A 4-year-old girl sits at a table inside Atticus Coffee & Teahouse sipping a green smoothie as her mother flips through the latest issue of Park City Magazine. The woman behind the counter of the Main Street cafe explains to a customer how their chocolate chip cookies are baked from scratch daily, while two old friends bump into each other and settle into a hearty conversation while waiting for their kale salads.
Indeed, hunkering down at Atticus for an hour or so gives you a solid snapshot of what it’s like to be in Park City. Wellness isn’t a trend here; it’s a way of life. A strong sense of community among locals and visitors skips right over the pretentiousness found in other mountain resort towns. An air of innovation and a sense of respect for what’s possible are nurtured here. And it’s all made that much better by fresh mountain air and prestigious scenery, not to mention 30 meetings properties, ranging from SMERF to high-end incentives. If you’ve never taken a group to Park City, it’s time to take a close look at this treasure.
Out of Thin Air
Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the United States, helped put Park City on the map when it moved there from Salt Lake City in 1981 (at the time, it was called Utah/US Film Festival). Over the last three decades, the annual January event has experienced huge growth, with 2016 drawing more than 46,600 people to the area and generating $143 million in economic impact for the state of Utah.
Building off the success of Sundance, Park City last year launched Thin Air, a three-day innovation festival in April designed to facilitate conversation around peak human performance. With high-profile speakers like Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank and Hyperloop Transportation Technologies co-founder Bibop Gresta, the inaugural event drew about 1,000 people including a group of about 20 meeting planners in town on a FAM hosted by Park City CVB. Bill Malone, president and CEO of the CVB, says he plans to market Thin Air to planners who resonate with an innovation-themed event, with the hope of drawing more groups in April—a typically slow time for Park City at the end of ski season.
A DMC POV
For the last three decades, Destination Services Corporation, known as DSC, has helped planners coordinate one-of-a-kind events for corporate and incentive groups. “[Park City] has what Aspen, Jackson Hole and Vail have been presenting for years, but on a whole new level with convenience, accessibility and affordability,” says Michelle Palmer, director of sales and business development for DSC. “We’re a destination that has a product for every tier.” Here’s a sampling of what the DMC can put together:
A Flying Ace Productions trampoline show was held on the lawn of Empire Canyon Lodge during cocktail hour for a 110-person financial group, followed by dinner service by Deer Valley Resort’s fireside dining, which included action stations at each of the venue’s fireplaces.
An exclusive rodeo, dinner and hoedown were arranged for a 230-person financial group at Blue Sky Ranch, with light bites served from the back of vintage flatbed trucks, barrel racing, fiddlers and professional line dance instruction.
A large-scale, paint-by-number teambuilding activity was organized for a 480-person technology group at Canyons Resort’s Red Pine Lodge, where attendees arrived via gondola and were greeted by the company CEO on the lawn before breaking into 48 teams to paint individual panels that were later assembled into a 16-ft.-by-48-ft. image representing the company’s future vision.
Utah Olympic Park
From the moment you enter Utah Olympic Park, you get the vibe it’s a special place. As host of the 2002 Winter Olympics, this facility almost single-handedly shaped Park City into what it’s known as today.
Nearly 15 years after the Olympics, the park continues to be a favorite venue for activities, teambuilding and receptions. Team-bonding activities range from a bobsled ride competition on the Olympic track in both winter and summer, alpine slide rides, zip lining, adventure courses, extreme tubing and more. One unforgettable space for a dinner is the K120 Nordic Jump Start House, perched at the top of the jump Nordic skiers dared to take in 2002. If heights aren’t your thing, host a dinner among the gold medals inside the Quinney Welcome Center, which also provides entertainment with a virtual reality ski jumping game.
