Be sure to mark your calendars for this year’s Employee Appreciation Day (EAD), the U’s annual employee recognition and celebration event taking place at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All University of Utah, U of U Health and Huntsman Cancer Institute employees (including student employees) are invited to attend.
This year, the EAD Planning Committee has made efforts to ensure more opportunities for guests to truly relax and unwind. Read on to learn about a few of these new opportunities available this year.
The Auxiliary Oasis
Brought to you by Auxiliary Business Development (ABD), the Auxiliary Oasis promises to provide an elevated EAD experience by providing a lounge-inspired area to give employees a moment to recharge. This area will feature cabana-style seating for relaxation, misters for added comfort and curated giveaways from some of Auxiliary Business Development Departments, like Print & Mail, Housing & Dining and more.
Shaded eating area and DJ entertainment
After grabbing a free slice of pizza, guests will be directed to sit in the new eating area located just south of the concession stands. This eating area will be shaded and will feature “Oktoberfest” family-style seating with long tables so that teams may sit together to eat, or new friends can be made. A local DJ will also be spinning tunes in this area to entertain as guests enjoy their meals.
Other activities and entertainment options
- Celebration station: A new activity this year. Help us celebrate Swoop’s 30th birthday by decorating party hats, entering a “best party hat” competition via Utah360 and taking photos with Swoop.
- Arcade zone: We are bringing back free, multiplayer arcade games with both the classics you may know, like four-player Pac-Man, and contemporary games you will love to learn. Challenge your colleagues to a game or two to see who comes out on top.
- Check out all activities and entertainment options, including new ones as they are added, on the EAD website.
Opportunities for hospitals and clinics employees
The EAD planning team understands it’s difficult to get away from your important clinical duties to attend our in-person EAD event, so that’s why we are bringing EAD to you. This year, the Hospitals & Clinics Recognition Team will be setting up treat stations on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the following locations:
- Huntsman Cancer Hospital
- Huntsman Mental Health Institute
- Crisis Center
- University Orthopaedic Center
- Main University Hospital
This team will also plan on delivering treats to their Service Delivery Areas (SDAs) on a date to be determined:
- South Jordan Health Center at the South SDA
- Farmington Health Center at the North SDA
- Sugar House Health Center at the Central SDA
For questions, please email Kari Smith at kari.smith@hsc.utah.edu with the Hospitals & Clinics Employee Recognition Team.