Retailer meet called upbeat

Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau officials called their meeting Friday with Outdoor Retailer trade show organizers "upbeat and positive."

Representatives from Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County and the bureau concluded their meetings Friday with VNU Expositions Inc., the California-based company that puts on the semiannual Outdoor Retailer show. The show, which generates an estimated $38 million in the local economy each year, is contracted to be held in Salt Lake through winter 2005.

However, participants have expressed growing concern over the Salt Palace's exhibit and meeting space, and VNU is being wooed by representatives of 11 other cities for the chance to host the show. Cities that have tossed their hat into the ring include Orlando, Las Vegas, and New Orleans.

At the meetings this week, bureau spokesman Jason Mathis said the Utah group presented its plans for Salt Palace expansion — a $45 million, multi-phase proposal that includes an underground parking facility and expanded exposition space, contingent upon a multi-year commitment from VNU to keep the show in Salt Lake.

Mathis said Friday that convention bureau representatives felt positive about the meetings, but had no further information.

"The VNU representatives asked good questions," Mathis said. "They are making a strategic business decision."

VNU is expected to announce its decision by mid-August.