From Deseret News archives:
$10 million to sell Utah?
Huntsman tells outdoor retailers he wants to lure more tourists
That's in addition to the 17 million tourists who visit Utah each year, Huntsman told about 400 retailers Saturday at an Outdoor Industry Association breakfast meeting in Salt Lake City.
And he's willing to spend $10 million on the marketing effort.
In the past, Huntsman said, there has been $850,000 or $1 million here and there spent on promoting Utah. Many people, he added, thought the 2002 Winter Olympics would be the answer to Utah's tourism dreams.
"We've got to earn that travel and tourism," Huntsman said.
The governor talked about adding $10 million to put on a "first-rate" name brand marketing campaign for Utah.
Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, is sponsoring the bill, SB7, that would secure the money Huntsman wants for promoting Utah tourism. Senate Majority Leader Pete Knudson, R-Brigham City, recently said Utah has been "slow in catching on" in terms of promoting Utah.
Retailer exhibits in the Salt Palace for the 2005 winter show are up to 711 over last year's 685, according to Peter Devin, director of Outdoor Retailer, which is owned and managed by Virginia-based VNU Expositions Inc. It's why the Salt Palace is currently in the midst of a $55 million expansion, part of which Devin said should be ready by the summer 2006 show.
Outdoor Retailer announced last August it would stay in Utah for at least five more years, contingent on the expansion of the Salt Palace Convention Center and a state commitment to protecting state recreational areas.
Huntsman drew the applause of retailers when he spoke out against "shrinking" the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, despite reports earlier this month that the state wants to reduce the size of the 1.7 million-acre site.
With lawsuits ongoing over the monument, Huntsman said he wants "input" on cases that involve the 1906 Antiquities Act, which former President Bill Clinton is alleged to have violated in creating the monument.
Huntsman stressed open communication with retailers and Outdoor Industry Association President Frank Hugelmeyer, who the governor joked has been in his office or on the phone with him more than anyone else in his first 30 days in office. Hugelmeyer referred to Huntsman as a "friend" of the industry in his introduction of the governor.
State rural affairs coordinator Gayle McKeachnie will be a vital link in that line of communication with retailers, environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts, Huntsman said. McKeachnie wants a state public lands policy office that would deal directly with the federal government.
Huntsman ended his address by thanking Outdoor Retailer for keeping its show in Utah. "We want to earn your confidence," he said. "We want to earn your support."
E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com
Comments
- NHL roundup: Panthers tame Wild 8:46 p.m.
- Golf roundup: Tiger puts on a show 8:40 p.m.
- Cholesterol drugs under scrutiny 8:38 p.m.
- National news briefs 8:20 p.m.
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full 8:19 p.m.
- 'Tweeters' to report on shuttle launch 8:18 p.m.
- Obama urges tough stance on Iran 8:18 p.m.
- Burned food sets off kitchen fire 8:06 p.m.
- Teams working to rescue lost hikers 8:06 p.m.
- Wounded Utes limp home 7:55 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
363 - BYU happy to escape with victory
228 - TCU creams U.
221 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
203 - Will state consider gay rights law?
149 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
133 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
123 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
TCU is good and with the weak teams that are ranked 5-10 there were they...
I have had a huge smile on my face all day from last night's game! I would...
Good Job, Springville. Sorry that you have to play Timpview at the state...
Just for discussion sake; what decisions that are made by the UHSAA are...
To Loose Moose, Um, let's see, BYU 7, TCU 38 on your home turf, with a...
It must have been cold there in our shadows Coog fans. And to think we...
TCU beat us. They are a better team this year. They beat BYU. They are a...
Isee today that BYU is 19 Utah is 22. HUH...what do you think of that?...
There are way too many cynical people who comment on these articles. Take...
How about we "restore" all of the sales tax and other exemptions given to...




You can be the first to comment on this story.