According to University of Utah Professor Philip Smith if you're in town THESE ARE THE RESTAURANTS that you CAN'T MISS. Many even have amazing meeting and event spaces that are unique, memorable and beautiful.

1) Log Haven, long synonymous with wildflowers, waterfalls and fine canyon dining, is located in a historic log mansion in the Wasatch National Forest, just 20 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. Established in 1994 by Margo Provost, Log Haven is nationally recognized and specializes in seasonal New American cuisine. This award-winning restaurant is recognized as a favorite destination for fine dining and special events. Opening nightly for diner. Serving dinner every night, Monday through Sunday beginning at 5:30 pm.

2) Bambara, restaurant, one of downtown Salt Lake City's liveliest dining spots, is located right off the lobby of the swanky Hotel Monaco, a Kimpton Hotel. Bambara's central exhibition kitchen provides the focal point of this Salt Lake City favorite. The dining room, lined with brass, marble, and soaring windows—all elements of our historic landmark building—shows off all the energy and fun this former bank building was hiding. Welcoming locals and visitors alike, Bambara makes guests feel comfortable in anything from business suits to blue jeans. With a tantalizing New American Bistro menu by Executive Chef Nathan Powers, featuring a "new world of flavors" and a playful sense of whimsy and style, Bambara regularly receives acclaim from locals and visitors alike.

3) Martine has become essential to downtown nightlife and the city’s culinary scene. The restaurant’s focus, tapas (small Spanish appetizers), consistently draws a hip, pre-event crowd. The menu, which changes every two weeks, offers a variety of the small snacks, from halibut cakes with saffron aioli in fennel-tomato broth to fried risotto and artichoke cakes with tomato tapenade. Nightly specials increase the offerings—perhaps frog legs in spicy red pepper sauce or steamed mussels in curry broth with mint. The wine list is small but carefully chosen. At lunch you’ll find a non-tapas pub menu. (S. L. Magazine)

4) La Caille is renown for its French-Ecclectic food combinations. We offer a four-course menu featuring such dishes as Carpaccio, Fois Gras, Vegetable Napoleon, Venison, Rack of Lamb, Ahi Tuna, Eastern Duck and Filet Mignon.

5) Tuscany Restaurant is located at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains in Holladay/ Cottonwood, Tuscany Restaurant hosts an enchanting atmosphere that allows you and your guests to immerse yourselves into a true Tuscan landscape. Experience one of the charming Tuscan inspired dining rooms or slip out into the aria fresca on one of three breathtaking patios. Take pleasure in an exceptional Italian-American menu paired with a Wine Spectator's Award for Excellence rated wine list for an unforgettable dining experience.

6) Francks offers a seasonal menu ranging from French bistro to American fare with it's specialty menu changing nightly. This hot spot will do nothing but exceed all expectations.

Where to Stay

So you've made the easy choice to have your next meeting in Salt Lake. Now here comes the hard part! Where to stay. There are so many great locations from executive suites to one of a kind style, Utah hotels are unmatched in friendly service. Here are just a few local favorites.

The Grand America is easily Salt Lake City's most luxurious hotel and considered by many in the industry as the "Best Hotel in Utah". This AAA five-diamond hotel located downtown offers 775 spacious guest rooms, 395 of which are suites, most featuring views of the Rocky Mountains. If you haven't decided on a venue for your meeting they have 80,000 sq. ft. of event and meeting space offering executive level service.

The Peery Hotel is within walking distance to the Downtown Convention Centers. It has friendly service in a beautiful, tasteful historic atmosphere making your experience more unique and memorable.

The Carlton Hotel and Suites is another downtown favorite. European flair with a personal touch not found at traditional hotels. Free shuttle, custom breakfasts, cable, hot tub, sauna, exercise room, business services and wireless Internet.

MPI 2009

How's this for validation? It's not just me that thinks SLC is worth a visit! MPI's World Education Conference will be held there July 11-14, 2009. Reserve your spot today!

Convention Options.

Looking for a great location to hold your next Convention? Here are just a few recommendations.

DOWNTOWN OPTIONS; close to many hotels, restaurants, entertainment, TRAX and only minutes from the airport- downtown could be the perfect location for your company.
The Salt Palace is in the heart of the city. With it's a beautiful architecture and custom details you can be sure that this is perfect place for any size event.
The EnergySolutions Arena not only is home to the Utah Jazz but it offers space from 400 to 10,000 square feet and can accommodate your every need for your next event – from a professional catering staff to state-of-the-art technical equipment.
The University of Utah is one of my favorites. If you're looking for diversity, affordability and one of a kind atmospheres then they have you covered. An added bonus? it has direct access to TRAX!

WASATCH FRONT OPTIONS; Choosing a location around Salt Lakes residential areas certainly has it's perks, from free parking, easy freeway access and great amenities for your association.
The E Center in West Valley City is more than home to Utah's Hockey Team, the Grizzlies. They hosted many events of the 2002 Winter Olympic games and can accomodate 3,700-12,000 guests.
The South Towne Exposition Center has the benefit of having direct access to TRAX, being in a very upscale area of the community and it's proximity to shopping, one of a kind restaurants and hotels make it a hot spot in the state.

MOUNTAIN TOP OPTIONS ; You can't look at Salt Lake City as a convention and meeting spot without looking into Utah's unique Mountain Lodges in the heart of the Rockies, still close in proximity to the airport.
Park City is a must see gem! Bringing in Hollywood's Elite, with 3 elite resorts all in the same mountain town. It has over 3,00 guest rooms and over 25 different meeting and convention sites giving executive service to every client regardless if you have a meeting with 10 guests or 700.
Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, Solitude and Sundance are all within an hour of downtown Salt Lake and each has it's own unique twist on convention & meeting facilities. Regardless of season the culinary excellence, the guest rooms, the ambiance, the proximity to the national parks and customer service in each of these locations makes it well worth the visit. (Sundance and Snowbird are my two personal favorites, the service and commitment to excellence are unmatched!)

Getting there.

So you're thinking of having your next meeting or event in Salt Lake? Let's talk about getting there. Salt Lake City is one of the easiest cities in the country to access.

Ten airlines and their affiliates serve Salt Lake City International Airport: AeroMexico, American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest, United and US Airways. It is Delta Air Lines' second largest hub.

The airport ranks 23rd busiest in the United States and 59th busiest in the world in terms of passenger numbers. The airport consistently ranks high for on-time performance. There are over 700 scheduled daily flights from the facility serving more than 90 cities with non-stop flights.

And it will soon be easier to access worldwide. International service has recently grown with flights to Canada and Mexico. The airport's first transoceanic flight started in June 2008 with Delta Air Lines' non-stop to Paris. A non-stop flight to Tokyo is scheduled to begin in June 2009.

So what are you waiting for? Get on a plane and come see what unique twists the Wasatch Front has to offer your company!

Choosing Salt Lake

Out of all the cities world wide that I could have chosen for my final project, Why did I choose Salt Lake City? For the same reason you should. It's diverse, it's beautiful, it's easy to get to and there's nothing like it anywhere else. I love Salt Lake and soon you will too!