Zions nabs big-name speaker: Bolton

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John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will be the main speaker at Zions Bank's international trade and business conference in May.

Bolton will speak about the political risks businesses may face when negotiating with clients in unstable countries, Mark Garfield, international banking manager at Zions, said Wednesday.

"There are issues like civil unrest . . . that might threaten the political and economic stability [of a country]. So it's understanding those risks and how they influence investments, and we want his perspective on that," Garfield said.

Bolton served as the Bush administration's ambassador to the U.N. under a "recess" appointment for 16 months until he resigned in December. A long-time critic of the U.N., he was opposed by Democrats and some Republicans as being too confrontational.

The half-day trade conference will be May 22 at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. Bolton will be in Utah one month after Vice President Dick Cheney speaks April 26 at Brigham Young University. Garfield doesn't think Bolton's visit will inflame as much opposition.

"His perspective [on trade] will be of interest to people, and people can make their own conclusions," Garfield said.

Other speakers will focus their remarks on economic and business issues involved in foreign trade. They are:

* Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who will describe his vision of Utah's role in global trade.

* Bijan Kian, director of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

* Thomas Lee Boam, former minister counselor for commercial affairs at the American Embassy in Canada.

* Boli Medappa, founding partner of India 360, a global consulting firm.

"We hope that companies in Utah are well-served to have a number of experts who can speak on both the economic and political [aspects of trade]," Garfield said.

Garfield expects 800 people to attend. Cost is $30, which includes a continental breakfast.