NORTHERN UTAH
VisitSaltLake.com; @VisitSaltLake—Nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake County is a destination where the best of both worlds collide: urban sophistication and natural beauty. For meeting and event planners seeking a location that inspires productivity while offering memorable attendee experiences, Salt Lake City and its surrounding county check every box. “Salt Lake’s unique niche lies in its blend of urban sophistication and outdoor allure, providing attendees with an enriching and memorable experience that goes beyond the boardroom and keeps them excited to return year after year,” says Tyson Lybbert, chief sales officer for Visit Salt Lake.
Beyond its beauty, Salt Lake County is built for business. With more than 21,000 hotel rooms throughout the Salt Lake metro area and 8,000 within the convention district alone, the region offers easy accommodations for groups of all sizes.
The Salt Palace Convention Center, located in the heart of downtown, is the anchor of Salt Lake’s meetings infrastructure. It offers expansive exhibit space and versatile breakout rooms, with space for everything from large conventions and trade shows to corporate meetings and expos, Lybbert shares. The convention center also provides a direct connection to the Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City. Opened in 2022, the 700-room hotel includes 60,000 square feet of meeting space, including the state’s largest hotel ballroom, at 23,000 square feet.
In addition to the Hyatt Regency, The Grand America Hotel offers luxury and scale with 775 rooms and more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 22,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, which is ideal for upscale conferences and galas, Lybbert says. Its sister property, The Little American Hotel, boasts 850 guest rooms and 25,000 square feet of versatile meeting space. The newly opened Asher Adams, Autograph Collection, with its 225 high-end guest rooms and flexible event space, adds a boutique touch to the historic Union Pacific Depot. Meanwhile, the Mountain America Expo Center, which sits just south of Salt Lake City in Sandy, provides planners with another major venue option, Lybbert adds. With more than 243,000 square feet of space across five exhibit halls and additional breakout rooms, the venue is a popular choice for trade shows, public expos, and regional conferences. Rounding out the city’s lineup of options is Delta Center, a multipurpose arena with a seating capacity of 18,300. Located downtown, Delta Center is the home of the NBA’s Utah Jazz and the NHL’s Utah Mammoth; in addition to hosting entertainment and sports, it can also serve as an ideal locale for keynote sessions and citywide gatherings, Lybbert notes. “This diverse mix of venues gives Salt Lake unmatched flexibility and appeal for planners seeking both capacity and character,” he says.
As Salt Lake City prepares to host the 2034 Winter Olympics, infrastructure upgrades are underway to add even more appeal to the city. Salt Palace Convention Center is approaching a reconfiguration in 2027, which will add a second ballroom and bring greater flexibility and improved functionality. Throughout the renovation, plans are for the convention center to remain fully operational, with no loss of square footage, Lybbert explains. “The project repurposes existing space to enhance the overall experience for planners and attendees,” he says. “Combined with Salt Lake’s stunning natural surroundings, walkable downtown, and growing global recognition, this upgrade reinforces the city’s status as a top-tier destination for meetings, conventions, and international events.”
Other recently completed new and reimagined venues are also elevating the city’s event offerings. The Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), just 10 minutes from downtown and the convention district, completed its multibillion-dollar redevelopment to increase its airlift capacity and enhance the passenger experience. In May, the Salt Lake City Main Library unveiled its new rooftop terrace, which offers picturesque views of the skyline and surrounding mountains, making it a distinctive venue for receptions and networking events. The new 6,500-seat Ballpark at America First Square opened in April, adding a new venue ideal for sports and large-scale events. Downtown, AEG Presents acquired The Complex music venue in May, bringing new opportunities for entertainment-focused gatherings and performances, Lybbert adds.
Beyond the venues, Salt Lake’s walkable downtown district teems with dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences. In fact, the city has emerged as a culinary destination in its own right. Restaurants like the award-winning Manoli’s, SLC Eatery, and Table X offer creative, seasonal menus reflecting the region’s agricultural bounty. Breweries and distilleries, such as Fisher Brewing Company and Shades Brewing, give groups a taste of the city’s inventive spirit, while iconic eateries like Red Iguana and Caputo’s Market & Deli serve up memorable local flavor. “Salt Lake County’s food and drink scene continues to impress event planners and visitors alike, offering tastes and experiences genuinely found nowhere else,” Lybbert says.
For planners and attendees alike, recent infrastructure enhancements make navigating the city seamless. The city has seen significant improvements in public transportation, roadways, connectivity, and overall visitor experience, Lybbert says. Significant among those enhancements is the UTA TRAX light-rail system, which underwent significant modernization this year, ensuring reliability, improved safety, and smoother rides across the network. “Additionally, the new 600 South Downtown TRAX station enhances central city access, while the upcoming Sugar House S-Line extension, due to open by spring 2026, will further expand streetcar connectivity,” Lybbert explains. Bus Rapid Transit is also receiving significant upgrades, most notably the Midvalley Express, which will better link Murray and West Valley by fall 2026. Streets and active mobility projects are also ongoing, including protected bikeways to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and accessibility.
Event planners also appreciate the region’s unmatched access to the outdoors and teambuilding opportunities. Within minutes of downtown, attendees can hit the slopes, hike mountain trails, or paddle scenic rivers. Groups can take advantage of experiences ranging from Olympian-led fitness sessions to culinary tours and creative workshops. “For the more adventurous, customizable excursions include biking, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, rafting, and even ice‑climbing or backcountry skiing—all easily arranged near Salt Lake,” Lybbert says. “Urban scavenger hunts across downtown or the iconic Jordan River Parkway combine exploration with friendly competition. For a creative twist, craft workshops—think glassblowing, ceramics, or blacksmithing—spark conversation and collaboration in a hands‑on, memorable way. Whether your team seeks wellness, creativity, or adventure, Salt Lake delivers fresh and impactful experiences that resonate long after the event ends.”
Attendees traveling with families as an extended vacation will find numerous kid-friendly attractions in Salt Lake, such as the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum, Hogle Zoo, and the interactive Natural History Museum of Utah.
Distinct neighborhoods across Salt Lake County further enhance the destination’s appeal. Sugar House is known for its trendy shops, eateries, and craft breweries, while the Maven District emphasizes wellness experiences and local, women-owned businesses. Nearby, Sandy and Draper serve as gateways to the outdoors, perfect for groups wanting easy access to adventure after a day of sessions, adds Lybbert.
Salt Lake also offers a rich calendar of annual festivals and events. From the Utah Arts Festival to the X Games Salt Lake City, planners can align their events with unique local happenings.
With its rare blend of scenic beauty, robust infrastructure, and exciting cultural offerings, Salt Lake County delivers more than just a meeting—it delivers an experience, Lybbert says. “At its heart, Salt Lake City pulses with creativity and culture, featuring a thriving arts scene, diverse culinary experiences headlined by nationally acclaimed bars and restaurants, and a dynamic, welcoming atmosphere,” he adds. “Event planners return to Salt Lake County for its rare balance: sophisticated venues, walkable downtown districts, and exceptional hospitality—all supported by seamless transportation through Salt Lake City International Airport.”
