FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts:
- Ryan Mack / Visit Salt Lake / Chief Communications & Experience Officer / 801-859-3587
- Jenna Bree / Visit Salt Lake / Communications Manager / 203-692-5141
- Gabby Saunders / Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation / Communications Manager / 801-638-6010
Visit Salt Lake Launches Visit Salt Lake Volunteer Hub Initiative and Announces New Partnership with Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation
SALT LAKE CITY (May 8, 2026) — Visit Salt Lake, in partnership with Sports Salt Lake, today announced the launch of the Visit Salt Lake Volunteer Hub, a new community initiative designed to connect residents with meaningful opportunities to be part of the events shaping Salt Lake's future. Alongside the launch, Visit Salt Lake also announced a comprehensive new partnership with the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, a strategic alliance that brings together two of the region's leading event organizations in support of a shared vision for Salt Lake's growth as a world-class destination.
Visit Salt Lake Volunteer Hub
As Salt Lake continues to attract major sporting competitions, conventions and meetings, the Visit Salt Lake Volunteer Hub introduces a more intentional, coordinated approach to volunteer engagement, giving residents a real stake in what happens here.
The initiative grows from an existing volunteer database, building on that foundation with consistent communication, hands-on training and year-round touchpoints that keep volunteers connected and ready. The Volunteer Hub is designed to set a new standard for what volunteer involvement can look like, with participants who are prepared, professional and genuinely ready to welcome visitors from around the world. The program includes quarterly training sessions, event-specific briefings, leadership development and, when appropriate, background checks to uphold that standard.
The program officially launches in May with volunteer recruitment and initial training. From there, participants will have opportunities across a wide range of events, including sporting competitions, conventions, civic initiatives and major destination moments like the anticipated reopening of Temple Square in 2027.
The Volunteer Hub will also serve as a regional hub connecting individuals to community service opportunities beyond Visit Salt Lake's own event calendar. A new community grant program allows local schools, sports clubs and civic groups to earn funding through volunteer participation, and sponsorship opportunities will support training, recognition and long-term program growth.
Looking ahead to the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Volunteer Hub serves as a meaningful on-ramp for residents who want to gain experience, build skills and step into the kinds of roles that will define that moment for the city.
"This initiative reflects where Salt Lake is headed as a destination," said Kaitlin Eskelson, President & CEO of Visit Salt Lake. "Demand from event organizers is growing, and through this program our community gets to be part of that momentum while helping us deliver the kind of experiences that keep people coming back."
For more information, please visit visitsaltlake.com/volunteer.
A New Partnership with the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation
Visit Salt Lake and the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation (UOLF) are also proud to announce a comprehensive new partnership for 2026 - 2027. The strategic alliance brings together two organizations with deep roots in delivering exceptional events and experiences in the Salt Lake region, combining their expertise to enhance event operations, expand joint programming and build a more unified approach to serving the destination.
The partnership is designed to foster genuine, ongoing collaboration, with both organizations sharing resources, aligning key initiatives and working together to elevate Salt Lake's profile on the national and international stage.
"Utah’s Olympic legacy has never just been about venues or events — it has always been about the people who bring them to life,” said Lisa Bennion Rasmussen, Chief Revenue Officer for the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Visit Salt Lake on an initiative that invites more residents to play a meaningful role in shaping the experiences that define this destination. The Visit Salt Lake Volunteer Hub creates a strong foundation for community engagement now, while also helping prepare the next generation of volunteers who will help welcome the world in 2034.”
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About Visit Salt Lake
Visit Salt Lake (VSL) is the private, nonprofit Destination Sales & Experience Organization (DSXO) dedicated to recruiting, retaining and activating conventions, meetings, sporting events and leisure travel that fuels the region's visitor economy. In partnership with Salt Lake County, hoteliers, members and public-sector stakeholders, VSL helps generate $6.15 billion in annual visitor spending, $575 million in direct tax revenue and $1,700 in household tax savings while supporting more than 56,000 jobs. By championing Salt Lake's authentic urban-meets-mountain identity, VSL creates transformative experiences that benefit the community and visitors alike. For more information, visit www.VisitSaltLake.com.
About Sports Salt Lake
Sports Salt Lake is a division of Visit Salt Lake, a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a convention, sports and travel destination. Sports Salt Lake's mission is to improve the area economy by attracting and supporting sports and athletic events across Salt Lake County. For more information, visit www.VisitSaltLake.com.
About Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation
The Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining and advancing Utah’s Olympic legacy. As the steward of Utah Olympic Park, Utah Olympic Oval and Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, UOLF maintains world-class venues that support athlete development, public recreation and premier events year-round. By preserving these venues and keeping them active, accessible and relevant, UOLF helps strengthen community, inspire future generations and reinforce Utah’s position as a global winter sport destination.
