Utah Hospitality President David Trenton told commissioners that private clubs want to issue universal cards allowing members into participating establishments without paying additional fees, much like fraternal organizations enjoy.
"We just want to be treated equally," Trenton told the Utah Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission during it monthly meeting Thursday in Salt Lake City.
Trenton said a first step would be to issue universal cards to private club employees as a work perk.
His presentation was met by silence from the five commissioners.
"That was kind of rude," whispered Trenton after taking his seat.
At the end of the meeting, Commission Chairman Sam Granato said Trenton would have to take up the issue before the Utah Legislature.
Trenton's request came a month after association attorney Lisa McGarry made a similar pitch.
McGarry showed commissioners her card for the Willow Creek Country Club, which can used to buy drinks at Alpine, Oakridge, Ogden, Riverside and Jeremy Golf country clubs.
Granato cut her off after five minutes.
A former liquor-control official provided documents from a 2004 meeting when commissioners voted unanimously to stop allowing private clubs to issue universal cards to their members.
Universal cards had been issued since the early 1990s, club owners say.
The commission in 2004 said universal club cards would illegally "provide a vehicle in which members of the general public automatically and freely get into a private club."
dawn@sltrib.com
* You may enter a private club by buying a three-week visitor card or a full-year membership, or by being the guest of a card holder or member.
* Full-year memberships may vary in price from $12 or more and require a seven-day waiting period.
* Visitor cards cost $4 and have no waiting period.
* Private clubs can assist with the card or membership process at the door.
Source: Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
