Utah tourism board to meet, mull its $10 million windfall

A reconstituted Utah Board of Tourism Development will have its first meeting today and will have its hands full as it tries to capitalize on new branding and advertising funding.

Today's meeting, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Room 110 of the West Building on Capitol Hill, will feature discussion of the advertising and cooperative programs and discussions with W Communications, a Salt Lake ad agency recently selected for the ad contract. W Communications won the $7 million to $10 million contract from among 20 bidders.

The Legislature has approved $10 million in funding for the current fiscal year for branding and advertising the state to tourists. Legislation also reworked the board's structure, and the governor-appointed members were confirmed by the Utah Senate on July 20.

Leigh von der Esch is managing director of Tourism for the new Governor's Office of Economic Development. The board will approve the marketing plan as well as the co-op program for the Office of Tourism.

Board members include:

• Bob Bonar, president of Snowbird, representing the ski industry.

• Steve Burr, professor at Utah State University, representing academia media marketing and public lands.

• Camille Cain, Weber County commissioner, representing the Utah Association of Counties.

• Colin Fryer, owner of the Red Cliff Inn, representing Grand, Carbon, Emery, Duchesne, Daggett and Uintah counties.

• Hans Fuegi, owner of Steeps and Slick Rock restaurants, representing the restaurant industry.

• Mona Given, director of the Huntsman Games, representing Washington, Iron, Beaver, Sanpete, Sevier and Millard counties.

• Frank Jones, manager of Avis Rent Centers, representing the motor vehicle rental industry.

• Georgianna Knudsen, a prior board member and community activist, representing Davis, Weber, Box Elder, Cache and Rich counties.

• Steve Lindburg, general manager of the Hilton City Center and president of the Utah Hotel and Lodging Association, representing the lodging industry.

• Kim McClelland, vice president of Premiere Resorts, representing Summit, Utah, Juab and Wasatch counties.

• Jeff Robbins, president and chief executive officer of the Utah Sports Commission, representing Salt Lake, Tooele and Morgan counties.

• Shelleice Stokes, president of the Ogden/Weber Convention and Visitors Bureau, representing the Utah Tourism Industry Coalition.

• Bob Syrett, owner of Ruby's Inn, representing Garfield, Kane, Wayne, Piute and San Juan counties.