Big news for Salt Lake City International Airport. The airport recently earned three top honors from Airports Council International as part of the 2025 Airport Service Quality Customer Experience Awards, including Best Airport in North America (25–40M passengers), Cleanest Airport in North America, and Most Enjoyable Airport in North America. Based entirely on year-round passenger surveys from travelers around the world, these awards highlight the exceptional experience guests have when flying through Salt Lake, made even better by the airport’s convenient location just 10 minutes from downtown. 

Salt Lake welcomed a wave of visitors March 1–7 as the 2026 RootsTech Conference returned, drawing approximately 13,000 in-person attendees from around the world. Known as the largest genealogy conference globally, RootsTech once again blended innovation, storytelling, and cultural connection into a uniquely engaging experience.

Throughout the week, attendees filled the convention center exploring interactive exhibits, discovering new ancestry technologies, and participating in workshops covering everything from DNA insights to family storytelling. The event’s global reach and personal focus create a dynamic atmosphere, with many visitors traveling long distances to uncover their roots and connect with others who share similar histories.

That energy extended well beyond the conference itself. Local hotels, restaurants, and businesses saw a strong uptick in activity, as attendees explored the district and contributed to a lively, social environment throughout the week.

RootsTech continues to stand out not just for its size, but for its purpose, bringing people together through shared history while driving meaningful economic impact for the local community.

Spring arrives early in Salt Lake, making it a great time for attendees to get outside and explore. Lower mountain trails welcome hikers in early spring, with cool mornings and sunny afternoons creating ideal conditions for canyon hikes, peaceful river walks, and scenic overlooks. By mid-May, wildflowers begin to bloom across the foothills, adding vibrant color to the trails and making spring a beautiful time to experience Salt Lake.

Salt Lake’s indie music scene shines at Kilby Court, the city’s longest-running all-ages venue and a beloved launching pad for emerging local and touring artists. Known for its DIY, garage-style atmosphere and close artist-to-crowd connection, the tiny venue has helped shape Salt Lake’s music culture for decades.

That same spirit now fuels the Kilby Court Block Party, which has grown from a small neighborhood celebration into the largest indie music festival in Salt Lake. Drawing tens of thousands of music fans from around the world, the event brings major indie acts to the city while staying true to the community roots that started it all.

Celebrating 30 years of authenticity! Himalayan Kitchen is beyond honored to be named one of the Best Restaurants of 2026 by Salt Lake Magazine. From the Himalayas to downtown Salt Lake, Surya and Calli have kept the spirit of Kathmandu alive without losing an ounce of their original soul. Skip the sterile chains and come experience the "unbelievable success story" for yourself!

Speak Salt Lake connects conferences and conventions with the city’s most inspiring voices, from Olympic athletes to innovative business leaders. These speakers share stories of perseverance, creativity, and community spirit, offering audiences experiences as unique as Salt Lake itself.

Meet one of our speakers, Sara Jones, is the CEO of InclusionPro, a business strategy consulting firm that advises boards and executive teams on growth and governance. With more than 25 years of leadership experience across business, technology, and legal strategy, she is also a sought-after keynote speaker and executive coach whose TED Talk on international adoption has been viewed more than 2 million times. Previously, she served as CEO of ApplicantPro and has long been a champion of inclusive leadership, co-founding the Women Tech Council and serving on numerous boards and commissions in Utah.

Each month, we’ll feature one of our talented convention sales team members as they share their top recommendations for making the most of Salt Lake. From local dining spots to must-see attractions and hidden gems, get an insider’s perspective on what makes this city an unforgettable destination.

Managing Director of Sales — Midwest Office

One thing people don’t realize about Salt Lake: After 5pm, the downtown area can get pretty lively, with a variety of spots offering everything from upscale dining to casual bars, live music, and craft breweries. Many clients, especially those coming from bigger cities, are often surprised at how lively it gets for a city of Salt Lake's size

A view that never gets old: The awe of the Salt Lake Valley and the mountains surrounding downtown Salt Lake never fades. When I host clients from the Midwest, they often remark on the stunning mountain backdrop and how clean and vibrant the city feels.

The most “Salt Lake” experience you can have: My favorite Salt Lake experience is during ski season. It’s incredibly easy and convenient to fly into Salt Lake and spend a few days exploring downtown—taking in the sights at Temple Square and enjoying great shopping at City Creek Center and The Gateway. From there, you’re only 30–40 minutes away from some of the best skiing in the world.

My favorite hidden gem: My go-to place when I’m in Salt Lake is Beerhive Pub on Main Street. They offer a fantastic selection of beers, and the staff always makes you feel welcome.

We ask local restaurants one simple question: what dish says it all? From crave-worthy classics to unexpected standouts, this is the bite they’re most excited for you to try. 

LEVEL CROSSING BREWING COMPANY

At Level Crossing Brewing Company, their terroir, or defining characteristics, encapsulate the overall essence of passion and camaraderie. The red feather in the logo is a long-standing family tradition of always leaving an empty place setting for “Red Feather” at the dinner table. This is to celebrate the tradition of hospitality and inclusion. The empty seat is left open just in case a weary traveler, family member, or friend knocks on the door, so there would be a place for them to join.

Try their namesake pizza that never disappoints, The Level Crossing. Made with traditional Neapolitan pizza sauce, hand-made dough, and classic toppings like pepperoni, Italian sausage, roasted peppers, red onion and fresh basil. Cooking the pizza in a wood-fired oven delivers a beautiful leopard char and smokey richness you will not soon forget.

3/18 - 3/21: 2026 Hollywood Connection SLC- Hollywood Connection

3/18 - 3/19: 2026 Tradeshow/Annual Meeting- Associated Food Stores

3/19 - 3/21: 2026 Big 12 Gymnastics Championships- Big 12 Conference

3/19 - 3/22: ClearPlan 2026 Offsite- ClearPlan Consulting, LLC

3/23 - 3/29: 2026 Amateur & Pro BMX Freestyle National Championships- USA BMX: American Bicycle Association

3/24 - 3/27: 2026 Domopalooza- Domo

3/24 - 3/27: 2026 International Convention & English Language Expo- TESOL International Association

3/27 - 5/2: United Rugby League- United Rugby League, LLC

3/29 - 4/1: 2026 Annual Conference- Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians 

4/17 - 4/12: 2026 National Master Championships and University Nationals- USA Weightlifting 

4/7 - 4/9: Idaho Asphalt Supply 50th Anniversary Party- Idaho Asphalt Supply Inc. 

4/14 - 4/18: 2026 CWA Summit- Climbing Wall Association, Inc. 

4/15 - 4/18: 2026 Annual Meeting- American Association of Endodontists 

You are subscribed to Visit Salt Lake's newsletters as: jwitham@visitsaltlake.com 

90 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, USA

801.534.4900 | 800.541.4955

© 2025 Visit Salt Lake

Privacy Policy | Manage Subscriptions |  Unsubscribe