Salt Lake convention numbers are hanging in there

The higher number for future-year bookings does not indicate that "there's an end in sight for the current woes of the economy," he cautioned. "But what it does signal to us is that our product is still relevant, that the people who know they are going to meet…they recognize that Salt Lake is a product that meets their needs."

Beck described the bureau's work as a "401(k) plan for the hotel community." Knowing how many conventioneers will be coming to town in the future allows hoteliers to manage their rates and make other decisions about how to fill their rooms, he said.

Another bright spot for the bureau was its "Ski Salt Lake Super Pass" sales. The program — designed to prompt skier visits to Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude — had record sales of nearly $3.2 million. When the program launched in 2001-02, sales were $220,000.

"That speaks a lot," Beck said, "to the importance of the legacy that is left by the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympics and what that has done to brand Salt Lake as a ski destination."

E-MAIL: bwallace@desnews.com