County bonds and an increase in the transient room tax will be used to finance the project. Ultimately, the Legislature will be asked to raise hotel and restaurant taxes to fund the project and pay back city and county commitments.

"The county and city have to work very closely to make sure that we can get this job done," Jergensen said. "I'm fully confident that we can get the bonds issued and the building built."

Anderson said he sees no reason why funding for the Salt Palace expansion won't be given. However, he stressed there is not just a need for more exhibit space but also that the Salt Palace requires more meeting rooms.

In addition to an expanded Salt Palace, members of the board of the Colorado-based Outdoor Industry Association are passionate that state leaders protect wilderness and recreation areas. Last year, former Gov. Mike Leavitt created a task force charged with identifying the state's recreational gems and building a recreation economy.

"Gov. (Olene) Walker deserves significant credit for taking a framework created by Gov. Leavitt," said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of OIA, whose members take up 60 percent of the trade show's exhibit space. "With the signing of a five-year contract, OIA will be here to stand up for the breathtaking landscapes that this state provides, landscapes that are so key to the success of our industry."

The nine other cities considered for the trade show were Las Vegas; Denver; Orlando, Fla.; Reno, Nev.; New Orleans; San Diego; Atlanta; Chicago and New York.

Devin pointed to an extensive outdoor market study that put Salt Lake City on top.

"Salt Lake City is a city that is appreciated and enjoyed by the people that attend the show, both buyers and sellers," Devin said. "They enjoy the city, they enjoy the parks, they enjoy being able to get up to Park City. They enjoy being able to get to Brighton. They enjoy getting to hike."

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Contributing: Lynn Arave

E-mail: danderton@desnews.com