Doctors coming to town are smart to choose a vacation home to accommodate a family or group practice trip. The proximity of mountains and the convention center allow convention attendees to work and play. And with most visitors travel budget including a costly hotel room, the whole practice of doctors or family can stay for free. Compare a $250 per night room with a $250 per night four bedroom vacation home. While the doctor is working, the family can be skiing, hiking, or general enjoying the mountain atmosphere. And after the meetings end, the whole family or group can relax over the weekend. A good example of such an opportunity is as follows:

The Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine’s 2013 Annual Meeting. Scheduled for April 20-25, the 2013 ISMRM convention is expected to draw 6,000 attendees, generate 2,500 room nights on peak for a total of 13,000 room nights, with a projected delegate spending of $5.3 million.

The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, (ISMRM), is an international nonprofit, scientific association whose purpose is to promote communication, research, development and applications in the field of magnetic resonance in medicine and biology and other related topics, and to develop and provide channels and facilities for continuing education in the field. Its multidisciplinary membership of over 6,000 consists of clinicians, physicists, engineers, biochemists and technologists.

A number of factors went into Salt Lake being selected over other cities such as San Diego, Vancouver and Honolulu: our geographic setting; accessibility, including Salt Lake’s new international flights to/from Tokyo and Paris; exceptional convention center; affordability; and recently-revised liquor laws.

CNBC recently gave great examples of rising awareness that the average American vacationer can find in an article titled “Vacation Rentals May Hold A Key To Vacation Savings” www.cnbc.com/id/30699337   The article speaks to a value that our guests have long enjoyed.  And we are thrilled that more and more people are coming to a knowledge of the great options that a professionally managed vacation home provides.

Zion Ponderosa Pool and Activities Barn

Zion Ponderosa ranch was a great destination for our company retreat. We rented two homes in order to accommodate our staff. We shared meals, meetings, and down time together. We also enjoyed the many activities, restaurants, and amenities that the ranch resort has to offer. The horses were a favorite.

Family Reunion Group Returning from Trail Ride

Zion served as a great location for our company to get away and relax.  But before the relaxing, we also had time to focus on our business.  We met in the living room of a beautiful home to hold our strategy session.  The comfort and “out of box” setting helped us focus on our goals.  Then, after the work was done we played!  Rock Band at night, activities during the days, and a memorable visit to Zion Nation Park narrows rounded out the complete trip.  Many thanks to the great team at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.  Their staff, location, accommodations, and activities enabled our company retreat to be a huge success!

The Salt Lake Jewish Community Center gala “Shalom on the Range” held Thursday May 21st showcased donation given by generous members and parents of children attending the Early Childhood Center.  Donations were also given by local businesses who support both the kids, and the Jewish Community.  Utah Vacation Homes also partnered with Ski N See and Jordanelle Marina to offer a Lake House Stay-cation for the benefit of the kids.

www.SkiNSee.com donated a $600 Liquid Force Wakeboard package including board, bindings, and bag.  www.JordanelleMarina.com donated a $400 four hour rental of a 23 ft Moomba professional wake ski boat.  And Utah Vacation Homes donated a $1,600 lakehouse vacation home rental located at the Shores at Stillwater on Jordanelle Reservoir.  This $2,600 staycation donation was crafted to enable local Salt Lake residents to have a fantastic vacation without the expense of airfare travel costs.

The event was well attended and enthusiasm for this and other donations was evidenced by the many silent and live auction bids.  Happy bidders responded to the auctioneers song, offering their bid cards with excitement.  In the end hundreds of children will benefit from the generosity from the combined efforts of the centers volunteer staff, members, local businesses, and others who gave.

Funeral – Memorial

The passing of a loved one is often bittersweet. Fond memories bring joy to the heart as well as longing due to loss. This longing brings together family and friends who grieve together, remember together, and search for hope together. Often those brought together to memorialize a life lost are hesitant to depart from the solace of the communal comfort. It is in these moments that separation is not desired. Cold, isolating rooms at a hotel cannot compare with the comfort of a home.  A rental vacation home can be found near to almost any mortuary or funeral home. A Vacation Home allows those grieving loved ones to continue to share time with those who are not lost. Funerals often bring together loved ones who have not seen each other in many years. And a home setting can allow them to make the most out of their time, money, and effort at this difficult crossroad. A Vacation Home can personalize and soften the funeral experience allowing families and loved ones to not only recall past moments of those lost, but also create treasured memories with those who celebrate their legacy.

Author - Jeana:
Mother’s Day begins with the most traditional of rituals, breakfast in bed. For my own special spin, I always request a (big) slice of flourless chocolate cake from our local Windy Ridge Cafe and Bakery www.WindyRidgeFoods.com, a homemade cappuccino – my husband is the best brista in town! – and at least three newspapers. I intended to read all the papers front to back while watching Meet the Press, but my children have different plans…they want breakfast in bed, too, while watching Sponge Bob!

We arrive early enough for “good” seats at St Mary’s Catholic Church www.StMarysParkCity.com. The service is surprisingly empty, but I soon learn it is because of the recent swine flu outbreak. The service is lovely, as always, and Father Bob does his best to make all the mothers feel special. However, because of the concerns over the flu, the children’s liturgy, communion and post-service gathering are cancelled. In some ways, this is disappointing, but overall I’m proud of how our community has reacted to protect one another.

Following church, we go to one of our favorite breakfast spots, the Morning Ray Cafe on Main Street. The Morning Ray is located inside the Treasure Mountain Inn (www.treasuremountaininn) at the top of Main Street. We have been loyal to Morning Ray for many years and now they are under new management and their service and quality are at their best. We enjoy the creative omelet ingredients, the fresh coffee, the children’s menu and of course, the prime location!

After a fabulously filling brunch, my family surprised me with a private tennis lesson at Park City Racquet Club (www.parkcity.org)! Tennis is my new passion, next to golf and my goal is to play as much as possible this summer. The lesson is just what I needed to shake off the winter of not playing and revitalize my skills for the summer. The Racquet Club offers 7 outdoor courts, 8 indoor, private lessons, group lessons, clubs, a full fitness facility with classes, child care, two swimming pools, and a great restaurant for lunch and it is located on the shuttle route! My entire family lives at the Racquet Club in the summer.

Following my lesson, I treat my kids to quick trip the Hogle Zoo (www.hoglezoo.com). We have learned the best time to go to the zoo is right at closing time – 5 pm. The gates close at 5, but the zoo stays open until 6 pm. We have a membership and so going for only an hour, whenever we feel like it, is just right for us. It is less crowded, the summer isn’t so bright and the animals are enjoying their dinner and are actually quite active. Each kiddo picks out a favorite animal to go see and we stroll through learning about their choices. The perfect ending to my special day.

Author - Jeana:
It is going to be close to 70 degrees and very sunny today. I start off my day with a trip to our local Home Depot to pick up supplies for sprucing up our yard and perhaps give the kids a few hints on flowers they can pick out for Mother’s Day. Next, over to Old Town to do a last minute arrival for one of our homeowners coming into today to enjoy a bit of the Park City life. While I’m in Old Town, I decide to pick out my mother and mother-in-law’s Mother’s Day gifts. The perfect Main Street store for this adventure –The Crosby Collection www.Crosbycollection.com – the Park City premier dealer in Native American arts and collectibles. The owners, Bing and Vicki Crosby, are also my neighbors and I love supporting our local businesses. The Crosby Collection also has location at the Salt Lake City Airport, for those folks needing last minute mementos, but you have to come to either of their two Main Street locations to find their fine collectible Pueblo pottery, gem quality turquoise, Navajo Rugs and Zuni fetishes. Don’t forget to ask about the secret, upstairs room – it is filled with amazing, one-of-a-kind works of art from the most famous names in the Native American art world!

After finding the perfect Mother’s Day gifts, I stroll down Main Street, popping into Java Cow Cafe and Bakery (knows as Cow’s to locals) for a much needed coffee and then down to Dolly’s bookstore for the Saturday edition of the Park Record (www.parkrecord.com) and pick up a copy of Angels and Demons. I have to read the book before I see the movie.

I’ve been putting off my yard work all morning, but I am planning to take tomorrow off to be pampered, so now I’m heading home!

Weddings

What makes a wedding such a unique event? Looking back into history, people who could not afford luxuries, restaurants and vacations saved their means for singular events. Celebrations were limited to life changing events such as births, graduations, and marriages, not sports games and sitcom premiers. Weddings were often the greatest celebration that a person might ever hope to experience. And for the bride and groom, bridesmaid and best man, a wedding may be the most important moment of their lives. In today’s economic climate, we have a similar need to celebrate the important moments, re-kindle family ties, and spent our time and funds on life changing events. Vacation Homes serve as a perfect venue to stage such events. A home eliminates the separation forced by hotel rooms. A home encourages card games around the table, bumping into loved ones for quite moments of reflection, and other regenerative relationship building opportunities. A Vacation Home allows a family to be together, not just for the event, but for the experience. A Vacation Home can play an enabling role for families to truly enjoy the celebration of union and renewal. Here’s a toast to all those beautiful vows and moments to be remembered forever.

I just returned from Portland, Oregon where I attended the Western Conference for VRMA, Vacation Rental Managers Association.  It was a fantastic event, well worth the time, money, and effort to be there.  I’m very excited with the direction of the association.  Alex Risser, Steve Trover, VRMA Executive Staff, and the other board members have worked incredibly hard over the last eight months to produce results that make a difference.

Alex Risser, Vacation Rental Managers Association President and Steve Trover, VRMA Vice-President and Discover Vacation Homes website and campaign founder

The best news was that of the new branding campaign for the industry.  A recent PhocusWright survey found that only 10% of Americans have stayed in a vacation rental home in the last few years.  We see a huge market to capture.  One of the tools to brand our product is www.DiscoverVacationHomes.Com.  The Discover Vacation Homes website serves to tie in all marketing efforts of the industry.

This and other initiatives produced great energy and enthusiasm for the opportunities that exist for companies and guests alike.  We look forward to helping the public learn who we are and what product we provide.  We believe that families depend on our management to maximize their vacations in a home rather than a hotel.  And we constantly receive feedback that their goals were exceeded.

I count myself priveledged to be part of a business that re-connects friends, families, and other groups.  I strive to manage my business in a way that enables the joy of relationships to flourish.  And I love reading the kind letters sent by our guests detailing the joys, fun, and successes of these groups who have stayed in our vacation homes.  I look forward to working with these leaders to expand the possibilities of families, friends and other groups everywhere.