Qualtrics CEO notes changing business climate as summit opens

SALT LAKE CITY — Qualtrics co-founder and CEO Ryan Smith says it's "a different world" and that companies are coming to understand the need to focus on providing a positive customer experience if they are to thrive.Utah's customer experience giant kicked off the fifth edition of its annual user summit on Wednesday, with a morning of marquee speakers and an afternoon of special topic sessions for the 7,000-plus in attendance.Smith's company, which got its start in 2002 focused on providing