11th Annual · March 18–19, 2027 · Salt Palace Convention Center
, Salt Lake City, UT
Built by Founders. Forged by Service.
The nation's largest gathering where tech innovation meets military leadership, connecting founders, executives, veterans, and transitioning service members for two days of opportunity and impact.
The Mission
Building the largest tech and military benefits conference in the world
SUMMIT 2027 is a national gathering designed to connect Utah's innovation economy with America's veteran community, creating real pathways for veterans and transitioning service members while giving companies, leaders, and communities a meaningful way to participate in what comes next.
Who It's For
Who SUMMIT is built for
Founders & Entrepreneurs
For those building, launching, scaling, and solving real problems.
Business & Technology Leaders
For executives, operators, investors, and innovators shaping what comes next.
Veterans & Transitioning Service Members
For those bringing leadership, discipline, and service into the next chapter.
HR, Talent & People Leaders
For those building teams, cultures, and workplaces that can carry the future.
Main Stage
Speakers
More main-stage names announced soon.
Evan Hafer
Founder, Black Rifle Coffee Company
Crystal Maggelet
CEO, Maverik / FJ Management
Dan Gable
Olympic Gold Medalist, Legendary Iowa Wrestling Coach
Secondary Stage
Past SUMMIT Speakers
Mark Zuckerberg
CEO, Meta
Tim Cook
CEO, Apple
Tony Robbins
Best-Selling Author
Reed Hastings
Founder, Netflix
Christine Day
Former CEO, Lululemon
Kim Scott
Author, Radical Candor
Stewart Butterfield
Founder, Slack
Max Levchin
CEO, Affirm
Liz Wiseman
Best-Selling Author
Aileen Lee
Founder, Cowboy Ventures
Steve Ballmer
Former CEO, Microsoft
John Warnock
Founder, Adobe
Shantanu Narayen
CEO, Adobe
Gary Vaynerchuk
CEO, VaynerMedia
Bill McDermott
CEO, ServiceNow
Mark Cuban
Founder, Cost Plus Drugs
Henry Schuck
CEO, ZoomInfo
Ethan Choi
Partner, Khosla Ventures
Dan Reynolds
Imagine Dragons
Jared Hess
Filmmaker
Amit Bendov
CEO, Gong
Powered by Harvard Business School
Deliberate Discomfort Leadership Certification
A practical leadership experience for executives, managers, veterans, and emerging leaders, six tracks covering Mental, Physical, Spiritual, Social, Emotional, and Professional development, taught by Warrior Rising's certified facilitators.
Learn More & Register →
Jason Van Camp, Founder & Executive Director of Warrior Rising, leading the charge.
For Employers
New to SkillBridge? We'll show you how to hire well.
The DoD SkillBridge program gives you access to transitioning service members during their final months of active duty, at no cost to your training budget. Most companies don't know where to start. SUMMIT is where you learn how the program works and how to position your company to attract the most competitive, most qualified candidates before your competitors do.
- • How SkillBridge partnerships are structured and what they cost you
- • How to build a program that top-tier candidates actually want to join
- • Direct access to transitioning service members at SUMMIT
Connect. Train. Transition.
Bridging military talent with workforce opportunity
01
About SkillBridge
Each year approximately 200,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces, stationed in over 140 military installations in the U.S. and overseas, will leave active duty and re-enter the civilian workforce or pursue higher education. Through SkillBridge, industry providers gain early access to the experience, skills, and work ethos service members bring, and can craft programs matching their specific workforce needs to highly motivated service members, all at no cost.
02
Is this possible?
The U.S. Department of War continues to pay the service member's salary and benefits while they participate in SkillBridge. This opportunity may last up to the final 180 days of service. Military installation commanders can make on-base facilities available to industry providers, or members may be authorized to train at the industry provider's location off installation at minimal to no cost.
03
Reach talent anywhere
Don't let location limit your access to this talented, skilled, and dedicated workforce. With SkillBridge, your organization can support service members on active duty while avoiding some of the logistics of on-site support. Providers across the nation may take advantage of virtual, online, or distance learning and training options.
04
What's the catch?
It may seem too good to be true, but the only catch is the opportunity to catch the best talent entering the civilian labor force each year. This unique opportunity is provided to service members by the Department of War. The DoW benefits when service members return to civilian life with meaningful and gainful employment, with good pay and opportunities for advancement, just as they had during their military service.
No cost
No cost to employers
Support
Support those who serve
Impact
Build a stronger tomorrow
Free For Those Who Served
Free SUMMIT registration for veterans and transitioning service members
Those who have served bring leadership, resilience, discipline, and perspective that every organization needs. Attend free, use SkillBridge privileges to get hired, and connect directly with investors and employers.
Partner With Us
Hire veterans. Build your brand. Support the mission.
SUMMIT gives employers and sponsors direct access to veterans, transitioning service members, founders, executives, investors, and HR leaders across the Silicon Slopes ecosystem.
View Sponsorship Opportunities
Run of Show
Two days of keynotes, certifications, and connection
Full schedule, speaker times, and breakout sessions will be announced soon.
Keynotes & Certification
Main stage keynotes, Deliberate Discomfort certification tracks, and the exhibit hall opens.
Pitch Competition & Connection
Veteran Business Pitch Competition, breakout sessions, and closing networking receptions.
Salt Palace Convention Center
Salt Lake City, Utah
Next Level Activities
Beyond the sessions
Utah in the prime of ski season, with the access and energy that only Silicon Slopes can deliver. Skip the Vegas conference fatigue.
Curated Networking Lounges
Invite-only gatherings and networking cafes built for real conversation, not badge scanning.
Ski Season, On Us
Discounted host hotel rooms and Military EPIC Pass access, right in the middle of Utah's best snow.
Delta Center Game Nights
Jazz vs. Timberwolves (3/18) and Mammoth vs. Blackhawks (3/19), steps from the Salt Palace.
Veteran Business Pitch Competition
Warrior Rising's flagship pitch competition, live on the SUMMIT stage.
Fly In With Ease
Salt Lake City International Airport offers direct flights from nearly every major U.S. market.
International Sportsmen's Exposition
Running concurrently at the Mountain America Expo Center, for attendees who hunt.
Provo River Fly Fishing
One of the top fly fishing rivers in the world, 40 to 50 minutes from the Salt Palace.
Speaker Meet & Greets
Book signings and face-to-face time with SUMMIT headliners.
Medal of Honor Firing Range
A signature range experience alongside Medal of Honor recipients.
Navy SEAL Skydiving
Jump alongside Navy SEALs in a signature SUMMIT experience.
GM Defense Truck Raffle
Enter to win a GM Defense truck, benefiting Warrior Rising's veteran founders.
VIP Partner Pavilion
A dedicated lounge for sponsors, partners, and their guests throughout the SUMMIT.
Private After-Parties
Invite-only evening events for sponsors, speakers, and VIP guests.
Personal Introductions
Warrior Rising facilitates private meetings and introductions between sponsors and veteran founders.
With Support From
Join Us / 2027
Be part of the Summit that moves Utah forward
Join the founders, leaders, veterans, investors, and community builders shaping what comes next.