Applications for Tourism Grants are now Being Accepted!
The Tourism Grant Program is pleased to announce the annual application cycle for tourism and recreation projects opened July 1st! The Tourism Grant Program awards funds to projects that strengthen Montana’s economy through the development and enhancement of the State’s tourism and recreation industry. Funds are awarded annually to projects that develop and enhance tourism and recreation products that have the potential to increase non-resident visitation.
For more information, you can review the qualifiers and timeline of the Tourism Grant Program here. If you represent an eligible entity and have questions about an upcoming project, please contact Michele Cushman, Tourism Grant Program Manager at 406.841.2796 or by email at TourismGrants@mt.gov. Remember, the annual application window closes at 5:00 pm MST on September 30th!
Spring Event Grant Program
This Spring, a pilot cycle of the Tourism Grant Program at the Department of Commerce awarded nearly $550,000 to help 44 communities across Montana boost attendance at events to grow visitor spending. A few upcoming events include:
- 7/25-7/28—Red Ants Pants Music Festival, White Sulpher Springs
- 8/2-8/4—Sweet Pea Festival, Bozeman
- 8/2-8/11—Festival Amadeus, Kalispell
- 8/8-8/10—Smelterman’s Day Celebration, Anaconda
- 8/9-8/10—Riverfront Blues Festival, Libby
- 8/16-8/17—Flathead Lake Blues and Music Festival, Polson
- 8/16-8/17—Montana Fun Weekend, Cut Bank
We encourage you to enjoy and support these family-fun local celebrations in our Montana communities. For a complete list of funded events and other projects, click here.
Made in Montana 2020 Tradehsow
Mark your calendars! The 2020 Tradeshow will be held March 13 and 14 in Helena. We will begin accepting exhibitor applications to the 2020 tradeshow at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, October 15. Wholesale buyer registration will open in in December.
Taste our Place
We are pleased to report the Taste our Place program is up to nearly 100 members. Search for an eating or drinking establishment near you that uses local ingredients here. If you’re interested in developing Taste our Place in your area, please email Susan Joy or call her at 406.841.2868
Agritourism
We have copies of “Developing Montana’s AgriTourism: A Resource Manual” available at no cost. This manual was created to help Montana’s farmers, ranchers and producers explore agritourism as a product offering and economic opportunity. The first of its kind in Montana, the manual provides guidelines for building a business as well as a marketing plan, it presents important contacts and resources, discusses risk management, and shares existing agritourism success stories around the state. The manual aims to empower small businesses and engage Montanans and visitors alike in exploring local agriculture. Please email Susan Joy or call her at 406.841.2868 to request a copy.
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Montana Institute for the Arts (MIA)
MIA has just finished its second year and it was an even bigger success although our class size was smaller than year one. The decision to move forward with year two of the institute came after the success of MIA’s student films at the Bigfork Independent Film Festival and the Covellite Film Festival held in Butte this spring. According to executive director, Travis Bruyer, “Our recipe for making student films in less than a week is pretty unique when you see the final project. It’s especially exciting to see students move through that vulnerable-growth process”. Applications to attend the institute came from around the world, even one from Oslo Norway.
Although most of the amenities in the course are included, students do take advantage of this destination location, rental, and restaurants and provide their own investment in the experience. Through the school, MIA is able to make contact with producers and directors from around the county, some of whom want to come to Montana to film. Support also has come from National Geographic through an agreement to make a student film on the environment or on wildlife.
With that said, Montana / MIA film makers have an opportunity to bring light to topics that are important to us. It should be a great collaboration and it’s always nice to have Nat Geo on Resume’. The institute is currently assisting in producing a short film on invasive mussels, grizzly bears, and the hellbender salamander and hope to have them released to the public soon. Planning for year three is already underway. The summer program will be separate and they are continuing to look at offering one and two-year degree programs.
The goal of the Montana Institute for the Arts is to see Montana film, art and theater work flourish….to create and collaborate educational programs to better prepare those interested in the industry and to promote Montana-made projects. For more information, visit gomia.org.
Please Vote for Visit Montana!
Visit Montana has been notified that we are finalists in two categories of the Mercury Awards of the U.S. Travel Association. The Mercury Awards recognize members for excellence and creative accomplishment in state and territory destination marketing and promotion; and inspire, through showcasing outstanding work, the continued development of imaginative and exciting marketing and promotional programs. Awards will be presented in August at the ESTO conference in Austin, TX.
Please vote for this year's People's Choice award winners! Browse through this year's finalists by selecting a program below, and looking through the finalists in each category. Vote for Montana.
(Note: You will be prompted to create an account, or log in with an existing account, prior to voting. Each account may vote for one Destiny finalist and one Mercury finalist.)
- Digital Campaign—view here
- Print Campaign—view here
Crow Fair to be Featured on National TV
Crow Fair Celebration and Powwow premiered on RFD-TV’s Special Cowboy Moments this Wednesday, July 24.
Filmed in 2018, this episode highlights the 100-year anniversary of the annual powwow, parade and rodeo held in Crow Agency, located in Southeast Montana. Part family-reunion, part celebration of heritage, the event draws Crow tribal members plus members of other tribes to the region, and is dubbed as the “Tipi Capital of the World” for the hundreds of tipis erected in family camps.
Generations ago, the Plains Indians developed an intimate relationship with horses. Today many Crow tribal members retain that closeness with lifestyles in ranching, rodeo and racing. This episode looks at that relationship and how the customs and rituals of today honor those of days-gone-by.
Crow Fair typically includes daily parades; powwow with the Grand Entry, drumming and various dances; an Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR); and Indian Relay races.
This year’s celebration will take place August 14 – 19 at Crow Agency, Montana located near the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. It is the largest powwow in the state, as well as one of the largest in the nation.
For a sneak-peak, see this link. The episode was produced by Wild Rose Productions and Ken Howie Studios with support from Visit Southeast Montana and the Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development.
These Destinations Are Enacting Pledges to Encourage Mindful Tourism
A collective of mountain towns in the west is launching “Pledge for the Wild” this week. The campaign — which includes the cities of Bend, Oregon; Bozeman, Montana; and South Lake Tahoe, California — encourages visitors to donate $1 per hour they spend in nature to an environmental nonprofit.
When visitors are trekking through the wilderness or having a drink at the local brewpub, they will see ads for the campaign with info on how to text to donate. All money donated will stay local to benefit the small organizations that are maintaining the destinations. Read more here.
Montana in the News
Tourism Partner Shout-Outs, Recognition and News
Billings—Billings Cultural Organizations Launch North x Northwest to Pair with Travel Writer Convention
In September, the largest conference and networking event for travel writers will be held in Billings. Bloggers, journalists, social media content creators, travel brand representatives, and travel industry professionals will descend on the city to explore all that Montana's trailhead has to offer. TBEX North America 2019 takes place Sept. 11 - 13. To capitalize on all this publicity, members of Billings Cultural Partners have organized a 10-day introduction to the city's arts, entertainment, and cultural scene. Events centered on film, music, art, history, and the outdoors are all on the docket for Sept. 12 - 22. Read more here.
Bozeman—Bozeman is 1st Montana City with Electric Scooters
Bozeman became the first city in Montana to have electric scooter ride-sharing. On Thursday, 65 scooters went live in downtown and the fairgrounds. The ride-share system will work through an app, with drop-off points throughout the city.. Read more here.
September 11-13, 2019—Travel Bloggers Exchange (TBEX)—(Billings)—TBEX is the largest conference and networking event for travel bloggers, online travel journalists, new media content creators, travel brands and industry professionals. For more information, click here.
September 12-13, 2019—Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) Fall Conference (Lewistown)—"Changing Rural Economies" To register or learn more, click here.
September 22-26, 2019—Montana Association of Counties (MACo) Annual Conference (Great Falls)—For more information, click here.
September 27, 2019—3rd Annual Montana Food Show (Bozeman)—The Montana Food Show is an opportunity for food and beverage businesses to meet one on one with local producers so that they can incorporate Montana sourced items on their menus. For more information on registering as a vendor or buyer, click here.
October 2-4, 2019—Montana League of Cities and Towns Fall Conference (Billings)—For more information, click here.
October 9-10, 2019—Sustainable Destinations Workshop (Bridger Bowl Ski Area)—Learn about global trends in sustainable tourism and sustainability best practices. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) offers practical insights and effective steps to help improve sustainability practices. The intensive and interactive learning experience is a valuable training opportunity for professionals in tourism, hospitality, destination management and marketing, and sustainability.
For more information or to register for the workshop, click here. Early bird pricing is available through July 15. A special lodging rate for participants is being offered by Western Heritage Inn by calling 406.586.8534.
October 14-16, 2019—2019 Innovate Montana Symposium (Butte)—Click here for more information.
October 21-23, 2019—Montana Lodging & Hospitality Association (MLHA) Fall Tourism Conference & Trade Show (Missoula)—Click here for more information.
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