 Registration now Open!
Join us in Butte, Montana, April 14-16, as we work together to discover creative, innovative and workable solutions to elevate Montana and our individual communities as premiere tourism and recreation destinations. We hope to inspire you with industry leaders and motivational speakers, educate you with Montana success stories and best practices offered by experts, help you engage with the entire tourism industry and give you the tools to leave each session with workable solutions and doable next steps.
Take advantage of the special early bird rate of $189 now through December 31, 2018 by clicking here to register. Conference information and updates are available here.
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Tours Scheduled for Sunday, April 14, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
There are hundreds of unique things to do and places to visit in Butte. Historic tours and outdoor recreation top the list for most visitors. With that in mind, the mile-high city is pleased to host familiarization tours to showcase the best of Butte and its spectacular surroundings.
Please remember space is limited on each tour (first come, first served) and you must be registered to attend. Cost is included with your registration.
 Rails & Trails ( 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
Take a walk along a 1.5 mile stretch of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad, aka Milwaukee Road, located in Thompson Park. The park holds a rich history as a historical recreation destination in Butte’s backyard. The park offers 25 miles of non-motorized trails for multiple recreation uses. There are two trailheads and four picnic areas, as well as two tunnels and a trestle that make up the backbone of the trail.
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 Historic Uptown Trolley Tour
(2 Tours: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM or 1:00 - 3:00 PM)
The fastest and most colorful way to learn about Butte is a trolley tour. In about two hours, you'll see where the characters, famous folk, miners, and scoundrels lived and worked. Plus, you'll hear how they made Butte the lively urban center it was. Sightseeing tour includes: National Historic District, Charles W. Clark Chateau, Victorian neighborhoods, Copper King Mansion, Dumas Brothel Museum, Piccadilly Museum of Transportation, World Museum of Mining, Mai Wah, and our Lady of the Rockies. The trolley will stop at the Berkeley Pit viewing stand and the Copper King Mansion for a guided tour inside the historic home of William Andrews Clark.
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 Headframes and Mineshafts (12:30 - 4:00 PM)
Join us for a private bus tour as we visit the World Museum of Mining and explore the underground mine tunnels and shafts of the original Orphan Girl Mine. Go down either 65 or 100 feet and experience a mine tour unlike any other. Next we’ll stop at the Berkeley Pit, the mining site that marked the shift from underground to open pit mining in 1955. Finally, we’ll finish with a pint, or two, at Butte Brewing in old Finn Town, East Butte.
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 Barrels, Bottles, and Brothels (2:00 - 4:30 PM)
Butte is more than copper and characters. Join us as we learn about a few of the unique economic drivers of Butte’s past and present. The guided bus tour will travel up to visit the Kelley Mine, one of the last underground mines established in Butte, and the last to close in 1983. The once prosperous mine is now the site of two of four successful operations under the Headframe Spirits company. We’ll learn how Headframe Spirits is both dedicated to providing quality products and continuing the rich tradition of economic opportunity in Butte. We'll also sneak a peek at the Dumas Brothel - one of the most lucrative parts of Butte's economic development history. We'll finish with a stop at the Headframe Spirits tasting room.
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Joint Venture - Additional Opportunities
New Digital Match Packages have become available through the Joint Venture Program. New opportunities are available with:
- OnTheSnow - Two $10,000 packages ($5,000 charged to the partner, $5,000 charged to MOTBD for each package)
- TripAdvisor - Three $10,000 packages ($5,000 charged to the partner, $5,000 charged to MOTBD for each package)
Additional information about the vendors can be found here.
If you have further questions after reviewing the website, or are interested in reserving any of these new options, please contact:
Kristina Kleinschmidt
Hoffman York
(406) 879-307
kkleinschmidt@hoffmanyork.com
 National Take a Hike Day November 17
Tomorrow is National Take a Hike Day and what better way to celebrate fall that an afternoon hike. Policygenius Magazine named the best local trails in each state the South Fork Ross Creek Trail was selected for Montana. Read more here.
No matter where you are in Montana, chances are there's a trail nearby for you to explore. Click here for more information.
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Montana in the News
Tourism Partner Shout-Outs, Recognition and News
Montana—Montana is vying for top honors in several skiing categories in USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards. Our friend, Kristen Lummis, The Brave Ski Mom, is among the expert panel who selected the voting pool.
There’s only 10 days left to vote for your favorite Ski Destinations in USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards –you can vote DAILY thorough Monday, Nov. 26 at Noon ET.
To make it super easy, the categories and Montana nominees follow. You can only vote for one location per category. Click the link for each nominee to vote for them directly.
New Study Shows Many Travelers are Booking Trips Last Minute
How far in advance are people planning and booking their vacations? According to new research from MOTBD’s agency of record, Hoffman York, more than 40% are planning and booking their trips within two weeks of departure. Who are these last-minute travelers, where are they going and how can you take advantage of this potential trend to increase tourism in your area? Find out by downloading the free report here.
BEA News: Gross Domestic Product by State, 2nd quarter 2018
Buoyed by Ag, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, Montana's GDP growth is impressive at 6th in the nation and just a hair behind #1, Texas.
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) issued the following news release on Wednesday:
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the second quarter of 2018, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The percent change in real GDP in the second quarter ranged from 6.0 percent in Texas to 2.5 percent in Delaware. See summary here.
The full text of the release on BEA's website can be found here. The Bureau of Economic Analysis provides this service to you at no charge. Visit us at bea.gov. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have questions or need assistance, please e-mail subscribe@bea.gov.
The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Releases New Resource to Assist Small Towns with Infill and Brownfields Redevelopment
The NJIT Technical Assistance for Brownfields team has released a new resource, “Implementing Infill Development on Brownfields in Rural Areas and Small Towns.” This resource contains information about the economic, environmental, health, and social benefits of brownfields redevelopment, steps for implementing infill development on brownfields, best practices, and more. Click here to access the resource and learn more.
Applications for Smart Rural Community Collaboration Challenge Grants Due December 1
NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association is accepting applications for the Smart Rural Community Collaboration Challenge through December 1, 2018. Grants will provide up to $5,000 to support the development and deployment of innovative broadband-enabled solutions to support rural commerce and economic development, education, energy, health care, public safety, or other community-oriented initiatives. Click here to learn more and apply.
Grant Opportunity: Youth Garden Grant
Any nonprofit organization, public or private school, or youth program in the United States or US Territories planning a new garden program or expanding an established one that serves at least 15 youth between the ages of 3 and 18 is eligible to apply. The selection of winners is based on demonstrated program impact and sustainability. The top 5 programs will be awarded grant packages worth $2,100. Grant packages worth $500 will be awarded to 20 additional programs. Applications are due December 17. For more information, click here.
Rural LISC’s Community Facilities Fund Accepting Applications
Rural LISC’s Community Facilities Fund provides capital to help develop and improve essential community facilities in rural areas, including health care centers, hospitals, educational facilities, and other facilities in rural communities with populations under 20,000. Click here to learn more about the fund and apply.
November 27, 2018—Take a Deep Dive (12:00-12:45 p.m. MST)
The freedom to travel is one of the many liberties we enjoy as Americans, but we are in a new era with shifting global landscapes and unexpected challenges. U.S. Travel's Crisis Readiness and Response playbook is intended to help destination leaders ready themselves, their organizations and their staff for crises that may arise. Join this U.S. Travel Association webinar for a deep dive into the playbook. Click here to register.
December 4-5, 2018—Webinar: Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit
Hosted by the Montana Governor's Office of Outdoor Recreation, Crown of the Continent Geotourism Council and Whitefish Legacy Partners. Click here for more information.
December 11, 2018—Webinar: National Plan for Vacation Day (12:00-12:45 p.m. MST)
National Plan for Vacation Day, returning Tuesday, January 29, 2019, is a day to encourage Americans to plan their time off for the rest of the year at the start of the year. Join this U.S. Travel Association webinar for an overview of the creative resources in our full toolkit to help you build your campaign and reach your followers and target markets. Click here to register.
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