BY TOM BUSSELBERG

Clipper News Editor

LAYTON — The Utah Hotel & Lodging Association will hold its annual meeting at the Davis Conference Center, here, next week.

Among keynote speakers will be Lt. Gov. Greg Bell, a Fruit Heights resident. He is expected to discuss economic development issues and tourism-related issues “that impact the hospitality industry in today’s struggling economy,” said Executive Director Michael Johnson, a Layton resident.

“Learning about the changing economy and current political issues effecting local tourism is key to remaining successful today,” said Johnson.

The conference will be held Oct. 6 and 7 and includes a trade show along with seminars, networking opportunities, a live and silent auction, and awarding of Stars of the Industry awards, said Johnson.

The association represents the state’s 18,000 rooms, including well over 1,000 in Davis County. There are 113,000 employees across the state directly involved in that industry, including thousands in Davis County, Johnson said.

“My eyes have been opened to how much of an economic engine and how important this industry is to the state’s economy,” Johnson said in a previous interview with the Clipper.

Among issues the industry is looking at currently is promoting a change in the payment of sales tax. Currently, hotels must pay sales tax when purchasing toiletries that are provided for guests. Then, guests are charged a sales tax on those same items as part of their room charge.

“It’s unfair,” Johnson said. “The hotels could save thousands of dollars” if they weren’t charged a tax when purchasing supplies.”

Even the issue of immigration plays a role, Johnson said, with “our (member) properties feeling very strongly. They want to be legal” in what they do, he added. “It has been difficult to find employees and will be in the future,” but has been easier during the recession, Johnson said.