Cvent Online Destination GuideOnline Destination Search for Area VenuesOnline Destination Search for Area Services

Salt Lake City, Utah

Back to Destination List
Back to Cvent

Why Host a Meeting in Salt Lake City?

Salt Palace Convention Center

Having been host to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Salt Lake City is no stranger to accommodating meetings and events, a fact that shows in its ample meeting venues, accommodations and amenities. Salt Palace, Salt Lake City's main convention center, is a modern and attractive venue that underwent a major expansion in 2006, increasing its size by more than 40 percent. Now over 515,000 square feet, it is one of West's most sizeable convention centers. Conveniently located downtown, the center is within walking distance of nearly 7,200 hotel rooms and 100 restaurants. The South Towne Exhibition Center also offers sizable space in the center of Salt Lake's residential community, with over 243,000 square feet of exhibit halls and 15,000 square feet of meeting rooms.

In preparation for the 2002 Olympics, the city underwent major construction and renovation projects that are still enjoyed by visitors today. Several local highways were expanded and repaired, and a new light rail system called TRAX was completed for additional quick, efficient means of transportation around the city and to surrounding areas. The city continues to be recognized as a prime meeting location, serving as host to both the Deaf Olympic Games and Rotary International annual convention in 2007.

Salt Lake City's new, modern amenities are complemented by renowned recreational and outdoor activities. Guests can easily enjoy fine dining and culture in downtown's Martine restaurant and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts one day, then hike or ski at the Solitude Mountain Resort the next. Salt Lake City provides an easy environment to both work and play.

Salt Lake City is home to major corporations Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, GMAC Automotive Bank and Smith's Food and Drug. The United Potato Growers of America also relocated its headquarters to the city from Idaho in 2006.

Key Salt Lake City Metro Area Facts

Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST)
Convention Center: Salt Palace Convention CenterSalt Palace Convention Center
Salt Palace Convention Center
Airports: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

Population 1,018,826 Destination Type Listings
Hotels 200 • Ski destination
Hotel Rooms 27,000 • Golf destination
Unique Venues 38 • Smoke free restaurants
Restaurants 54  

Additional Salt Lake City Information / History

Salt Lake City Skyline

With over one million residents in the greater metro area, Salt Lake City is Utah's largest and most populous city, and, not surprisingly, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. Nestled between the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountain ranges, the city achieves a rare blend of outdoor solace and urban comfort. Blessed with low humidity and abundant sunshine, this city is a perfect place to visit no matter what the season. Wildflowers in a rainbow of colors carpet the Salt Lake Valley in the spring, and in autumn the trees are ablaze in colors of red, orange and yellow. Winter brings cold, but not frigid, temperatures, and copious amounts of snow blanket the mountains, luring winter sports enthusiasts from around the globe to the slopes.

Founded as a Mormon settlement by Brigham Young and pioneers in 1947, the city is now the Mormon headquarters and features numerous attractions related to the Church of Latter-Day Saints. In fact, Temple SquareTemple Square
Temple Square, a 10-acre section of downtown, is the most popular attraction in Utah with nearly five million visitors annually. The Family History Library and Museum of Church History and Art are among nearly a dozen Church-related sites in the square. Temple Square's centerpiece is the Salt Lake Temple, established by Young in 1893 and now the largest temple of the Church.

Despite frequent association of its name with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City's attractions extend much further. Browse over 17,000 works of art, from ancient to contemporary, at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Explore the stately Utah Governor's Mansion, a sprawling, Victorian-style estate built by silver baron Thomas Kearns. Escape the urban hustle and bustle with camping, kayaking or hiking at the city's namesake Great Salt Lake.

Alta Ski Resort

At a city that has trademarked the phrase "The Greatest Snow on Earth," skiing is undoubtedly one of the top activities for Salt Lake City visitors. Four world-class ski resorts are only minutes from the airport, and 10 are fewer than 45 minutes away. Alta Ski Area has been ranked as number 1 in the nation by SKIING Magazine for five years in a row, while Solitude Mountain Resort sees over 500 inches of snowfall annually - plenty for enjoying one of its 64 runs and three bowls ranging in skill level from beginner to expert. Plus, with several resorts open year-round and featuring luxurious spas and up-scale dining options, these Salt Lake City destinations entice both skiers and non-skiers year round.

Salt Lake City Climate Information

Salt Lake's climate is described as being a semi-arid steppe climate. The city experiences four seasons, with long, hot summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and summer are fairly mild seasons. January is the coldest month, with an average high temperature of 37°F and low of 21°F. July is typically the hottest month, with an average high temperature of 91°F.

The Great Salt Lake's "Lake Effect" adds to heavy rain and snow falls in the city, which typically receives 17 inches of rain annually. May is generally the rainiest month, with just over two inches of rain on average, and July is the driest month. Snow fall usually occurs from November to April. The downtown area averages about 63 inches of snow per year, but the surrounding mountains can see more than 40 feet of snow some years. Fall is a lovely time to visit the city, as the deciduous trees' leaves change from green to a dazzling array of red, yellow and gold.

Salt Lake City Climate Information Chart
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rec High -°F 62 69 78 86 93 104 107 106 100 89 75 69
Avg High -°F 37 43 52 62 72 83 92 90 80 66 50 39
Avg Low -°F 20 24 31 38 46 54 62 61 51 40 30 22
Rec Low -°F -22 -14 2 15 25 35 40 37 27 16 -14 -15
Rainfall - in. 1.3 1.2 1.8 2 1.8 0.9 0.7 0.8 1.1 1.3 1.3 1.3