Savannah, Georgia - Salt Lake will host the U.S. Travel Association's Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) in August of next year. A nine-member Utah delegation representing the Utah Office of Tourism, Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, Davis County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, Park City Chamber, San Juan County Economic and Visitor Services, and Kane County Travel Council was in Savannah, Georgia, on Tuesday for the announcement. An estimated 400 tourism destination professionals will attend the 28th Annual ESTO at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City from August 28-30, 2011.

"This is a prestigious event and we are excited to host tourism leaders from all over the country and state to discuss best practices in destination marketing," said Leigh von der Esch, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism, an agency of the Governor's Office of Economic Development. Also in Georgia, von der Esch was re-elected to the board of the National Council of State Tourism Directors.

"We are excited to showcase Salt Lake's accessibility and scenic beauty to these tourism professionals who will come to Utah for work sessions, meetings, and an opportunity to experience some of our outstanding activities and attractions," said Pat Holmes, vice-president of partner development, Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Salt Lake CVB and the Utah Office of Tourism partnered to submit the successful bid to the U.S. Travel Association.

ESTO presents cutting-edge, progressive insights from industry and nationally-recognized thought leaders and speakers on marketing, technology, trends, leadership and more. For more information about ESTO, contact U.S. Travel's National Councils Department at esto@ustravel.org, call (202) 408-8422 or visit http://www.ustravel.org/events/esto. To contact the Utah Office of Tourism, call (801) 538-1900 or visit www.visitutah.com.