The Moab Lodging Association, in partnership with the Utah Hotel and Lodging Association, will hold a discussion with Utah Sen. David P. Hinkins at the group’s quarterly meeting at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, at Sunset Grill in Moab.

Hinkins will speak to attendees about the performance marketing fund and other tourism-related issues that will impact Moab properties. Moab City Manager Donna Metzler and Moab Area Travel Council Director Marian DeLay will also give presentations during the meeting.

Through the Utah Tourism Industry Coalition (UTIC), the meeting will also be open to other partners in the tourism industry, including companies in Moab, such as tour guides, restaurants, and outfitters.

“I hope that all of the lodging properties in the area will plan on attending and I hope that for this event, any member of the tourism community would feel that it is important to attend,” said Michael Johnson, executive director of the Utah Hotel and Lodging Association. “This meeting provides a good opportunity for this community to demonstrate to elected leaders how important tourism, and the development of tourism is.”

Britnie Ellis, manager of Big Horn Lodge and president of the Moab Lodging Association, echoed Johnson’s enthusiasm.

“We expect that this meeting will assist local tourism-related businesses, and especially the local hotel/motel owners and operators, to network together and to create meetings that are helpful in understanding what is happening in our community and at the state level,” Ellis said.

Officials with the Utah Hotel and Lodging Association, said they hope the gathering will be an opportunity for all of the Moab tourism community to get important information from partners in their industry.

“This meeting demonstrates that UH&LA has woken up. We have realized how important Moab is to the State of Utah,” Johnson said. “Particularly when you talk about tourism, Moab is key to Utah’s success. UH&LA is hoping to do more to support the lodging properties in the Moab area and this meeting is the start of that effort.”