September Luncheon

Tom Kelly

Behind the Bid: How Strategic Communications Helped Bring the Winter Games Back to Utah

Date: Wednesday, September 11

Time: 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location:

  • In-person at the Zions Bank building, Salt Lake City
  • In-person at the St. George watch party, Utah Tech University
  • Online (webinar begins at noon)

In-Person Luncheon:

Where: Zions Bank Building at 1 Main St., Salt Lake City, UT. Register

Parking: Park in the City Creek Center parking garage, and go to the Zions Bank Founders Room on the 18th floor.

Cost:

  • $12 for students
  • $22 for PRSA Utah Chapter members
  • $27 for non-PRSA Chapter members

In-Person Watch Party in St. George:

Where: Utah Tech University at the University Plaza, Building C at 1071 E. 100 South, St. George, UT. Register.

Cost: $18 (includes lunch)

Online Webinar:

Time: Begins at noon

Cost: Free (does not include lunch). Register

Summary:

Salt Lake City-Utah’s bid to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games back to the state was over a decade in the making. On July 24, the International Olympic Committee awarded the Games to Utah for 2034, setting off celebrations from Paris to Utah. In developing one of the strongest bids in history, the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games utilized an open and transparent approach to communications, strategically targeting audiences to build strong public support back home while convincing international sport leaders that Utah’s sustainable and community-focused approach was ideal for the Winter Games.

In this session, you’ll learn:

  • The value of an open and transparent relationship with news media.
  • The importance of taking the time to build strategic contact lists and engaging stakeholders.
  • The critical need for establishing messaging direction early and sticking with it.

Speaker Bio:

Tom KellySLC-UT 2034 communications lead Tom Kelly began his career as an award-winning journalist in his native Wisconsin. He evolved to a career in communications with a focus on Olympic sport, serving over 30 years as the voice of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. He’s served as communications strategist for Utah the last four years. He’s worked in 11 Olympics and has been in the finish area supporting more than 75 Olympic medalist athletes. He and his wife Carole live in Park City where he’s an active Jeep enthusiast and skier.

Utah PRSA