Events & Activities
ARCHITECTS IN ACTION
Economic growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it happens in our coffee shops, town halls, and local boardrooms. The people building Wyoming’s future are already out there. This page is where you find them.
The Team of Thousands events page is your hub for two kinds of work: conversations where WBC comes to listen — community conversations happening across Wyoming right now where we’re asking business owners, residents, and local leaders what they’re seeing, what’s in the way, and what WBC’s role should be — and Open Mics where we bring Wyoming’s most pressing economic questions into the open and build answers together.
What we hear shapes what we do. If you’ve attended a session, your input is already in the work. If you haven’t yet, how can we bring a conversation to your community?
Wyoming’s economic future doesn’t get decided in Cheyenne. This summer, WBC is holding community conversations across the state – in person and virtually – to hear directly from business owners, community leaders, and residents about what’s working, what’s in the way, and what role WBC should play in moving Wyoming forward. No presentations. No agenda to push. Just honest questions and space to answer them.
FIND YOUR CONVERSATION
Find a session near you and come ready to talk. Don’t see one in your area? We’re adding dates around the state – follow us on social for updates. Want to bring a session to your community? Reach out.
RSVP for the following sessions at wbc.pub/WBCListen
- June 16: Gillette
- July 9: Cheyenne Playground Chat
- 4-6:30 PM: Informal conversation for families, Lions Park
- July 16: Sheridan
- 12-1 PM: Lunch & Learn, Ramada Plaza Convention Center
- 1:30-2:30 PM: Open House, Ramada Plaza Convention Center
- 5-9 PM: Third Thursday, Downtown Sheridan
- July 22: Cheyenne Day CFD Pancake Breakfast
- 7-9 AM: Outside WBC Offices (214 W. 15th)
- July 28: Cheyenne Young Professionals Happy Hour
- 5 PM: Westby Edgy Brewing
- August 5-6: Bighorn Basin
- August 5, 12-1 PM: Cody Lunch & Listen; WY Game & Fish Regional Office
- August 5, 2-4 PM: Powell Open House/Ice Cream Social; Plaza Diane – Families Welcome!
- August 5, 5:30-7 PM: Cody Happy Hour; Cody Craft Brewing (Cash bar)
- August 6, 8-9 AM: Greybull Coffee Talk; Wyld Sage Coffee Shop
- August 6, 11:30 AM-1 PM: Lovell Lunch & Listen; Mustang Café
- August 6, 3-5 PM: Washakie/Hot Springs County Listening Session; Worland Community Center
- August 7: Fremont County
- 7-8:30 AM: Riverton Coffee Talk; Central Wyoming College, ITECC 116
- 11:30 AM-1 PM: Lander Lunch & Listen; Central Wyoming College Lander, LC 106 & 107
- August 12: Pinedale
- 5-7 PM: Sublette County Visitors Center
- August 12-14: WY State Fair, Douglas
- Come by our WBC booth in the Ag Tent
★ August 13: Team Wyoming Huddle ★
- One Hour. 1,000 Voices. Open to all Wyoming!
- Noon–1 PM | Virtual
- A statewide gathering – “Team of 1,000s” in one space, real input that shapes what comes next
View the Recording and see the Poll Results
- August 19: Laramie Young Professionals
- 8:30 AM: Impact 307 – RSVP Required
- August 20: Sweetwater County
- 1-2 PM: Listening Session, Rock Springs; The Loft at the Broadway Theater
- 2-3:30 PM: Happy Hour, Rock Springs; The Loft at the Broadway Theater (Cash bar)
- 4-7 PM: Farmer’s Market, Rock Springs; Bunning Park
- August 27: Teton County
- 8-9:30 AM: Coffee Talk, Jackson; Teton County Community Fairgrounds Building
We're Listening — and We're Not Done Yet
This summer, the Wyoming Business Council hit the road to hear directly from the people who know Wyoming best: you. From Gillette to Rock Springs, Sheridan to the Bighorn Basin, Fremont County to Jackson, we held more than 37 conversations across all 23 counties — at coffee shops, community centers, happy hours, and farmers markets. More than 1,000 Wyomingites shared what’s working, what’s in the way, and what they want for the state’s economic future, culminating in the statewide Team Wyoming Huddle in mid-August.
We made a promise that what you told us wouldn’t stop with a conversation — and in late August, we carried everything we heard directly to Wyoming lawmakers in Cheyenne.
But the listening doesn’t end here.
Want us to come to your community? We’re always looking for the next conversation, and we’d love for it to be in your town. If you’d like to help host a listening session, connect us with your community, or simply stay involved, let us know.
Because the best ideas for Wyoming’s future come from Wyoming’s people — and we’re still listening.
The Team Wyoming Huddle: What Wyoming Told Us
On August 13, nearly 600 Wyomingites joined us live for the Team Wyoming Huddle — the largest gathering of a summer-long listening effort that reached more than 1,000 people across all 23 counties. In one hour, we shared what we’d heard across the state and asked participants to help shape what comes next, live.
We made a promise that what you shared wouldn’t stop with a conversation. On August 27 and 28, we kept it — carrying everything we heard directly to the Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee and the Joint Appropriations Committee in Cheyenne.
Explore what Wyoming told us:
Watch the Huddle — the full recording of the August 13 conversation
See the poll results — what participants said, in their own words and votes
Read What Wyoming Is Telling Us — our brief to the Legislature’s Joint Minerals and Joint Appropriations Committees, with the findings, the results behind our work, and the role Wyoming is asking us to play
This is the Team of Thousands: Wyomingites from every corner of the state, helping build an economy where people can create the lives they want here. Thank you for being part of it.
Real Talk. Real Action.
Some questions deserve more than a press release. Building Wyoming’s Future is a live, unscripted Open Mic series where our team takes on Wyoming’s toughest economic challenges straight on, with no script and no spin. Housing. Infrastructure. Venture capital. Local growth. We go there.
No topic is off limits. This is your space to get the facts, share your perspective, and help bridge the gap between local ingenuity and economic opportunity. These conversations are free, open to everyone interested in Wyoming, and built for our Team of Thousands. Bring your questions, bring your voice, and invite your network.
WATCH PAST CONVERSATIONS
Missed one? Every session is recorded. Catch up on the full conversation anytime.
Housing As Critical Infrastructure
Wyoming is hitting a ceiling. We have businesses ready to expand, energy projects attracting investment, and communities that want to grow – but workers can’t find a place to live. And our young people are leaving and not coming back. That’s not a social issue. That’s an economic infrastructure issue.
On June 2, the WBC hosted an Open Mic with honest dialogue about what Wyoming’s housing shortage actually costs us – in jobs, in growth, in the young people who can’t make a life here.
The Exit Interview
To build a Wyoming where the next generation can thrive, we must first listen to their reality. “The Exit Interview” was an honest dialogue with young Wyomingites—those who stayed, those who left, and those deciding their next move. This conversation moves beyond assumptions to explore the real trade-offs between a love for Wyoming and the need for career growth, housing, and connection.
Key Takeaways:
Career over “Jobs”: Access to meaningful, in-field employment is the primary driver for staying or leaving.
The Community X-Factor: Connection, leadership opportunities, and vibrant gathering spaces create the social fabric that turns a town into a home.
Viable Returns: Leaving isn’t a failure; the goal is to ensure Wyoming is the first choice when they are ready to build a life.
Understanding the Nuclear Industry
The first of our community conversations explored how large-scale industrial developments—such as the proposed BWXT nuclear facility near Gillette—serve as more than just local projects; they are powerful catalysts for statewide economic resilience.
We discussed the ripple effect these investments create with community and industry leaders.
Key Takeaways:
Infrastructure Readiness: Strategic state investments in power and site prep can make Wyoming a top choice for next-generation industry.
Statewide Opportunity: Why a win in one county creates a demand for services, parts, and talent that stretches across the entire state.
The Long Game: Moving from “one-off” projects to building a permanent industrial engine that provides high-quality careers for young Wyomingites.
Critical Minerals Beyond the Rocks
Our second “Building Wyoming’s Future” conversation explores the shift from being a primary resource provider to a global leader in technology and manufacturing. This session digs into how Wyoming can strategically capitalize on its critical minerals to create lasting, high-value economic clusters.
Key Takeaways:
Capturing the Value Chain: Moving beyond extraction to lead in processing and manufacturing.
National Security: Understanding Wyoming’s vital role in global supply chain security.
Bridging the Gap: How the WBC helps move advanced technologies from the lab to commercial-scale projects that create local jobs.
ROI of Innovation: Why hard-tech R&D is a generational investment in new tax revenue and career paths.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
Live at Noon MST | Recorded and archived here for anyone who can’t join live.
We’ve shifted to a monthly schedule for the summer – check back for new topics.
Tuesday, July 14: Opportunity Zones 2.0 – Noon MST
What does Opportunity Zones 2.0 mean for Wyoming communities?
With new rules, tighter eligibility, and stronger rural incentives, understanding the changes is critical for local leaders, developers, and investors. Featuring experts from the Governor’s Office and Wyoming Business Council
- Register at wbc.pub/OZWebinar2026
What’s the Point? Open MicS
YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
WE HAVE ANSWERS.
Wyoming’s economic future is at a crossroads, and we know there are a lot of questions about what comes next. Join Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell every week for a live, unscripted Q&A. From the proposed dismantling of the WBC to how we’re fighting to keep Wyoming families whole, no question is off-limits. Get the facts, join the conversation, and find out how you can take action for your community.
- Next Session: Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 @ 1 PM MST
- Open to the public
- All sessions will be recorded and posted here
Open Mic Recordings
Wyoming’s economic crossroads are too important for closed-door conversations. If you couldn’t join us for our latest “What’s the Point?” Open Mic, you can watch the full, unscripted recordings here. From debunking myths about the WBC budget to discussing the future of our local communities, we’re putting it all on the table. Watch CEO Josh Dorrell tackle the tough questions and get the facts you need to be an informed advocate for your region.
Building Wyoming's Future
The WBC is hosting a series of essential community conversations exploring Wyoming’s biggest economic growth hurdles and opportunities, and discussing practical steps needed to secure a thriving, resilient future for generations to come.
These conversations are vital for everyone in our Team of Thousands – local leaders, business owners, students exploring opportunities to stay in Wyoming, and dedicated citizens – who want to play a direct role in building a thriving, resilient future for generations to come.
CHECK OUT OUR LATEST COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
What’s the Point? To build a Wyoming where the next generation can thrive, we have to move beyond assumptions and listen to the voices shaping our tomorrow. Watch the replay to hear the straight talk on what it will take to keep our families together and our state strong.
BUILDING WYOMING’S FUTURE: THE EXIT INTERVIEW
Wyoming leads the nation in exporting its greatest resource: our children. With 60% to 70% of our youth leaving the state by age 30, we aren’t just losing people — we are losing our future.
On Thursday, Feb. 5, we partnered with WyoFile and ENGAGE Wyoming to host a candid, high-energy “Exit Interview” to hear directly from the people who matter most. This wasn’t a panel of experts talking about young people; it was an authentic, raw dialogue featuring young Wyomingites who stayed, those who left, and those weighing their options right now.
The conversation was powerful, eye-opening, and essential for every parent, employer, and policymaker in the state. If you missed the live session, the full recording is now available for you to review.
PAST CONVERSATIONS & RECORDINGS
BUILDING WYOMING’S FUTURE: UNDERSTANDING THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY
The first of our community conversations explores how major new developments – such as the proposed BWXT nuclear facility near Gillette, Wyoming – can serve as powerful catalysts for statewide economic growth and opportunity. Watch the conversation with Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell and community and industry leaders.
BUILDING WYOMING’S FUTURE: CRITICAL MINERALS BEYOND THE ROCKS
The second community conversation in our “Building Wyoming’s Future” series generated crucial discussion on how Wyoming can strategically capitalize on its rich resource base to create new, lasting economic clusters.
Wyoming’s Advanced Nuclear Opportunity: Community Q&A
How will BWXT ensure high-quality, long-term jobs rather than a short-term boom?
This is not a “boom-and-bust” model. It is a generational anchor industry, and key drivers include
- Decade-scale facility lifespan under NRC licensing
- Prioritizing local hiring and upskilling
- Building a strong, local supply chain
- Working with colleges and communities for ongoing workforce development
- Integrating into the community over a generation, not a project cycle
I’m a young Wyoming resident studying nuclear engineering with limited experience. How can I contribute to this state and to the nuclear field?
- Start with two steps: gain real-world experience and share what you know.
Seek internships or co-ops with BWXT, TerraPower, national labs, or engineering firms. Hands-on experience will matter as much as your degree. - Be a local “explainer.” Talk with friends, family, and community groups about what modern nuclear energy looks like today. Staying connected to Wyoming projects now will position you well as opportunities grow.
Gillette has a strong workforce from coal and industrial operations. How do these skills fit a TRISO fuel facility, and will training be provided?
- These existing skills and know-how fit very well. Skills from coal plants – maintenance, operations, safety, instrumentation, valves, pumps, quality – are directly relevant to a TRISO fuel facility.
- Training will be essential. We expect to develop targeted programs in partnership with Gillette College, the University of Wyoming, WyoTech, Wyoming Welding Academy, and employers like BWXT and L&H. The workforce that powered Wyoming’s legacy industries can transition into advanced nuclear with the right support.
What specific training could colleges offer to advance the nuclear workforce?
Training should be practical, employer-aligned, and accessible. Colleges can serve as a bridge between today’s skills and tomorrow’s jobs by offering a variety of training opportunities, including
- Certificates in nuclear quality, radiation protection, and process operations
- Short, stackable credentials in advanced manufacturing
- Co-developed courses with industry
- Built-in internships or co-op rotations
- Technical training tied directly to employer needs
Will BWXT or L&H partner with Gillette College, UW, or others to train Wyoming residents for TRISO manufacturing or microreactor work?
- Yes. Partnerships with local colleges and training providers are expected. These may include curriculum design, advisory roles, internships, apprenticeships, and on-site training to ensure Wyoming residents are first in line for these careers.
- L&H partners with Gillette and Sheridan College, UW, and many other community colleges, trade schools, etc. We get our best talent by working with the teachers and finding students who match our culture and fit in our mission, vision, and values. The world changes faster each year, so L&H looks for people who want to perpetually upgrade their skills, abilities, and opportunities. Training on the job is the norm for L&H.
How can we help K–12 students understand the career opportunities emerging in Wyoming?
The message to convey to our young people is simple: you can build your life here doing world-class work. We recommend introducing energy and advanced manufacturing careers early through:
- School visits from engineers, welders, and technicians
- Hands-on clubs (robotics, energy clubs, machining basics)
- Field trips to training centers or industrial sites
- Classroom kits that connect STEM skills to Wyoming jobs
- Teacher training and lesson plans tied to local industries
Can we bring nuclear education or training classes to Carbon County and other regions?
Yes. Regional interest makes this easier. Carbon County Higher Education Center and others can work with project partners to pilot short courses on nuclear fundamentals, safety, energy careers, and technical skills aligned to future jobs.
How can a small business get networked or involved with the advanced nuclear sector?
Small businesses in Wyoming are already winning major contracts, and more can join them. Visibility and clarity are key:
- Attend supply-chain tours and business roundtables
- Submit capability statements to BWXT, TerraPower, or other project partners
- Join networks like Wyoming Innovative Entrepreneurs
- Demonstrate quality, safety, and reliability even if not yet “nuclear-qualified.”
How can electrical professionals and technical organizations support nuclear development?
Organizations should connect with BWXT, L&H, local utilities, and training providers to align skills and pursue supplier or contractor roles. Electrical expertise is essential for:
- Power distribution
- Controls and instrumentation
- Grid interconnection
- Maintenance of industrial systems
If political opposition pushes advanced manufacturing away, will companies expand elsewhere?
- Yes. Companies investing hundreds of millions of dollars will go where they can operate with certainty, predictability, and a welcoming environment. We’ve already seen this happen with other companies looking to expand in Wyoming that opted to move elsewhere when policy did not support their needs, irrelevant of available investments.
- Wyoming earned early advantages by being unified and forward-looking. Losing that posture would put these opportunities at risk. Companies have been clear with state leaders: political instability or hostility will send projects – and jobs – elsewhere.
Is Wyoming’s legislative direction a concern if it favors “legacy industries” over advanced ones?
- It can be. Wyoming can – and should – support legacy and emerging industries simultaneously. But if policy signals that advanced manufacturing or next-generation energy are unwelcome, growth may shift elsewhere. Wyoming’s future depends on expanding the pie, not protecting slices.
- If a company or a state decides not to innovate or iterate, it suffers. The only guarantee in business and life is change. Not everyone wants it; some want things to stay the same or even return to the past—but that’s the one impossible thing. If we engage in change, we can help shape it and lead it. If we resist, we’ll be dragged into it anyway, without any of the rewards of being the creator or the leader. And remember: there’s room for all forms of energy. When any product or energy source hits peak demand and stops evolving, competition squeezes out the profits and eventually erodes wages and benefits. The path forward is to keep the profitable legacy industries while pushing into new products and services that aren’t price-sensitive. The right strategy is all of the above—and always moving forward.
As more industrial jobs come to Wyoming, how can local healthcare and community resources support workers and families?
Healthy workers and stable families strengthen long-term workforce retention. Support should be:
- Preventive: screenings, occupational health, heat, and respiratory monitoring
- Family-focused: child care, housing stability, mental health options
- Workforce-aligned: clinic hours that fit shift schedules
- Specialized: training providers in radiation medicine and emergency response (rarely needed, but important)
Can healthcare resources be tailored specifically for the nuclear sector to attract more investment?
Yes. Specialized clinical training, emergency preparedness, mental health support, and family services can all signal that the region is ready to support advanced industries. This is another competitive advantage communities can use to leverage themselves.
How will industry leaders maintain transparency, given past failures in other energy sectors?
Trust is built by inviting good faith scrutiny, not avoiding it. Transparency requires:
- Early and ongoing communication
- Plain-language explanations of safety and risk
- Independent oversight and regulatory rigor
- Willingness to share both successes and mistakes
- Community advisory groups with real access to information
What risks or challenges exist in bringing nuclear industries to Wyoming? What policies are important to ensure responsible development?
Responsible development means clear rules, enforced consistently, not no rules.
Potential key risks:
- Political volatility
- Public misinformation
- Workforce bottlenecks
- Infrastructure capacity
- Complex permitting
Important policies:
- Stable, predictable regulatory frameworks
- Proactive community engagement
- Workforce and education investment
- Infrastructure readiness
- Clear environmental and safety guardrails
Where can the public find unbiased information about nuclear impacts?
Look to independent and science-based sources, such as:
- National labs
- Universities
- Federal regulators
- Global case studies of long-standing nuclear communities
How should AI be discussed without using it only as a justification for power demand?
It should not be used as a buzzword or justification. The focus is the mission, not the hype. Instead, AI should be framed as a tool to solve real problems, such as:
- Predictive maintenance
- System optimization
- Advanced operator training
- Enhanced safety monitoring
- L&H uses AI to enhance the capabilities of our people, which expands the capabilities of the entire company. AI improves the speed and quality of my work as CEO and accelerates performance across the organization. At this point, it’s hard to imagine doing our jobs without it. AI is a force multiplier for productivity, quality, safety, and speed to market—enabling us to take on projects we would have passed on in the past. The companies and teams that embrace AI to compound their capabilities will grow faster, create more financial freedom, and achieve a healthier work-life balance than those who resist it.
Will panelists support state agencies seeking nuclear or AI-related grants?
Yes. Leaders are generally willing to contribute expertise, letters of support, brainstorming, or partnership roles—especially when the project:
- Strengthens Wyoming’s workforce
- Advances safety or innovation
- Aligns with long-term economic goals
Agencies should reach out early with clear, concise requests.
How can WyoTech and similar programs become part of this opportunity?
WyoTech and similar programs are natural partners for the scale of this emerging opportunity, and can collaborate directly with industry on:
- Specializations such as nuclear-quality welding
- Diesel and equipment maintenance programs for plant support
- Internships, apprenticeships, and employer-aligned curriculum
- Student pathways into high-quality, long-term jobs
BUILDING THE TEAM OF THOUSANDS
JAC WATCH PARTY RECAP
Thank you to the more than 200 members of the Team of Thousands who joined our statewide JAC Watch Parties on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. The tremendous commitment and energy shown, including that of several high school students in Rock Springs who volunteered to share their vision for Wyoming’s future, demonstrates the state’s readiness to engage in the political process and create opportunities for all generations.
What is YOUR vision for Wyoming’s future?
Review the recordings and slides below, then let us know what you think of the WBC’s vision at wbc.pub/26Budget.