Welcome to the 2025 National Conference, hosted by the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera! Our Conference theme, ASCEND, invites us to elevate our thinking and reach new heights together. What better place to embrace this spirit than Salt Lake City, where the mountains rise, the skies stretch wide, and possibilities are as boundless as the vistas that surround us? These three days of learning, networking, and discovery will challenge us to build strong, sustainable bases for our organizations, navigate the terrain of changing audience expectations, consider the rapidly evolving national landscape, and chart courses to new horizons. As always, our time together will be complemented by inspiring live performances, including a concert from the Utah Symphony under the baton of Music Director Emeritus Thierry Fischer, an appearance by the Utah Youth Symphony, and an inspiring concert among nature. Join us, and let’s set out together to ASCEND—in our artistry, our leadership, and in our shared vision for the future of orchestral music.