Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development

 

Utah Accolades
Rankings & Headlines
2011 – 2013
Updated: Jan 16, 2013

National Foundation Rankings Issued Annually

Utah #1
“Best State For Business And Careers”
- Forbes Magazine- December 2012
State ranks #1 for 3 years in a row

Utah’s rankings in those categories are:
• Business Costs: 10
• Labor Supply: 5
• Regulatory Environment: 8
• Economic Climate: 11
• Growth Prospects: 10
• Quality of Life: 14

Utah #1
“Economic Dynamism”
The 2012 State New Economy Index – December 2012

Overall Ranking
Utah #8 in Overall Ranking

Category Rankings
Knowledge Jobs Utah #10
Globalization Utah #29
Economic Dynamism Utah #1 (2 years running!)
The Digital Economy Utah #3
Innovation Capacity Utah #19

Sub Category Rankings
#1 in Inventor Patents
#1 in Online Population
#1 in E-Government
#9 in Online Agriculture
#12 in Broadband Telecommunication
#49 in Health IT
#10 in High-Tech Jobs
#16 in Scientists and Engineers
#23 in Patents
#28 in Industry Investment in R&D
#23 in Non-Industry Investment in R&D
#40 in Movement Toward a Green Economy
#4 in Venture Capital
#25 in Information Technology Jobs
#24 in Managerial, Professional, and Technical Jobs
#12 in Workforce Education
#22 in Immigration of Knowledge Workers
#19 in Migration of U.S. Knowledge Workers
#1 in Manufacturing Value Added
#14 in High-Wage Traded Services
#9 in Export Focus of Manufacturing and Services
#44 in Foreign Direct Investment
#2 in Job Churning
#4 in Fast Growing Firms
#10 in Initial Public Offerings

Utah #1
"Utah top state for voluntarism seven years in a row"
Volunteering and Civic Life in America report - December 2012

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is tops in voluntary service, again, for seven years running, according to the latest Volunteering and Civic Life in America report.

The Beehive State not only ranks number one for volunteering, a higher percentage of Utah parents volunteer. The report, based on U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics data, says Utah also ranks No. 1 for doing favors for neighbors.

Utah #1

“Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States”

Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc– August 2012

In the U.S. today, if you combine state, local, and federal taxes, the tax burden on companies is among the highest the world.  Add labor costs, and we are one of the highest cost nations to do business in.  American companies, if they are to survive in a global economy, must be located in the most pro-business locations possible.

The Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States study is based on 32 factors that our clients indicate are most important and more than 30 years of experience as site selectors.  We weigh all factors based on the requirements of our corporate clients and our three decades of site selection experience.

Our ranking takes a comprehensive two-stage approach.  Stage I, Labor, Taxes and Other Factors, is based on 19 factors, including taxes, human resources, right-to-work legislation, energy costs, infrastructure spending, worker compensation legislation, and jobs lost or gained. Stage II, Incentives and State Economic Development Agency Factors evaluation, examined 13 additional state government-controlled factors, including state financial incentive programs and state economic development department evaluations.

1 Utah                        6 Nebraska
2 Virginia                    7 South Dakota
3 Wyoming                 8 Kansas
4 North Dakota           9 Missouri
5 Indiana                     10 Oklahoma

Utah #2
“America’s Top States for Business 2012”
CNBC– July 2012

We scored all 50 states on 51 measures of competitiveness developed with input from business groups including the National Association of Manufacturers and the Council on Competitiveness. States received points based on their rankings in each metric. Then, we separated those metrics into ten broad categories, weighting the categories based on how frequently they are cited in state economic development marketing materials. That way, our study ranks the states based on the criteria they use to sell themselves. 

• Cost of Doing Business
• Workforce
• Quality of Life
• Economy
• Transportation & Infrastructure
• Technology & Innovation
• Education
• Business Friendliness
• Access to Capital
• Cost of Living

Utah #2
“Best Business Climate”
- Business Facilities – July 2012
1 TEXAS
2 UTAH
3 VIRGINIA
4 FLORIDA
5 LOUISIANA
Business Facilities Magazine is a leading national site selection publication which serves the business community of those professionals who are working for major corporations who are looking at expansion or relocation of their companies.

Utah #9
Best/Worst States for Business
Chief Executive – May 2012

In Chief Executive’s eighth annual survey of CEO opinion of Best and Worst States in which to do business, Texas easily clinched the No. 1 rank, the eighth successive time it has done so. California earns the dubious honor of being ranked dead last for the eighth consecutive year.

Utah #1 FIVE years in a row
“Expected Economic Recovery and Economic Outlook”
-American Legislative Exchange Council -  ALEC – January 2012

“There is a light at the end of the tunnel and we are beginning to see signs of recovery.  To accelerate this recovery, states can benefit from each other’s expertise and experience.  This requires access to information and analysis from which we can learn from one another and implement best practices. Rich States, Poor States is a vital resource that will help shape sound fiscal policy in states across the country.”
- Governor Gary Herbert, Utah

Utah Top 5
“Which States Are Poised for Jobs Growth?”
HIS Global Insight - October 2011
Forecasting firm IHS Global Insight looked at which states will have the strongest rates of expansion through 2017. The company’s regional economic group made forecasts determined by the macroeconomic outlook, including demographic assumptions, historical and cyclical trends and other factors such as oil prices and tax policy.

Utah #1         
“The Best Managed State in the Nation”
-The Pew Center on the States 2008
Reported in Governing Magazine: Measuring Performance – March 2008

The Center ranked the states based on how well they manage their budgets, staffs, infrastructure and information.  States were graded on their recruitment and retention of qualified employees, their use of information and technology, management of budgets and purchasing systems, and planning for improvements to roads, bridges and other core infrastructure. 

State of Utah Rankings and Accolates

City Creek #1
"City Creek named best mall in the Americas"
International Property Awards - Jan 2013

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City's newest shopping mecca is receiving international acclaim. City Creek Center has been named Best Retail Development by the International Property Awards for 2012.

City Creek Center, owned and managed by Michigan-based Taubman and co-developed with Utah-based City Creek Reserve Inc., won in the Americas region, which includes the U.S., Canada, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. The center also placed in the top three in the World's Best Retail Development category.

"City Creek Center broke new ground, from sustainable design and community collaboration to breathtaking features and amenities," said Ron Loch, vice president of planning and design for Taubman. "It's exciting to be recognized by this esteemed group as the best retail project in the Americas region in 2012."

Utah #7 in 2001 - 2012 timeframe, and #2 in 2005 - 2012!
"THE NEW PLACES WHERE AMERICA'S TECH FUTURE IS TAKING SHAPE"
Innovation Daily - Jan 2013

Technology is reshaping our economic geography, but there’s disagreement as to how. Much of the media and pundits like Richard Florida assert that the tech revolution is bound to be centralized in the dense, often “hip” places where  “smart” people cluster. Some, like Slate’s David Talbot, even fear the new tech wave may erode whatever soul is left to increasingly family free, neo-gilded age San Francisco.

Such claims have been bolstered by the tech boom of the past few years — especially the explosion of social media firms in places like Manhattan and San Francisco. Yet longer-term trends in tech employment suggest such favored media memes will ultimately prove well off the mark. Indeed, according to an analysis by the Praxis Strategy Group, the fastest growth over the past decade in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related) employment has taken place not in the most fashionable cities but smaller, less dense metropolitan areas.

Utah #1
"Utah top state for voluntarism seven years in a row"
Volunteering and Civic Life in America report - December 2012

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is tops in voluntary service. Again. For seven years running, according to the latest Volunteering and Civic Life in America report.

The Beehive State not only ranks number one for volunteering, a higher percentage of Utah parents volunteer. The report, based on U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics data, says Utah also ranks No. 1 for doing favors for neighbors.

Utah #4
"The Best- and Worst-Run States in America"
24/7 Wall Street - Nov 2012

> Debt per capita: $2,356 (15th lowest)
> Budget deficit: 14.7% (25th largest)
> Unemployment: 6.7% (tied-11th lowest)
> Median household income: $55,869 (14th highest)
> Pct. below poverty line: 13.5% (tied-17th lowest)

In fiscal 2011, Utah had a budget deficit of $700 million, equal to 14.7% of the state’s GDP. This debt-to-GDP ratio is worse than half the states in the U.S. Despite these problems, Utah has committed to reducing expenses in place of raising taxes or increasing debt. The state has also limited its borrowing. Its total debt was just under $6.5 billion in fiscal 2010, or $2,356 per capita — less than most states — and 40.4% of 2010 tax revenue. Both Moody’s and S&P gave Utah their highest credit ratings because of the state’s strong fiscal management. Moody’s commented that Utah has a “tradition of conservative fiscal management; rebuilding of budgetary reserves after their use in the recession; [and] a closely managed debt portfolio.”

Salt Lake City Airport #1
“America's Best Airports for Avoiding Flight Delays”
Travel and Leisure– November 2012

No. 1 Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Flights Delayed: 9.22%
The champ from 2008 and 2009 has come back to reclaim its crown of punctuality: the airport improved its performance by six percentage points from last year and continues to seemingly laugh in the face of snowstorms. Just watch out for that 6 p.m. rush hour.
Best Time Window: Before 10 a.m.
Worst Time Window: 6–7 p.m.

Utah Top 10
“Utah named one of the best tax climates for businesses by Tax Foundation”
Tax Foundation– Deseret News – October 2012

Utah has one of the top 10 best tax climates for businesses in the U.S. and boasts the third best property tax rate in the nation, according to a study from The Tax Foundation. The Tax Foundation ranked each state’s tax programs based on how business-friendly they are. The more friendly the program, the higher the state was ranked. The Beehive State ranked third in the nation for property tax rates and fifth for corporate, according to the study. The state’s sales tax rate was the lowest, ranking at 22nd.

Utah #9
“With Utah's 'house in order,' Salt Lake is the 9th best economy”
Deseret News – October 2012
Salt Lake’s economy grew on average by 2.53 percent annually since 2001, despite the recession, making it one of the strongest among large metropolitan areas in the U.S., according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Utah’s capital had the ninth highest average annual growth rate in GDP in the nation between 2001 and 2010 among metropolitan areas with a population of at least 1 million.

Utah and Minnesota: Most Liveable States of the Future: Survey
NBC News/Reuters– September 2012

(Reuters) - Utah and Minnesota came out on top in a national poll to pinpoint the most livable states in the future, based on the habits and decisions made by citizens and community leaders today. The survey results released on Tuesday were based on responses from 530,000 Americans in all 50 states that were studied to spot trends indicating future improvement, said Dan Witters, spokesman for the Gallup poll. Utah ran away with the results for the poll's 13 metrics. The home of the Great Salt Lake came in either first or second for such topics as smoking rates, clean and safe water, positive work relationships, daily learning and public perceptions that the state was "getting better," not "getting worse."

Utah #1
“Best U.S. States to Live--in 2032”
CNN Money – August 2012

Utah will be the nation’s No. 1 state to live in 2032. Here are its national rankings on the 13 indicators used by Gallup-Healhways:
Full-time employment: 21
Economic confidence: 10
Job creation: 5
Healthy employee-supervisor relationships: 1
Standard of living: 6
Optimism about a place’s future: 2
Optimism about their future: 30
Perceived learning opportunities: 2
Clean water: 1
Safe places to exercise: 4
Obesity: 5
Smoking: 1
Dental visits: 9

Five Utah Businesses in top 10
“The 30 Best Places to Work”
Outside Magazine – August 2012

Enlightened companies seek ambitious individuals who work hard, think big, and crave life-affirming careers, lunchtime bike rides, and soul-expanding travel.
Large companies in Utah
#4 USANA Health Services
#8 Clearlink

Medium companies in Utah
#3 Goal Zero
#7 Petzl America

Small companies in Utah
#10 Brainstorm

Utah Ranked Part of 2012 Best Projects Award
“Talk of the Rockies”
ENR Mountain States – August 2012

ENR Mountain States is proud to announce the winners of the 2012 Best Projects competition in the region, which includes Utah, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. The projects will be covered in more detail in the October issue of ENR Mountain States, and at the two awards banquets: Denver on Nov. 6 and Salt Lake City on Nov. 8. (See details about those here on our website).

“Top performing 529 plans”
Savingforcollege.com – June 2012

Utah #3 One-year Composite Performance Rankings (49 plans ranked)
Utah #9 Three-year Composite Performance Rankings (43 plans ranked)
Utah #1 Five-year Composite Performance Rankings (37 plans ranked)

Utah #2
“The Next Boom States”
U.S. Chamber of Comerce – June 2012

Utah ranks in the top five in all three job growth measures and second in business creation rate. Known recently for its growth in financial services and technology sectors, the state ranks fifth in export intensity and sixth in cost of living, positioning it well for the future with wealth-creating industries in an affordable environment.

Utah Wins Gold Shovel
“7th Annual Gold & Silver Shovel Awards”
Area Development – June 2012

Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Utah are being awarded Gold Shovels. These states' innovative economic development policies attracted new employers in 2011, as well as catalyzing investments in facility and operating expansions by existing local businesses, driving significant in-state job growth.

Utah Ranks Highly
“Enterprising States – Policies that Produce”
U.S. Chamber of Comerce – June 2012

#2 Export Growth
#2 Business Birth Rate
#3 Long-term Job Growth
#3 Short-term Job Growth
#3 Gross State Product Growth
#3 Growth in Share of National Exports
#3 Higher-ed Ef!ciency
#4 Export Intensity Growth
#4 STEM Job Growth
#5 Export Intensity
#5 Bridge Quality
#6 Tax Environment for Mature Firms
#6 Cost of Living
#6 College Affordability
#8 High-tech Share of All Businesses
#9 Broadband Provider Availability
#10 Tax Environment for New Firms
#10 Business Tax Climate
#10 Higher-ed Degree Output
#11 Road Quality
#14 Small Business Survival Index
#16 STEM Job Concentration
#16 Academic R&D Intensity
#17 High School Advanced Placement Intensity
#20 Broadband Speed Availability
#23 Median Family Income
#23 Entrepreneurial Activity
#23 Educational Attainment

Utah #7
10 Fastest-Growing States
CNN Money – June 2012

Utah, which has been actively poaching companies from other states, saw its economic growth rise thanks to increases in professional services, such as legal and accounting, and information services. Each expanded by a third of a percentage point.

Utah #8
“Top 10: United States of Production”
P3Update– May 2012

The Beehive State has been busy and it looks like it might get busier — Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert signed groundbreaking tax-credit legislation in May for the state’s film industry, effectively increasing the tax rebate from 20 to 25 percent. The program has no sunset provision and requires a minimum of $1 million in-state spend. The legislature also approved an ongoing tax-credit fund of $6.8 million. “[The incentive] will enable us to position Utah and its talented motion-picture and digital-media work force to compete on a global basis for the film and digital-media industries,” announced Herbert. Since the fund was created in 2004, 65 film projects have already received funding.

Utah #3
“Easiest place nationwide to start a small business”
Thumbtack.com in partnership with Kauffman Foundation - May 2012

Utah #3
“Most Optimistic Nationwide about Economic Future”
Thumbtack.com in partnership with Kauffman Foundation - May 2012

Utah Receives A+, Utah #4
“Small Businesses Award Utah A+ as Nation's #4 Friendliest State for Doing Business”
Thumbtack.com in partnership with Kauffman Foundation - May 2012

Utah soared above its rivals in a variety of rankings, earning an A-, A, or A+ grade in 9 of 12 possible rankings. The state's best showing was for ease of starting a new business, where the state earned an A+ for its ranking as #3 easiest state in the country for starting a new business. The state's businesses were also the #3 most optimistic nationwide about their economic future.

Surprisingly, male-owned small businesses in Utah felt significantly more supported by the state than their female counterparts. Male entrepreneurs were 14% more likely than female entrepreneurs to rate Utah as supportive or very supportive of small business.

Utah #2
“Job Growth”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – March 2012

A research professor at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University ranked Utah second in the nation for job growth from January 2011 to January 2012. In his analysis based upon data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lee McPheters reported that Utah tied with West Virginia as the No. 2 state in the nation, with a job growth rate of 2.6 percent.

Utah #4
“Top 10 States, Well-Being Index”
Gallup – February 2012

Overall, Western and Midwestern states earned 9 of the 10 highest wellbeing scores, while Southern states accounted for half of the 10 lowest wellbeing scores.

Utah #4
“New jobs to make Goldman Utah office 4th-largest globally”
Salt Lake Tribune – February 2012

With the addition of 300 new employees by the end of 2012, Goldman Sachs Group’s fast-growing office in Salt Lake City will be the investment bank’s fourth-largest office in the world, a spokeswoman for Gov. Gary Herbert said Wednesday.

Utah #9 Best State
"The best and worst states for job seekers"
MSN Careers - February 2012

Why: Utah saw a statistically significant employment change from December 2010 to December 2011, with a job gain of 36,000.
Unemployment rate: 6 percent

Utah ranked #4
"States with most, least credit card debt"
CNN Money - January 2012

Average credit card debt: $5,816.
Median household income: $54,744, 13th-highest.
Average credit score: 673, fifth-highest.
Cost of living: fifth-lowest.

Utah 3rd
“Overall Economic Health”
U.S. Census Bureau of Economic Analysis – January 2012

Based on an average of five broad indicators, Utah's economic well-being ranks fairly well against the other 50 states and the District of Columbia. Taking into account the number of families living below the poverty level, overall economic production, recent house price behavior, unemployment levels and residential foreclosure rates, Utah ranks 16th out of 51.

Utah.gov
“Most honored state government website in nation”
Yahoo finance – November 2011

“Utah.Gov is repeatedly recognized as the leading state e-government solution in the nation, including its unprecedented haul of 16 awards in 2011,” said Governor Herbert. “Utah.Gov is known not only for its aesthetics, but for its functionality, providing Utahns easy access to nearly 1,000 state services. I appreciate the efforts of DTS and Utah Interactive in making state government more efficient and more responsive to citizen needs, and I congratulate them for their well-deserved recognition.”

Utah #4 for internet speed
“State of the Internet”
Akamai Technologies – October 2011

In its most recent “State of the Internet” report, Akamai Technologies ranked Utah at #4 in the nation, above coastal western neighbors California (#6) and Washington (#9). The report is a quarterly comparison of average internet speeds of states across the U.S.

Internet speed and infrastructure are crucial components of Utah’s position in economic development, technology, and education climates. Several studies even suggest a correlation between broadband access and lower unemployment rates.

 “Utah was the only inland western state to be highly ranked,” said Tara Thue, manager of the Utah Broadband Project at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). “Given Utah’s large concentration of rural land, this ranking says something significant about our progress in distributing high-speed access throughout the entire state.”

Utah’s online voter registration program as a top government-to-citizen website
- The Center for Digital Government – October 2011
The Center for Digital Government, a national institute dedicated to promoting digital information services in government, named Utah’s online voter registration program as a top government-to-citizen website.

 Utah #5
“Job growth Nation from June 2010 to June 2011”
- Arizona State University report – August 2011
“Your state is growing in a diversified sort of way,” McPheters said, citing Utah’s top-10 rankings in job production in four of 11 industrial sectors monitored by economists.
“A lot of states would be envious of being in that situation right now.”
The report said Utah’s economy created 23,500 jobs in the year leading up to June 2011, a 1.98 percent increase that was double the national average.

Utah #1
“Volunteerism in America”
 Corporation for National and Community Service – July 2011

Utah for the second year in a row has been ranked as the state who’s citizens have
volunteered the most of any state in the country.  The thousands of hours donated each year add to several billions of dollars in services saved by Utah communities each year.

Princeton Review's list of "Top Schools for Video Game Design Study for 2011”
-USA Today – March 2011
–U of U #2 undergraduate
–U of U #6, graduate

Utah #7
Beacon Hill Institute, State Competitiveness Report
“MOST COMPETETIVE STATE FOR BUSINESS”
-Beacon Hill Institute - December 2010

Names Utah Number 7 as the most competitive state for business in the nation. Utah was highly ranked in major sectors such as Government and Fiscal Policy, Business Incubation, Infrastructure, Human Resources and Technology.

Utah City and Region Rankings and Accolades

Salt Lake Int. Airport #1
“Salt Lake City airport most ‘on-time’ in North America”
Flightstats - Jan 2013

For the second year in a row, Salt Lake City International Airport flew into the No. 1 spot in all of North America — not just the United States — for on-time departures in 2012, according to the tracking firm FlightStats.

Salt Lake City had 89.21 percent of its scheduled passenger flights depart on time during the year, defined as within 15 minutes of the scheduled departure.

The other top large airports behind Salt Lake City, in order, were: Portland, Ore., 87.9 percent; Seattle, 87.75; Minneapolis, 86.56; and Memphis, Tenn., 86.51.

In 2011, Salt Lake City also finished No. 1 in FlightStats rankings with 86.55 percent of its departures on time. It finished No. 5 in 2010 with 83.9 percent on time, and was No. 3 in 2009 with 84.42 percent.

Provo-Orem area ranked the No. 4 most-competitive metro for jobs in U.S.
"America’s Most Competitive Metros Since 2010"
Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. - Nov 2012

4. Provo-Orem, Utah (2.8%) – Next is Provo-Orem, which has the fourth-fewest total jobs of any top 100 metro (an estimated 211,639). This metro area just south of Salt Lake City has seen surprisingly large job gains in professional, scientific, and technical services; administrative and support services; specialty trade contractors; state/local government; and computer and electronic product manufacturing.
A note on Utah: Provo-Orem, Salt Lake City (No. 6), and Ogden-Clearfield (No. 29) are all in the upper third of the top 100 metros in competitiveness.

Salt Lake City Ranked #5
“The 10 US Cities with the Best Job Growth Right Now”
Yahoo Finance – October 2012

5. Salt Lake City, Utah
Jobs added from 2010 through 2012: 34,137 (up 5 percent)
According to report released by CBRE Global Research and Consulting, Salt Lake City is one of the cities to watch in terms of future office market potential for the high-tech industry, which includes jobs in software development, data processing and Internet publishing, as well as in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Joel Kotkin at Forbes reported that the city has experienced a 7.6 percent growth in the past two years because of its "lower taxes, more flexible regulatory environment, a well-educated, multilingual workforce and spectacular nearby natural amenities." Major tech companies in Salt Lake City include Adobe, Electronic Arts and Twitter.

South Jordan #18
“Best Places to Live”
Money CNN– October 2012

Top 100 rank: 18
Population: 52,700     
South Jordan is one of the fastest-growing cities in Utah. Daybreak, a planned community, has drawn more residents to the area than any other new home community in the state. Locals take health seriously: When they're not skiing or off-road biking in nearby mountains, residents take to the trails at Jordan River Parkway for jogging, horseback riding, fishing, and more. As with many parts of Utah, the area lacks diversity. But it also boasts the lowest divorce rate on our list: around 4%. --L.G.

Logan, UT Named a Top 10 College Town for 2012
“Top 10 College Towns 2012”
Livability.com– August 2012

Logan, UT, comes in with the lowest cost of living on our list. People spend about 10 percent less than the rest of the nation on housing, groceries and clothing. That's a great deal whether you're considering courses at Utah State University or looking to move your family. To make things even sweeter, Logan is an hour drive from four ski resorts and five hours from Yellowstone National Park.

Salt Lake City #1
“Major Airport On-Time Arrival Performance Year-to-date through May 2012”
Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Airline On-Time Data – July 2012

Salt Lake City #14
“The 15 Hottest American Cities of the Future”
Business Insider – July 2012

With its active healthy lifestyle, its beautiful mountainous surroundings, and its thriving job market, Salt Lake City, recently ranked One of The 10 Best Cities for College Grads, will continue to attract eager young college graduates.
The city was also recently ranked One of the Fastest Growing Job Markets in the US.

Provo #1
Ogden #6
“The Best Places for Business and Careers”
Forbes Magazine– June 2012

Topping our 14th annual list of The Best Places for Business and Careers is Provo, Utah. The $16 billion economy is thriving largely on the back of Brigham Young University. The school provides a stabilizing presence as the third-largest private college by enrollment in the U.S. The school is also generating new jobs. During 2010 it ranked third in the numbers of start-ups produced through university research—13 in total—behind only the nearby University of Utah (18) and MIT (17).

Provo (metro-area) Latest Media recognition
#1 volunteering (Corporation for National and Community Service; June 2010 and August 2011)
#1 most optimistic (Gallup-Healthways; March 2011 and 2012)
#1 quality of life (Bizjournals.com; March 2009)
#2 for business and careers (Forbes.com; April 2010)
#2 for starting over (Bloomberg Businessweek; June 2009)
#3 for raising a family (Forbes.com; April 2012)
#3 for business and careers (Forbes.com; June 2011)
#3 for most liveable city (Forbes.com; April 2010)
#3 for educated job seekers (Brookings Institute; September 2011)
#4 for wellbeing (Gallup-Healthways; February 2010 and 2011, March 2012)
#4 best bike paths in the West (Sunset; June 2012)
#5 for raising a family (Forbes.com; June 2010)
#6 fastest growing (Census Bureau; March 2010)
#7 fastest growing (Census Bureau; March 2012)
#8 for starting over (The Daily Best; November 2011)
#9 best performing city (The Milken Institute; December 2011)
#10 for best jobs (Forbes.com; May 2011)
# 23 for collective brainpower (Portfolio.com; December 2010)
Top 10 in region, top 20 in U.S., for economic recovery (Brookings Mountain West; February 1012)

Salt Lake City #4
“Overall Friendliness in the Nation toward small business”
Thumbtack.com – May 2012

2012 Thumbtack.com Small Business Survey, in partnership with Kauffman Foundation

Salt Lake City #2
“The Happiest Cities for Job-Seeking College Grads”
Forbes & CareerBliss.com – May 2012

In the No. 2 spot is Salt Lake City, with an index score of 4.11. The average cost-of-living-adjusted salary is $43,010.  Trailing close behind is No. 3 Jacksonville, with a score of 4.08 and an average adjusted income of $45,736.
“In Salt Lake City and Jacksonville we found young professionals ranked very high for how they feel about their company, as well as the people they work with, those they work for, and the type of work that they do,” Miller says.

Salt Lake City #2
“America's 10 "Youngest" Cities”
Shine by Yahoo - February 2012

Two highlights help make Salt Lake City-Ogden America's second-youngest city: The region is tops for happy marriages and second best for not smoking. "Marital status has a big impact on RealAge," says Roach. "Happily married is best, and marriage has a much bigger RealAge effect on men compared with women." Residents' other healthy habits include taking a daily aspirin and staying optimistic. Both are good for your heart.

Ogden and Provo Utah
“Top Quintile among Metropolitan Areas for Economic Recovery”
Brookings Mountain West – February 2012

A recent talk by Brookings’ UNLV-based Brookings Mountain West assessed the pace and nature of the current economic recovery and highlighted how Ogden and Provo metropolitan areas are leading the national economic recovery, fueled by growth in the high-tech and manufacturing sectors, respectively.

Utah Metros
"Top Quintile for Export Growth"
Brookings Mountain West – February 2012

Brookings Mountain West recently determined that the western region’s strongest exporting metros are also its fastest recovering, and that the four percent export growth of Utah’s metros is, “making outsized contributions to national and global rebalancing.”

Salt Lake International Airport #25
“Most Social” in the World
Facebook – December 2011
All Facebook breaks down the top airports based on check-ins through social media. Salt Lake International comes it at #25 on the list. Los Angeles is #1, followed by Atlanta, Chicago and San Francisco. The numbers come from Facebook. All but five of the airports are in the United States.

Logan, Utah #1
“Best Small U.S. Cities for Business”
Milken Institute– December 2011
An economic think tank has ranked Logan first among small cities in the U.S. for being a good business community. The Milken Institute, founded in 1991 and based in California, has released a new list of best performing cities for the year. Salt Lake City, Provo and Ogden ranked in the Top 25 among large metro cities, while Logan ranked No. 1 among small cities.

Salt Lake, #6 – Provo, #9 – Ogden, #15. Among small cities Logan #1
Utah Metros Zooming Up
“Annual Review of U.S. Best Performing Cities”
Large Metros
Milken Institute – December 2011

Utah metros also made an impressive showing, with three metros in the Top 25 vs. only one last year. The Salt Lake City (6), Provo (9) and Ogden (15) metro areas climbed an average 32 positions, with Salt Lake gaining 49 spots. Utah was the only state to double its volume of exports over the past five years, and Salt Lake's economy is highly diversified, with pharmaceuticals, medical devices, transportation equipment, financial services, and high-tech companies.

#8 Provo, Utah, #5 Ogden, Utah
“The 30 Best Cities for Starting Over, From Washington, D.C. to Honolulu”
U.S. News – December 2011

Four Utah Companies on the list
“America’s Most Promising”
Forbes Magazine – November 2011

CampusBookRentals.com, Packsize, Domo Technologies and Aquatherm were among the 100 companies ranked in the Forbes list. The companies were ranked based on compelling business models, strong management teams, investment capital and strategic partners.

University of Utah #1, BYU #3
“National report: University of Utah No. 1, BYU No. 3 in tech startup companies”
The Association of University Technology Managers- November 2011

The University of Utah is No. 1 in the nation at starting companies based on university research for the second year in a row, according to an annual survey recently released by the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM). The survey ranks U.S. universities and institutions on commercialization success, and in recent years, the U of Utah has climbed to the top, overtaking such schools as MIT, Columbia, Cal Tech and Johns Hopkins.

University of Utah's David Eccles School of Business Ranked Top 25 in U.S., No. 1 in Utah
“MBA rankings”
Bloomberg Businessweek – November 2011

In addition to being No. 1 in Utah, the Executive MBA ranked No. 25 in the nation, No. 5 in the West, and No. 33 in the world, of more than 300 global executive MBA programs. The Executive MBA program, which features a weekend format, also recently ranked No. 33 in the United States by the Financial Times.

University of Utah Executive MBA program ranks 33 nationally
“Top EMBA Programs”
Financial Times– October 2011

The Executive MBA Program at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business has climbed to No. 33 nationally on the 2011 Financial Times list of leading Executive MBA programs and is the only Utah school ranked in the top 100 this year. This marks the David Eccles School of Business’ seventh consecutive appearance in the 2011 ranking of global executive MBA programs, bettering its 2010 finish at No. 38 among the U.S. programs and maintaining its No. 88 global ranking, despite tough competition from several new international EMBA programs.

“Top 25 undergraduate business colleges”
- Entrepreneur magazine – October 2011

BYU's Marriott School of Management ranked 7th, and the University of Utah's David Eccles School of Business ranked 16th for 2011.
"We are honored to be included in such a prestigious ranking," U. business school dean Taylor Randall said. "We are dedicated to create entrepreneurs and business leaders for life."

Ogden-Clearfield job growth tops in U.S.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics– September 2011
The publication determined the Ogden-Clearfield Metropolitan Statistical Area, comprising Weber, Davis and Morgan counties, posted a 3.73 percent increase in jobs, the largest in the nation, between August 2010 and August 2011.

Ogden area 2nd in nation in adding jobs
- Brookings Mountain West – September 2011
The Ogden-Clearfield Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Weber, Morgan and Davis counties, ranked second among the nation's major metros, posting a quarterly job gain of 1.8 percent during the second quarter.

Utah County job growth makes U.S. top 10
U.S. Census data – August 2011
From 2000 to 2010, Utah County employment grew 47.1 percent, CNN said, citing expansions of IM Flash Technologies and Overstock.com as contributing factors. The area is also attracting a new cyber-security center for the National Security Agency and an Adobe office.

Amer Sports, Skull Candy, USANA are listed

“50 Best Places to Work”

- Outside Magazine, September 2011
Just when we need it most, along comes a wave of enlightened companies that believe success starts with smiling employees. Which means lunchtime bike rides, flexible hours, and bringing the dog to the office can now be part of your job description. Presenting Outside's 50 Best Places to Work.

Farmington, UT Ranks #12
“America's Best Places to Live 2011”
- Yahoo Finance – August 2011
With the current state of the economy — and the dispiriting sight of the nation's leaders endlessly battling about how to fix it — the phrase "small town" conjures up images of a happier time. When unemployment wasn't above 9%. When people didn't stress out about home values. When school budgets weren't under siege. Those were the days, right?

#8 Utah County, #22 Logan
“Where the jobs are”
- CNN Money – August 2011

Salt Lake City Ranked #4
“America’s Best Cities for Young Professionals”
- Forbes- July 2011

Salt Lake City Ranked in the top 15
"15 best new cities for business"
FORTUNE magazine- July 2011

Fortune Magazine ranked the top 15 cities worldwide that were best for business, there were only two cities in the US so honored, Salt Lake City, Utah and San Antonio, Texas.

Salt Lake City, and Provo-Orem area in top 20
“Tracking Economic Recession and Recovery in the Intermountain West’s Metropolitan Areas”
Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program -  June 2011

Salt Lake City #1
“Most productive workers”
Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program -  June 2011

Salt Lake City #2
“The 10 Best Cities for Public Transportation”
USNews.com – February 2011

Salt Lake City earns its No. 2 spot in large part because of its heavy investment in serving a large suburban and exurban population. It is the No. 1 city in the nation in terms of public transit spending per capita, one reason being the current expansion of the Utah Transit Authority’s light rail system, known as TRAX. The city is adding four new lines to the three-line system, allowing better suburban access to the city; though the city’s population is just over 180,000, the system serves 1.7 million people in the larger area. Those residents take great advantage of the system; despite ranking No. 43 in terms of population, the city was No. 18 in terms of passenger miles traveled in 2008.

Tourism and Film Rankings and Accolades

#2 America's Most Hassle-Free Mountain: Deer Valley, UT
#5 Guaranteed Powder: Alta/Snowbird, UT
"Take It to the Next Level: Best Ski Schools in the U.S."
Men's Journal - Dec 2012

Ski schools aren't just for beginners anymore. As part of an overall resort revival, ski mountains are pouring millions of dollars into their instructional and guiding programs. "People are asking for more personalized coaching," says Andy Buckley, director of skier services at Northstar in Lake Tahoe. "When you struggle with something technical, it's analogous to work and life stuff – the psychological barriers, getting over the hump. The best ski coaches turn into life coaches." These days it's not uncommon for your instructor to be a local legend or an Olympic medalist; some resorts are engineering their runs so they have just the right angles and aspects to learn on; cat- and heli-skiing trips now often include a full master class on evaluating snow conditions. These are the best mountains, ski schools, and guided adventures to help you raise your game.

#2 Alta and Snowbird, Utah
#5 Park City, Deer Valley and The Canyons
#8 Brighton/Solitude
"The Top 10 Ski Resorts in the United States for 2013"
Forbes Magazine - Dec 2012

In the ski world, there’s been a bit of this specialization ranking creeping in as well.  To be sure, some of it is fair.  Winter Park, for instance, can’t compare its terrain to that of Snowbird, but the Colorado resort does offer some of the greatest access to disabled and adaptive skiers in the world – and it deserves credit for that.  Other outlets rank snow, grooming, family friendliness, food, lodging, customer service and even the quality of the booze on mountain.

All of those things matter to somebody.  But here we only rank one thing: Awesomeness.  It’s the most important thing we can measure.  If you can know a place’s awesomeness, do you need to know anything else?

#1 Chesler Park Loop, Canyonlands National Park, Needles District, Utah
#3 Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah
“The List: 11 Best American Day Hikes”
Adventure Journal – July 2012

This loop in Canyonlands’ Needles District is a full-value 11 miles of desert: You’ll tiptoe past cryptobiotic soil, across slickrock, dip down and into a couple washes, and into Chesler Park, a flat meadow surrounded by “needles,” the red-and-white striped pinnacles up to 100 feet tall. You’ll also get to experience the Joint Trail, a short section that’s just like a slot canyon — sheer vertical walls 20- to 40-feet high, as straight as a hallway, pinching down to less than three feet wide in some spots. You’re not in an actual slot canyon, just the space between giant boulders that somehow lie parallel to each other for about a quarter-mile. And you may have a hard time resisting the urge to chimney your way up between the walls.

Salt Lake City
“Best US Hiking Cities”
National Geographic – June 2012

With 10,000-foot peaks within 20 minutes, Salt Lake City may very well be the easiest major American city to get out of, which is why it attracts a large population of outdoor-minded folk. (Depending on the season, you’ll see skis, bikes, or kayaks on top of those Subarus.) One beloved local hiking area is Big Cottonwood Canyon, 30 miles from downtown.

Utah #6 for Highway 12
“The USA’s 10 Best Motorcycle Roads”
Lonelyplanet.com – June 2012

Highway 12:  124 miles between Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Take a psychedelic sunset ride into fantastical sandstone rock formations, canyons, deep blue lakes, and pine forests and all the curves you might expect. Swish along to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Boulder Mountain, and Red Canyon in Dixie National Forest.

Zion Narrows (hiking), Utah
“12 Most Beautiful Paths—No Car Required”
budgettravel.com – May 2012

This dramatic gorge cutting through Zion National Park claims a close second place behind the Grand Canyon for sheer, jaw-dropping canyon beauty, yet draws just over half of the more famous park's annual crowds. The path through the gorge—home to some of the world's deepest slot canyons—alternates between gaping, quarter-mile-wide stretches and narrow, 20-foot passageways, and runs directly through the Virgin River's bed—which means hikers who want to go the distance will have to ford waist-deep water from time to time. Still, Zion's fans believe it's worth the wade to stare up between the 2,000-foot-high sandstone walls, lined with lush hanging gardens, streaming with flutes of water, and bouncing with beams of red-orange light.

Arches #1
Zion #5
“10 National Parks that Budget Travel Editors Love”
BudgetTravel.com – Apr 2012                                    

America's national parks have mountains, forests, beaches, and even volcanoes! And the editors at Budget Travel have strong opinions about which park is at the top of their list.

Salt Lake City #17
“America’s Greenest Cities”
Travel + Leisure – Apr 2012

Voters love the city’s clean feeling as well as its affordability, but only gave it so-so rankings for being walkable and park-friendly. Visitors who have bemoaned the spartan bar scene may want to check out Squatter’s Pub and Brewery, the home of several award-winning microbrews, which also boasts of 100 percent compostable to-go containers as well as waterless urinals in the loo.

Utah State Capitol #1
"10 great places to walk through history at state capitols"
USA Today - February 2012

This statehouse recently underwent a complete renovation, expansion and retrofit, providing protection from earthquakes. Stembridge likes the natural light, new statuary, and visitor center and gift shop. "It's spick-and-span," he says. The interior also depicts historic scenes of Mormon settlement.

Park City, Utah
"Luxe Ski Resorts Worldwide"
Delta Sky Magazine – February 2012

Utah’s fastest growing ski area, Park City is on the forefront of mountaintop technology. This winter The Canyons Resort will unveil North America’s first heated chair lift complete with a drop down cover to keep the heat in, and the snow out. Come Sundance in January the town’s charming Main Street fills with celebrities screening films and soaking up the après ski nightlife. A place to see and be seen, Park City is certainly a place to pack a fabulous shearling… faux, of course. Stay: The glamorous Waldorf Astoria, just at the base of the Canyons.

Heber, Utah #5
"America's fastest-growing small towns"
MSN Real Estate - February 2012

Retirees are swelling some communities quickly, such as The Villages, a planned retirement haven in central Florida. The population of The Villages and its surrounding suburbs ballooned 29%, to 93,420, between 2007 and 2010, according to the U.S. census, putting it at the top of our list. Around 87,000 of those residents live in the retirement community at the area's core, a spread of tidy, single-story homes clustered around two "town squares" with shops and restaurants. The retirement community's population is up from 68,000 in 2007, said Villages spokesman Gary Lester, and it's aiming to reach 110,000 residents by 2016. With the baby boom generation reaching retirement age, that looks like an attainable goal.

Park City, Utah
"11 Coolest Winter Places in America"
Budget Travel - February 2012

Park City has three resorts and some of the country's best skiing, but the best way to get off the runs and really experience the countryside is on a snowcat. Small groups of skiers pile into trucks with tracked wheels that can handle the area's diverse terrain and travel to parts of the mountain with "virgin" runs untouched by other skiers. Park City Powder Cats will take you to Thousand Peaks Ranch in the Uinta Mountains for up to 12 runs through quiet bowls and glades. 435/649-6596, pccats.com, from $449 for a day trip.

Salt Lake City and environs
“12 places to visit in 2012”
LA Times - February 2012

Salt Lake City and environs: There are seven ski resorts within an hour of Salt Lake City International Airport, and the largest ski area, Park City, keeps improving, with the December 2010 opening of the luxurious Montage Deer Valley (http://www.montagedeervalley.com). At Park City's Canyons resort (http://www.canyonsresort.com), recent additions include heated chairlift seats and a kosher restaurant. Down in Salt Lake City on March 22, local leaders will unveil City Creek Center, a 20-acre shopping, office and residential project with a retractable roof designed to revitalize the area around downtown's Temple Square.

5 Utah Luxury Hotels make the list
“TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners”
TripAdvisor – January 2012
TripAdvisor, a travel website, announced Thursday that five luxury hotels in the Beehive State were selected as TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners.
Winners were ranked in categories of best luxury, best bargain, best for service, bed & breakfasts and inns, all-inclusive, spa, and trendiest.

Bryce Canyon National Park #1
“25 Dazzling Snow Scenes”
Budget Travel – December 2011
"Winter is a great time visit Bryce Canyon National Park in Southern Utah. There are less crowds and the canyon is usually filled with snow, making the scenery even more dramatic!"

#2 Alta and Snowbird, Utah
“Top 5 Ski Resorts in the United States”
Forbes – December 2011

2.  Alta and Snowbird, Utah (PAF = 98): For those looking for a weekend of skiing, there is no better option than these side-by-side resorts that occupy a splendid apron of Little Cottonwood Canyon just 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake.  That nearly 2 million Utahans live so close to skiing that truly defines world-class is a fact that remains a secret to most of the country.  If you’ve flown to Denver and schlepped west for the last 10 years–or just two–please stop.  Go to Utah.  Just go.  You won’t see the insides of Denver International for a long time after that, I can assure you.  You’ll think you just discovered the Lost Dutchman’s mine and the gold–all of it–is yours and yours alone.  And my, is there some gold!  Alta and Snowbird average 600″ of snow a year–100% more than your typical Colorado mountain–and, to be fair, more than just about anywhere not in Alaska.

Salt Lake #1
“Most popular faith-based tourist destination”
National Tour Association's monthly trade publication "Courier," – December 2011

Salt Lake City is tied with Israel as the most attractive spot for faith-based travel, according to a survey of 1,600 tour operators.

#5 Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
“Top 5 weirdest natural formations”
Yahoo News – December 2011

5) Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: This park, located in southwest Utah, is famous for its otherworldly geological formations. Rainwater and frost have carved slot canyons, fins and freestanding pinnacles called "hoodoos," out of the limestone rocks. Hoodoos can range from 5 to 150-feet tall. Native Americans believed hoodoos were people who were turned to stone because of bad deeds, so watch your step.

Utah ranked #1
“Top five bargain destinations for winter 2011/2012”
USA Today – Travel – November 2011

Many popular ski destinations are hours from the nearest airport, but in Utah, 11 of its 14 major ski and snowboarding resorts are within an hour's drive of the well-served Salt Lake City airport. Utah also delivers on value with a variety of deals, discounts, and added amenities for winter stays.

Deer Valley, UT
“Winter Vacations for Every Budget”
Forbes – November 2011

Deer Valley is all about pampering, and it is one of the only ski resorts in the world that limits lift ticket sales every day, even when more people are willing to pay, just to keep the experience uncrowded for its high-powered guests. Its slopes are home to three of the most over-the-top luxury ski-in/ski-out hotels in the world, the Montage (pictured here), the Stein Eriksen Lodge, and the St. Regis Deer Crest. It is also is home to hundreds of luxury rental ski homes that cost far more than most hotels. Everything at Deer Valley is about the customer experience, from the absence of paper plates in the on-mountain “cafeterias” to the exceptional ski school, and it is eternally popular with families – rich families. The mountain is famed for its “corduroy” grooming, and the slopes definitely skew towards beginners and intermediates.

Moab, Utah
“Top Adventure Destination 2012”
Frommers.com – November 2011

Nestled in a green valley surrounded by red-rock scenery, Moab isn't a destination for what's inside the city limits -- rather, what's just outside of them is the big attraction. Not only is it on the doorstep of a pair of national parks -- Arches and Canyonlands -- but it's also home to dozens of outfitters that can take you rafting, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, or four-wheeling.

Utah #1
“Top five bargain destinations for winter 2011/2012”
USA Today– Travel - November 2011

Many popular ski destinations are hours from the nearest airport, but in Utah, 11 of its 14 major ski and snowboarding resorts are within an hour's drive of the well-served Salt Lake City airport. Utah also delivers on value with a variety of deals, discounts, and added amenities for winter stays.

Deer Valley Ranked #1 Ski Resort
 “Top 20 ranked ski resorts in the Western U.S.”
Ski Magazine – October 2011

Number one ranking has now been given for the fourth year in a row.
It is clear that Deer Valley’s faithful visitors fully embrace the resort’s pampering ethos, which is the basis of its repeat no. 1 ranking.  “We are absolutely delighted with the results of this year’s SKI Magazine survey,” says Bob Wheaton, Deer Valley Resort president and general manager. “To win the #1 ranking four years in a row, in the company of the finest resorts in North America, is just humbling.

#1 Family Vacation
Park City Mountain Resort
- Ski Magazine - October 2011
“We are honored to receive such a prestigious award as we focus on creating an incredible mountain experience for all of our guests, including families,” said Jenni Smith, president and general manager of Park City Mountain Resort. “Over the years we have directed substantial resources to enhancing the family experience for our guests. We have been devoted to finding ways to allow more of our guests to explore the 3,300 acres of terrain our mountain has to offer, in addition to providing more family-friendly activities off the slopes.”

Highway 12, Utah ranks in top 10
“America's Most Iconic Drives”
- Yahoo travel – October 2011
Running between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Park, Highway 12 was a challenging four-wheel-drive track as recently as 1985, when the last stretch around Boulder Mountain was finally tamed by pavement. Alongside the road, the iron-tinged rust of sedimentary sandstone cliffs stands out against a forest of deep green junipers, lending a gentle softness to what is otherwise a harsh setting.

Highway 12 Listed
“America’s most iconic drives”
Travel Leisure – October 2011

Running between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Park, Highway 12 was a challenging four-wheel-drive track as recently as 1985, when the last stretch around Boulder Mountain was finally tamed by pavement. Alongside the road, the iron-tinged rust of sedimentary sandstone cliffs stands out against a forest of deep green junipers, lending a gentle softness to what is otherwise a harsh setting.

Park City Mountain Resort Named #1
“Family Vacation 2012”
Ski Magazine – October 2011

Park City Mountain Resort has been named the “#1 Family Vacation” from the editors of SKI Magazine. The award is part of SKI Magazine’s “Lifestyle” winners that it added last year as part of its “Top 60 Resort Awards”.  The Resort was also named the #6 Resort in North America by readers of SKI Magazine.

Moab, Utah
“Top Adventure Destination”
- Frommers– October 2011
Some might look at Moab, Utah, and tell you it's in the middle of nowhere. Those in the know will tell you that it in fact is in the middle of everything.

Utah's Canyon Country (Thelma & Louise)
“5 Classic American Drives”
- Budget Travel – September 2011

Utah in top 10
“Best Travel Destinations for Summer 2011”
JustLuxe.com– May 2011

"Having grown up in a little green country, New Zealand, I have always been fascinated by big vistas of orange, red, gold and brown, so for me one of the most beautiful places on the planet is the series of National and State Parks across southern Utah and northern Arizona. Most Americans have no idea how much beauty there is in their own country, let alone in the American West. Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, Capital Reef National Parks and Monument Valley and Lake Powell are all part of Insight Vacations' Wonders of the American West. The name could not be more apt! If there is a tendency to take a little poetic license with the naming of itineraries, this one truly lives up to its name. What nature has carved through millions of years of erosion is a wonder, and to be up close and personal was a privilege."
"Although this itinerary is not new to Insight Vacations, it is new to many Americans. There are only about 8 departure dates a year so to me it is a precious jewel."
- Richard Launder, President, The Travel Corporation, USA