He said it's all part of his job as Utah's Senate president.

Because of his elected post, Valentine is a member of the Senate Presidents' Forum, a non-profit funded by Fortune 500 companies that regularly holds conventions outside of the United States.

"We talk about issues that affect each of our states," Valentine said. But the forum also acts as a conduit for information about other countries.

The forum began operating in 1994 and is based in New Jersey. According to financial disclosures, its budget last year topped half a million dollars, with none of it spent on lobbying. But representatives from companies, such as GlaxoÂSmithKline, Coca-Cola and General Motors, not only go on the trip but participate in the forums.

Officials from the non-profit failed to return numerous phone messages during a week's time.

Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, questions the validity of the arrangement.

"What obligation, then, do you have to these companies that are sponsoring it?" Moss asked.

Valentine said he is "not concerned" with the business backing because it is spread among companies and no specific legislation is discussed.

"I never remember a time where we talked about a bill or a problem in a particular state," Valentine said. "But you do network. If a guy calls me from General Motors, I've met him. Or if a guy calls me from Coke, I've met him."

Utah House Speaker Greg Curtis is a member of the National Speakers Conference, which is also a business-backed non-profit that brings House speakers together to discuss policy. But unlike the forum, Curtis doesn't need a passport to participate.

The speakers conference does not go abroad. This year's gathering is in Dover, Del.

Valentine said the international exposure allows him to have "a broader perspective."

He said he is excited about visiting Turkey to learn about an Islamic state and a religion he knows little about.

"The way they actually make decisions will really be important for decision makers in the future," he said.

Valentine's desire to learn more about foreign governments is also a driving force in his planned five-day trip to Kyrgyzstan later this year.

Valentine fostered a relationship with senior Kyrgyzstan officials who visited Utah recently. The majority leader of the Montana Senate will join him on a trip sponsored by the U.S. State Department.

"I'm going over there to learn about a country I know very little about," Valentine said.

mcanham@sltrib.com