ANNUAL REPORT 2014 Celebrating a 125-Year History Heber Valley Tourism and Economic Development HEBER VALLEY TOURISM & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR’S (HVTED) embraces a 3-fold approach to strengthening business and community. As the official promotional ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE office of Wasatch County, we also oversee the Heber WELCOME Valley Chamber of Commerce. eber Valley Tourism and Economic Development is excited to present the 2014 Annual Report which highlights some of the key developments over the past 12 month period of various milestones, including the 125th-year celebration of Heber City’s founding, the 115th-year of the Heber Valley Rail Road’s operation, and even the 20th-year celebration of the Heber Valley Cowboy Poetry gathering. H The population of Wasatch County continues to climb as evidenced by a 2014 U.S. Census report which shows that Heber City is the third- fastest growing micropolitan city in the United States. While growth can often present challenges, the Heber City area was also ranked as Utah’s Dodge Karl City Midway Je Bradshaw Heber City Kohler Mike County Wasatch Farrell Steve County Wasatch Wagoner Glen Van Soldier Hollow Grill (Chair) Stocking Kevin Chamber Representative Strom Bruce Chair TAB safest community and was listed as one of America’s top-ten small towns by livability.com. Perhaps now more than ever, the Heber Valley is being recognized for unparalleled quality of life which includes abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. One of the key indicators to our economy’s vibrancy is the number of visitors staying in our lodging properties. With a good mix of leisure and business travelers seeking a memorable escape from the large cities, our Heber Valley lodging partners offer a wide-range of accommodations and services. To date, the transient room tax—which is generated from overnight stays—has increased approximately 18 percent since last year. Overall, we are pleased with the direction our economy is going. With new business relocation and expansion occurring almost monthly, we believe we are creating a solid foundation for years to come. As economic development is a team-sport, we would like to thank our local elected officials and the business community for their tremendous contributions and support. We look forward to continuing exceptional partnerships moving forward. Best Regards, Ryan Starks (Executive Director) Mark Nelson (Business Dev Specialist) n behalf of the Heber Valley Tourism and Economic Jessica Broadhead Rachel Kahler Dallin Koecher Ryan Starks, Executive Director Development board of directors, I would like to thank (Oce Manager) (Events & Marketing Manager) (Communications Manager) the many partners who have helped make 2014 a great year in Wasatch County. OUR VISION O Chamber Having a strong economic base is paramount to sustaining our Advisory Council Cowboy Poetry Wasatch County will develop a vibrant and unique quality of life. With the support of many local businesses, Board sustainable economy and will be recognized as a community organizations, and committed city and county leaders, Kevin Stocking we have been able to weather difficult periods and take new steps Heber Valley Bank premier destination to live, work, and play. Ted Caldwell (Chair) towards increasing our economic prosperity. Tax Advisory Amy Tuddenham Board (TAB) The board and staff of Heber Valley Tourism and Economic Heber Valley Medical Center Kelleen Porter OUR MISSION Development is committed to supporting local businesses which are Bruce Strom (Utah State Parks) The mission of Heber Valley Tourism and Economic Development is to: the lifeblood of our economy. As demonstrated in this report, we Corbin Gordon Karl Dodge Corbin Gordon Law are taking thoughtful measures to enhance the quality of life we all Tom Bonner (Parks & Rec) RECRUIT quality businesses in high-paying industries. enjoy. Brent Kelly 1. Rachel Labrum Thanks for the support of so many partners in making 2014 another Labrum Ford & Chevy Cache Fergueson (Mtn Valley RV) local business retention and expansion SUPPORT . great year. Shad Sorenson 2. Josh Wright Debbie Batt (Zermatt) Sincerely, City First Mortgage INCREASE year-round tourism by promoting the Heber Valley Shelly Olsen area’s activities, events, and amenities. Steve Farrell, Wasatch County Council Jon Provost (Wasatch Event Center) 3. Michelle Barnhart Ryan Starks Chairman of Heber Valley Tourism and Economic Development Summit Orthopedic Sports Massage Steve Farrell Heber Valley Tourism & Economic Development Annual Report 2014 2 HEBER VALLEY TOURISM & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Karl Dodge Karl City Midway Je Bradshaw Heber City Kohler Mike County Wasatch Farrell Steve County Wasatch Wagoner Glen Van Soldier Hollow Grill (Chair) Stocking Kevin Chamber Representative Strom Bruce Chair TAB Ryan Starks (Executive Director) Mark Nelson (Business Dev Specialist) Jessica Broadhead Rachel Kahler Dallin Koecher (Oce Manager) (Events & Marketing Manager) (Communications Manager) Chamber Advisory Council Cowboy Poetry Board Kevin Stocking Heber Valley Bank Ted Caldwell (Chair) Tax Advisory Amy Tuddenham Board (TAB) Heber Valley Medical Center Kelleen Porter Bruce Strom (Utah State Parks) Corbin Gordon Karl Dodge Corbin Gordon Law Tom Bonner (Parks & Rec) Brent Kelly Rachel Labrum Labrum Ford & Chevy Cache Fergueson (Mtn Valley RV) Shad Sorenson Josh Wright Debbie Batt (Zermatt) City First Mortgage Shelly Olsen Jon Provost (Wasatch Event Center) Michelle Barnhart Ryan Starks Summit Orthopedic Sports Massage Steve Farrell 3 GoHeberValley.com THEN Rapid population growth has been a theme for the Heber Valley during the past several years. In fact, the Wasatch County population has grown by more than 65 percent since 2000. In 2014, Heber City was ranked as the third-fastest growing micropolitan city in the United States while Wasatch County continued to be the fastest growing county in Utah. Heber City was also ranked the eighth-best small town in the United State by livability.com. Wasatch County was ranked as Utah’s third-healthiest county in 2014. and NOW 2014 HIGHLIGHTS Zion’s Bank built a new main street building to The Heber Valley was mentioned in over 250 news accommodate the growth of the Heber City area. stories from news media all around the country. Mountain Valley RV Park was built and opened up to The Heber City area was ranked as Utah’s Safest the public. This upscale RV Park is the only Ten/TenStar/ Community by www.movoto.com and was listed as one Ten Good Sam rated resort in Utah and one of only a few in the of America’s Top Ten Small Towns by www.livability.com. Intermountain West. visitor CENTER “During 2014 we had over 4,800 guests visit the Heber Valley Visitor’s Center. The most rewarding part of my job is to hear someone say ‘Wow, I never knew there was so much to do here. We are going to have to spend a few extra days in the Heber Valley.’” - Jessica Broadhead, Office Manager Heber Valley Tourism & Economic Development Annual Report 2014 4 THEN EXpanding OUR Footprint OF THE HEBER valley TO THE country AND THE world The Heber Valley brand is spreading throughout various parts of the world through unique tradeshows and strong partnerships! In 2014, HVTED staff participated in various domestic and international tradeshows to promote the Heber Valley as a premier family vacation experience. Boston Ski Connected with 100’s of ski enthusiasts from Boston, one 01 Show of Utah’s hottest ski markets. Met with more than 1,000 tourism Morris & travel consumers at this Murdock 02 Utah-based tradeshow. Trade Show Adventure and Promoted the Heber Valley to 100’s of Gear Expos outdoor and adventure enthusiasts who (Spring & Winter) love hiking, biking, climbing, fishing, and 03 all other outdoor activities. Presented the Heber Valley The National message to key influencers in the motor coach and United Tour 04 States travel industry. Association Go West Conducted one-on-one meetings with International dozens of foreign tour operators to Summit develop business and travel opportunities 05 with international travelers. Created Heber Valley’s first-ever partnership with Ski Utah—the winter Ski Utah marketing arm for the State of Utah. ™ Placed multiple online and print ads Partnership 06 in various national platforms. Travel Sent over 1,400 travel guides to 07 Guides people throughout the world 5 GoHeberValley.com tourism FAM tours Discover Utah’s Adventure Escape The Heber Valley story is best told by experiencing it. Discover Utah’s Adventure Escape Over To this end we hosted nine Familiarization tours with travel writers, bloggers, tour operators, and other members of the media to give them a first hand 1,400 experience of our valley. This lead to several quality stories in local and national publications. 475 North Main, Heber, UT 84032 435.654.3666 Travel Guides 475 North Main, Heber, UT 84032 www.GoHeberValley.com 435.654.3666 www.GoHeberValley.com sent Worldwide in 2014 Family Vacation Critic Diana Meyer 1 1/27-30 Heber Valley posts on a range of topics from Tourism Blog 25 International Freelance Writer unique views in 2014: Alessandra Mattanza Art to Adventure 1/28 2 creating entertaining and 2,383 informative content on adventure & activities available in the Heber Valley Twopeasandtheirpod Blogger Maria Lichty 3 2/7 Monthly Tourism Newsletters Park City Conceigers sent in 2014: Tour of Heber Valley Railroad 2/13 4 3,800 Scout Tours (European Tour Operator) Ludger Bracht 5 4/2 Number of Facebook Southern California Blogger Jill Parkin