Saturday, August 4, 2012

Salt Lake Tribune Editorial Do we let the Wookie Win

I said I liked the Outdoor Retailer Industry Trade show coming to Utah for their convention. When "pushed" that we should do everything and anything they want, I obviously pushed back.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/54623703-82/utah-outdoor-state-public.html.csp

The group has the same chance as anyone else. Did they show up at the hearings or the discussion the last couple of years? The Sierra club, the ATV folks and many others did.

They have been threatening to either get their way or take their marbles and go somewhere else for many years. We have no assurance that if we continue to do what they want that they will continue to come here.

More convention space, even if it sits partially vacant most of the year, done, more hotels, done.

Now, they want a reserved seat at the table for Utah land policy with veto rights?

A new County Hotel is being looked at even though it could cause the Grand America and others to go under. I have read the reports sent to the Convention Center about the proposed County Hotel. It was pretty obvious that the connection between the existing county convention center and hotels doesn't work and that the hotels as a whole think the County is competing with them instead of working with them.

I would like to see the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau work with the existing hotel owners instead of trying to compete with them. They almost ignore both the Little America and Grand America Hotel and that you can ride TRAX free from the north convention center exit to those hotels.

The hotels near the Salt Palace Convention Center should be able to market their individual hotel and the fact that they have all the convention and meeting room space that someone could want with the convention center. The convention center should be able to market with the surrounding hotels to utilize their meeting rooms and convention space if more space is needed.

For yesterday's comments on Utah Lands, see:
http://www.fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2012/08/outdoor-rec-industry-lashes-out-again.html