“Forward Together” was the theme of our annual meeting at The Pendry last week, which I feel perfectly describes how Park City responded as circumstances tested us this past year, and how our unity and resilience will help us build a strong, balanced future.

This was not an easy year. We faced national economic headwinds, declining international travel, wavering consumer confidence and a winter when Mother Nature did not cooperate.

Yet we held together. Businesses adapted, supported one another, and kept moving, reminding us that Mountainkind really does describe our community. We pick each other up and cheer each other on, always with warmth and good humor.

More than 115 businesses participated in our Mountainkind Card program, generating over $100,000 in local spending. Our Locl listing-management pilot helped 70 partners generate more than 350,000 website clicks and 230,000 requests for directions. Our Group Sales team helped book meetings that had $24 million in economic impact, much of it during midweek and shoulder-seasons, when it matters most.

And we bounced back. This summer brought exciting progress toward a balanced four-season economy, highlighted by developments like August Chef’s Table event and the news that Park City restaurateurs earned a spot in the new Michelin Southwest Guide. Handle, Matilda and The Nelson Cottage by High West are the first, but certainly not the last, Park City restaurants to earn Michelin recognition.

And it’s not over. After another great Miners Day, the energy continues with the Fox US Open of Moutain Biking at Deer Valley this weekend attracting an estimated 10,000 visitors. Next weekend, elite mountain bike racers will gather at Soldier Hollow for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.

There is no question about it: Park City’s tourism base is diversifying.

I was proud to tell our partners that diversification is happening hand in hand with advances in environmental care. Three years into our 10-year Sustainable Tourism Plan, our community has delivered on 61 percent of its initiatives. Accomplishments like sustainable-tourism grants, expanded accessibility (through the amazing people at Wheel the World), actions to minimize visitor impact and investments in arts and culture all strengthen our quality of life.

That momentum continues this winter. Shaun White’s Snow League will debut at Park City Mountain during the February weekend Sundance formerly occupied, followed the next weekend by the Freestyle International presented by Stifel at Deer Valley. These events will bring new energy while leaning into our authentic winter-sports legacy. While we will miss Sundance in 2027, our ski season outlook gives us real reason for optimism.

This year’s Myles Rademan Spirit of Hospitality Award recipient, Randy Barton, embodies another Park City hallmark: the desire to make the community better. His founding of Mountaintown Music, his decades behind the microphone at KPCW, and his leadership at the Egyptian Theatre are lasting contributions to our cultural life. He richly deserves recognition.

We also continue to mourn Colin Hilton. Colin’s leadership preserved Utah’s Olympic legacy and helped prepare us for 2034. In honor of Colin and in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, we will host a workplace mental-health and suicide-prevention webinar with the Utah Chamber and Utah Rising tomorrow. His family’s courageous reminder — that no one is alone and it is always all right to seek help — is one we should all keep close to our hearts.  

The challenges ahead are real, but this past year showed that Park City can adapt and care for one another through adversity. That defines Mountainkind,and the assurance that we will always move forward together.

Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.

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What a night for Park City.

In Las Vegas on Wednesday, Handle, The Nelson Cottage by High West and Matilda received Michelin recommended status at the unveiling of the inaugural Michelin Guide American Southwest. We congratulate these honorees and the talented teams behind them. Their achievement is a genuinely exciting moment for our entire community.

Michelin recognition firmly places us among a select group of destinations in the Southwest earning the attention of one of the world’s most influential dining authorities and shines the spotlight on a culinary community that has grown far beyond what one might expect in a traditional mountain town.

In addition to the story we tell of our mountains, outdoor recreation and remarkable sense of place, now another story can be shared through food. Our chefs are creative and celebrated, our restaurants are distinctive, and dining has arrived as a year-round Park City must-do.

The timing could hardly be better. The announcement comes just weeks after the spectacular inaugural Chef’s Table Festival brought more than 70 renowned chefs and 100 culinary experiences to venues across Park City.

Together, Chef’s Table and Michelin represent a tremendous step forward in Park City’s evolution as a true four-season destination. In fact, we are amid an amazing eight-week stretch showing off how deeply we value our arts, culture and culinary life, as well as our knack for having a great time.

The Park City Song Summit is filling this weekend with music and the people-to-people connection it always inspires. September brings two major mountain biking competitions: the FOX US Open at Deer Valley, expected to attract 10,000 people, followed by the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series at Soldier Hollow, welcoming the world’s best cross-country riders.

September also delivers Miners Day, when the parade, food and Running of the Balls celebrate our history and make Labor Day more fun than in any town we know of. 

Taken together, this extraordinary collection of experiences packed into just a few weeks demonstrates Park City’s continuing emergence as a four-season destination in ways that feel authentic. They reflect our enthusiasm for outdoor adventure, creativity, good food, music and community gatherings while appealing to visitors who share those interests with us. 

A calendar of festive, warm-weather Park City experiences is also an economic development strategy. Carefully designed summer programs reflect our Mountainkind brand, support local businesses, strengthen our identity and create positive momentum heading into fall and winter. 

We are blessed in Park City to have so many talented business leaders, event organizers, nonprofits and of course, community volunteers all ready to play their part.

Now Michelin gives food lovers everywhere a new reason to put Park City on their list. It is exciting to know that when they arrive, they will discover acclaimed dining surrounded by music, culture, outdoor adventure and a community ready to welcome them.

Winter will always be at the heart of who we are. It’s just as exciting now to shine a light on the off-slope experiences — the food, the music, the arts and culture — that make Park City special in every season.

Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.

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You’ve been hearing about it, and this weekend, it’s time to pull up a chair and enjoy  a unique summer food experience: the Chef’s Table Festival, one of two culinary milestones we can all celebrate.

The Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau joined with Visit Salt Lake and Sundance Resort to form the Wasatch Culinary Collective and for more than a year, worked to include Utah and the Wasatch Back in the prestigious Michelin Guide Southwest. I am proud to say we succeeded.

And today, we are right in the middle of the Chef’s Table Festival, with so many unique culinary experiences already under our belt, so to speak, after Thursday evening’s opening events.

All day and into the evening Saturday and through brunch Sunday, about 70 acclaimed chefs will host another 75 unique meals, with Le Depot on Main serving as the hub. Take your pick of culinary events ranging from the Fire Garden (Part 2!)  and “Through Their Eyes” to Family Meal and Sunday Brunch gatherings. There may still be local tickets at parkcity.chefstable.com.

Sponsored by American Express and Resy, organizers selected Park City to host the inaugural Chef’s Table Festival. The names involved give an idea of the scale. Francis Mallmann, Massimo Bottura, Virgilio Martínez, Nancy Silverton and Sean Brock are among the globally acclaimed chefs you will encounter this weekend.

Chef’s Table does more than shine a spotlight on our outstanding culinary reputation. It shows what moving toward a four-season economy looks like: giving people more reasons to experience Park City even when there is no schussing to be done. It’s about sharing our trails, our art (as we did last weekend with the Kimball Arts Festival), our summer events like Deer Valley’s Concerts on the Slopes and, increasingly, our food scene.

Chef’s Table calls national attention to something locals have always known: Park City has amazingly diverse dining choices. The benefits extend beyond excellent options for us. Visitors who discover our culinary scene spread the word, helping shape a balanced tourism flow and a more diversified, year-round economy.

Which brings us to Michelin.

On Aug. 26, Michelin will unveil the Michelin Guide Southwest at a ceremony in Las Vegas, featuring the Wasatch Back and Utah for the first time, an emphatic acknowledgment of how far we’ve come. Park City restaurants and chefs will now be featured in this leading international publication, trusted by knowledgeable travelers around the world.

Michelin’s anonymous inspectors began evaluating Park City restaurants last fall for Michelin Stars or other distinctions such as Bib Gourmand, Green Stars and “Michelin Recommended” status. We can’t wait to see the results, and I want to congratulate our Park City chefs, restaurant owners, and hospitality teams in advance for their commitment to excellence. Your dedication put Park City on the culinary map, adding dining to our other world-class experiences.

A truly balanced economic engine supports local jobs and businesses all year, not just when the snow flies. A first-class and widely known dining scene is critical to that four-season mix. Michelin recognition and the Chef’s Table Festival are the latest evidence that we are on our way.

Let’s celebrate both achievements as we enjoy a unique Park City gourmet weekend with Chef’s Table Festival. And remember, it is the talented, dedicated people behind our amazing local restaurants who deserve all the credit.

Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.

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I can sympathize with headline writers. Multi-layered economic news, even when encouraging, can be hard to summarize in a few words.

In describing the latest data, I am choosing two: nuanced and encouraging. The numbers indicate that Park City has a healthy visitor-supported economy that is part of a national normalization trend after several unusually strong years.

Lodging data is one metric that illustrates this. June occupancy increased 3 percent compared with last year, while average daily room rates dipped 4 percent. That combination suggests visitors continue to choose Park City for their getaways even as they become more value-conscious in their travel decisions.

July’s trend in the opposite direction underscores a different, but not contradictory, point. Occupancy is pacing about 6 percent lower than last year, while average room rates are up more than 3 percent. This tells us our lodging partners are wisely maintaining pricing discipline rather than discounting rooms to chase volume. That is an important sign of confidence in the market.

This becomes clearer in retrospect. In the last six months, occupancy was down 11 percent while average daily room rates declined only 2 percent. Once again, lodging partners resisted deep discounts in pursuit of occupancy.

This mirrors what we are seeing across the Mountain West and reinforces a broader reality: The tourism industry nationally is normalizing after several unusually strong years, and Park City is no exception.

Another encouraging data set supports these observations: local tax collections. Tourism-related revenues, such as the transient room tax paid by hotel guests, have softened from the exceptional highs of recent years.

At the same time, local sales tax collections tell a different story. Sales tax revenues increased 11 percent in April (the most recent figures available) despite disappointing snow conditions, and year-to-date collections are up 3.5 percent.

Parks and recreation tax collections have also increased 3.3 percent.

Together, these figures indicate that residents and visitors continue to participate robustly in our local economy even as lodging-related revenues normalize.

The normalization trend continues when we look six months ahead. Occupancy is projected to increase 2 percent, the first positive outlook we have reported in some time, while average daily room rates are expected to decline just 1 percent. Those projections suggest demand is beginning to return while pricing discipline remains intact — both healthy indicators of a market working through a post-peak adjustment.

A few words about our data source. DestiMetrics, one of the nation’s premier lodging intelligence firms, works with participating local partners representing more than 3,000 rooms and collects data twice each month.

By tracking occupancy, room rates, booking pace and reservation trends, DestiMetrics provides a comprehensive view of the visitor economy and helps forecast future tourism demand. The information enables our businesses to make data-driven decisions about marketing, events, workforce planning and business strategies.

Those dry numbers may not always produce dramatic headlines, but they tell an encouraging story: Park City’s visitor economy remains resilient, adaptable,and well positioned for sustainable growth in the years ahead.

Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.

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Returning from City Tour 26 with this year’s Park City Leadership class in Vail and Breckenridge, I was energized by the opportunity to see first hand how other mountain communities tackle shared challenges.  

Take this intriguing idea from Vail and Breckenridge. It’s called the 106 West Logistics “last mile” delivery model. Large trucks unload goods at a centralized facility outside the business district, while smaller SUV-sized electric vehicles make deliveries to retailers and collect returns (and potentially trash, recyclables and compost). The result is fewer heavy trucks on local streets, reduced emissions, and safer, more pedestrian-friendly commercial areas (and potentially higher rates of recycling).

We immediately recognized potential applications for Main Street and Kimball Junction. A Park City model would require extensive business input and careful operational planning, but the potential is there.

The Breckenridge Sol Center, a nonprofit hub and food pantry model, offered another compelling idea for Park City, where our nonprofits are essential to community well-being. The Sol Center features co-located services with low-barrier access, culturally responsive options, bilingual support, and appointment systems that maximize impact in a welcoming, respectful environment.

Elements of this approach might improve outcomes and consolidate some costs in Park City and Summit County, where we value both compassion and efficiency.

Breckenridge also offers an exciting vision for supporting the arts as a four-season economic driver.  BreckCreate is a nonprofit arts council, supported by the town, managing multiple facilities and programs in the Breckenridge Arts District with galleries, exhibitions, classes and artist-in-residence programs.

The Leadership team admired how BreckCreate integrates arts and culture into year-round daily life. In Park City, where our vibrant arts scene is also visible and civically engaged, Breckenridge-style partnerships have potential.

Of course, Parkites emphatically consider our culinary life an art form as well as a four-season economic driver. We are building on that authenticity with the Netflix Chef’s Table event in August, presented by American Express and Resy, when 70 internationally acclaimed chefs will collaborate with local talent for a high-end, immersive festival with interactive demonstrations, “day in the life” experiences with top chefs, and intimate dinners at 100 events across 20+ local restaurants.

Housing was a recurring topic throughout City Tour 26. Colorado communities are testing practical approaches, including centralized listing platforms that make workforce and affordable housing easier to find.

Vail’s thoughtful embrace of AI is enhancing efficiency, such as pragmatically using technology to manage landscape mowing and Zamboni-style equipment. Rather than viewing these tools as replacing workers, our conversations focused on using AI to help businesses maintain high service levels in an era of chronic staffing shortages. Privacy, governance and other ethical implications must be worked through if communities are to consider deploying AI in ways that benefit everyone.

There was much else to see and discuss, such as improving school-based mental health services and improving economic collaboration at all levels. Not every idea we encountered transfers directly, but studying them clarifies our own priorities.

Above all, I observed the human value of these tours: Leadership Park City builds bonds among emerging leaders. When future challenges arise, participants can draw on already existing relationships to bring people together and find solutions.

That alone made City Tour 2026 well spent.

Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.

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With a gorgeous Memorial Day 2026 weekend in the rearview mirror and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations on the horizon, Park City is feeling summery.

Spring is still with us for a few weeks, and like green shoots emerging from once-frozen ground, May delivered the first hints of blossoms in our local economy after a challenging winter.

A quick look back shows the headwinds we’ve faced. April proved especially tough, with hotel occupancy down 24% compared to the prior year and the average daily rate also declining by double digits. Over the past six months, occupancy lagged last year by about 13%. These numbers reflect the low-snow winter that kept some visitors away.

Now, for the good news.

May occupancy has rebounded, up 21% compared to May 2025. Advance bookings for the next six months — covering summer and into fall — are only modestly softer (down a little more than 3%), while the average daily rate has ticked up 1.4%. The market appears to be finding its footing, especially in the corporate and group market which is a major reason for this recovery.

Importantly, even while occupancy was suffering in the six months before May, average daily rate held remarkably steady, declining just 1.7%. Visitors who did come this winter proved willing to pay premium rates.

Local tax collections offer a broader economic snapshot and paint an even brighter picture at the moment. Summit County sales tax revenue jumped an attention-getting 10% in May (representing March spending) and is up 5% year-to-date, evidence that economic activity is expanding beyond lodging.

Recreation, Arts, and Parks tax collections are up 2% year-to-date, signifying that visitors and locals continue to enjoy our trails, events and cultural offerings.

And despite fewer visitors since January, restaurant tax collections are essentially flat (down just 0.7%) so far this year. Residents and guests clearly still savor Park City’s world-class dining scene, though they may be more value-conscious.

The chamber is actively building on these green shoots, distinguishing Park City from our Mountain West competitors as a premiere year-round destination for spirited, responsible, affluent adventurers who embrace our Mountainkind ethos of community, stewardship, and authentic mountain living.

These local economic trends align with the insights shared by Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and associate dean at the U of U Eccles School of Business, in her keynote at our May 11 Zions Bank Wasatch Back Economic Summit. Gochnour noted that Utah’s economy is holding its own, supported by solid job growth and reasonably stable consumer sentiment.

She highlighted the Wasatch Back as a growth hotspot, with Wasatch County projected to be Utah’s fastest-growing county over the next 40 years. Our many ties to booming Utah County will only strengthen. Gochnour described a New Utah: no longer small, young, homogeneous, and inexpensive, but mid-sized, demographically and economically diversifying, older and more expensive, with new arrivals fueling much of the expansion.

Just as our local data support cautious optimism for the coming six months, Gochnour pointed to Utah’s big-picture strengths, a rising national profile and our capability to host major global events, including the 2034 Olympic Games.

Park City’s challenge remains familiar — to manage thoughtful, sustainable growth in a way that honors our authentic values of care for our environment and each other. From my view at the chamber, I’m confident we will meet the challenge, and hopeful that the blossoms we see today herald a season of resiliency ahead.

Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.

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You’ve probably heard the good news: The CBS hit series “Marshals” is returning to Summit and Wasatch counties this spring and summer to film season two. That’s a real win for Park City and our regional economy.

“Marshals”, along with four other recently announced state-incentivized productions, are projected to generate $69.5 million and more than 1,000 jobs across six counties this year. Park City, and Summit and Wasatch counties are crucial production hubs, with “Marshals” second season once again headquartered at Park City’s Utah Film Studios. The production’s multi-episode scope means significant shoulder-season support for hotels, restaurants, vendors and service providers through crew hiring, lodging, location fees and local spending.

Utah’s film incentive program deserves significant credit for this momentum. Over the past decade, incentivized productions have generated more than $736 million in economic impact statewide. In 2025 alone, more than 35 productions filmed across 14 counties, including Summit and Wasatch, creating over 2,600 jobs and $136 million in spending.

The Rural Utah Film Incentive Program, especially valuable for our region, has generated more than $200 million across 28 counties since 2022.

Independent analysis by Olsberg SPI, commissioned by the Motion Picture Association of Utah, shows an impressive return: roughly $7 in economic activity for every $1 incentivized.

Park City’s “Film Ready” certification further strengthens our position, making it easier for the Utah Film Commission to promote our area and route productions here.

What makes the industry particularly sustainable for Park City is its concentrated, high-value spending with relatively modest impact on housing, traffic, trails and infrastructure.

Utah and Park City support filmmakers who want to reduce their footprint even more through the Guideline to Green Production and resources from the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance, covering everything from set construction to donating leftover food.

Beyond the direct dollars, these productions showcase our dramatic landscapes and authentic settings to national and international audiences. A compelling scene often sparks quick searches (“Where was that filmed?”), leading viewers to Utah’s beauty and excitement in seconds.

As we know, film professionals tend to be creative, energetic and adventurous — the kind of visitors who naturally align with our Mountainkind values. When they have a positive experience here, it often leads to return visits and enthusiastic word-of-mouth about Park City within their wide professional networks.

As Hollywood continues to spread productions (and costs) across the country and globe, Utah must stay competitive. Our state currently offers a refundable 20% tax credit on qualified in-state spending (increasing to 25% when certain criteria are met, such as local hiring), plus sales tax exemptions and hotel incentives.

Other Western states offer similar packages, and we continue working closely with the Utah Film Commission to keep legislators informed and ensure Utah remains a top-tier destination.

We’re delighted to welcome “Marshals” (and Luke Grimes) back to the area. The film industry is a natural fit for us: it has low environmental and infrastructure impact, generates meaningful spending and high-wage jobs, builds strong connections to creative communities, and showcases our region to the world.

With sensible incentives, strong facilities, and unmatched scenery, Summit and Wasatch Counties are well-positioned to keep playing a starring role.

Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.

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As we head into the final weeks of spring, it’s time to think ahead, anticipate and plan for the future, making this year’s Zions Bank Wasatch Back Economic Summit an opportunity to sharpen your edge and strengthen your connections.

It’s happening Monday, May 11, at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley. It is one of our most anticipated annual events, co-hosted by the Park City and Heber Valley chambers, and is a must-attend gathering for business leaders looking for fresh ideas and stronger regional collaboration.

We’ve designed the day’s program to deliver immediate value. Natalie Gochnour will deliver the morning keynote, “The New Utah.” The director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and associate dean of the Eccles School of Business will examine how our state is being reshaped in real time as we evolve into a dynamic economic powerhouse.

She will look at demographic shifts, workforce needs and industry diversification, and review the strategic choices leaders must make to keep Utah competitive and livable. Her presentation will give attendees a clear-eyed view of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

A highlight for many will be the lunchtime panel focused on the 2034 Olympic Games, featuring perspectives from observers and athletes who participated in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games. Their insights on infrastructure demands, community connections, economic multipliers, and workforce requirements will help Park City and Utah plan thoughtfully for 2034 and create a lasting legacy.

The program offers nine breakout sessions around three themes designed to help business owners thrive: “Building Business Resilience,” “Tourism and Product Development” and “Workforce and Workforce Development.” Topics range from managing in uncertain economic conditions and creating year-round tourism and agritourism products to rethinking talent pipelines and fostering healthy, multi-generational teams.

These practical workshops are filled with actionable takeaways that participants can apply right away.

The Zions Bank Wasatch Back Economic Summit is always more than a conference. It is a chance to learn, recharge and reconnect with the partners who make our region thrive and drive our future. As we face a near-term future that offers opportunity and uncertainty, the day will leave you better informed, better networked and better prepared for what lies ahead whether you are operating a small business, managing a resort operation or leading a non-profit organization.

Tickets are moving quickly, and we’re likely to sell out again this year. This full-day event, with informative guest speakers, lunch and lunch panel, incredible breakout sessions, and the Hailstone Terrace afternoon mixer is $100 per ticket. I encourage all chamber partners and area business leaders to register today at ParkCityChamber.com/events.

I look forward to seeing you on May 11 at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley.

Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.

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Tuesday’s announcement at Park City Mountain Resort of a partnership with Shaun White’s newly formed Snow League adds another diamond to our glittering collection of winter events.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist launched this new professional winter sports league in 2024, dedicated to snowboarding and freeskiing. Its inaugural season delivered four global stops, including China and Switzerland, a $2.2 million purse, and crowned champion superstars like Sena Tomita, Yuto Totsuka, Eileen Gu, and Luke Harrold. 

Park City’s January 2027 stop will highlight the same athletes who captivated audiences at February’s 2026 Milano Cortina Games — where halfpipe events remained among the most-watched in the Olympic program. It could even offer a preview of some of the contestants we will see at our 2034 Olympic Games.

It is most certainly an emphatic statement of our place on the international ski scene that will resonate internationally.

The weekend following the Jan. 22-24, 2027, Snow League event, Deer Valley will welcome the FIS World Cup. These back-to-back events will transform our mid-winter calendar into a celebration of world-class snow sports.

For our local businesses, the timing and audience could not be better. The winter season drives 60% to 70% of annual revenue for many Main Street restaurants, shops and lodging properties. Visitors drawn to elite snow sports are precisely the high-spending guests we seek: Travelers who book world-class skiing, athletic events, accommodations and dining experiences.

For the many first-time guests Snow League is sure to attract, their first taste of the Mountainkind spirit and vibrant Main Street scene will spark return visits for years to come.

The Snow League aligns perfectly with our brand as premier ski and snowboard lifestyle destination. It will also shine a fresh light on the venue itself, already hallowed ground.

In 2002, Park City Mountain’s Eagle superpipe hosted one of the most memorable Olympic moments: the U.S. men’s halfpipe sweep with Ross Powers (gold), Danny Kass (silver), and J.J. Thomas (bronze). And Kelly Clark became the first the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic gold medal in halfpipe snowboarding.

Shaun White and the Snow League chose Park City to update that legacy and elevate the pipe as a global venue. This collaboration with Vail Resorts and the Snow League also advances our preparations for the 2034 Winter Olympics, the strategic practice we need to perfect the infrastructure Utah will showcase on the world stage.

That said, the arrival of the Snow League is not a bid to replace Sundance. Instead, we are thoughtfully evolving our winter calendar with events that match our mountain brand. Hosting the “F1 of snowboarding and freeskiing” alongside the FIS World Cup sends an unmistakable message: Park City is where elite athletes and passionate fans converge for unforgettable experiences and will do so for decades to come.

As chamber CEO, I champion the partnerships that sustain our small-town hospitality and big-mountain reputation every day. I can already feel Shaun White and the Snow League energizing Park City, boosting local businesses and Mountainkind pride, while reinforcing our position as “Winter’s Favorite Town.” 

I invite every resident, business owner, and visitor to join us in celebrating what is ahead. January 2027 will be electric, and it is only the beginning.

Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.

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The implications of the recently concluded 2026 Utah legislative session for Park City and Summit County are beginning to come into focus. Taxes, restaurant regulations, ID standards and other issues affecting local businesses are high on the list.

Among the notable actions, lawmakers approved a sixth consecutive income tax cut, lowering the rate to 4.45 percent. They also temporarily reduced the state’s portion of the motor fuel tax by 15 percent — about 6 cents per gallon — from June 1 through the end of 2026.

Taken together, these measures could put more money into Utahns’ pockets and provide a modest boost to consumer spending. For businesses that depend on discretionary spending, even small increases in household purchasing power can make a difference.

Of course, the full story of a legislative session can’t be captured in a few headlines. To help local businesses stay informed, the Park City Chamber will host an online briefing March 23 with Des Barker, a longtime advocate for Park City at the Capitol and one of Utah’s most respected political strategists. Barker will review what lawmakers did — and did not do — and explain how those decisions may affect businesses across Summit County.

The chamber advocated for, opposed, or monitored dozens of bills during the session. Here are a few examples.

We supported a successful bill maintaining the specialty ID designation for individuals legally prevented from purchasing or possessing alcohol, usually due to a DUI conviction. The legislation also restores the ability to verify identification for restaurant customers who appear 35 or younger, while maintaining 100 percent ID verification at bars, retail liquor outlets and state stores. Additional provisions will be discussed during the March 23 briefing. This was a big win for the tourism industry.

We also supported legislation allowing international driver’s licenses to be accepted as valid identification. Previously, only passports were acceptable. In an international destination like Park City — and with the 2034 Olympic Winter Games on the way — this change will make many transactions simpler for visitors and businesses alike.

Another measure, HB 537 S1, exempts tickets to the 2034 Olympic Games from state sales and use tax, a move that will help make attending the Games more accessible for all.

Just as important are proposals that did not pass. The chamber opposed a bill that would have increased the residential property tax exemption for primary residences from 45 percent to 60 percent of fair market value, shifting the tax burden onto commercial and industrial properties, as well as second homes. Such a change would have added new pressure on small businesses and investment properties in our community. Fortunately, the measure was defeated.

We also opposed legislation that would have removed counties’ ability to collect the restaurant tax on prepared food and beverages sold at restaurants, convenience stores and grocery stores. The final version of the bill would have transitioned restaurant tax to a local option sales tax on all non-food purchases. The bill could have created a funding gap for counties and potentially raised costs for all consumers without local input. That proposal was also defeated.

State policy can sometimes feel distant from daily life. Yet decisions made at the Capitol influence everything from economic competitiveness to environmental stewardship — and ultimately our quality of life. For Park City’s business community, staying informed about those decisions is essential. Partners, please look for a sign up link for Des’ March 23 seminar in your email.

Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.

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