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Initial reaction to the idea of Salt Lake City pursuing another Winter Olympics has been "enthusiastic."
But before an Olympic Exploratory Committee makes a formal recommendation to Utah Gov. Gary Herbert about whether to proceed, its members will conduct an important round of personal meetings with key stakeholders this month to see how deep-seated that reaction is.
"The one-on-ones are critical to our path," Derek Miller, Herbert's chief of staff, said at Wednesday's meeting of the 15-member committee.
He is taking the lead in talks with transportation officials and, later, will conduct a public opinion poll. Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker will be the point person for dealing with local governments and environmental groups.
Businesses will be approached by Salt Lake Chamber President Lane Beattie and Spencer Eccles Jr., executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development. Lt. Gov. Greg Bell will interact with legislative leaders and the state's congressional delegation. Others will meet with athletes, former Olympic staff and volunteers, public safety officials and educators.
The message for these meetings: The 2002 Winter Games proved Utah can stage an Olympics, with venues uniquely close to big cities.
"Pursuing opportunities to host major winter sporting events like the Olympics is just something we do," said a strategic communications plan drafted by Becker adviser Helen Langan.
It's also important to emphasize, she added, that Utah's status as a winter sports capital would benefit from publicity surrounding a future bid — even if Salt Lake City loses.
Owners of 2002 competition venues already are on board, said Colin Hilton, head of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, which runs the speedskating oval in Kearns and Utah Olympic Park outside of Park City.
"All are enthusiastic supporters of doing another Games," Hilton said. "There wasn't one venue we met with that didn't want to do it again."
Similarly, Becker said officials with the Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Transit Authority illustrated that northern Utah is better prepared now than it was in 2002 to stage an Olympics.
While that is true, Utah Sports Commission Executive Director Jeff Robbins said Salt Lake City's chances depend on convincing International Olympic Committee voters it won't be "2002 Round 2."
"What we have to do is position ourselves so our bid would be different, new and innovative, and not just going back to what we did in 2002."
A recommendation to Herbert is expected by late May.
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What's next?
The Olympic Exploratory Committee will meet again April 23 at 12:30 p.m. at the Utah Sports Commission, 201 S. Main, Suite 2125, Salt Lake City.