Heber Valley puts growing tourism industry in spotlight with statewide conference

Heber Valley will host the 2026 Utah Tourism Conference. Photo: Go Heber Valley.

HEBER VALLEY, Utah — Heber Valley will welcome tourism professionals from across Utah this fall as the region hosts the 2026 Utah Tourism Conference, bringing the state’s tourism industry to a destination that has seen significant growth in lodging, recreation, and visitor activity in recent years.

The Utah Tourism Industry Association and Utah Office of Tourism will hold the annual conference Oct. 13-16 at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, the first hotel to open in the new Deer Valley East Village, which is located in Wasatch County though it has a Park City address. It marks the conference’s return to Heber Valley after it was last held in the area in 2022.

As the host destination, Heber Valley Tourism, Chamber and Economic Development has been working with conference organizers to showcase the valley through destination activities, morning experiences and an opening-night reception.

The conference is expected to bring together destination marketing organizations, lodging operators, attractions, tourism businesses, government agencies, and other industry professionals to discuss the future of Utah’s visitor economy.

The event comes as Heber Valley continues to build its own profile as a year-round tourism destination.

Large-scale development in Deer Valley East Village is adding new lodging, dining, retail, and recreation opportunities near the Jordanelle Reservoir. Continued construction at Deer Valley East Village, the evolution of The Slopes development, and the Homestead’s thoughtful renovation are elevating the visitor experience while honoring our roots.

Within the established tourism base in the valley, Heber Valley’s attractions include the Heber Valley Railroad, Soldier Hollow, and access to Jordanelle and Deer Creek reservoirs, while the surrounding area provides access to hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreation.

Tourism activity in the area has also continued to grow. Heber Valley Tourism reported more than 868,000 destination visitors and more than 2.5 million visitors to Wasatch County’s three state parks in 2025.

For Heber Valley tourism officials, hosting the statewide conference provides an opportunity to put that growth on display for the people who help shape Utah’s visitor economy.

“Our team is incredibly excited to welcome our colleagues from across Utah, and beyond, to Heber Valley,” Dallin Koecher, executive director of Heber Valley Tourism, Chamber and Economic Development, said in a statement. “Hosting the Utah Tourism Conference is both an honor and an opportunity to highlight our destination while creating meaningful connections and crafting experiences that inspire tourism professionals from every corner of the state, country, and around the world.”

Conference programming will include keynote speakers, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and destination experiences. Local businesses, restaurants, attractions and recreation partners will also have opportunities to interact with attendees throughout the event.

Registration for the 2026 Utah Tourism Conference is open through the Utah Tourism Industry Association.