as well as agritourism and astrotourism.
On Saturday, the focus shifts to the public with a Vendor Expo at the Arts and Event Center from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The expo allows local companies and agencies to showcase their services to the community in a family-friendly atmosphere featuring food and a bounce house for children.
Business owners and interested residents can find the full event guide and RSVP via the San Juan County Economic Development website.
Hansen encourages all who are interested in the future of the local economy to attend, noting the importance of celebrating the services and businesses available within the county.
Additional information can be found online at SanJuanCountyUt.Gov/EconDev