October Valley Luncheon at Zion Mountain Ranch

Amidst the news of a baby bison being born that morning at Zion Mountain Ranch (ZMR), chamber members arrived at the ZMR restaurant, Cordwood, for the semi-annual Kanab Area Chamber luncheon in the north part of Kane County. Chamber board member Nicholas Meyeres was the event’s MC and he introduced the host, Kevin McLaws. Kevin is the owner of Zion Mountain Ranch as well as surrounding properties, including the emerging Zion National Park Discovery Center which is about a mile west of the Ranch.

McLaws shared with the group that he bought the ranch property with an SBA loan in 1997 and remodeled what was there. All of the development in the area through the years is to give people more to do. That includes 20 miles of bike trails designed in conjunction with Tyler McCaul of Red Bull Rampage fame. The goal is economic vitality with increased living wage year-round jobs. There are currently 72 guest accommodations at ZMR, with 250 in the East Zion area. The lodge at the Discovery Center, to be built to look like a traditional national park lodge, will bring on 190 rooms. All of this is designed with a conservation easement to balance the people and the land.

While McLaws spoke, his Cordwood restaurant team served the luncheon attendees delicious salad and entrees, followed by berry cobbler and ice cream. There was much complimenting of the amazing food! When McLaws wrapped up to move on to his next meeting, MC Nicholas announced new Chamber members AC By JD, Hope Hyperbarics, Prickly Pear Ink & Piercings, and Land Beyond Zion Tours. Land Beyond Zion owner Carmella Hoeft was in attendance and introduced her business of year-round customized hiking and driving tours in the Zion area.

The second part of the program was tourism updates from Kane County Tourism Director, Janette Peatross. Janette began her presentation talking about who was who on her team and reminded everyone that they’d moved into a temporary location for the duration of the yearlong remodel of their visitor center headquarters. She then explained their Basecamp Kanab campaign, aimed at the visitors who immerse themselves in the community and stay longer. Basecamp Kanab encompasses the entire county in which Kanab is the “anchor tenant”. It’s a landing zone, a launchpad, “Where you stay to GO!” She mentioned their “Shoulda Got a Guide” campaign promoting the Kane County tour guide industry. And shared data about how Kane County is #4 on the list of Utah counties that have the most jobs related to tourism. She also talked about where our visitors come from, and hotel & vacation rental occupancy rates.

Chamber members in attendance at the luncheon agreed that they were thrilled to have been a part of the visit to ZMR and they would certainly be back! Attendees included: Best Friends Animal Society, Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile, Burro Flats High Desert Lodge, Crickets Creations, East Zion Adventures, ERA Utah Properties, Hangin' On By a Thread & Scissors Sharpening, Kanab Create, Kane County Hospital, Kane County Office of Tourism, Land Beyond Zion Tours, and Dr. Buck’s Little Hollywood Wild West Fest.

Save the dates for our November 13th luncheon at Hampton Inn Kanab, and our monthly networking breakfast at Parry Lodge on November 18th!