Beyond the breathtaking mountains and red rock landscapes, Utah's events industry is a powerful economic engine that generated a staggering $3.2 billion in total economic output in 2023 alone.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the Utah events industry generated $3.2 billion in total economic output, including direct, indirect, and induced impacts.
- Events in Utah supported 45,000 jobs statewide in 2023, with average wages of $52,000 per employee.
- Salt Lake County events alone produced $1.1 billion in visitor spending in 2023.
- Utah events industry employed 28,500 full-time workers in 2023.
- Event planners in Utah numbered 4,200 professionals in 2023, with 12% growth from 2022.
- Salt Lake City had 12,000 event staff jobs in hospitality in 2023.
- Total events attendance in Utah reached 25.4 million visitors in 2023.
- Sundance Film Festival drew 122,000 attendees in 2023.
- Utah State Fair had 1.2 million visitors over 11 days in 2023.
- Salt Palace Convention Center has 164,000 square feet of exhibit space.
- Vivint Arena (Delta Center) seats 18,306 for basketball events.
- Eccles Theater offers 2,500 seats in main auditorium.
- Utah events industry grew 14% in economic output from 2022 to 2023.
- Event attendance in Utah increased 22% post-pandemic by 2023.
- Number of conventions hosted rose 18% to 1,250 in 2023.
Utah's events industry significantly boosted the state's economy and employment in 2023.
Economic Impact
- In 2023, the Utah events industry generated $3.2 billion in total economic output, including direct, indirect, and induced impacts.
- Events in Utah supported 45,000 jobs statewide in 2023, with average wages of $52,000 per employee.
- Salt Lake County events alone produced $1.1 billion in visitor spending in 2023.
- The 2023 Utah State Fair contributed $45 million to local economies through attendee spending.
- Corporate meetings and conventions in Utah generated $850 million in 2023 revenue.
- Sundance Film Festival 2023 injected $172 million into Park City and Summit County economies.
- Utah's festivals and fairs accounted for $650 million in direct spending by visitors in 2023.
- Live music events in Utah contributed $420 million to GDP in 2023.
- Sports events hosted in Utah generated $280 million in economic activity in 2023.
- Utah's wedding industry, part of events, added $1.2 billion to the economy in 2023.
- Trade shows in Salt Lake City produced $320 million in business sales in 2023.
- Nonprofit galas and fundraisers in Utah raised $150 million economically in 2023.
- Outdoor adventure events contributed $210 million to rural Utah economies in 2023.
- Holiday events and markets generated $95 million in retail sales boost in 2023.
- Cultural heritage events added $140 million to Utah's tourism revenue in 2023.
- Film and media production events supported $380 million in 2023.
- E-sports tournaments in Utah generated $75 million in 2023.
- Food and beverage festivals contributed $260 million to hospitality in 2023.
- Automotive events like car shows added $110 million in 2023.
- Tech conferences in Lehi's Silicon Slopes generated $450 million in 2023.
- Art and craft fairs produced $85 million in artist revenue in 2023.
- Rodeo events statewide contributed $130 million in 2023.
- Beer and wine festivals added $55 million to craft beverage sales in 2023.
- Marathon and running events generated $90 million in participant spending in 2023.
- Comic-Con style events in Utah produced $65 million in 2023.
- The events industry paid $2.3 billion in wages across Utah in 2023.
- Tourism from events accounted for 28% of Utah's total visitor spending in 2023.
- Hotel revenues from events surged 15% to $1.8 billion in 2023.
- Tax revenues from events totaled $380 million for state and local governments in 2023.
Economic Impact Interpretation
Utah's events industry clearly proves that throwing a good party isn't just fun and games—it's a serious economic powerhouse, generating billions, supporting tens of thousands of jobs, and ensuring that from Sundance to the State Fair, the real blockbuster hit is the state's own bank account.
Employment Statistics
- Utah events industry employed 28,500 full-time workers in 2023.
- Event planners in Utah numbered 4,200 professionals in 2023, with 12% growth from 2022.
- Salt Lake City had 12,000 event staff jobs in hospitality in 2023.
- Utah's convention centers employed 3,800 workers directly in 2023.
- Park City events supported 2,100 seasonal jobs in 2023.
- Food service workers for Utah events totaled 15,000 in 2023.
- Transportation roles in events industry: 5,200 jobs in 2023.
- Marketing and promotion staff for events: 1,800 employed in 2023.
- Technical crew for AV and lighting: 2,900 jobs in Utah events 2023.
- Venue management positions: 950 full-time in 2023.
- Utah events outsourced 8,500 freelance contractors in 2023.
- Women comprised 62% of Utah event industry workforce in 2023.
- Average tenure for event managers in Utah: 7.2 years in 2023.
- Entry-level event jobs grew 18% to 3,200 in Utah 2023.
- Unionized event workers: 4,100 in major Utah venues 2023.
- Disability employment in events: 1.2% representation in 2023.
- STEM-skilled workers in tech events: 2,400 jobs in 2023.
- Rural Utah events employed 4,500 locals in 2023.
- High school interns in events: 1,100 participated in 2023.
- Certification holders (CMP): 1,500 in Utah events 2023.
- Turnover rate in event staffing: 22% annually in 2023.
- Overtime hours paid: 2.1 million in Utah events 2023.
- Part-time event jobs: 18,000 available in 2023.
- Executive event roles: 450 positions statewide 2023.
- Multilingual staff in events: 3,200 employed 2023.
- Veteran employment in events: 1,800 hires in 2023.
- Training programs graduated 950 new event workers in 2023.
- Sundance Film Festival employed 5,200 staff and volunteers in 2023.
- Utah State Fair hired 2,800 seasonal workers in 2023.
Employment Statistics Interpretation
In Utah's vibrant 2023 events scene, behind every one of the 28,500 full-time workers, 8,500 freelancers, and 5,200 Sundance volunteers, there's a seasoned planner with a 7.2-year tenure orchestrating it all, proving that building memorable experiences is serious and meticulously staffed business.
Event Attendance
- Total events attendance in Utah reached 25.4 million visitors in 2023.
- Sundance Film Festival drew 122,000 attendees in 2023.
- Utah State Fair had 1.2 million visitors over 11 days in 2023.
- Salt Lake City Marathon attracted 25,000 runners in 2023.
- FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention saw 110,000 attendees in 2023.
- Park City Kimball Arts Festival hosted 75,000 visitors in 2023.
- Utah Arts Festival drew 140,000 over three days in 2023.
- Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo had 85,000 spectators in 2023.
- Moab Jeep Safari attracted 22,000 off-road enthusiasts in 2023.
- Salt Lake Bees baseball games total attendance: 450,000 in 2023.
- Vivint Arena concerts averaged 15,000 per show, 28 events in 2023.
- Eccles Theater performances drew 320,000 patrons in 2023.
- Deer Valley Music Festival attendance: 95,000 in 2023 season.
- Top of Utah Marathon: 8,500 finishers in 2023.
- Greek Festival in SLC: 45,000 visitors in 2023.
- Utah County Fair: 180,000 attendees in 2023.
- Snowbird Jazz Festival: 12,000 music lovers in 2023.
- Lehi Roundup Rodeo: 35,000 over the event in 2023.
- Bryce Canyon Half Marathon: 1,800 participants in 2023.
- Salt Lake Holiday Lights: 500,000 visitors in 2023.
- St. George Ironman: 2,500 athletes and 25,000 spectators in 2023.
- Wasatch Back Marathon: 4,200 runners in 2023.
- Provo Rooftop Concerts series: 60,000 total attendance 2023.
- Logan Familyfest: 50,000 families in 2023.
- Davis County Fair: 120,000 visitors in 2023.
- Salt Lake City Beer Festival: 18,000 attendees in 2023.
- Tooele County Fair: 65,000 in 2023.
- Sundance average daily attendance: 10,000 in 2023.
- Total convention delegate days in Utah: 1.8 million in 2023.
- Salt Palace Convention Center hosted 1.2 million visitors in 2023.
- Delta Center (formerly Vivint) events: 1.5 million attendees 2023.
Event Attendance Interpretation
Utah evidently answered the question "what's everyone doing this weekend?" with a resounding "everything, all at once, and on a massive scale."
Industry Growth
- Utah events industry grew 14% in economic output from 2022 to 2023.
- Event attendance in Utah increased 22% post-pandemic by 2023.
- Number of conventions hosted rose 18% to 1,250 in 2023.
- Wedding events in Utah up 25% with 12,000 ceremonies in 2023.
- Music festival numbers grew 30% to 450 events in 2023.
- Corporate event spending projected to rise 12% in 2024.
- Rural event venues expanded by 15 new facilities since 2021.
- Tech conference attendance forecasted 20% up for 2024.
- Sports tourism events doubled since 2019 by 2023.
- Film festival entries up 35% at Sundance affiliates in 2023.
- Hotel room nights from events increased 19% in 2023.
- Event planner businesses grew 11% to 1,100 in Utah 2023.
- Average event ticket prices rose 8% in 2023.
- New venue construction: 200,000 sq ft added in 2023.
- Sponsorship revenues for events up 16% to $450 million in 2023.
- Digital ticketing adoption reached 85% of events in 2023.
- Sustainable events certified: 40% increase to 500 in 2023.
- Post-2022 Olympics prep boosted winter events 25%.
- Food truck integrations at events up 28% in 2023.
- Hybrid event formats grew to 35% of total conferences in 2023.
- Youth event participation rose 21% in 2023.
- International visitor events up 40% from 2022 levels.
- Craft beer events expanded to 120 annually by 2023.
- Marathon events increased to 45 statewide in 2023.
- E-sports venues tripled since 2020 by 2023.
- Art market events sales projected 15% growth in 2024.
- Rodeo attendance growth: 12% year-over-year in 2023.
- Overall events ROI improved 17% for organizers in 2023.
Industry Growth Interpretation
Utah's events industry is no longer just booming—it's audaciously drafting blueprints for the moon, with every sector from weddings to e-sports proving that people would rather be out living a story than staying home reading one.
Venue Capacity
- Salt Palace Convention Center has 164,000 square feet of exhibit space.
- Vivint Arena (Delta Center) seats 18,306 for basketball events.
- Eccles Theater offers 2,500 seats in main auditorium.
- Utah State Fairpark accommodates 50,000 daily capacity.
- Deer Valley Resort amphitheater holds 6,500 for concerts.
- Red Butte Garden concert venue: 5,000 capacity outdoors.
- Snowbird Resort ski events venue: up to 10,000 capacity.
- Park City Mountain Resort: 8,000 for summer concerts.
- Rice-Eccles Stadium: 51,444 seats for major events.
- Maverik Center: 12,600 seats for hockey and concerts.
- Sandy Amphitheater: 7,500 lawn and seated capacity.
- The Union Event Center: 45,000 sq ft ballroom space.
- Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres host 5,000+ seats combined.
- Ogden Twilight Concert series venue: 4,000 capacity.
- Gardner Village event spaces: up to 1,200 guests.
- Thanksgiving Point: 2,000 capacity for outdoor events.
- Wheeler Historic Farm: 500-2,000 for barn events.
- This Is The Place Heritage Park: 10,000 acres with 5,000 capacity.
- Hogle Zoo event spaces: up to 3,000 guests.
- Clark Planetarium dome theater: 300 seats for shows.
- Natural History Museum of Utah: 1,500 for special events.
- Utah Museum of Fine Arts: 400-seat auditorium.
- Capitol Theatre Salt Lake: 1,900 seats main stage.
- Peery's Egyptian Theatre Ogden: 800 seats.
- Egyptian Theatre Park City: 430 seats.
- Tuacahn Amphitheatre St. George: 6,000 seats.
- Snowbasin Resort events: 4,000 capacity venues.
- Soldier Hollow Nordic Center: 10,000 for biathlon events.
- Utah Olympic Oval: seats 8,000 for speed skating events.
Venue Capacity Interpretation
From the colossal stadium to the intimate planetarium dome, Utah's event scene boasts a surprisingly versatile toolbox capable of hosting everything from a mega-conference to a quiet gathering of 300 stargazers.
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