Rise + Refine: WIPA Utah’s Half-Day of
Wellness, Education, and Connection
by WIPA Utah
On August 19th, WIPA Utah members gathered at The Hearth in Salt Lake City for our Rise + Refine event. This thoughtfully curated half-day program blended wellness, education, and networking. From 9:30 AM check-in to our closing remarks and networking at 2:30 PM, attendees experienced a balance of personal renewal and professional growth, leaving with fresh energy and actionable strategies for their businesses.
Photos by Morgan Leigh Photography
A Restorative Beginning
The day opened with a sound bath led by Megan Price of Healing Thyme, offering members a chance to recharge and center themselves before diving into education. Alongside the sound bath, attendees were invited to create custom chakra-inspired scents and enjoy mini massages; intentional touches that encouraged reflection and renewal. This wellness element, supported by WIPA National’s Reserves Grant, set the tone for a day focused on both well-being and professional development.
Education with Purpose
Thanks to receiving a WIPA Grant, we were able to bring in multiple speakers, including both Utah-based professionals and a guest from the WIPA National Board. This dynamic lineup gave attendees a variety of perspectives on goal setting, business strategy, and authentic connection.
- Keynote Speaker: Loni Peterson (WIPA National Board) – Setting Goals That Make Sense
- Kellie Jackstien (Artisan Bloom) – Making Goals in the Luxury Market
- Pepper Nix (Photographer) – Turning Authentic Relationships Into Referrals
Each session offered practical strategies and industry-specific insight. Loni’s keynote reinforced the importance of setting goals that are realistic and measurable, Kellie shared luxury market perspectives valuable to Utah’s event community, and Pepper reminded us how relationship-driven business growth creates sustainability.
Photos by Morgan Leigh Photography
Space for Conversation and Connection
In addition to the structured sessions, Rise + Refine prioritized time and space for meaningful conversation. A half-moon lounge seating design, generously sponsored by a local rental partner, created a town-hall style environment where members could engage directly with the speakers and one another. This format encouraged authenticity and community, allowing attendees to process the sessions in real time while making valuable new connections.
Impact and Success
With 41 members in attendance, Rise + Refine exceeded expectations in both content and atmosphere. Members praised the unique blend of wellness and education, noting that it felt refreshing, inspiring, and deeply relevant. Many attendees shared that they left with practical steps for refining their business strategies while also feeling personally recharged.
Financially, the event was a success. The $3,000 WIPA Reserves Grant was applied directly toward securing speakers and wellness experiences. With this grant sponsorship and ticket sales, WIPA Utah was able to produce a high-value event at an accessible ticket price of $100, while still ending in the green with a positive net balance.
Looking Ahead
The feedback from Rise + Refine has already shaped conversations about future programming. Members expressed a strong desire to see more events blending wellness and education, and the chapter looks forward to building on this format in the year ahead. By fostering both professional growth and personal renewal, WIPA Utah continues to strengthen its community while connecting more deeply with WIPA National.
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