Utah

Utah Tourism Industry honors 2024 Hall of Fame inductees – Utah Business

Published

1 year ago

September 27, 2024

Utah Tourism Industry honors 2024 Hall of Fame inductees – Utah Business

Layton, UT — The Utah Office of Tourism (UOT) and the Utah Tourism Industry Association (UTIA) honored the 2024 Utah Tourism Hall of Fame inductees at the Utah Tourism Conference in Davis County.

The Utah Tourism Hall of Fame recipients are selected based on their history of contributions to the state’s tourism industry through leadership and long-standing contributions to their region or to the entire state. This year’s inductees include recently retired UOT Managing Director Vicki Varela, Visit Salt Lake CEO Kaitlin Eskelson, political consultant Des Barker and Temple Square Hospitality legend Neil Wilkinson.

“This year’s group of Hall of Fame inductees have left their mark on Utah and earned our industry’s deepest gratitude and appreciation,” said Natalie Randall, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism. “All Utahans have benefitted from their dedication to elevating the visitor economy.”

Beginning in 1985, the Hall of Fame has recognized 131 recipients who have contributed toward improving the national/international recognition of the positive aspects of vacationing in Utah, improved the understanding of Utah residents regarding the attractions of their state and the economic development benefits of tourism for the state, and facilitated efforts of improving the business climate for tourism-related businesses in Utah.

“The Utahns who make a living in our industry can often credit a mentor for helping them get to where they are now. All four of these inductees have greatly enhanced the careers and lives of many in our state,” said UTIA Executive Director Celina Sinclair. “Vicki, Kaitlin, Des and Neil are all legendary figures in the local tourism world and an inspiration to the current and future generations of tourism leaders.”

More on the 2024 Utah Tourism Hall of Fame Recipients:

Vicki Varela, Former Managing Director, Utah Office of Tourism

When she retired from her position as Managing Director of the Utah Office of Tourism last February, Varela left as one of the office’s most recognized leaders. Her 11-year tenure at the helm of the state’s tourism efforts has been called the most prosperous in UOT’s history.

Varela’s accomplishments include:

Launching the Mighty Five® campaign, elevating Utah’s global brand presence
Establishing the Red Emerald Strategic Plan to create and protect Utah travel experiences that are distinctive, unique to Utah and highly coveted
Encouraging responsible recreation by visitors and residents with the Forever Mighty campaign
Keeping Utah’s National Parks open during multiple federal government shutdowns
Leading a faster rebound from the negative impacts of COVID-19 than competing states
In 2016, was named US Travel’s State Tourism Director of the Year
In 2022, was honored as the Salt Lake Chamber’s ATHENA Award recipient

Kaitlin Eskelson, President & CEO, Visit Salt Lake

Kaitlin Eskelson has been very busy since becoming Visit Salt Lake’s President & CEO in 2020. From involvement with expansions at the SLC International Airport, the National Hockey League’s arrival in Utah, to the 2034 Winter Olympics Announcement, Eskelson has been very much in the mix for Salt Lake’s dynamic tourism scene. Under her leadership, Salt Lake County has enjoyed a seven-fold increase in overnight room bookings, generating millions of dollars in Utah’s economy. Launching Sports Salt Lake, creating transit solutions for the Cottonwood Canyons and bringing back the Outdoor Retailer trade shows to the Salt Palace; all just a few major accomplishments Eskelson has added to her resume.

Des Barker, longtime political consultant, former Development Director, Park City Chamber

Des Barker, a longstanding and well-known political consultant, is a frequent face on Utah’s Capitol Hill. In addition to running his own consulting business, Barker spent years working in public service and education. He was formerly the Business and Economic Development Director for the Park City Chamber and also served on the University of Utah College of Social and Behavioral Science board. In the local tourism space, Barker has made his mark in ways that many do not see. The Tourism Works Political Action Committee, the Tourism Marketing Performance Fund and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund are all products of Barker’s work as a political advocate for the Utahns who depend on tourism.

Neil Wilkinson, Former Director of Marketing, Hospitality, Temple Square

For over 25 years, Wilkinson was as much a part of the Temple Square experience as the dinner rolls at The Lion House. As both the Director of Marketing and later the Director of Hospitality at Temple Square, Neil served an integral role in creating memorable moments for the many visitors who made a trip to one of Utah’s most popular attractions. Wilkinson also made an impact among his peers. A long list of tourism officials and leaders credit Wilkinson as a valuable mentor, particularly during his time as the President of the Utah Tourism Industry Association’s Board of Directors.

About Utah Tourism Industry Association (UTIA): The Utah Tourism Industry Association, formally the Utah Tourism Industry Coalition, started over 12 years ago and serves as the umbrella organization and advocate for Utah’s visitor economy. As a 501c6 nonprofit organization, UTIA strives to deliver exceptional value to its members ranging from a variety of tourism sectors. Offered are various member-driven public policy initiatives, business networking opportunities, marketing programs and educational offerings all to help members and the tourism industry succeed today and in the future. UTIA has been long-recognized as the tourism industry’s home base for education, advocacy and networking. UTIA makes it so “Tourism Works.” Learn more at utahtourism.org

About the Utah Office of Tourism (UOT): The Utah Office of Tourism’s (UOT) mission is to elevate life in Utah through responsible tourism stewardship. We do this through marketing, stewardship and development. Marketing: UOT curates messaging that inspires visitation, supports local businesses and builds the Utah economy. Stewardship: UOT manages visitation statewide and supports the responsible discovery of Utah. Development: UOT partners with local communities to enhance and develop their visitor economies to benefit residents and visitors. Learn more at visitutah.com and travel.utah.gov

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Utah

Utah Blanks Philadelphia, 3-0 | Utah Mammoth

Published

8 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Utah Blanks Philadelphia, 3-0 | Utah Mammoth

Schmaltz’s 24 goals this season are a new career-high. He’s been a consistently strong presence and has taken on more responsibility with the switch from wing to center. His goal on the power play came just eight seconds into the man-advantage and opened the scoring early in the second period. In addition to his goal, he had an assist on Utah’s second goal of the game. Tourigny discussed Schmaltz’s maturity following the win.

“He’s a mature person, mature man,” Tourigny explained. “He really wants to make a difference. I always say about Schmaltz, (he’s) a gamer. He wants to play in those moments, and I think he’s excited about where our team is at, and he wants to be a big part of it, and he is. He’s a huge leader for us.”

Utah held Philadelphia to 16 total shots: four in the first period, seven in the second, and five in the third. The Mammoth showed their strong defensive game in the win.

“I think that’s when we’re at our best, when we’re defending hard,” Schmaltz said. “We’re playing with a lot of pace, not giving them time and space, frustrating them, and making them force plays, and then we turn it over and go the other way.”

On the flip side, against a stingy Philadelphia defense, Utah generated 23 shots including 14 in the second period. Schmaltz spoke to what led to the increased opportunities in the middle frame.

“A little bit more direct,” Schmaltz shared. “I think our transition game was really good. We were catching them, kind of hemming them in. Good line changes and just rolling them over and shooting a little bit more.”

In addition to Schmaltz’s goal, Captain Clayton Keller scored his 19^th of the season seven and half minutes after his linemate’s tally to increase the score to 2-0. Michael Carcone’s empty net goal with 1:48 left in regulation secured the 3-0 win.

Additional Notes from Tonight (per Mammoth PR)

The Mammoth’s power play went 1-for-2 against the Flyers. Utah has scored seven power play goals in seven games (7-for-18, 38.9%). On the other side of special teams, the Mammoth’s penalty kill went 3-for-3.

JJ Peterka played his 300^th NHL game. Peterka was selected 34th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft and is the ninth player from his draft class to reach the milestone. He is also just the eighth German-born forward in NHL history to accomplish the feat.

Keller has recorded 11 points in his last seven games (2/2-3/5: 3g, 8a), finding the scoresheet in six of those contests.

With two assists tonight, Dylan Guenther has posted his second straight multi-point outing (3/3 at WSH: 1g, 1a) and his third in five games (2/25 vs. COL: 2g).

Utah has won the first two games of a five-game road trip. Up next, the Mammoth travel to Columbus and face the Blue Jackets on Saturday night.

Upcoming Schedule

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22-year-old arrested in Utah in connection to Las Vegas double-homicide

Published

20 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

22-year-old arrested in Utah in connection to Las Vegas double-homicide

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Officials have identified a 22-year-old man as the suspect in a Las Vegas homicide case that killed two people in a Southern Highlands neighborhood.

Detectives say 22-year-old Ziaire Ham was the suspect in the case. According to officials, Ham was located on Tuesday, March 3, by the Ogden City Police Department and the Utah Highway Patrol.

Ham was taken into custody and booked into the Weber County Jail. Las Vegas authorities said he will be charged with open murder with the use of a deadly weapon and will be extradited back to the valley.

MORE ON FOX5: LVMPD corrections officer arrested on multiple felony charges

The shooting occurred Monday night at the 11000 block of Victoria Medici Street, near Starr Ave and Dean Martin Drive.

According to police, officers were conducting a vehicle stop in the area when they heard gunfire. After searching nearby neighborhoods they found a car with bullet impacts with a woman and a toddler inside suffering from gunshot wounds.

The pair were transported to hospital where they later died. The Clark County Coroner’s Office identified them as Danaijha Robinson, 20, and 1-year-old Nhalani Hiner.

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Utah nonprofit creates events, experiences for disadvantaged children

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Utah nonprofit creates events, experiences for disadvantaged children

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A simple moment watching a child laugh changed everything for Ivan Gonzalez.

Eight years ago, Gonzalez was working at the Ronald McDonald House when he had an idea to throw a birthday carnival for the kids staying there.

“Let’s do a carnival, birthday carnival for the kids,” he said.

MORE | Pay It Forward

What happened during that event stuck with him.

“There I was watching this kid play whack-a-mole, just having a blast, laughing,” Gonzalez said. “And then I see his mom kind of with happy tears because he’s enjoying himself.”

That moment led to something bigger.

Gonzalez realized the experience shouldn’t stop with just one event or just one group of kids.

“I said, wait, we can do this not just for kids in the hospital,” he said with excitement.

So he started a nonprofit called Best Seat in the House, which creates events and experiences for children who often face difficult circumstances.

“We provide events and experiences for disadvantaged kids,” Gonzalez said.

The organization serves children battling cancer and other medical conditions, refugee children, kids living in poverty, those in foster care and children with special needs.

“These kids grow up too fast,” Gonzalez said.

For Gonzalez, the mission is deeply personal.

“I grew up very poor,” he said.

He remembers the people who stepped in for his family when they needed it most.

“The local church, we weren’t even a part of it,” he described. “My parents couldn’t afford Christmas gifts and I still remember the gifts they gave me. They didn’t even know me.”

Today, he hopes to create that same feeling for other children through his nonprofit.

“Kids live in poverty and they don’t know where the next meal is coming from, let alone going to a play or to a game,” Gonzalez said.

But for Gonzalez, the reward isn’t the events themselves, it’s the joy they create.

“You can give me a billion dollars, all the money in the world,” he says as tears roll down his face. “I won’t trade these opportunitieskids just enjoying life.”

Because of his work giving back, KUTV and Mountain America Credit Union surprised Gonzalez with a Pay it Forward gift to help him continue creating those moments for kids across Utah.

For more information on supporting Best Seat in the House, click here.

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