SALT LAKE CITY (March 21, 2011) - During Visit Salt Lake's annual meeting held March 17 at Abravanel Hall, Tori Piersante, Director of Convention Sales, was presented the sixth annual Dianne Nelson Binger Sales Leadership Award.

"Tori truly hit her stride in 2010," said Scott Beck, president & CEO of Visit Salt Lake, in praise of Piersante. "Following a couple difficult years in which many of Tori's bids made it only as far as the short list despite her enthusiasm and incredible work ethic, 2010 saw her book several citywide conventions, including the 2019 Barbershop Harmony Society, National Title I and Educational Testing Services. Combined, these conventions will generate more than 114,000 hotel room nights and have an economic impact on Salt Lake of $38 million. And 2010 was no fluke; Tori already booked citywide convention this year-the Episcopal Church in 2015-which will bring an additional 24,000 room nights and more than $9 million to Salt Lake."

The Dianne Nelson Binger Sales Leadership Award is presented to the Bureau's top sales person, in honor of Dianne Binger, a tireless advocate for Salt Lake and the state. Binger exemplified the traits of a successful sales person and served the Bureau and Salt Lake for 18 years, becoming President and CEO in 2001. A great leader and mentor, Binger sadly lost her long battle with cancer in March 2005.

Visit Salt Lake is a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a convention and travel destination. VSL's mission is to improve the area economy by attracting and providing support to conventions, leisure travelers and visitors while being a leader in environmental responsibility. Salt Lake is a unique fusion of metropolitan city and quaint mountain town; the towering Wasatch Mountains that embrace Salt Lake offer a dramatic backdrop to the vibrancy and activities of downtown.