Saying downtown Salt Lake has been the center of attention is a bit of an understatement. First, the city's skyline is undergoing substantial changes, the most obvious of which is the initial phase of the City Creek project with the deconstruction of Crossroads and ZCMI malls and the recent implosion of the Key bank tower, signaling the beginning of the Downtown Rising vision. Much like the multi-billion dollar transportation projects we experienced leading up to the Olympics, this new project of redevelopment in the downtown core will bring decades of benefit for locals and visitors alike.

Downtown Salt Lake was the place for over 100,000 convention attendees this summer as we hosted some of the largest groups ever in the Salt Palace Convention Center. From Rotary International to the Summer Outdoor Retailer show, there were convention guests in hotels throughout the Salt Lake Valley, at our County resorts and in neighboring counties. These convention delegates had an incredible impact throughout Salt Lake, particularly in the downtown core, bringing Jeff Polychronis, founding partner of Salt Lake Brewing Co., to comment that "looking forward to the third quarter final numbers, we expect it will be historical. When Salt Lake hosted Rotary International and the

National Sheriff's conventions in June, Squatters sold more than 10,000 beers and over 2,000 burgers in 13 days, representing a 46 percent growth in sales compared to the same time period in 2006."

Finally, Salt Lake County and our friends in Davis County were hosts to our state's decision-makers during a recent legislative interim site tour. Hosted by a number of groups, including the Salt Lake Chamber, Salt Lake CVB, the Downtown Alliance, and the Davis County CVB, Chamber, Community Economic Development, along with local elected officials from both counties and key legislators, the two-day tour ensured the importance of Salt Lake County and Davis County, including our tourism industry, remains front-of-mind to this influential group.

Yes, Salt Lake has experienced a very busy and exciting summer, one we expect to continue. The success we are enjoying would not be possible without the continued support and effort of you, our valued members. So on behalf of the entire CVB staff, thanks and let's continue to show Salt Lake truly is "Different by Nature."

Scott Beck
President/CEO

Your listings on visitsaltlake.com and ski-saltlake.com are a valuable part of membership with the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau.

You could be getting more value from your listing. Do you currently have a photo/logo accompanying your online membership listing?  Please help us make visitsaltlake.com and ski-saltlake.com a more attractive and informative site for our visitors by submitting your photo or logo so we may display it on our Web site .

Please submit your digital photo to Kim Dalby, Webmaster, at kdalby@saltlake.org. JPG format preferred, 150 x 150 pixel minimum. Composite or collage images cannot be accommodated. Image is limited to one photo or logo.

If you have any questions, please contact Amy Hayes, Member Services Manager, at ahayes@saltlake.org or 801-534-4981.

SLCVB EXHIBITS
at MPI and ASAE

The Meeting Professional International  (MPI) World Education Conference was held July 28-31, 2007, in Montreal, Canada. This year's conference had a record-breaking attendance of 3,665, making this event the largest in MPI's 35-year history. Several hospitality partners, including Snowbird, Sheraton City Centre and the Salt Palace Convention Center joined the Bureau's Scott Beck, Michael Mack, Clorinda Holland and Diane Utley to exhibit in its newly unveiled tradeshow booth. Allowing alcohol to be served on the show floor for the first time, the CVB took advantage and offered beer to its clients.

Salt Lake is hosting MPI's World Education Congress in July 2009, and plans are underway to showcase Salt Lake as a top-notch meeting destination.

From August 14-18, four members of the Bureau's sales team attended and exhibited at the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) meeting in Chicago. This annual event attracts approximately 5,500 people, two-thirds of which are association executives who influence their respective associations' convention sites. Sales professionals from the Salt Palace Convention Center, Radisson Hotel, Marriott Downtown, Hilton City Center, Sheraton, and Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort enhanced our effectiveness by joining the Bureau's team.

While at the ASAE annual meeting, these sales professionals uncovered 31 leads. Eight of these leads will consider Salt Lake in their current site-selection process. Plans are underway for the Salt Lake hospitality community to exhibit at next year's ASAE annual meeting August 16-19, 2008.

CONVENTION PROFILE:
This Month @ The Salt Palace

NU SKIN ENTERPRISES

WHEN: September 5-8, 2007

WHO: For over two decades, Nu Skin has passionately pursued the creation of products and resources to help millions of people around the world find their paths to a beautiful future. Founded in 1984 with a commitment to providing quality skin care that features only premium, wholesome ingredients, Nu Skin remains true to this "all of the good, none of the bad" heritage today, developing innovative products that support the health and longevity of skin and hair.

WHERE: Salt Palace Convention Center/EnergySolutions Arena

HOTELS: Hilton City Center, Hotel Monaco, Little America, Grand America, Marriott Downtown, Radisson, Sheraton, Shilo Inn

HOUSING: Orchid Event Solutions, 800-487-3700

DETAILS:

• Approximately 10,000 attendees
• Shuttle
• Corporate Tours Tuesday & Wednesday, September 4 & 5
• Registration opens Tuesday, September 4 in Salt Palace Ballroom
• Meal tickets will be sold for lunch and dinner Wednesday, September 5
• Awards Dinner on Friday, September 7 at EnergySolutions Arena

Web site: www.nuskin.com

DEW TOUR
Coming to Salt Lake

The 2007 AST Dew Tour is making its inaugural stop in Salt Lake at the EnergySolutions Arena September 20-23. The AST Dew Tour features fierce competition in skateboarding, BMX and freestyle motocross. With the largest prize purse in action sports and a $1 million bonus on the line, fans will be treated to an entertaining event featuring more than 150 of the greatest action sports athletes in the world.

In addition to all of the high-flying action, the Dew Tour will feature a Festival Village, an interactive venue for all ages, and a Friday concert. With an atmosphere that's perfect for families, sports fans and music fans alike, the Dew Tour will be the place to be in Salt Lake September 20-23. For more information, visit www.astdewtour.com.

QUICK BYTES & Reminders

In preparation for presenting the 2008 marketing plan at the upcoming President's Forum September 27, the various SLCVB departments have been busy at retreats over the past couple of weeks preparing for the coming year, including proposed programs and budgets.

Speaking of, look for your invitation to the 3rd Quarter Board of Trustees/President's Forum Breakfast soon, but mark your calendars for September 27 now.

Don't forget: the Downtown Farmer's Market continues each Saturday 8:00am-1:00pm at Historic Pioneer Park through October 20. Also, the Fall Dine o' Round is taking place September 14-30, with 34 participating restaurants offering lunch and

dinner 'prix fixe menus,' a great deal and wonderful opportunity to try out a new restaurant.

The SLCVB is proud to announce it has been voted a winner of Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine's 2007 "Award of Excellence." CVB's chosen for this coveted honor were selected by the magazine's subscribers who voted for those that best served their corporate meetings and/or incentive travel programs during the past year.

Finally, if you're not receiving this newsletter via e-mail and are able to help us "go green" by cutting down on the amount of paper we use and distribute, please submit your e-mail address to cchavez@saltlake.org, or submit it in the Members Section of visitsaltlake.com.  Thanks!