It was an extraordinary privilege to join the observer program at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games this month, an experience that heightened my excitement for our 2034 opportunity. Seeing the operational complexity of a truly global event up close reinforced a fundamental tru th: preparation, partnership and intentional design make all the difference. I was struck by the contrast between Milan and the mountain towns. In the city, Olympic energy felt concentrated in sponsor fan zones, making it hard to feel fully immersed. But fellow observers who visited Bormio and Livigno described towns that fully lived the Games. Bars, restaurants,and storefronts embraced the energy. Public screens became natural gathering spaces. Activation zones blended into daily life. The vibrancy spilled into streets and onto social and news media feeds worldwide. Residents felt like true co-hosts. This vibrancy is what I wish to see for Summit County and Park City.   Not everyone will snag a ticket, but everyone should have a place to belong. Paris 2024 demonstrated how large-scale public viewing venues can rival competition sites in energy and atmosphere. People gravitate toward energy. Lively spaces naturally draw people in: Residents feel included, visitors feel welcomed, and the authenticity resonates. Some of the most compelling activations came from non-official partners that transformed their retail, restaurants and bar spaces into places where people wanted to be to eat, to shop, to watch, to celebrate and to connect. The energy in these spaces was contagious.   Park City’s creative, community-minded businesses have a tremendous opportunity here. We will develop practical toolkits to help them shine — creating new fans and loyal return visitors. Operationally, the venues, especially those with prior event experience, ran smoothly. For us, test events will be critical to refining logistics, security and guest flow. Seamless execution directly shapes the guest experience. The Cultural Olympiad is the official arts and culture program that accompanies each edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It offers an extraordinary platform to showcase our area’s diversity and vibrancy and runs in the years leading up to the Games and culminates during the Olympic and Paralympic period, showcasing the host’s creativity, identity and cultural diversity alongside sport. While athletes compete in venues, the Cultural Olympiad activates the heart and soul of the host community.  For us, the Olympiad can create legacy impacts, highlight our commitment to arts, culture, sustainable development, and demonstrate our loving care for the natural environment that draws artists, athletes and the Games here in the first place. I can’t say enough about the volunteers we met. Milano Cortina deployed 19,000 of them, backed by a volunteer charter and engagement journey that was thoughtful and well-structured, with clear emphasis on building a volunteer legacy for future events. This is an opportunity for us, and we know Parkites will show up and serve. Utah’s geographic advantage cannot be overstated. All of our venues are within one hour of each other. After experiencing the significant distances between venues in Italy — and knowing those distances will be even greater at the 2030 Winter Olympics — Utah will be welcomed as a tightly knit, connected host. Above all, the Games are unifying. Rooted in sport, community and shared purpose, they bring people together across cultures and continents. It was comforting and inspiring to connect with individuals from around the world to share stories, feel the collective energy, and create that energy together. Seeing the complexity up close only reinforces how much preparation and partnership matter. It also reinforces how fortunate we are in Utah — with our compact geography, experienced leaders, sophisticated venues, deeply engaged communities and deeply rooted partnerships. The opportunity before us is extraordinary. I return home even more excited for 2034 and am incredibly grateful to be part of the work ahead. Our 2034 opportunity is remarkable. The years are moving quickly, and it’s up to us to shape how the world experiences Summit County and Park City. The task is immense, and immensely inspiring. Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce Visitors Bureau. The post Park City Pulse: Going to Italy shows how big a task 2034 is appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less