Eric Balken is a self-proclaimed ski bum who was born and raised in Salt Lake City. With degrees in Environmental Studies and Geography from the University of Utah, he works part-time as a Programs Coordinator for a local non-profit, Glen Canyon Institute. When not working, he spends his time skiing, hiking, biking, climbing, rafting, and running. Read his blog Gutter Meats here.

Laura Barnes is the Tourism Communications Manager for Visit Salt Lake. Also known as the video blogger for VisitSaltLake.com, she produces written blogs on her favorite restaurants, bars, hiking trails, ski runs, and numerous activities around town. Originally from Park City, Utah, Laura is a true urbanite and knows the Salt Lake area inside-and-out. Check out her personal blog at LauraOfTheBarnes.tumblr.com.

Janet Hovorka owns Family ChartMasters, an award winning genealogy chart printing service which is the official printing service for most genealogy software and database companies. Janet writes The Chart Chick blog and has enjoys speaking at genealogy conferences. She is currently President of UGA and teaches genealogy at SLCC.

Eugenie Hero Jaffe is a partner at Bombshell Music & Media—a boutique special events, marketing and PR group. Her career spans from publicizing New York’s Public Theater to writing for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Eugenie’s passion is music, the arts, writing, skiing and anything that’s fun.

Nick Johnson loves cooking, eating, and Salt Lake City. He has worked in the food industry and participated in taste testing for many years. He spends most of his time experiencing the dining and nightlife scene across the Salt Lake area. He loves nearly all cuisines, and likes to uncover all the secrets of the city. There is great food all over the Salt Lake Valley, and Nick can guide you there. Read more from Nick at Salt Lake City’s examiner.com.

Michael Mack is the VP of Services at the Salt Lake CVB. A big part of his job is keeping informed about Salt Lake’s ever growing scene of great restaurants, clubs, unique music venues and natural attractions. “Salt Lake is full of gems, some well-known and some hidden. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than sharing my ‘inside information’ with friends and guests to experience for themselves.”.

Nicole Mangino is a marketing, communications, and social media professional living and adventuring in Salt Lake City. Originally from Michigan and a University of Southern California business school grad, Nicole is a Salt Lake City transplant, but has joined the ranks of die-hard Utah advocates. When Nicole isn’t skiing, she also enjoys hiking, biking, camping, attending sporting events and exploring Salt Lake City’s restaurants and nightlife. You can follow Nicole on twitter at @NicoleSnowBunny.

Marsha Maxwell is a long-time Utah resident who works, plays, and loves life in the Salt Lake Valley. She is currently the Salt Lake City guide for About.com. Marsha’s published writing covers a variety of topics including technology, health, the arts, food, politics, sports and recreation. She’s a fan of just about every Utah sports team, but especially Utah Utes football, University of Utah gymnastics, the Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake. Her favorite hobbies are reading and mountain biking.

Matt Ostasiewski
is a regular contributor to Bombshell Music & Media. Matt has a regular internet music show Wed. evenings on Utah Free Media and spends most of his time ingesting the local music scene or pumping old school jams through his ears. Matt has spent the last decade in various production & operational roles with the Sundance Film Festival, Twilight Concert Series and the Dallas International Film Festival.

Michelle Powell is the creator of Enjoy Utah!, a site dedicated to helping others find the joy in Utah. She enjoys finding adventures around Utah with her two kids and husband. She owns a DJ business with her husband, and does internet marketing for a few companies. She also writes articles for Today’s Mama and city guides for SheKnows.com.

Becky Rosenthal is the creator of The Vintage Mixer, a local blog that provides residents and visitors with options of where to eat and what to do while in Salt Lake City. She writes of what she knows best: the art of enjoying good food and local culture with friends.