2022 SCHEDULE

Schedule At-a-Glance

Tues, September 27

12:45 PM - 1:45 PM - Utah Office of Tourism Travel Trade Advisory Committee Meeting (TTAC) - Invite Only

2:00 PM - 4:30 PM - UOT 1:1 Appointments - Invite Only

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM - UADMO - Invite Only

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Forever Mighty Service Project

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM - Evening Social Event at Dinoland Bowl

Wed, September 28

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - UTIA Full Membership Meeting

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM - UOT Board Meeting

11:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Check-in / Registration

12:00 PM - 4:30 PM - Destination Discovery Activities

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM - Chat with Sponsors + Exhibitors

5:30 PM - Bus Transit to Opening Reception/Dinner

6:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Opening Dinner Reception

Thurs, September 29

6:30 AM - 7:30 AM - Sunrise Yoga

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Registration Open

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM - UTC 101

7:30 AM - 5:30 PM - General Conference Content and Breakouts

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Partner Brochure Exchange

7:00 PM - Destination Dinner - Enjoy a free evening exploring Vernal!

8:00 PM - Evening Social Event BINGO and Bar

Fri, September 30

6:15 AM - 7:00 AM - Sunrise Hike

7:45 AM - Tourism Hall of Fame Breakfast + Induction

9:20 AM - General Conference Content and Breakout

12:30 PM - Closing Luncheon

Full Tuesday Schedule
Full Wednesday Schedule
Full Thursday Schedule
Full Friday Schedule

Forever Mighty Service Project

Tuesday, 9/27/22 6:30 PM - 8 PM

The Forever Mighty initiative encourages travelers to explore Utah thoughtfully and safely by being well prepared, aware of our delicate ecosystems, and engaged with the local communities they are visiting. Forever Mighty also aims to inspire residents, visitors, businesses, and stakeholders to take an active role in preserving and enriching Utah through advocacy, ambassadorship, and stewardship opportunities, sponsored by Arrivalist

Industry partners will split into groups with the focus of supporting restoration projects across Vernal City.

BRING GLOVES + CLOSED-TOED SHOES

All attendees will meet in front of the county building - 152 E Main Street (by the green helicopter) - and be assigned their assignment at that time.

Opening Night Reception

Wednesday, 9/28/22 6:00 - 8:30 PM

Sponsored by Uintah County Office of Tourism

Join us for an evening dinner at the base of the cliffs near Moonshine Arch. Food and beverages will be provided. We will end the evening with a live performance by Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors, sponsored by BMI.

Full Conference Schedule

Tuesday, September 27

UOT TTAC Meeting - invite only

  • Travel Trade Advisory Committee (TTAC) meeting

    UCC - Paradise Room

UOT 1:1 Appointments - invite only

  • Invite Only

    UCC - Split Mountain Room 3 & 4

  • Invite Only

    UCC - Ashley Boardroom

UADMO - invite only

Forever Mighty Service Project

  • The Forever Mighty initiative encourages travelers to explore Utah thoughtfully and safely by being well prepared, aware of our delicate ecosystems, and engaged with the local communities they are visiting. Forever Mighty also aims to inspire residents, visitors, businesses, and stakeholders to take an active role in preserving and enriching Utah through advocacy, ambassadorship, and stewardship opportunities.

    This year we will be supporting Vernal with revitalizing their Main Street.

    Please bring gloves and wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty (we will be painting). We also recommend you wear closed-toed shoes.

    Check-In location: Uintah County Building (Green Helicopter), 152 E 100 N, Vernal, UT 84078

    Sponsored by Arrivalist

Dinoland Bowl

  • Dinoland Bowl - 168 West Main Street

    FREE Social Event at Dinoland Bowl! Free bowling and arcades. Food and beverage tickets will be available. Fun networking night to kick off the conference!

    Sponsored by Utah.com and Deseret Digital

Wednesday, September 28

UTC Exhibitor & Marketplace Move-In

  • UCC - Ballroom West Loading Dock

    UTC Exhibitors and Marketplace participants will be provided with booth numbers prior to the event.

    Click here to register to exhibit at UTC

UTC Check-in / Registration

  • UCC - East Side Registration Desk

    Sponsored by Discover Davis

TourismWorks Silent Auction Opens

  • UCC - Grand Gallary - West Registration area

    The Annual Tourism Works Silent Auction is open and ready to accept bids. The Silent Auction will remain open throughout the conference with bidding closing Friday, Sept 30th at 11:30 AM.

    Bidding can be made online here.

    Sponsored by Utah Tourism Industry Association

Utah Tourism Industry Association Membership Meeting

  • UCC - Paradise Room

    Join UTIA for our bi-annual full membership meeting. All attendees are welcome to join.

Utah Office of Tourism Board of Tourism Development Meeting

  • UCC - Paradise Room

    Join UOT for their monthly Board of Tourism Development Meeting. All attendees are welcome to join.

Destination Discovery Activities

Chat with Sponsors + Exhibitors

  • For sponsors and exhibitors

    TripAdvisor Networking Lounge + Grand Gallery

    Thank you for your support. UTC would not be possible without our sponsors and exhibitors! Join UTC organizers, fellow sponsors, and exhibitors for a quick check-in before kicking off the conference with the UTC Opening Reception.

Shuttle to Opening Reception + Dinner

  • UCC, Marriott, Comfort Inn

    Shuttles to the Opening Reception and Dinner will depart from three locations:

    - UCC - East side (2 buses)

    - Marriott - 1 bus

    - Holiday Inn - 1 bus

    Seats are limited and attendees are welcome to carpool and/or drive themselves

    Sponsored by Uintah County Tourism & Events

Opening Reception + Dinner

  • Moonshine Arch Cliffs

    Join Uintah County as we spend a night under the stars and cliffs of Moonshine Arch. Food, Drinks, games, live entertainment and networking.

    Sponsored by Uintah County Tourism & Events

Chris Barron Live Performance

  • Moonshine Arch Cliffs

    Chris Barron is a New York composer and lyricist. He started as a debutant on the circuit’s sharp end in 1988 with $100, a battered acoustic and a headful of the alt-rock anthems that would elevate Spin Doctors to global stardom. He’s a veteran approaching 50, living in a world changed beyond recognition, compelled to write the music that chronicles the here-and-now. As far back as he can remember, he’s had a hunger driving him onward, towards something just out of reach. His current solo project is really about learning and expressing the broadness of his musicality.

    Sponsored by BMI

Thursday, September 29

Sunrise Activity: Sunrise Yoga

  • UCC - East Side Registration Desk

    Sponsored by Discover Davis

UTC Check-in / Registration

  • UCC - Paradise Room

    Is this your first UTC or perhaps you have been before and are looking for ways to improve your UTC experience? Join our UTC 101 panel as we talk through best practices for making the most out of your UTC experience and some tips and tricks to building your tourism network.

    If you are participating in our Mentorship Program - this is where you will start your journey.

UTC 101

Opening Breakfast - sponsored by Hanson Dodge

Welcome to Vernal!

TourismTALKS: Natalie Randall

TourismTALKS: How Tourism Has Re-Shaped Our Communities

Breakout Session 1 | 10:45 AM - 12 PM

Networking Break: Trail Mix Bar

  • Featuring a Make Your Own Trail Mix Bar, Sponsored by SLC Airport

    Located at TripAdvisor Networking Lounge + Grand Gallery

    The UTC Networking Lounge is the place to recharge between UTC keynotes and breakout sessions. Take some time to network with your fellow conference goers as well as visit our many conference exhibitors and Made in Utah Marketplace. Be sure to also take some time to listen in to the live on site recording of the Destination Marketing Podcast hosted by Relic.

  • 10:45 am - 12:00 pm | UCC - Split Mountain 1 & 2

    Speakers: Audrey Neidenbach, Account Director, J/PR

    Kelli Fratto, Director of Public Relations, Love Communications

    Jeremy Pugh, Salt Lake Magazine

    Brittany Anas, Freelance Writer

    Join J/PR, LOVE Communications and travel writers for a discussion about the state of the industry; travel trends; the challenges and opportunities of driving responsible, sustainable travel, and the art of crafting storylines and pitch opportunities that resonate with the media landscape.

    Sponsored by Visit Ogden

  • 10:45 am - 12:00 pm | UCC - Paradise Room

    Speakers: Lamont Browne, VP of DEI Solutions, MGT Consulting

    While Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is difficult to understand for some and polarizing for others, the reality is that it is beneficial to us all. During a fun and interactive session, participants will understand the tangible benefits of focusing on DEI for organizations and the communities they serve and be able to identify tangible steps an organization can take to advance its culture to be inviting to all people.

    Sponsored by Sojern

  • 10:45 am - 12:00 pm | UCC - Ashley Boardroom

    Speaker: Quinn Bennion, Vernal City Manager, Vernal City

    Downtown Vernal is undergoing a resurgence. The downtown area experienced years of disinvestment, declining property values and storefront vacancies. The Downtown Plan planning process engaged over 1,000 residents to create a vision for Vernal's Downtown area. Implementation of the plan is underway. A recent emphasis on tourism and festivals has provided a spark to downtown revitalization and attracting businesses back to Main Street. This session will summarize lessons learned during the planning process, implementation and securing funding.

    Sponsored by Granicus

  • 10:45 am - 12:00 pm | UCC - Split Mountain 3 & 4

    Moderator: Shayne Wittwer, Chief Executive Officer, Wittwer Hospitality

    Lesha Coltharp, Tourism and Events Director, Uintah County Travel & Tourism

    Camille Johnson-Taylor, Executive Director, Kane County Office of Tourism

    Cam + Kenton Pope, 711 Ranch Restaurant, Vernal

    Shalene Bullock, Dinosaur Inn + Suites, Vernal

    Kevin Lewis, Executive Director, Greater Zion

    Events are a staple to the tourism economy in many areas throughout the state and vary from world class competitions like the Olympics and Ironman to “off the wall” experiences. Interact with a diverse panel about how to recruit, support, fund and help these events have a positive lasting impact on counties, communities, businesses, and residents. The panel includes county representatives, restaurant owners and hotel operators, all willing to share how to attract and make the most of events.

    Sponsored by Bryce Canyon Country

Opening Lunch - sponsored by Struck

  • UCC - Main Ballroom

    Buffet-style lunch, catered by Jones Catering.

    Sponsored by Struck

TourismTALKS: Natalie Gochnour

Live Musical Performance - Fallin' In Love With Utah

TourismTALKS: Vicki Varela

TourismTALKS: Governor Address

TourismTALKS: Looking Ahead to Hosting a future Olympic and Paralympic Games in Utah

  • UCC - Main Ballroom

    Speaker: Catherine Raney-Norman, Chair Utah Olympic Committee

    Join us as we hear from Catherine Raney-Norman the current Chair for the Utah Olympic Committee. Ms. Raney-Norman is a four-time Olympian who has served as an active voice for athletes with roles across all facets of Olympic and Paralympic sport. Born in Nashville, Tenn., she grew up in the Milwaukee, Wis. suburb of Elm Grove, finding her passion as a long track speed skater. She competed for Team USA at the 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010 Olympics with her best finish a fourth in the team pursuit in 2010 at Vancouver. She holds six U.S. all round titles and 3 American records, of which all still stand today. She was inducted into the U.S. Speed Skating Hall of Fame in 2018.

    Sponsored by Greater Zion

Networking Break: Boothill Farms Ice Cream

  • Featuring Boothill Farms Ice Cream, Sponsored by Ski Utah

    Located at TripAdvisor Networking Lounge + Grand Gallery

    The UTC Networking Lounge is the place to recharge between UTC keynotes and breakout sessions. Take some time to network with your fellow conference goers as well as visit our many conference exhibitors and Made in Utah Marketplace. Be sure to also take some time to listen in to the live on site recording of the Destination Marketing Podcast hosted by Relic.

Breakout Session 2 | 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM

  • 2:45 - 4:00 pm | UCC - Paradise Room

    Speaker: Keith Pabian, Founding Partner, Pabian Law

    Staffing is one of, if not the biggest issues facing Utah's tourism organizations. This session will provide information about sponsoring foreign nationals to staff much-needed roles at your organization.

    Join Attorney Keith Pabian of Pabian Law and Seasonal Connect to learn the basics of H-2B and J-1 visas. For those already working with these visa types, Keith will dive into advanced issues, provide an update on where things stand from a government and legislative standpoint, and help you understand if foreign nationals would be a good fit for your organization.

    This session is not to be missed if you are struggling with staffing and looking for solutions!

    Sponsored by Seasonal Connect

  • 2:45 - 4:00 pm | UCC - Split Mountain 1 & 2

    Moderator: Sandra Salvas, Visual Asset Manager, UOT

    Colby Bryson, Producer, Blank Space

    Courtney Kiehm, Senior Social Media Strategist, Sparkloft

    Sean Slobodan, Founder, Local Studio

    Jonathan Smithgall, Vice President, Digital Marketing & Media, Love Communications

    If you've ever felt overwhelmed about the process of creating video work, we're about to break it down. This discussion will be focused on the process of how clients, producers, and directors create meaningful work and then how you get that work seen. We'll touch on how each of these industry professionals tackle all of the steps: ideation, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution.

  • 2:45 - 4:00 pm | UCC - Split Mountain 3 & 4

    Speakers: Ethan Koehler, VP, Digital Experience & Technology, Hanson Dodge

    Katherine Schmidt, Associate Creative Director, Hanson Dodge

    The key to creating digital content that captures travelers’ attention can be found at the intersection of who you are as an organization and what your best customers believe. The strategists and creatives from Hanson Dodge, a deeply-digital advertising agency, share tips, questions to ask yourself, and inspiration you can start using right now to better connect with potential visitors and maximize the value of your travel website.

Breakout Session 3 | 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM

  • 4:15 - 5:00 pm | UCC - Split Mountain 1 & 2

    Speakers: Kelly S. Bricker, Professor, ASU; Vice Chair, GSTC

    Jennifer Wesselhoff, President/CEO, Park City Chamber/Bureau

    Morgan Mingle, Director of Sustainable Tourism, Park City Chamber/Visitors Bureau

    This session will provide the audience with information on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council's Destination Stewardship Program, utilizing a case study from Summit County, UT.

  • 4:15 - 5:30 pm | UCC - Paradise Room

    Speakers: Courtney Kiehm, Senior Social Media Strategist, Sparkloft Media

    Elisabeth Barker, Senior Social Media Strategist, Sparkloft Media

    Claire Fisher, Account Director, Sparkloft Media

    In this session, Sparkloft Media will share an overview of today's major social media platforms including best practices to gain followers and boost engagement with your audiences. Whether your DMO or business is just launching its social media presence or needs a refresher on the ever-changing digital landscape, Sparkloft will share marketing trends and tips to help you customize your social media strategy, formulate your destination’s voice, and manage active accounts.

    Sparkloft’s team will also introduce you to the New Creator Economy, a $20 billion industry meeting consumers’ demand for raw, unfiltered and unexpected content and social connection. For the first time talent, not the brands or destinations they partner with, are less dependent on sponsors and more in control of the content they create. We will explain who these creators are, how they’ve dethroned the curated influencer feed, and how your destination or business can capitalize on this social trend.

  • 4:15 - 5:00 pm | UCC - Ashley Boardroom

    Speaker: Clay Partain, Sports Salt Lake

    Clay Partain, Executive Director of Sports Salt Lake, will share his playbook on how Visit Salt Lake built their sports tourism division from the ground up, and why this vertical market is one that all destinations of all sizes should be paying attention to. This session will also over current trends seen both locally and around the US, and where the sports market is headed as we move into a post COVID era.

  • 4:15 - 5:00 pm | UCC - Split Mountain 3 & 4

    Speaker: Denise Jordan, Marketing Analytics & Research Manager, UOT

    Erin Smith, Research Analyst, Utah Office of Tourism

    Jennifer Leaver, Senior Tourism Analyst, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute

    Join Utah Office of Tourism and Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute research staff for a conversation about available data sources to help frame the tourism landscape in your community. What sources do you currently access? Which sources are UOT and KGCPI collecting and reviewing? How can you capitalize on all available data for improved insights and community understanding?

    Sponsored by Zartico

Partner Brochure Exchange

  • Western Park Parking Lot, Across the street from UCC.

    Contact: Ben Dodds, UOT

    Annual partner brochure exchange is the opportunity for tourism offices, visitor centers, businesses and other partners to exchange visitor brochures.

    Please sign up by using the same link as conference registration. Details on the exchange will be organized by UOT closer to the conference date.

Destination Dinner

Dinoland BINGO & U-Toberfest

  • UCC - Main Ballroom

    Join Uintah County Tourism & Events for an evening playing BINGO with your fellow conference goers. Be prepared to win some amazing prizes!

    Miles will co-sponsor a U-Toberfest so be ready for some lederhosen, dirndls, beer, apple cider, pretzels and bratwurst.

Friday, September 30

  • Steinaker State Park

    Join us for a sunrise hike at Steinaker State Park. Please bring a headlamp.

    Carpool to the hiking location will leave at 6:15 AM from the Uintah Conference Center.

    To register use the same link as the conference registration

    Sponsored by Utah Association of Counties (UAC)

Sunrise Activity: Eagle Ridge Trail

  • UCC - East Side Registration Desk

    Sponsored by Discover Davis

UTC Check-in / Registration

Tourism Hall of Fame Breakfast - sponsored by Love Communications

Tourism Hall of Fame Award Ceremony

  • UCC - Main Ballroom

    Join us as we honor our Tourism Hall of Fame inductees.

    Awards sponsored by Root Rez

TourismTALKS: Emotionally Intelligent Leadership

  • Emotionally Intelligent Leadership

    UCC - Main Ballroom

    Speaker: Stephen Barth, Founder, HospitalityLawyer.com

    Studies have shown that up to 80 percent of future success depends on EI (emotional intelligence) rather than IQ. People and organizations have to understand what it is and how to apply it personally and professionally. Walk away from this presentation with a clear idea of Emotional Intelligence, together with a gap analysis for your personal path to mastering it and utilizing it personally to cope with change and stress, and professionally in your organization to develop engaged productive and committed employees.

    Sponsored by Visit Park City

TourismTALKS: State of Lodging

  • 11:20 am - 12:30 pm | UCC - Split Mountain 1 & 2

    Speaker: Kelly Bricker, Professor, ASU; Vice Chair, GSTC

    The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Criteria were created to provide a common understanding throughout the world of “sustainable tourism”, and are the minimum that any tourism business should aspire to reach. They are organized around four main themes: effective sustainability planning, maximizing social and economic benefits for the local community, enhancing cultural heritage, and reducing negative impacts to the environment. They have applicability to the entire tourism industry. This presentation highlights current trends towards sustainable tourism specific to hotels and tourism enterprises utilizing the GSTC Criteria. This presentation will include examples of major global tourism initiatives to address widespread sustainability relevant to the tourism industry's enterprises.

  • 11:20 am - 12:30 pm | UCC - Paradise Room

    Speakers: Virginia Pearce, Director, Utah Film Commission

    August Granath, Director, Grand County Economic Development

    Lesha Coltharp, Tourism & Events Director, Uintah County

    Mimi Davis-Taylor, Location Manager, Freelance

    Rural Utah issues more than half of the film permits issued in the state and with a new rural film incentive program, these communities are experiencing more interest from film, television and commercial production in their areas. The Utah Film Commission has responded with a new initiative, Film Ready Utah, to enable rural communities to support production in their areas. Hear from rural county representatives and film industry professionals about their experiences in Utah’s film industry.

  • 11:20 am - 12:30 pm | UCC - Ashley Boardroom

    Speaker: Stephen Barth, Founder, HospitalityLawyer.com

    Let the Founder of HospitalityLawyer.com, Stephen Barth, bring your audience up-to-date on the key legal issues that they face daily. This interactive program is packed with prevention and compliance techniques that can be implemented immediately.

  • 11:20 am - 12:30 pm | UCC - Split Mountain 3 & 4

    Speakers: Flint Timmins, Destination Development Lead, UOT

    Celina Sinclair, Partner Relations Lead, UOT

    Bianca Lyon, Community and Partner Relations Director, UOT

    Applications are now open for Utah Office of Tourism's new Economic Development Administration (EDA) funded grants. This session is YOUR chance to receive one-on-one support from UOT staff for your projects. Take this time to ask questions, have your applications reviewed, and generally talk shop.

Networking Break: Mixed Soda Bar

  • Featuring a Mixed Drink Bar by Soda Shack, Sponsored by the Rural Utah Film Commission

    TripAdvisor Networking Lounge + Grand Gallery

    The UTC Networking Lounge is the place to recharge between UTC keynotes and breakout sessions. Take some time to network with your fellow conference goers as well as visit our many conference exhibitors and Made in Utah Marketplace. Be sure to also take some time to listen in to the live on site recording of the Destination Marketing Podcast hosted by Relic.

Breakout Session 4 | 11:20 AM - 12:30 PM

Closing Luncheon - Sponsored by Best Western

  • UCC - Main Ballroom

    Food Trucks

    Sponsored by Best Western

TourismWorks Silent Auction Closes

  • UCC - North Foyer

    Thank you for supporting the Tourism Works Political Acition Commmittee (PAC) with your generous bids.

    Collection of items can be completed in the UCC North Foyer by the TW Silent Auction display tables. Final bidding awards can be found online here.

    Sponsored by Utah Tourism Industry Association

Bandwango Exhibitor Pass Drawing

  • UCC - Main Ballroom

    Win a Ski Utah Yeti Pass! Open to all attendees who visit UTC Exhibitors and complete the Bandwango Exhibitor Pass.

    Must be in attendance at time of drawing to win!

    Sponsored by Bandwango

  • UCC - Main Ballroom

    Win a Pair of Delta tickets! Simply follow UTIA on Facebook and/or Instagram @utahtourism. Plus tag us @utahtourism, @delta, and your #UTC22 experience in a post or story. At the end of the conference, we will randomly select a winner.

    Must be in attendance at time of drawing to win.

    UTIA Instagram

    UTIA Facebook

    UTC Facebook

    Sponsored by Delta Airlines

Delta Tickets Drawing

Closing Remarks

  • UCC - Main Ballroom