An unforgettable highlight of our annual meeting at The Pendry was recognizing Tina Lewis for 50 years of improving Park City. Tina’s vision foresaw many unique features that today make Park City, well, Park City.

She was an initiator of signature events like Miners Day and Autumn Aloft while steering the early development of our library and saving the Miners Hospital. We see the “Tina touch'”up and down Main in everything from the streetlights to the Historical Society and Museum. A former City Council member, she even designed the city logo.

Having brought forth so much good in our community, it was fitting that Tina received the Myles Rademan Spirit of Hospitality Award on Aug. 30 — her birthday.

Taking the initiative like Tina has is fundamental to Park City’s character. In that spirit, I was proud to announce at the meeting revolutionary news — a chamber-sponsored comprehensive health insurance package designed for our nearly 1,000 members and their 14,000 employees.

Affordable health-care insurance has been out of reach for many Park City small businesses. We’re setting out to change that with access to quality coverage options, even for employers with as few as two employees.

Joining forces with the Heber Valley Chamber and local insurance experts, we have negotiated favorable terms and flexible, competitive rates. For example, medical coverage has five levels of deductions, co-pays, out-of-pocket costs and prescription coverage to accommodate a wide range of company and worker budgets. The dental plan offers high, mid and low-range choices. The vision plan is administered by a comprehensive network of national chains, regional chains and independent optometry practices and includes coverage for eye strain products and refractive surgery.

There is no open enrollment period. Partners can join at any time. Eligibility is straightforward: Employers must be members of the chamber and have at least two full-time employees who will enroll. The exact cost and carrier options will depend on each company’s specifics.

In addition to quality, ease of access, flexibility and affordability, we’re presenting a truly comprehensive package, including critical illness and accident insurance and hospital indemnity. The program even offers life insurance and an identity/ fraud protection option. 

This array of coverage options reflects the chamber’s belief that high-quality health insurance makes employees healthier, happier, and more productive. Comprehensive benefits also make employment significantly more attractive for small businesses, easing the struggle to find and keep staff.

The chamber board, as far-sighted a group of civic-minded volunteers as you will find anywhere, was fully supportive during months of behind-the-scenes work leading up to our announcement, as were my Heber Valley Chamber colleagues and their board, true community leaders.

The staff of both organizations and the helpful local insurance experts also deserve our deepest thanks for their diligence. I know they join me in the firm belief that we have taken a bold step, addressing a pressing need that will benefit the entire Wasatch Back community.

I urge all chamber partners to review the details and take the next step to cover you, your family and employees at www.visitparkcity.com/members/resources

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I won’t give too much away, but tomorrow, as Ron Burgundy might say, is kind of a big deal. We will host our Annual Meeting at Pendry Park City with an excellent breakfast, outstanding speakers, an exciting new initiative for our partners, and introduce this year’s recipient of the Myles Rademan Spirit of Hospitality Award.

After wowing the crowd at our Wasatch Back Economic Summit this spring, Zions Bank Senior Economist (and State Representative) Robert Spendlove is back on our stage. Robert’s talent for blending expert analysis of our economic outlook with extensive knowledge of public policy makes him a fascinating presenter in demand statewide. We’re delighted and fortunate to have him back.

As we expand our mission to increase inclusivity and diversity, it’s the perfect time to welcome Ryan Starks, the executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. Ryan’s work supports innovation and entrepreneurship for all Utahns.

Vicki Varela, Managing Director of the Utah Office of Tourism, will also take the podium. Years ago, Vicki foresaw the wisdom of marketing Utah as an outdoorsy, sustainability-minded destination (appealing to the type of visitors we now seek) and unified our state’s brand. A friend and colleague, I am excited she’ll share her vision for Utah’s tourism future with our partners.

We will discuss much more, such as our “Visit with Care” and “You’re on the Right Trail” summer marketing campaign that paints alluring pictures of our attractions while carrying our message of environmental stewardship and respect for our small-town lifestyle.

So far, summer is presenting a mixed economic picture. July’s 45 percent hotel occupancy was down nine percent from last year, while average daily rates were up four percent, to $345. Preliminary August data shows occupancy down ten percent from 2022, but again, average daily rates rose, up 15 percent to $260. Combining the last six months, average occupancy is down seven percent (at 42%), and rates are up nine percent (at $633).

On the surface, it appears fewer visitors are spending more this summer, but overall, the case doesn’t hold up. Summit County data from June (the latest available) show sales tax collections rose just slightly (1.6 percent) compared to June 2022, while restaurant tax and the transient room tax (paid by hotel guests) fell 6.2 and 8.1 percent, respectively. Visitor Visa card spending in June was down 5.6 percent compared to last year. 

In this context, our success in the conference and meeting sector is even more meaningful. For the fiscal year that ended in June, the Chamber sales team booked 268 meetings representing 41,423 room nights and more than $20 million in hotel and F&B revenue. The team is hot on the trail of new leads daily positioning our rep as a world class conference destination.

Nationally, traveler sentiment remains mixed. Research shows travel budgets are dropping amid persistent interest rate and inflation concerns, but also that travelers feel better off financially compared to a year ago. Excitement for travel remains at record levels – just over 83 percent of American travelers have trip plans in the next 12 months. From a policy perspective, job growth and unemployment data suggest the Fed may be nearing the end of its rate hike cycle, though inflation remains stubborn. This dynamic picture is another reason I’m looking forward to Robert Spendlove’s remarks tomorrow. 

In my next column, I’ll tell you about the program we introduce tomorrow that addresses a significant concern for our partners and their employees, and introduce our Rademan Hospitality awardee. Today, though, I am enjoying anticipating an informative, festive Annual Meeting at the Pendry.

The post Park City Pulse: The economic picture as the summer ends appeared first on Park Record.

Each year, Vail Resorts gives over $13 million in cash and in-kind support to more than 250 nonprofits in the communities where they operate, including Park City. Since PCMR and Canyons Resort combined in 2015 to create the largest ski and snowboard resort in the United States, Vail has poured millions into our community. Earlier this month, Chamber VP of Partner Services Scott House and I attended a listening session with dozens of local nonprofit grant recipients, most of them Chamber partners. Vail’s Epic Promise, the internal group charged with leading the company’s community support programs, organized the day.

Epic Promise supports at least 40 nonprofits in PC, from (alphabetically) the Alf Englen Museum to the Youth Sports Alliance. With recipients ranging from the Kimball Arts Center to the National Ability Center, the Park City Institute to the Swaner Preserve, Park City Tots to the Peace House and the Egyptian Theatre, you would be hard-pressed to find one not benefitting from Vail’s assistance.

The Aug. 2 meeting demonstrated that Vail’s support is vital and much appreciated. When discussing what is going well with the partnership, nonprofit leaders cited good back-and-forth communication, shared goals and openness, Vail’s commitment to Park City and access to local leadership. As to how Vail can continue helping, attendees said, “Keep doing what you’re doing,” or, “Stay the course,” and “Keep supporting us.” 

Things got interesting when the conversation turned to priorities. An on-the-spot survey of the group — the cream of Park City’s nonprofit leadership — produced three clear priorities, all related to Park City’s affordability or lack of it: the cost of living, the price of housing, and the expense and availability of child care. While mental health, climate, diversity and transportation also emerged as priorities, these three were the most frequently mentioned by far.

The region’s largest civic and business advocacy organization, the Chamber, is tackling these issues as threats to Park City’s livability and sustainability. Child care is a significant challenge in business efforts to retain staff. Unattainable housing forces our workforce to increase expenses and inconvenience by living far from their employer. The overall cost of living makes it harder to attract workers and puts pressure on wages, a difficult challenge in an economy where inflation persists.

In coming months, we will join PC Tots and the Early Childhood Alliance at the Park City Community Foundation to host a Wasatch Back forum, getting private-sector child care solutions out on the table. We supported the City Council’s recent decision to fund childcare-provider subsidies as a critical first step. We have begun publicly advocating for responsible workforce housing developments as they come up, and we support the joint Park City and Summit County decision to form a regional housing authority. Throughout Park City, organizations implementing the Sustainable Tourism Plan are addressing these and all the issues raised that day.

I appreciate that Vail is more than a corporate funder but an open-minded partner for a better Park City. The Epic Promise approach to community investing is helping Vail  — a large corporate presence many Parkites are still adjusting to — demonstrate their commitment to forward-thinking, sustainable solutions greater than any individual local program can offer. Their support of so many local non-profits is proof that Vail is making — and will continue to make — vital contributions to the sustainability of Park City and Summit County.

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As I reported to the Summit County Council last month, 53% of the Chamber’s FY24 budget is devoted to marketing and visitor attraction. Summer marketing is crucial to balancing our economy, enhancing sustainability  and diversifying our visitor base.

This summer, we are inspiring new and returning travelers to select Park City through an integrated, flexible marketing approach in the out-of-state regional markets of LA, San Francisco, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas and Seattle. However, the campaign is not just about putting “heads in beds.” Our “You’re on the Right Trail” and “Visit with Care” messages promote our warm weather attractions while emphasizing environmental stewardship and respect for our small-town quality of life.

Record snows meant summer started a bit late this year, and as we get into August, we are seeing mixed economic signs that indicate some uncertainty. For example, the most recent available Summit County tax revenues — a sure indicator of economic activity — show transient room tax paid by hotel guests recovered from a drastic drop in April (down 44% compared to last year) to being down just 2.5% in May, still not where we’d like to be. We are seeing positive consumer and visitor spending, with local sales tax revenue up 7.8% in May and option sales tax collections up 12.2% (restaurant tax revenues dipped, but less than 1%), and recreation, arts, and parks taxes collections were 9.4%. Meanwhile, more than 2.2 million passengers traveled through Salt Lake City International in May, an increase of 3.7% over last year.  

Meetings and business groups are a significant driver of summer tourism spending this year, a sector led by our chamber sales team. Their enthusiasm and joy in face-to-face meetings with planners at trade shows help put Park City top of mind, but nothing beats an in-person visit. In June, we hosted 35 Utah planners at Olympic Park, followed by a dozen planners from around the United States. People are naturally deeply impressed seeing firsthand what Park City can offer (think of your first visit to PC!), and our team helped place 116 groups in Park City’s meeting hotels this summer and into the fall. Their success represents 20,288 total room nights and $8,742,434 in estimated revenue for those properties, translating into more stable employment for their workers, more business for restaurants and others that service our guests, and more revenue for local government to pay for public services. It also means we create hundreds of new “ambassadors,” business guests who leave with a Park City song in their hearts and a determination to return with friends, family or another business meeting.

Our advanced out-of-state marketing this summer targets environmentally conscious travelers with high minimum incomes. We break our travel intenders into groups that match what PC offers: activity seekers, luxury travelers and families. Our cross-channel approaches include CTV/video, streaming audio, paid social, display, native, retargeting and search. I can’t emphasize enough our commitment to messaging the importance of environmental and cultural respect and educating our already-arrived visitors on sustainable actions and behaviors. We know linking a “feel good by doing good” tone to their Park City experience can add depth to their journey and build a sense of ownership they can share with us. It is all part of the sustainable tourism framework.

As Yogi Berra said, “Predicting is hard, especially about the future.” We know the much-discussed possibility of recession remains on the radar. Though Longwoods International reports fears about inflation and gas prices are waning and plans to travel in the next six months remain steady at around 90 percent, local occupancy and average daily rates have dipped somewhat and nationally, travelers are planning to spend less. So, although reasonably satisfactory and encouraging now, we will have to await together what our economic future brings.

The post Park City Pulse: Visit us with care appeared first on Park Record.

Our character is defined by our almost 1,000 members, and nowhere is that clearer than on our board of directors, 27 civic-minded volunteers our members elect. Yesterday, we welcomed six newly-chosen directors and two appointees from local businesses large and small, all dedicated to a prosperous, sustainable Park City future.

Adam Herrup-Morse is Managing Partner at Snow Country Limousine, providing transportation services in Utah and Montana. Adam has been with the company in Park City for more than 20 years. He supports “promoting a positive environment for sustained and sustainable economic growth,” and believes in assisting other businesses in “navigating the waters” of a resort town business environment.

Jamie Johnson is the CEO of the Park City Board of Realtors and envisions a local economy “where businesses of all sizes and sectors coexist in a symbiotic relationship, fostering innovation, encouraging entrepreneurship, and promoting diversity and inclusion.” She supports the Chamber’s role in business advocacy, economic development, tourism, visitor engagement, high-quality member benefits and socially responsible leadership.

Ian Pope is the owner and general manager of Five Seeds restaurant. Active in the business community, he values collaboration and the objectives of the Sustainable Tourism Plan as critical to keeping Park City thriving as a community and a destination. He believes accessible, affordable housing and transportation are critical to solving the ongoing staff shortages in local businesses.

Meisha Ross is a marketing and communications consultant and co-owner of the Twisted Fern restaurant. She has served on numerous Chamber committees while working professionally with ski resorts, Main Street businesses, nonprofits and other local business segments. She envisions a more broadly diverse business community in Park City’s future and continued development strategies for community and tourism coexistence. 

Whitney Ryan is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Canyons Village Marketing Association. Whitney’s commitment to community includes engagement with the Chamber, Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties and Girls on the Run, Project ABC (Art Beauty Culture), the Vail Resorts|Epic Promise Giving Committee, and Park City Hospital.

Deirdra Walsh is vice president and chief operating officer at Park City Mountain Resort, returning to Park City  after three years with Northstar California Resort in Truckee. She originally joined Park City Mountain resort in 2007. One of the most influential women executives in the ski resort business, she currently serves on the Park City Community Foundation and Ski Utah boards.

Chris Lawing,  Pendry Park City director of sales and marketing, has been appointed to the board to replace former GM Richard Wales, who relocated to Texas. Chris arrived in Park City in 2010 as part of Montage Deer Valley’s opening team. He brings experience working with top luxury travel agencies in his role directing corporate and group sales.

David Levine, the new executive director of Mountainlands Community Housing Trust, has been appointed to replace former director Pat Matheson, who relocated to Africa. David arrives from Fairfax County, Virginia, where he was executive director of a community housing nonprofit. He will have a role as Summit County moves to address the ongoing housing shortage and affordability crises.

I am delighted to welcome this talented, versatile group to the skilled leadership team already serving on our board. I want to thank the many partners who voted in the recent election and the candidates who put themselves forward; the fine turnout and excellent candidate pool is one more sign of our organization’s dynamism. I am excited about what we can do together to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.                       

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Child care is often presented as a balancing act, but parents and employers know it is more like juggling. On ice. With your hair on fire. The expense can force families into uncomfortable choices and career sacrifice, consequences borne disproportionately by women. Business owners, many raising families of their own, struggle to accommodate employees whose parental responsibilities can cause scheduling headaches or force them to leave their jobs entirely.

Now, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation study shows the cost to Utah’s economy: $1.36 billion annually.

The report reveals the upheaval in Utah homes created by childcare expense and the career/family dilemma. For example, as COVID eased, some two-parent households eliminated childc are expenses by having just one spouse resume work outside the home. “I quit working because child care became too expensive,” one mother told researchers. “It didn’t make sense anymore.”

But that option is not just unavailable to single parents and lower-earning two-income families, it is not even ideal for most households that can afford it, due to the negative impact on many women. The Foundation found 46 percent of two-parent families have the father employed outside the home with the mother as a home-based caregiver, but less than half (43%) find this desirable. Most would prefer one full-time and one part-time job. A large majority of women overall (61%) say they are the primary caregiver. Just 25% say responsibilities are divided equally. Only 3% of households have “stay at home” dads.

According to the study, a two-earner household with a child younger than 6 is likely paying around $561 per month for child care on average, but many pay much more. A 2021 study by the Utah Department of Workforce Services Office of Child Care found the 75th percentile for center-licensed facilities with a “high quality” rating was $1,020 for an infant, $675 for a 5-year-old in kindergarten, and $620 for a child aged 10-12. Those costs per child go up in summer when school is out. In more than half of Utah’s counties, families pay between 15% and 20% of their monthly income for childcare — more than twice the federal affordability standard of 7%.

What can we do about this strain on families and our economy?

In the coming months, the Park City Chamber, in partnership with PC Tots and the Early Childhood Alliance at the Park City Community Foundation, will seek answers at a Wasatch Back open forum, inviting ideas and putting private sector innovations into the spotlight.

Local governments are also stepping up. In June, the Park City Council, after consulting with the Early Childhood Alliance, directed an FY24 allocation of $1 million in parental assistance directly payable to Park City childcare providers. The plan includes incentives for providers to apply for and accept DWS-subsidized clients (the DWS child care assistance program is a lifesaver for many, though there are income limits) and a $5,000 bonus for as many as 15 new child care businesses. Hopefully, this first step will incubate a long-term permanent assistance program which can be expanded regionally. 

The many costs of childcare are moving both the public and private sector toward solutions that advance the sustainable economy and lifestyle we strive to achieve. Coordinated action is likely the best way to end the juggling and finally achieve balance — unleashing the full potential of working parents while ensuring that our children are best positioned for a bright future.

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