Tourism Grant Application Cycle Closes September 30!
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 an overview of the program including guidelines, timelines, updates, and an outline of the application, you can watch a video of the webinar training workshop that was recently hosted by the Tourism Grant Program by visiting the Tools & Resources webpage.
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. The annual application window closes at 5:00 PM MST on Monday, September 30!
Tourism Event Grants
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 shoulder season events include:
- September 12-15—Kootenai Country Chainsaw Carving (Libby)
- September 19-23—MINT Film Festival (Billings)
- September 26-28 and October 3-5—Great Northwest Oktoberfest (Whitefish)
- October 4-6—Townsend Fall Fest (Townsend)
- October 18-20—Western Harvest Weekend (Deer Lodge)
- November 1-3—Artist Along Bitterroot Fall Tour (Hamilton)
- November 26-30—Yellowstone Ski Festival (West Yellowstone)
We encourage you to enjoy and support these family-fun local celebrations in our Montana communities. For a complete list of funded events and projects, click here.
Made in Montana Tradeshow
The Made in Montana Tradeshow will be held March 13-14, 2020 at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds in Helena, Montana. We will begin accepting exhibitor applications for the show on Tuesday, October 15 at 8 a.m. Applications are open to all active Made in Montana Members.
Wholesale Buyer registration will open in December.
FY20 Winter Season Print
Here is a schedule and a few samples of our FY20 Winter Season Print Ads:
OCTOBER
- Freeskier Magazine. Buyer’s Guide. On-sale date 9/18/19.
- SKI Magazine. Gear Guide. On-sale date 9/24/19.
- Powder Magazine. Buyer’s Guide. On-sale date 9/27/19.
NOVEMBER
- Freeskier Magazine. Resort Guide. On-sale date 10/22/19.
- Powder Magazine. Apparel Guide. On-sale date 10/27/19. (full page + full spread)
DECEMBER
- SKI Magazine. Editor’s Choice. On-sale date 11/26/19.
 Freeskier Magazine. Buyer’s Guide. On-sale date 9/18/19.
SKI Magazine. Gear Guide. On-sale date 9/24/19.
Powder Magazine. Buyer’s Guide. On-sale date 9/27/19.
Outdoor Recreation
Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit: Recreation Innovation Lab 2019 October 10-11, 22019
Co-hosted by the Montana Governor's Office of Outdoor Recreation, Crown of the Continent Geotourism Council and the Montana Access Project, the region’s first ever Recreation Innovation Lab will bring together 120 participants and provide a platform to discuss the details of how to start, grow and maintain quality frontcountry recreation access and experiences. Attendees will network, educate and be empowered by tools, tangible data and resources that will help facilitate interaction and create concrete opportunities to utilize and integrate into future work. For more information, visit this page on EventBrite at Recreation Innovation Lab
Sculpt the Conversation and Information! We want to know more about your projects, challenges and successes so we can provide the information and resources you need. If you have not already completed the survey below as a person/group that works on or with frontcountry recreation projects please do so to help us guide the conversations. Participating groups will be eligible for a $100 gift card drawing.
Here is the link to the survey: Montana Access Project Survey You can expect it to take at least 45 minutes to complete.
Public Lands Impact Montana's Economy
According to the latest report from Business for Montana's Outdoors and Headwaters Economics, Montana's public lands generate $7.1 billion in consumer spending, $286 million in tax revenue, and 71,000 jobs. "In the state of Montana tourism should sustain or enhance the character of our place," said Evan Tipton, Founder of TOMIS (Tour Operator Marketing Intelligence Software). Other numbers released in that study show visitation to Montana’s state parks has increased 40% in the last decade. And 72% of Montana households reported utilizing public access trails every year.
Learn more at ABC Fox Montana
Secretary Bernhardt Announces $170.6 Million to Support State Parks and Outdoor Recreation through the Land and Water Conservation Fund
These funds are awarded to all 50 States, five U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia for state-identified outdoor recreation and conservation projects. Funds are non-taxpayer dollars derived from the Outer Continental Shelf lease revenues and are awarded through federal matching grants administered by the National Park Service.
Learn more about the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Painting by Billings Artist Selected by Pendleton Woolen Mills for Blanket Design
A style all his own. Billings artist Judd Thompson, 36, adds a pop of color and his own flare to Native American art. “I take account the Crow beadwork, how vibrant and bright it is, and that freedom, I guess, that you see in beadwork, is also kind of in my art,” Thompson said.
That’s why he was asked by Pendleton Woolen Mills to create a design for one of their world famous wool blankets. The blankets are often given as a gift at a time of celebration or mourning, especially among Native American tribes. Read more here.
Indian Country Guidebook Featured in Native Business Magazine
"From its peaks to its plains, Montana is a destination rich with culture and history. Today, eight Tribal Nations call it home, and they’re working to drive tourism to their lands — bolstered by support from the Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development to share the places and stories of their heritage." See the full story here.
Montana in the News
Tourism Partner Shout-Outs, Recognition and News
Missoula—The Crooning Timberjack Found Greener Baseball Fields
Just about everyone knows that Charley Pride is a national treasure. But did you know that the Country Music Hall of Famer also played professional baseball in Montana during the 1960s? Learn about his pitching exploits for the Missoula Timberjacks (as well as teams in Helena and Great Falls) in this fun read from The Missoulian by clicking here.
West Yellowstone - Summer in West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone was recently featured on Northwest Travel & Life.
West Yellowstone, Montana, is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park and an adventure all on its own. If you’re planning to visit this summer, why not check out what this small town in the heart of Yellowstone Country has to offer? For lodging, dining and other attractions visit DestinationYellowstone.com.
Montana Featured in United Airlines' Hemispheres Magazine
Look for Montana in the September issue of the on-flight magazine. See the story on Choose Montana.
Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant
The Indian Equity Fund (IEF) Small Business Grant is accepting applications for fiscal year 2020. Enrolled members of federally or state-recognized tribes residing in Montana may apply for funds to help start or expand their business. Up to $320,000 in funding is available, with individual awards up to $14,000. The deadline to apply is September 30. For more information, visit MARKETMT.COM/ICP/IEF.
Study: A Record 768 Million U.S. Vacation Days Went Unused in ‘18, Opportunity Cost in the Billions
American workers left a record number of vacation days on the table last year—768 million days, up 9% from 2017—according to new research from the U.S. Travel Association, Oxford Economics and Ipsos. Of the unused days, 236 million were forfeited completely, equating to $65.5 billion in lost benefits. More than half (55%) of workers reported they did not use all their allotted time off. Read more here.
This month, a dedicated, branded sailboat – flying the colors of Brand USA’s “United Stories” campaign – sailed along Massachusetts coastal waters. It started in Cape Cod, navigated southwest to Martha’s Vineyard, and then proceeded east to Nantucket. The trip was on the September itinerary for “United Stories,” the campaign that Brand USA launched back in January of this year. The goal of this campaign has been to highlight local and authentic travel experiences throughout the United States with the idea of inspiring travelers from around the world to visit these places. More here.
How Instagram Breathed New Life into Destination Marketing
From what to do and where to go, Facebook IQ notes that nearly 96% of travelers explore Instagram to get their dose of daily travel inspiration. According to Sojern’s State of the Travel Advertising Industry 2019 report, travel marketers are hedging their bets that social media spend will pay off: not only do they report spending 23% of their digital ad budget on Facebook and Instagram, 55% plan to increase their social ad spend this year. More 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.
September 30-November 17, 2019—Cultural Heritage Tourism Certificate Program (Online)
The Professional Certificate Program in Cultural Heritage Tourism, produced by AIANTA (American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association) in partnership with the George Washington University, is designed to provide tourism entrepreneurs and community leaders with tools to identify assets and develop tourism programs that preserve cultural identity and authenticity. For more information, 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)—The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) offers practical insights and effective steps to help improve sustainability practices. Click here for more information or to register for the workshop.
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.
April 26-29, 2020—International Roundup (Casper, WY)—Mark your calendars to receive the Early Bird Discount for registration on October 1, 2019. The 2020 International Roundup tradeshow event will host over 80 regional organizations from Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho. Each organization has the chance to meet with nearly 50 international domestic buyers from more than 10 countries to conduct business negotiations that would otherwise be generated only through an exhaustive number of around-the-world trips. Registration fills up (very!) quick, so don't miss this opportunity to get your business in front of an international audience! To receive notification, contact info@internationalroundup.com. To learn more about the International Travel Trade Program at MOTBD contact Marlee Iverson or Kim Birrell.
|
