Destination Appeal

Salt Lake has a lot going for it that makes it appealing to your attendees. Visitors love our friendly, clean, safe destination with loads of outdoor recreation, shopping, and entertainment options. In addition to Temple Square, your attendees can explore a walkable, vibrant, artistic downtown. There’s always something happening from professional sports to dive bars to symphonies to comedy shows.

A Vibrant World-class City

Salt Lake is located in the center of the American west. The city of over one million people rests in a valley at 4,330 feet. The majestic Wasatch Mountains surround the city and soar to a dramatic 11,000 feet. As the region’s hub for commerce, transportation, medical services, research, higher education, and cultural attractions, Salt Lake is a vibrant, modern metropolis.

The walkable downtown convention district features 200+ restaurants, cafes, brewpubs, and bars. There are two large shopping malls, art and history museums, IMAX theater, planetarium, professional sports teams, theater, opera, ballet and symphony. Historic Temple Square offers numerous admission-free cultural attractions, including the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (formerly the Mormon Tabernacle Choir). A fare-free light rail line runs through the compact convention district.

Friendly Clean and Safe

When the Association of State & Territorial Public Health Nutrition Directors met with their sister organization, the National Society of Physical Activity Practitioners in Public Health in Salt Lake "participants commented on the ease (of) getting from the airport to the hotel, the cleanliness of the city and the friendly locals." In fact, friendly locals are a big reason that many groups return to Salt Lake annually, or for future meetings. 

Recreation

On the edge of the downtown convention district, Memory Grove Park and City Creek Canyon provide scenic walking and biking trails. Farther out from downtown, you can experience all the great outdoors has to offer within 10-35 minutes: golfing, mountain biking, hiking in wilderness areas, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, trail running, picnics, and tram rides that top out at 11,000-feet. And that's just for starters.

Utah is one of the most accessible outdoor destinations in the world, encompassing 85,000 square miles of nature's offerings, from the Rocky Mountains to the Southwestern desert. 21 National Parks and Monuments and 13 world-class ski resorts are all within a day's drive of Salt Lake, making pre- or post-event vacation options easy for your attendees.

Weather

Salt Lake's seasonal weather varies almost as much as its recreational opportunities abound. Summer temps rise dramatically in the day, while mornings and evenings are comfortable, ideal for a morning hike, al fresco dining or enjoying an outdoor concert. The nearby mountains and canyons also offer a fantastic alternative, as resort temperatures are typically 10-15 degrees cooler than in the valley. Salt Lake's winter temperatures are chilly, but warmer than most people may imagine due to its lower elevation and relative low humidity. The mountain resorts, with their "Greatest Snow On Earth," are another story, where temps are ideal for the perfect ski getaway. Spring and autumn offer the most moderate temperatures of the year, with nature either in full bloom or the booming colors of fall on the hills embracing Salt Lake.