Salt Palace Convention Center’s New Director of Events
The Salt Palace Convention Center is proud to announce the promotion of Courtney Strong as Director of Events. With deep institutional knowledge, a genuine passion for live events, and a leadership style built on trust and example, Courtney steps into this role ready to elevate the guest and client experience to new heights.
A Path Shaped by Passion
Courtney’s path to event management began with a love of sports. While studying Recreation Management and Youth Leadership at Brigham Young University, a single decision to pursue event management changed the entire trajectory of her career.
“That one decision changed the entire trajectory of my life when I could have gone a completely different direction.”
Her love of sports led her into the events industry, opening doors she hadn't yet imagined. What began as a passion for athletics became a calling for creating moments that bring people together. Her early professional experience in operations began at a smaller convention center. The work she did there left a lasting impression and gave her an appreciation for the team she has now. She understands firsthand how there is no small job when supporting a 1 million sq ft building.
In 2023, Courtney received her Certified Venue Professional (CVP) designation and her Certified Crowd Manager certification. Obtaining these certifications reflects a career built on both experience and a commitment to continuous growth.
A Leader by Example
Courtney's approach to leadership is straightforward: lead by example. She wouldn’t ask her team anything she wouldn’t do herself. Her approachable, solutions-oriented style creates an environment where team members feel trusted, empowered, and confident, with clear expectations that allow them to thrive.
"I want my team to feel trusted and empowered to build their confidence with set expectations laid in place," Courtney shares. "With my unflappable personality, I hope to be approachable and a source for solutions and decisions that need to be made."
A Strategic Vision for the Future
In her new role, Courtney is focused on delivering exceptional, world-class experiences by focusing on three pillars that will drive the events department forward.
First, she is committed to investing in the training and development of her team, bringing out their full potential and building a culture of excellence from the inside out. Courtney believes that delivering superior experiences for clients and guests starts from within, investing in the people who make those experiences possible every single day. Second, she will focus on retaining and nurturing the established relationships that have made these venues trusted partners in the industry, while actively creating new partnerships to support continued growth. Third, she will lead with continuous curiosity, researching and embracing new trends and technology to ensure the Salt Palace Convention Center remains at the forefront of the events industry.
Her vision for the role is also deeply connected to the broader Salt Lake community she is proud to serve.
To Courtney, live events bring people together to learn, network, celebrate, and have fun. The future of the Salt Palace Convention Center and downtown Salt Lake City is bright and electric, and she is excited for the opportunity to be part of its history.
"It's an honor to serve our city and community by welcoming guests to our facility each and every day," Courtney reflects. "Creating moments of connection and meaningful conversation is what matters most, while supporting our local economy and businesses with the rippling effect."
Courtney's promotion reflects the venue's continued commitment to investing in the talented people who drive these venues forward. We are excited to see her bring her passion, expertise, and people-first leadership into this next chapter, and we are confident that the best events this city has ever seen are still ahead.
New Leadership Structure Built for the Future
As downtown Salt Lake City continues to grow and the demand for world-class events accelerates, our venues are evolving to meet that momentum with a more focused and intentional leadership structure. What was previously one Director of Events role overseeing event management across both the Salt Palace Convention Center and Mountain America Expo Center has been divided into two dedicated director-level positions, ensuring each venue receives the concentrated leadership, attention, and strategic direction it deserves.
As part of this expansion, Jed Hansen, who has served as Director of Events across both facilities, will transition into the role of Director of Events for Mountain America Expo Center. In this new capacity, Jed will focus on further integrating Event Management and Event Services to create a more seamless experience from initial planning through move-in and show days.
Together, Courtney and Jed represent a bold investment in the future of both venues, two focused leaders aligned in purpose, driving exceptional experiences on two distinct stages.