"It was really exciting to be a part of such a unique process," Litvack said. "When I think to how this started, it started with trying to put together funding for a parking garage. People came together — the chamber (of commerce,) the Legislature, the county and our hospitality partners. Everybody came to an agreement about how important this project was for the economic viability and the tourism and convention industry at this time. It was an exciting process, nail-biting at times but exciting."

All that's missing now are a few pieces of furniture that have yet to arrive, Jackson said. After that?

The docket is filling, Jackson said. Among the bigger bills: Outdoor Retailer will bring its Winter Market to Salt Lake City in about six weeks, and the 2007 Rotary International Convention is expected to draw up to 25,000 attendees.

"We'll now be able to host nearly $300 million in confirmed and tentative bookings moving forward," Litvack said. "This has already happened, and could not have happened had this not happened. It puts Salt Lake County on the map, having an inviting and workable facility for visitors and clients, and is also good business for Salt Lake City and for the state as a whole.

"The travel industry contributes over $2 billion to Salt Lake County every year. This just adds to our ability to do that and exceed that."

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E-mail: jnii@desnews.com