Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

Originally Posted by stevena07

A pretty cool business lure for utah


• Video Link

Wow, I kind of liked that. It portrayed downtown well, as well as more rural areas of Utah. One didn't supersede the other like it has many times when people, especially locals for some reason, portrayed the state. There were wonderful shots of downtown and beautiful shots of what looked like Helper and Park city.
P.S. what is the unemployment rate of Utah as of right now? and what percent of Utahans are truly bilingual?

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by Stenar

While I did just post in another comment that people should lobby the city and county regarding a convention hotel, I don't actually favor putting the convention hotel on this corner. Plaza space is great and my favorite buildings when I lived in NYC were those that had nice, big public spaces out front.

There are more opportunities to create public spaces and squares in the city. This particular square is a dead space most of the time. Also, if we ever want the feeling of actually being in downtown to spread beyond Main Street, especially with our wide streets, we are going to need to build right up to the sidewalk, especially around intersections. Perhaps we can create similar squares within our large blocks, not right on a corner where businesses thrive.

Convention-goers can easily walk across the street. Most of them are regularly going all the way from the Little & Grand Americas, so I think they'll be fine walking across the street.

This is what people were saying about shoppers at City Creek Center, and we ended up with a sky-bridge.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by stevena07

A pretty cool business lure for utah


• Video Link

OMG. I just threw up in my mouth. So much hyperbole in one place made me sick.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

This is what people were saying about shoppers at City Creek Center, and we ended up with a sky-bridge.

I don't think the sky-bridge-to-nowhere should be built, either.

[skierforlife17]

This is good, but i always feel like our business and tourism videos are all the same. If they really wanted to start doing great things for utah and business, they should be going around the country showing the inaccuracies of the myths about utah. They also need to find a way to get high level executives in Utah, if you read this months issue of Utah CEO it talks about the lack of high level executives and senior personnel available in Utah. Its making hard for new companies to move here because an executive who lives in New York doesnt want to move to a state like Utah (mainly because of the myths, lower pay, and supposed lack of culture).

[wrendog]

Originally Posted by Justnslcsugarhood.

Wow, I kind of liked that. It portrayed downtown well, as well as more rural areas of Utah. One didn't supersede the other like it has many times when people, especially locals for some reason, portrayed the state. There were wonderful shots of downtown and beautiful shots of what looked like Helper and Park city.
P.S. what is the unemployment rate of Utah as of right now? and what percent of Utahans are truly bilingual?

Heber, not Helper.

[wrendog]

Larry H Miller died today. Very sad. He will be missed.

[Ronald-Dregan]

What????? your kidding right?

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by skierforlife17

This is good, but i always feel like our business and tourism videos are all the same. If they really wanted to start doing great things for utah and business, they should be going around the country showing the inaccuracies of the myths about utah. They also need to find a way to get high level executives in Utah, if you read this months issue of Utah CEO it talks about the lack of high level executives and senior personnel available in Utah. Its making hard for new companies to move here because an executive who lives in New York doesnt want to move to a state like Utah (mainly because of the myths, lower pay, and supposed lack of culture).

Sometimes the perceptions aren't always myths... remember what I posted on the MSA thread?

[wrendog]

Originally Posted by Ronald-Dregan

What????? your kidding right?

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=5650755

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by skierforlife17

This is good, but i always feel like our business and tourism videos are all the same. If they really wanted to start doing great things for utah and business, they should be going around the country showing the inaccuracies of the myths about utah. They also need to find a way to get high level executives in Utah, if you read this months issue of Utah CEO it talks about the lack of high level executives and senior personnel available in Utah. Its making hard for new companies to move here because an executive who lives in New York doesnt want to move to a state like Utah (mainly because of the myths, lower pay, and supposed lack of culture).

When I worked in the marketing dept at the Grand America Hotel a few years ago, they showed us a video developed by the SLCVB which did address the myths. It showed people out drinking at various bars and clubs, and other nightlife, cultural events, etc. It didn't just show people drinking but specifically addressed the myths in a light-hearted way and poked fun at them.

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

Originally Posted by wrendog

Heber, not Helper.

Thanks

[John Martin]

I'm still waiting for a really good video about Utah. I haven't seen it yet. Don't bother with YouTube, everything there is just embarrassing. What is bragged about these days isn't really what we should be showing off. Salt Lake has a ton to offer, it'd take an extraordinary film to even begin accurately showcasing our home. But, nevertheless, that's a challenge someone has yet to overcome, I wouldn't know where to begin and I've lived here my whole life--I still feel like I haven't been properly introduced to Utah. That makes it really hard for anyone to create an advertisement that says something more than "our economy is good."

About the "myths," I don't really know what there is to expose. It seems silly to me to say "NOOO, guess what, you really can get intoxicated in Utah, I swear!" You can do lots of things here and the myths probably hide that, but it seems more appropriate to me to show off the benefits of having the.. culture we do, instead of just glorifying the less-common cultures which happen to be familiar in every other city. Salt Lake has a lot to offer because of it's uniqueness, that's good for a lot of companies but not exactly what all of them are looking for. Businesses pretty much thrive or fail here, we should do our best at attracting the right ones, not just anything desperate enough that we can get our hands on.

[urbanboy]

Seems to me that you have a hunch against drinking liquor, whether it's being consumed responsibly or irresponsibly.

When showing the culture in Salt Lake City, they should show people drinking and having a good time, as well as people touring Temple Square. It's important that we include everyone. Sadly, current state laws are exclusive, and until we change them to include everyone, outsiders will still see Utah as very exclusive and controlling. This is why it's important to emphasize diversity. By saying we're diverse, we'll become even more diverse; none of this homogenous crap.

I love the Capitol Theater btw; nice avatar!

[jmonkey]

Originally Posted by stevena07

A pretty cool business lure for utah


• Video Link

I wonder how Arizona feels about us appropriating the Grand Canyon for this video (at the 3:00 mark)? And we can make as many pretty videos as we want--our image still gets shot in the foot every time the state legislature goes into session.

[scottharding]

I suppose we can claim the grand canyon as all those Arizonans claim Lake Powell.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by cololi

I don't think the SE corner of the salt palace is a waste of space. when the convention center is in use, that plaza has a lot of people milling about. When I go to conferences in other cities, I often hate the fact that I can't just go outside sit in the sun and take a break from the meetings. There are very few that I have been to that have a plaza like the one at the Salt Palace. I think usable plazas that are comfortable to be in are one of the unsung features that make places great. SLC has very few plazas where people actually sit down and take a load off.

There are far too many places across the street from the Salt Palace where a convention hotel would do just fine. 200 S is going to become a great street in the not to distant future. A convention hotel will be a great part of that street.

There is another plaza on the north corner by Symphony Hall where convention goers can sit and enjoy the sun. There is also Temple Square, including the Main Street Plaza.

Having the Convention Center Hotel on the same block will actually be more convenient for those visiting for conventions.

[RFPCME]

Originally Posted by John Martin

I'm still waiting for a really good video about Utah. I haven't seen it yet. Don't bother with YouTube, everything there is just embarrassing. What is bragged about these days isn't really what we should be showing off. Salt Lake has a ton to offer, it'd take an extraordinary film to even begin accurately showcasing our home. But, nevertheless, that's a challenge someone has yet to overcome, I wouldn't know where to begin and I've lived here my whole life--I still feel like I haven't been properly introduced to Utah. That makes it really hard for anyone to create an advertisement that says something more than "our economy is good."

About the "myths," I don't really know what there is to expose. It seems silly to me to say "NOOO, guess what, you really can get intoxicated in Utah, I swear!" You can do lots of things here and the myths probably hide that, but it seems more appropriate to me to show off the benefits of having the.. culture we do, instead of just glorifying the less-common cultures which happen to be familiar in every other city. Salt Lake has a lot to offer because of it's uniqueness, that's good for a lot of companies but not exactly what all of them are looking for. Businesses pretty much thrive or fail here, we should do our best at attracting the right ones, not just anything desperate enough that we can get our hands on.

John Martin: I'm not sure what the "right" businesses means? Are you suggesting their are businesses better suited to Utah than others? I accept that. Utah wants business that pays well. Contributes to the overall environment, both physical and sociological. Business that provides rewarding career paths for employees? Business that is a responsible corporate citizen. Business that contributes to the greater good...for all walks of life, regardless of color or creed.

With those criteria in mind, if I were the State Economic Development Agency, I would chase businesses involved in green-energy development. Or if not totally green-energy, at least non-traditional energy development, like clean coal. I wouldn't chase more multi-level marketing companies.

I would pursue companies with a global reach, especially those that increase productivity or the standard of living, such as bio-pharmaceutical firms that increase well being and add to longevity. I wouldn't chase more nutritional supplement companies, where the research is mounting that these supplements do little if anything.

I would pursue companies that were truly multi-cultural, where religious preference or any other preference doesn't matter. Global consulting firms, like KPMG or IBM Global seem like good fits. I wouldn't chase more firms specializing in personal development, who preach "Be just like me and you'll be fine." Most global consulting firms have small presences in Utah, but none have any of their individual consulting practices headquartered in Utah.

I think you get my point.

[skyguy414]

Originally Posted by jmonkey

I wonder how Arizona feels about us appropriating the Grand Canyon for this video (at the 3:00 mark)? And we can make as many pretty videos as we want--our image still gets shot in the foot every time the state legislature goes into session.

I'm pretty sure what you are thinking was the Grand Canyon was actually Dead Horse Point State Park (by Moab).


Image by Tucapel on Flickr

You can see that same clip used in a video on this site as well:

http://www.utah.com/stateparks/dead_horse.htm

[cololi]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

There are more opportunities to create public spaces and squares in the city. This particular square is a dead space most of the time. Also, if we ever want the feeling of actually being in downtown to spread beyond Main Street, especially with our wide streets, we are going to need to build right up to the sidewalk, especially around intersections. Perhaps we can create similar squares within our large blocks, not right on a corner where businesses thrive.

There are more spaces to create meaningful plazas. But we have few meaningful spaces at corners. Not every corner needs to have a tall building on it. A good urban design includes spaces of all kinds, including differences at corners. There are ample opportunities to break up the blocks with smaller streets that increase prime business corners. the convention center needs to be inviting to those using the center. I don't think very many are. Whether it is San Diego, San Fran, Denver, Vegas, etc. they all lack a very inviting face for the convention goer. It is one of the things that sets SLC apart.

One down side of a connected hotel/convention center is that a certain percentage of visitors never leave the complex. It is really no different than a skybridge. I think the ideal set up would be a hotel across the street from convention center with their entrances at opposite corners.