Association for Financial Professionals of Utah upcoming events

November 2026 Luncheon- John Sanchez, FPA Group presenting "Hit the MARC- simplifying financial concepts" (November 19, 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Hit the MARC – Simplifying Financial Concepts (AFP of Utah Luncheon)

Join your fellow AFP of Utah members on Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM for our November Content and Luncheon: Hit the MARC—Simplifying Financial Concepts. The event will take place at 95 State St, Salt Lake City, UT (please check in at the front desk upon arrival).

As finance, treasury, and accounting professionals, translating complex numbers into clear, actionable insights is a superpower. Facilitated by John Sanchez of the FPA Group, this interactive session introduces a single, practical framework designed to strip away heavy complexity from your communications without losing an ounce of accuracy or professional credibility.

What You'll Walk Away With

The MARC Framework: Master all four core elements—Minimal, Accessible, Repeatable, and Clear—and the specific test question for each.
Plain Language Strategies: Learn how to quickly identify dense financial jargon and swap it out for impactful, universal language.
Hands-On Practice: Actively rewrite real-world financial communications for non-finance audiences through interactive exercises.
Immediate Application: Commit to simplifying one specific communication you send regularly so you can apply your new tools the second you return to the office.

Session Agenda

Welcome & Session Overview
Why Simplicity Matters
The MARC Framework
Activity 1: Word Choice Sprint (Individual)
Activity 2: MARC Translation Challenge (Groups of 3 to 4)
Debrief & Wrap-Up

Connect with your local finance community, enjoy lunch, and elevate your communication strategy before heading into the 2027 planning cycle.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Best regards,

The AFP of Utah Leadership Team

January 2027 Luncheon- Economic Update (January 21, 2027)

Thu, 21 Jan 2027 18:30:00 GMT

Join fellow AFP of Utah Members for our January Kick Off Luncheon!

Robert Spendlove- Senior Economist at Zions Bank

Robert is the Senior Economist for Zions Bank. In this capacity he monitors and reports on economic indicators and public policy developments for the bank. Founded in 1873, Zions Bank is a division of Zions Bancorporation, which is one of the nation’s premier financial services companies and operates throughout much of the western United States.

Robert's research interests are primarily in the areas of macroeconomics, demographics, financial markets and public policy. He frequently advises and briefs policymakers, as well as business and civic groups throughout the western United States. He is also regularly called on to give expert analysis in the media, through print, radio, and television. He is known for his insightful and understandable approach to explaining economic trends.

February 2027 Luncheon- Capital markets: Macro trend indicators (February 18, 2027)

Thu, 18 Feb 2027 18:30:00 GMT

Join fellow AFP of Utah Members for our February Luncheon!

"Capital markets: Macro trend indicators". FIS Global will guide us with a discussion around several trends focused on the below (Crypto and digital asset themes).

Industrialization of AI and data strategy, use cases
Regulatory complexity and compliance modernization
Evolving competitive dynamics across fintech, private capital and big tech
Macro economic headwinds and margin pressures

Speaker Bios

Logan Wacker is a finance and treasury transformation advisor at FIS, focused on how emerging technologies are reshaping the Office of the CFO. In this role, Logan partners with CFOs and treasurers to modernize treasury, payments, and liquidity—enabling faster, more informed decision-making at scale. Prior to joining FIS, Logan built and led consulting teams at PwC, RSM, and Elire.

Nicolas Garcia is a senior treasury and payments technology leader with over 15 years of experience spanning fintech, global corporate treasury, Big 4 consulting, and banking. He currently serves as Treasury & Payments Lead in the Growth Office at FIS, where he supports go‑to‑market strategy and client engagement across treasury and payments solutions. Previously, Nicolas led global treasury technology and payments transformation initiatives at UPS, including an enterprise‑wide payments modernization program. His background also includes treasury advisory leadership at PwC and banking roles at Citi and Banco Falabella. Nicolas holds an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and dual bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Industrial Engineering. He is a frequent speaker on treasury transformation, payments modernization, and the practical application of technology in corporate finance.

March 2027 Luncheon- Topic and Speaker TBD (March 18, 2027)

Thu, 18 Mar 2027 17:30:00 GMT

Join fellow AFP of Utah Members for our March Luncheon!

Topic and Speaker- TBD