Park City Mayor Ryan Dickey is set to embark on a pivotal journey to Italy on Tuesday, marking his first-ever visit to a Winter Olympics. This trip is part of a comprehensive fact-finding mission aimed at gathering insights for the planning of the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah. The mayor will be accompanied by members of the state's Olympic organizing committee, including Park City Councilor Tana Toly and Acting City Manager Jodi Emery. City Councilor Bill Ciraco will attend the event as a private citizen, contributing to the delegation's diverse composition. The primary focus of this mission is to observe the Winter Olympics currently taking place in Cortina d'Ampezzo, a renowned mountain resort in the Italian Alps. Dickey, who has never attended either a Winter or Summer Olympics, will be based approximately 45 minutes from the competition venues. This proximity to Cortina d'Ampezzo is particularly significant, as it allows the mayor to glean valuable information that could influence Park City’s Olympic planning efforts. "Cortina is the most closely related to what we will be doing in Park City," Dickey stated, emphasizing the relevance of the Italian resort’s organizational strategies to Utah’s future Olympic games. The itinerary for the trip is not designed for VIP treatment; instead, it includes a series of behind-the-scenes evaluations, focusing on operational logistics such as security and transportation. One highlight of the schedule is a four-hour tour dedicated to examining these critical aspects, providing the mayor with hands-on experience in large-scale event management. In addition to logistical observations, Dickey plans to immerse himself in the cultural festivities surrounding the games. He intends to visit central Cortina d'Ampezzo to see how the locals celebrate the Olympics beyond the competition venues. This exploration could yield innovative ideas for Park City, particularly in terms of community engagement and public celebrations. Dickey noted that Main Street in Park City is expected to be a central hub for festivities during the 2034 Games, reminiscent of the vibrant atmosphere seen during the 2002 Winter Olympics. However, he emphasized a desire to avoid simply replicating past events, stating, "We don't want to 'rinse and repeat' 2002 on Main Street." The mayor’s inquiries will also extend to the economic landscape in Cortina d'Ampezzo, as he aims to understand the business trends that accompany such large-scale events. This knowledge could be instrumental in shaping Park City’s approach to maximizing economic benefits during the 2034 Olympics. Moreover, this trip serves as an opportunity for networking with various Olympic delegations, including those from the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps, and the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, Australia. Dickey hopes to arrange meetings with officials from Cortina d'Ampezzo and representatives from Park City’s sister city, Courchevel, France, which has been designated as a key player in the 2030 Winter Olympics. Such interactions could provide invaluable insights into the final four years of planning leading up to the games. The municipal government of Park City is financing the trip, covering expenses such as flights, accommodations, meals, and other incidentals. While the exact cost of the trip has yet to be determined, the investment reflects the city’s commitment to thorough preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games. It is noteworthy that the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy will precede the 2034 Games in Utah, providing additional opportunities for Park City officials to gather insights and strategies that could influence their own Olympic preparations. The lessons learned from both the Italian and future Olympic events will be crucial as Park City seeks to create a memorable and successful experience for athletes and spectators alike in 2034. As Mayor Dickey prepares for this significant journey, he remains focused on harnessing the experiences and insights gained in Italy to benefit Park City’s Olympic aspirations, ensuring that the community is well-positioned to capitalize on the worldwide spotlight that the Olympics bring. His proactive approach exemplifies the city’s commitment to maximizing its potential as a host for future Olympic events and fostering a vibrant, engaging environment for attendees and residents alike.