The convention would bring about 9,000 people to Salt Lake.

"That would be a real plum," White said, adding that he's "confident we will book at least our fair share" of displaced conventions.

And with other conventions waiting in the wings as well, Bennett said the bureau has devised a plan to allow the conventions to benefit Katrina victims.

The plan is based on increased hotel rooms. For every additional hotel room rented in Salt Lake City, hotels will donate $5 — half going to the Red Cross and the other half going to the community where the convention was originally supposed to be held.

For instance, if a displaced convention comes to Salt Lake City and is expected to bring in an additional 5,000 hotel room rentals, hotels will donate $25,000.

Already, several conventions have been relocated or canceled in Katrina's wake.

The National Association of Convenience Stores has moved to Las Vegas, the National Business Aviation Association has shifted its convention to Orlando, Fla., and the American Society for Microbiology is now heading to Washington, D.C.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com