WSU Alum Leads the Effort to Promote Her Southern Utah Community
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State alum Camille Taylor, who was raised in southern Utah, lives for the wide range of outdoor adventures she can experience close to her home in Kanab. As executive director for the Kane County Office of Tourism, she promotes the areas she loves around her.
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Some of her favorite nearby sights include lofty evergreens in the Dixie National Forest; majestic red, pink and cream-colored cliffs in Zion National Park; and Lake Powell’s crystal-blue water, teeming with fish. When she picks the destination, however, she’s likely to choose the trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument leading to the Wahweap Hoodoos, almost-otherworldly white-rock formations jutting from the ground with dark, mushroom-like rocky tops.
“I’ve been there twice now,” she said. “Both times were as the sun was setting, and the lighting was just magical.”
Taylor, who earned her bachelor’s in communication with a minor in business administration at Weber State, is in her sixth year as director of tourism for the county.
“I had a great experience at Weber State,” said Taylor, who jokingly refers to herself as a “Thundercat” since she spent her first two years as a Southern Utah University Thunderbird before leaving to become a WSU Wildcat. At Weber, she recalls former communication department chair Ty Sanders making her and other students feel like they were already broadcasting professionals. “It was like we were already reporters or anchors,” she said. “He never doubted us.”
After graduating, Taylor started a journalism position with KSL TV, and planned to work her way to the top of Salt Lake City’s broadcasting market, until she realized it wasn’t for her. “You’re involved in the worst five minutes of peoples’ lives all day,” she said.
After leaving broadcasting, she spent some time caring for her two children before tapping into her business and communication background as marketing director at Castle Rock Financial. Afterward, she worked at Windermere Real Estate as general manager and recruiter. Taylor lived along the Wasatch Front for 18 years before returning to Kanab, where she wrapped up prior work in the Utah Valley real estate market remotely and ran her own mobile boutique until former Kane County executive director of tourism, Ken Gotzenberg, heard about her marketing prowess and approached her with an offer.
“He offered me an assistant director position, and it was a natural fit,” Taylor said. “I brought my degree and experience back to the land I grew up in, and applied it to doing good things for this community.”
When Gotzenberg said he would retire in five years, he began preparing Taylor to take on his position after he left. After only two years, he realized Taylor was ready to take the role.
“I’ve been able to run a team that makes a difference in our economy and quality of life here,” Taylor said.
As director, Taylor heads the Kanab Visitor Center; the Kanab Center, a local convention and event venue; and the county’s events and marketing teams. She also connects with economic development and tourism professionals across the state to help navigate shared issues and solve problems. In addition, she serves on the Utah Tourism Industry Association Board of Directors and recently served as chair for the Utah Association of Destination Marketing Organizations.
Along with talking up the county’s outdoor attractions, Taylor draws visitors to the area by promoting its rural communities and one-of-a-kind local businesses, far removed from the towns where nearly all the businesses are national chains, those she refers to as “Anywhere, USA.”
“I don’t feel like I’m selling a product or service that I’m disconnected from,” she said. “It comes from an authentic place.”
Taylor credits Weber State for helping her discover her path.
“I would absolutely recommend WSU to others following a similar career path,” she said. “I had a quality education that increased my confidence to go after big goals and provide for my family during many years as a single mom.”
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Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Jaime Winston, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7396 • jaimewinston@weber.edu- Contact:
Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu