Salt Palace Updates

The Salt Palace Convention Center is a central piece of the proposed Sports, Entertainment, Culture and Convention (SECC) District, which is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine a key section of downtown Salt Lake. This new district will serve as a dynamic destination where locals and visitors alike can gather, explore, and enjoy the unique offerings of our capital city.

A reinvestment in the Salt Palace Convention Center is vital to maintaining Salt Lake’s position as a premier meeting and convention destination. Renovations to the convention center will increase flexibility and capacity, enabling the venue to accommodate a wider range of events at a larger scale. Expanding the Salt Palace Convention Center with a second ballroom would enable two conventions to take place simultaneously, generating an estimated $105 million in additional annual economic impact - on top of the $426 million the facility already contributes each year - generating additional tax revenue by bringing in out-of-state dollars that support hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and more.

These upgrades are designed to support Salt Lake’s thriving visitor economy and the businesses that rely on it—from hotels and restaurants to local entertainment venues and retail. The project also opens the door for improvements that will enhance the area surrounding the convention center.

It’s important to note that any changes to the Salt Palace will not result in a closure of the facility. Rather, the project would follow a thoughtful, phased approach designed to maintain active convention business throughout construction.

This strategy not only ensures continuity but also leverages the opportunity to connect and enhance premier downtown venues — including the Salt Palace Convention Center, Delta Center, Abravanel Hall and UMOCA, City Creek, and nearby cultural destinations — to attract new events and enrich the overall downtown experience.

"The reimagining of our convention center will enable Salt Lake County to add a second ballroom, expand meeting space, and host multiple events simultaneously. This means more visitors, more hotel stays, and more tax revenue to support our community services. A reinvestment in the Salt Palace Convention Center is vital to maintaining Salt Lake’s position as a premier meeting and convention destination. Renovations to the convention center would increase flexibility and capacity, enabling the venue to accommodate a wider range of events at a larger scale."

-Salt Lake County Mayor, Jenny Wilson

Additional project information will be added to this page as it becomes available.

Leveraging the Visitor Economy to Support our Local Economy

Tourism injects $5.8 billion into the Salt Lake County economy annually, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah. This accounts for nearly half (46%) of Utah's total statewide visitor spending pf $12.71 billion.
Convention attendees spend an average of $1,131.
The Salt Lake County visitor economy generates $557 million in annual state and local tax revenues, supports 47,000 jobs, and reduces the household tax burden by $1,700 per household per year.
In 2024, Visit Salt Lake (VSL) saw unprecedented success by booking business that will generate a record 1.12 million future hotel room nights - a 19% increase from the previous year.
These improvements are projected to generate an estimated incremental $105 million annually in economic impact and generate additional tax revenue by bringing in out-of-state dollars that support hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and more.