The Utah Korean American Chamber of Commerce (UKCC), led by President Jimmy Choi, successfully held its second Korean Professionals and Career Networking event, known as “K-Connect,” on Feb. 3 at Spaces Triumph in Lehi, Utah.
The event drew strong interest, with approximately 120 attendees, including Korean American business professionals in Utah and young next-generation talents.
The networking session began in a relaxed atmosphere as participants enjoyed traditional Korean dishes such as bulgogi, japchae, dumplings, and kimchi prepared by Stone Cube, along with desserts from the newly opened Korean dessert café Kyookie. The gathering naturally transitioned into active networking among attendees.
Notably, the event saw strong participation not only from Korean American business professionals active in Utah, but also from younger attendees, including international students from the University of Utah preparing for internships and employment aligned with their academic majors.
A highlight of the event was the inauguration ceremony of Jimmy Choi (Choi Chan-il), CEO of Bridge, as the second president of the Utah Korean American Chamber of Commerce. Since its founding on Sept. 4, 2023, the chamber has steadily grown with a focus on connecting with mainstream U.S. society and nurturing next-generation leaders.
Founding President Hye-Won Lee expressed her deep gratitude, stating that the chamber has served as a bridge for Korea–U.S. economic exchange through various initiatives. These include collaboration with mainstream and multicultural chambers of commerce in Utah, joint efforts with the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and the Utah World Trade Center to support Korean companies entering Utah, as well as meaningful outcomes achieved through inter-university events and memoranda of understanding with domestic and international institutions, companies, and cities. She credited these achievements to the dedication and commitment of the board members.
In his inaugural address, President Choi expressed appreciation for Founding President Lee, saying that the chamber’s growth to date was made possible by her passion and sacrifice. He added that, building on those accomplishments, the chamber aims to further strengthen the local community, create diverse opportunities, and establish the strongest Korean American network in Utah.
Choi also introduced the upcoming “Career Konnect,” scheduled for May, describing it as an evening networking event designed for students and early-career professionals. The event will provide opportunities to connect with employers, mentors, and local businesses, while supporting career development, internships, and the formation of sustainable professional networks. Registration is available at the following link:
https://o.lu.ma/ZG8r1WAYpN
In addition, Choi shared updates on ongoing Korea–U.S. economic cooperation, noting that POSCO is currently making investments in the Green River area of Utah, while LS Electric plans to invest approximately 200 billion won in a high-voltage switchgear manufacturing facility in Enoch, Utah, creating about 200 jobs.
The announcements were met with surprise and enthusiasm at the venue, reflecting strong expectations and a welcoming atmosphere regarding the expanding presence of Korean companies in Utah.
Even after the final group photo session, attendees continued networking actively. Some participants remarked that the event was a meaningful opportunity to form valuable connections by bringing together new faces from the Korean American community.
Meanwhile, future events and major updates will be announced through the Utah Korean American Chamber of Commerce newsletter. Newsletter subscriptions are available at the following link:
https://www.utahkcc.org/newsletter
Photos courtesy of UKCC and Comma Village
