Bone-dry Capitol site of bash for U.S. meet

A legislative committee planning a large national convention in Salt Lake next summer decided Monday that an opening social will be held at the Capitol, which bans booze.

Utah hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, noted House Majority Leader Greg Curtis, "and people went two hours without a drink and the Olympics were a success."

But others argued that having a no-booze opening social for next July's National Conference of State Legislatures sets the wrong tone for Utah, perceived by some outsiders as a place where "you can't get a drink."

"It makes us look like we're planning a neighborhood party when, in fact, we're hosting a national convention of legislators, probably 80 percent or more of whom drink," Rep. Ty McCartney, D-Salt Lake, said after the meeting.

McCartney is a member of the NCSL Planning Committee and the only member to vote "no" on the Capitol site for the opening social.

There still could be beer or wine served on the newly reconstructed Capitol Plaza should the Capitol Preservation Board decide in the interim to change its no-alcohol rule. The board will discuss at a later date broadening the appeal of the Capitol as a place for weddings, reunions and other events. Allowing some alcohol on the grounds is part of that discussion, said Rep. Wayne Harper, R-West Jordan, a member of both the NCSL and Capitol committees.

Curtis, R-Sandy, said he hadn't seen so much concern about alcohol at an event "since I was a sophomore in high school and we worried if there would be a keg" at a party.

But Michael D.S. Mack, director of convention services for the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, said he hosts dozens of huge, out-of-state conventions each year.

And every time, one of the first things prospective clients ask him is: "Can we serve alcohol" at the convention?

"It is our job to promote the city" and Utah, he said. And if thousands of legislators, their spouses and guests come to an opening social event at the Capitol and are not offered a drink, "It does set a tone," not only for the rest of that convention but perhaps for other conventions as well that Utah "is as dry as a bone."

But some legislators were clearly tired of the booze debate.