SALT LAKE CITY (May 4, 2020) – In an effort to assist businesses throughout Salt Lake County, Visit Salt Lake (VSL) recently launched its Gift Card Marketplace, a commerce page that sells electronic gift certificates in increments of $10 and $25 to participating Salt Lake businesses*.

Introduced to generate much-needed revenue for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic is the primary focus of the site for the foreseeable future. However, VSL has long-term plans for its Gift Card Marketplace when visitation to Utah’s capital city is back to pre-pandemic levels. Until then, all fees are being absorbed by VSL and Salt Lake City-based Bandwango, host of the commerce platform, with 100 percent of all revenue generated from the e-gift cards going directly to the participating small businesses whose gift cards are purchased. 

To further support its members and local businesses, VSL introduced a #SaltLakeStrongChallenge on its Facebook page utilizing the Marketplace and a “pay it forward” component encouraging its fans to purchase gift cards for others in their lives: friends, family members, teachers, etc. To kick off the pay it forward aspect of the #SaltLakeStrongChallenge, VSL awarded $25 gift cards to the first 10 followers who commented on its Facebook post and plans to repeat this awarding of gift cards three more times in May. Those winners are then asked to join the #SaltLakeStrongChallenge and purchase gift cards in either increment ($10 or $25) for their friends or family, further challenging those recipients, and so on.

Ideal for family members, friends, teachers or community heroes (first responders, healthcare workers, etc.), purchasing gift cards is a simple and effective way to help the Salt Lake businesses that make up the fabric of the greater Salt Lake community. 

*Each e-gift card purchased via VSL’s Gift Card Marketplace must be fully used during one visit; no change or credit will be given to card holder.

Visit Salt Lake is a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a vibrant, modern destination brimming with unexpected dining, lodging, nightlife and entertainment options, a destination well suited for convention and leisure travel alike. In partnership with Salt Lake County, Visit Salt Lake’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.