After taking a bogey last year on how they played the Utah Novell Showdown as a business development tool, state officials believe they were more on par for this year's pro golf tournament that took place earlier this month.
"It's one of those deals where you get out of it what you put into it. They're not easy. They just don't come together. You really have to put some thought into who you invite," said Bob Fuehr, state Division of Business and Economic Development director.
The state wasn't the only government entity using taxpayers funds to entertain guests at the tournament. A Salt Lake County Council member last week questioned the diversion of $862,000 in hotel tax to a golf tournament in neighboring Summit County.
The division and the Utah Travel Council put $100,000 into the Senior PGA Tour event in Park City, which bought ads promoting tourism during the televised tournament, a hospitality suite, slots in the pro-am and spectator passes.
Few business leaders and state officials charged with wooing companies to Utah used the 2000 Showdown to entertain executives, which caused members of the state Board of Business and Economic Development to question whether it was worth the investment.
Board member Barbara Zimonja wondered last year if the event was being used to its potential.
"This year, I saw some good use," said Zimonja, who attended the tournament at Park Meadows Country Club last weekend. "It's a great venue to bring people who are considering bringing their business to Utah."
This year was Fuehr's first experience with the Showdown since taking over the business and economic development office in March.
"It turned out to be much better than I anticipated," he said.
Fuehr's boss, David Winder, executive director of the state Department of Community and Economic Development said the state received "more value this year than last."
The state, Fuehr said, hosted an "assortment" of prospects involved in telecommunications, high-tech and biomedicine, as well as a film producer. Officials in the past have said out-of-state clients are difficult to attract. Attendees usually include Utah businesses with the potential to expand.
Zimonja said Salt Lake County shouldn't be concerned about spending its money outside the county because companies are looking for recreation and entertainment in nearby places such as Park City regardless of where they locate on the Wasatch Front.
The Salt Lake County furor arose after Councilman Jim Bradley said he received free passes to the event.
State Sen. Gene Davis, D—Salt Lake, played in the pro-am in one of the state slots.
"Whether I play or don't play, I think it's a good thing for the state," he said of investing in the Showdown. "I didn't do it for a perk."
Talking up the state, he said, is part of his job as a senator. "It's promotion. It's not rounds of golf."
Davis said he was able to spend five or six hours making friends with company executives, an opportunity corporate settings usually don't offer. "In a business meeting, you're after the throat, you're not after congeniality," he said.
In addition, he said the TV exposure Utah received Saturday and Sunday on CNBC can't be bought.
Gov. Mike Leavitt also played in the pro-am with Delta Airlines. He paid his own entry fee.
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