Visitor Services Program Re-Cap January, February & March 2009

Visitor Services Program Re-Cap January, February & March 2009
I want to personally thank the Visitor Services staff for all of their efforts during the past three months. In January, February and March the Capitol hosted more than 70,000 people. February was the busiest with more than 46,000 people visiting the Capitol Hill Complex.


Visitor Services –
In January the Docent Program trained 18 new docents. Over half of the new docents are state employees willing to donate their time, we are very grateful for their interest and commitment to the program.

This Legislative Session Joanna Hudson, Tour Coordinator and the docent’s hosted over 9,500 people on tours of the Capitol. There were over 150 school tours during the session.


The text Capitol tour with mobile phones continues to be enjoyed by many visitor’s to the Capitol. They say it is easy for them and they like the uniqueness of the idea and the information is quite informing.

Award’s –
The Capitol continues to receive national recognition and awards for the restoration project.

Since the beginning of 2009 the Board has been notified of the following awards:

2009 - The Palladio Award for Public Works
2009 - Building Design and Construction Platinum Reconstruction Award
2009 - Victorian Society in America Preservation Award
2009 - Engineering News Record's Best Project of the Year Award

Additional award submittal applications are continually in the process of being evaluated and worked through to submit as deadlines approach.

The Utah Capitol Store –
The Utah Capitol Store began a new program introducing Utah's owned food products called, "Utah's Own". The store invited Utah companies to bring food products for taste testing and cooking demonstrations throughout the Legislative Session. Visitors were offered samples of products such as honey, lotions, cereal, tomato seeds and chocolate. Two Utah authors visited the Capitol Store during this time as well. These products were available to purchase through the Utah Capitol Store through the end of March.

This program helped to introduce Utah’s own products to a key audience and also increased sales and attendance in the Utah Capitol Store.

Throughout the 2009 summer we are planning to have a variety of vendors visit the Utah Capitol Store and provide samples to the public and state employees. We are also working to invite Utah authors to hold book signings at the store in a continuous effort to spotlight Utah’s Own artists and products.

Public Relations –
Capitol Brochure: The 50,000 copies of the Grand Opening brochure were given out to the public. The creation and development of an updated brochure with new Capitol picture’s and copy has been completed. The new brochure is being used by the Visitor Services Center.

Web Site: New information is constantly being developed and written for posting to the Board’s web site.

Media: I trained and helped new media personnel from TV, print and computer on their broadcast needs from the Capitol and other areas on Capitol Hill. The Capitol Hill Complex was the backdrop for hundreds of stories during the session.

Movie Under the Stars: I am happy to announce, the Utah Care Foundation funded our proposal for $2,500 to fund Movie Under the Starts. The summer film series will kick-off on June 10th and run through August. We are excited to watch Utahn’s enjoy the People’s Grounds throughout the summer.