1. Session Checklist
2. Talking Points
3. Ongoing Action
4. Resources

Here are some simple steps you can take to feel prepared and be a voice for the Tourism Industry during this upcoming session:

• Do you know who your legislators are? 
  • Yes! Re-engage or start building a relationship with your representatives
  • No - Find out who represents you by visiting: https://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp
• Are you signed up for the Weekly Legislative Update? 
  • Yes! I am a UTIA member and am automatically enrolled - add info@utahtourism.org to your address book so that none of these weekly emails go to your spam folder
  • No - If you are not a member join today! 
• Are you signed up for Tourism Day on the Hil on Friday, January 28, 2022? 
  • Yes! Great - be sure to invite your legislators to join you for lunch in the Capitol Rotunda
  • No - Learn more and sign up here: https://utahtourism.org/2022-tdoth

We recommend a friendly check-in with your representatives. Keep this check-in brief and concise. This is a busy time for legislators and there is extensive outreach being made. Engage with them by further building a personal relationship and telling the story of tourism in your area, here are some narratives you might choose from:

• Tourism is a part of the broader economic development plan and efforts for your community.
• Share the positive return on investment reported from the use of your local Transient Room Tax (TRT) dollars and how it supported business in your region, particularly through the pandemic. Talk to your local Destination Marketing/Management Office for more details.
• Share how the Utah Office of Tourism strategies have supported your efforts:
  • Destination Development - Corragio Study, Roger Brooks
  • Forever Mighty + Visitor Management - Co-op, Leave No Trave, Responsible visitation both environmentally and to spend dollars in your community
• Share how statewide TRT, which funds the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation grant program, has been leveraged in your community. This might include the community amenities it provides not only for visitors but also for your residents and their quality of life.

Maintaining relationships and consistency is key. It takes everyone in the industry following these baby steps to make a lasting impact. These efforts can occur both during and outside of the legislative session.

• Expand on the talking points with legislators who represent your region - turn them into a champion for tourism and the visitor product in your area.
• What does the visitor economy mean for your region? What are the positive community and business resources that have been introduced as a result of having a visitor economy?
• Be sure to share with them that you are a part of a statewide industry - and supportive of the efforts from the Utah Tourism Industry Association
• Are there any legislative action groups in your region? This might include your Chamber of Commerce, Political Action Committee, Association of Government, Regional Caucuses, County Commissioners, etc. Become a part of the conversation by reaching out to them and sharing tourism-related priorities they can support.

Whether this is your first session, or you are a veteran of the process there are many resources available for you throughout the session. Here are a few offered by UTIA: