Park City Chamber 2023 a year of innovation, community empowerment, and sustainability

Fall Forum panel discussion. (L-R) Tom Kelly, Moderator, Todd Bennett, President and COO of Deer Valley, Deirdra Walsh, Vice President and COO of Park City Mountain, Nathan Rafferty, President and CEO of Ski Utah, Gareth Trayner, General Manager at Woodward Park City, Calum Clark, COO of Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation. Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah — For the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, 2023 was marked by a spirit of innovation, community empowerment, and a commitment to sustainability. As a result, the Chamber achieved significant progress in a number of areas, including membership growth and the creation of a strong community presence.

Some of the key highlights of the report include the launch of the new Chamber Sponsored Employee Benefits Program, which helped ensure that members have access to quality health coverage options. The Seasonal Workforce Resource Guide was also updated to assist 1,438 exchange visitors in Park City this winter, helping them to find safe, affordable housing options.

The WE RIP program connected exchange visitors with safe, affordable housing options and gifted local residents Rossignol ski or snowboard gear.

Throughout 2023, the Chamber also hosted a series of ribbon cuttings, business after-hours mixers, and educational sessions for local businesses and residents. These events helped to forge stronger community bonds and unite local businesses and residents.

Four major activations in the innovative Sustainable Tourism Plan have been achieved in 2023. A first-ever Lodging Sustainability Toolkit was created and shared with the lodging community to assist with best practices throughout the community.

The PCCVB encouraged and recognized 20 local event organizers that created sustainable elements for their 2023 event activations, aligning visions and resources to ensure Summit County is producing events that provide public transit, recycling and sustainable elements that move the Sustainable Tourism Plan forward. Little Bell Mine achieved National Historic Register status with the support of the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau, as heritage preservation, particularly dating to the town’s mining era, is a critical Sustainable Tourism Plan element.

Additionally, Park City was named as a Green Destinations Top 100 Stories finalist. As we look to 2024, the Sustainable Tourism Plan will continue to forge a lasting legacy, seamlessly blending the allure of Park City with conscientious and eco-friendly practices.

The PCCVB organized a diverse range of events, from 11 ribbon cuttings and seven Business After Hours Mixers to 10 Business University educational sessions. These initiatives aimed to strengthen community bonds and bring together local businesses and residents. Noteworthy occasions included the successful 8th iteration of the Wasatch Back Economic Summit in May, the 60th Annual Meeting in August, and the standing-room-only Tourism Fall Forum in November at Stein Eriksen Lodge. Members showcased unprecedented activity throughout the year. Additionally, the inaugural Chamber Snow Day, launched in 2023, provided members with an opportunity to form meaningful connections and memories in a non-traditional office setting. This community celebration allowed participants to enjoy a carefree day on Park City Mountain.

“As we look back on the past year, the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau has been on a mission to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. We didn’t just assist in business growth; we built bridges, fostering connections between missions and objectives within our community,” said Jennifer Wesselhoff, President & CEO of the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau. “From networking events to the Annual Meeting, our initiatives have not only cultivated friendships but also nurtured growth, unifying our town through strategic and impactful community collaboration.”

Looking ahead to 2024, the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau has identified a number of key goals, including continuing the focus on sustainable tourism practices and promoting economic growth. The Chamber is committed to providing its members with the support and resources needed to achieve their goals and contribute to the growth and prosperity of the Park City community.