The Utah Asphalt Conference (UAC) 2025, hosted by the Utah Asphalt Pavement Association (UAPA), marked a successful event under new leadership.

Held on Feb. 19-20 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, Utah, the conference saw increased attendance, strong sponsorship support and positive feedback from participants.

Rick Johnson, UAPA's new executive director, who assumed the role in June 2024, expressed his enthusiasm for the event's achievements.

"Sponsorships and attendance were up this year, and the feedback from people has been overwhelmingly positive," he said.

The conference featured more than 28 educational seminars and a comprehensive trade show. The conference offered 35 classes, where 800 attendees earned Continuing Education (CE) credits for their professional development.

Attendance surpassed previous years, with more than 1,100 registered participants and an additional 300 local high school students engaging in the event — a testament to the industry's outreach efforts and focus on workforce development, according to Johnson.

The conference began with breakfast and a keynote address from Carlos Braceras, executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), who provided insights into the future of Utah's transportation infrastructure.

The trade show floor featured exhibitors showcasing essential services such as asphalt maintenance, paving, repair, seal coating, crack sealing and striping and marking — highlighting the industry's ongoing commitment to quality and innovation.

A standout moment of the event was a successful raffle supporting UAPA's scholarship fund, which awarded four $1,500 scholarships to local students pursuing degrees in horizontal construction.

With its programming, enhanced attendance and impactful networking opportunities, UAC 2025 reaffirmed its role as a cornerstone event for advancing Utah's asphalt and construction industries. CEG