Park City hosts ski and resort industries public discussion

Park City Library. Photo: Michele Roepke

PARK CITY, Utah — The Park City Municipal Organization in conjunction with Leadership Park City is inviting the public to a free discussion they’re calling a ‘deep dive’ into the ski and resort industries on Monday, March 20. 

The four speakers scheduled to appear from 7-9 p.m. at the Park City Library Santy Auditorium include:

• DEIRDRA WALSH

Deirdra Walsh returned to Park City Mountain in 2022 to serve as vice president and chief operating officer after three years as VP & GM of Northstar California Resort. She originally joined Park City Mountain in 2007, and has nearly two decades of experience in the travel and hospitality industry. As VP & COO of Park City Mountain, Deirdra oversees all year-round operations. She is one of the most influential and visible female executives in the ski resort business. Her passions include employee empowerment and customer service. She currently serves on the boards of the PC Community Foundation, the PC Chamber & Visitors Bureau, and Ski Utah.

• TODD BENNETT

Todd Bennett was named President and COO of Deer Valley in July 2022 and charged with enhancing the staff and guest experience and building the future vision for the resort. Todd grew up near Lake Placid, New York and began his career in the ski industry in 1999 in Colorado. Most recently, he worked for the Walt Disney Company focusing on the guest experience at the Disneyland Resort in California.

• NATHAN RAFFERTY

Nathan is President & CEO of Ski Utah since 2005. He previously served as Ski Utah’s director of communications and had previous experience at Park City Mountain Resort. He promotes Utah’s 15 mountain resorts with a budget of approximately $3.5 million. Nathan served as past chair of the Utah Tourism Industry Association and vice-chair of the Utah Office of Tourism board of directors, In 2018, he received Utah Business Magazine’s highest accolade – CEO of the Year, and in 2021 he was awarded the Park City Area Lodging Association’s Double Black Diamond award for his inspiration in Utah’s tourism industry.

• RALF GARRISON

Ralf Garrison is a destination travel industry veteran, a recognized thought-leader, innovator, and serial entrepreneur in the destination travel industry with extensive experience in the mountain resort communities. He is the founder/operator of several businesses, including Mountain Travel Symposium, DestiMetrics Travel Research and The Insights Collective.