SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Sometimes, when you think there's not a lot of real thinking going on, you get inspiration. That's what's being offered at the Intermountain Sustainability Summit, a conference where leading thinkers, businesses, nonprofits, higher education, government reps and other "change agents" network. Learn about the changing technology and policy landscape in the region and hear Joel Makower, chairman and executive editor of GreenBiz Group Inc., speak. The Associated Press calls him "the guru of green business practices." 1299 Edvalson St., Dept. 1207, Ogden, 801-626-6326, March 24-25, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., $35-$120, IntermountainSustainabilitySummit.com
POETRY SLAM
It's billed as the biggest poetry slam event of the year, and Neil HIllborn and Kevin Kantor at Salt City Slam Finals are not to be missed. HIllborn, a College National Poetry Slam champion and a 2011 graduate with honors from Macalester College, will be featured along with Kantor, a spoken-word poet, actor, teaching artist and queer agent for social change. Hillborn's poem "OCD" went viral in 2013, making it one of the most-watched slam poems ever. The Off Broadway Theater and Laughing Stock Improv, 272 S. Main, March 29, 7-10 p.m., $16.82, EventBrite.com
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Is the economy going into the toilet or are we just swimming along? You can find out what the experts say at Bank of Utah's sixth annual Economic Outlook Event for bank customers and business leaders. You might actually understand what's going on because of nationally acclaimed economist and lecturer Elliot Eisenberg. As chief economist for GraphsandLaughs, LLC, he specializes in making economics relevant and accessible. Multiple locations and times, 800-516-5559, free, BankOfUtah.com/Events
GARDEN OPENING
It's spring, so why not check out one of the most amazing gardens in the state? Thanksgiving Point will open its 55-acre estate gardens to the public for the 17th year, but under a new name—the Ashton Gardens—in recognition of its founders and donors, Alan and Karen Ashton and the Ashton Family Foundation. The gardens are a faithful replica of the one in The Secret Garden, and stand as a reflective and peaceful place in the midst of global angst. 3900 N. Garden Drive, Lehi, March 26, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., $12-$15 admission, 801-768-4999, ThanksgivingPoint.org