Utah Tourism Conference Scheduled
Tourism is one of Utah’s largest industries, generating $6.2 billion in traveler spending every year and $625 million in state and local taxes. It’s estimated that there are 110,600 tourism-related jobs in the state. Nationally, the tourism industry employs one out of every nine workers and is responsible for $704 billion in direct travel spending by domestic and international travelers, according to the U. S. Travel Association.
Online registration is now open for the 8th Annual Utah Tourism Conference that will be held in Park City from May 11-13, 2011. The three-day conference will be held at the Grand Summit Hotel at the Canyons Resort in Park City. The conference is co-sponsored by the Utah Office of Tourism and the Utah Tourism Industry Coalition (UTIC). Utah’s annual tourism conference will coincide with National Travel and Tourism Week.
“National and local tourism experts will be speaking at this year’s conference that also provides great networking opportunities for Utah’s industry partners,” said Leigh von der Esch, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism, an agency of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
“Each year the Tourism Conference gives local Destination Marketing Organizations and other suppliers an excellent opportunity to sharpen their marketing skills and learn what new trends are taking place in tourism across the country,” said Marian DeLay, executive director of the Moab Area Travel Council and chairman of the UTIC Board. “This is an excellent opportunity for industry partners to meet new, prospective partners as well.”
The agenda includes strategic marketing and research trends, international marketing, a legislative update, changes in the group/motorcoach market, destination marketing, as well as other topics.
Entries and nominations are being accepted for the Utah Tourism Hall of Fame Awards and the 6th Annual Utah Tourism Marketing Contest. The deadline for both is April 7. This year’s entry fee for the marketing competition is $25 total for up to five entries. PR Campaign and Social Media Marketing Campaign have been added as two new categories this year. Details and an entry form for the marketing contest and nomination forms for the Hall of Fame can be found online at http://travel.utah.gov. The awards will be presented during the conference.
Individual conference registration is $175. Two or more representatives from the same company can register for $150 per person. For conference information and registration, visit www.utahtourism.org or call UTIC at (801) 505-5266 or contact the Utah Office of Tourism at www.travel.utah.gov or (801) 538-1900.
