Salt Palace Convention Center and Mountain America Expo Center Welcome Josh Ambrose as General Manager;
The Salt Palace Convention Center and Mountain America Expo Center are proud to announce Josh Ambrose as their new General Manager, marking the beginning of a new era of leadership, growth, and innovation for two of Salt Lake County's premier event venues.
Ambrose steps into the role after serving as the Director of Finance and Administration for both facilities since May of 2023. In this role, he has played a key role in strengthening financial performance, enhancing operational efficiency across departments, and led critical system improvements that transformed event management and internal reporting. Under his financial leadership, the venues achieved three consecutive profitable operating years, the only such period in their history.
Building a Foundation for Leadership
Ambrose brings more than a decade of experience across finance, operations, and organizational strategy. His background includes managing complex budgets, leading multidisciplinary teams, implementing enterprise systems, and supporting long-term capital planning.
Josh holds a Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics from Westminster College and a Master of Accounting from the University of Utah.
In 2022, Josh completed executive AI courses at both MIT and the University of California, Irvine.
Through these experiences and accomplishments, he has gained the perspective and expertise that make him uniquely qualified for this next chapter.
Leadership Excellence
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson expressed strong confidence in Ambrose's appointment and his vision for both facilities.
"Josh brings a deep understanding of the operations of Salt Lake County's convention centers," said Wilson. "His institutional knowledge and forward-looking approach make him the right leader as we prepare for the next chapter of the Salt Palace and ongoing needs of our Mountain America Expo Center. Josh is well positioned to guide these facilities into a new era that will serve both our community and our visitor economy."
Throughout his career, Josh has built strong relationships and demonstrated a clear leadership philosophy; success is driven by collaboration, communication, and shared commitment. His time working alongside former General Manager Dan Hayes reinforced another principle Josh carries forward; leaders don’t just lead but also listen. He consistently emphasizes the importance of strong teams, believing that the collective effort of dedicated people defines what an organization can achieve.
"I am excited to be part of the journey of where our venues are heading, our ability to operate sustainably, invest in our people, and further strengthen our local partnerships," Josh shares. "I am motivated through my belief that we can always be better."
A Vision for the Future
As General Manager, Ambrose is responsible for the overall management and promotion of both facilities, including booking, marketing, finance, human resources, food and beverage, security, production, maintenance, and capital planning. He will work closely with Visit Salt Lake and industry partners such as Sodexo Live! and Encore to maximize facility utilization, strengthen client relationships, and position these venues as cornerstones of Salt Lake County's economic vitality.
For Josh, creating a "world-class convention center" means more than maintaining facilities, it's about making Salt Lake a premier destination that continues to attract the best shows and events, supporting the broader hotel industry and boosting economic impact throughout the region.
"The Salt Palace Convention Center and Mountain America Expo Center play an essential role in Salt Lake County's economy, and I'm honored by the opportunity to serve in this role. My focus will be on maintaining strong financial performance, investing in the systems and teams that support world-class operations, and ensuring our facilities remain competitive, self-sustaining, and well positioned for long-term success."
In addition to Josh's appointment, Bart Allen will continue to serve as Assistant General Manager for both venues, transitioning into a more leadership-focused capacity. For more than 20 years, Bart has contributed to the success of both facilities and will now shift from a primarily operations-driven role to one centered on leadership and team support.
Josh and Bart will navigate the leadership of both venues together in an aligned partnership. Their collaborative approach reflects a shared commitment to operational excellence, team development, and the long-term success of the Salt Palace Convention Center and Mountain America Expo Center. Both leaders look forward to working side-by-side to advance the venues' mission within the community.
Ambrose's appointment reflects a continued investment in strong leadership and thoughtful growth. With an emphasis on collaboration, operational excellence, and community partnership, he looks forward to working alongside staff, partners, and the community to build on the success already underway, writing the next chapter of what these venues can become.