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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
Governor Mike Leavitt has a plan to help Utah businesses take advantage of the exposure that the 2002 Winter Olympic Games brought to the state.
Jeffrey Gochnour, in the Division of Business and Economic Development has said that the Governor is enthusiastic about capitalizing on the contacts that were made during the Olympics. "We're inviting key Utah industry leaders to join us on the trade missions," Jeff says. "Now is the time to capitalize on Utah's brand awareness created during the Games."
The Governor is planning a series of trade missions to various parts of the world and they will promote Utah industry and tourism. Missions in foreign countries are planned for Mexico City, Athens, Turin (site of the 2006 Winter Games), Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Toronto, Vancouver, London, Brussels, The Hague, Stockholm, Berlin, Taipei, Hong Kong and Singapore. Visits in the United States are planned for Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Jose, Chicago, Seattle, New York and Boston.
The Governor wants to take advantage of the awareness that was created about the state by the billions of television viewers who had the opportunity to experience Utah for perhaps the first time. The very positive response from all who were involved with the Games and the widespread praise for the people and the state provides a unique opportunity to further awareness and generate additional benefit to the economy of Utah.
Utahns are encouraged and invited to participate in the visits. The State Olympic Office is tendering an invitation to businesses, chambers of commerce, educational communities, agricultural interests, tourism and sports officials and others who are interested to join the delegations. There is a trade mission Web site that will provide dates, costs and other information. It can be accessed at trademissions.utah.gov.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
