Choose Local
As Montana is reopening, we encourage you to support your local businesses. If you are interested in locally sourced ingredients, check out this list of our Taste our Place members and savor Montana flavor. You can also find Made in Montana producers and retailers in your area by visiting MADEINMONTANAUSA.com.
Agriculture
Homegrown: Part 2 Features Many of our Grown in Montana Members
How small, community-based processors are building a more resilient Montana food system.
Part 1 of Homegrown explored the challenges and opportunities of small-scale food production in Montana. Part 2 looks at some Montana communities that are building sustainability out of collaboration.
Jan Tusick used to sell her lamb and vegetables from a roadside farm stand on Highway 93. The year was 1995, and the then-39-year-old organic farmer spent one day a week at the stand, which she shared with other area farmers as part of the Mission Valley Organic Growers Cooperative. She also worked as a school clerk and a program assistant for an investment firm, and spent evenings and weekends tending the flock and 80 acres she and her husband, Will, still cultivate near Pablo National Wildlife Refuge 25 years later.
Figuring there had to be a better way to sell their goods, Tusick approached the local economic development nonprofit, Lake County Community Development Corporation. She wound up volunteering there, and in 1998 led a community assessment as part of the Montana Food Systems Initiative, run by AERO, a statewide sustainability organization.
“Basically, what the community and the growers said is, ‘We want infrastructure, we want refrigerators, we want to be able to value-add our products,’ and so that’s what we pursued,” Tusick said. “They wanted a place they could process their vegetables. They wanted a place they could chop and dice, because you can’t do that on the farm. And the refrigeration was so they could store their vegetables.”
That same year, with a building provided at no cost by the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority and funding from the USDA Rural Cooperative Development Program, she founded what is now the primary pillar of local food processing in Montana: the nonprofit Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center. Read more from Montana Free Press here.
‘Yellowstone’ Season 3 Finale Sets Another Ratings Record With 5.2 Million Viewers To Claim Cable’s #1 Spot
"Yellowstone" continues to dominate cable ratings. The Season 3 finale for Paramount Network’s juggernaut drama series starring Kevin Costner drew 5.2M total viewers in Live+Same Day — one million more viewers than any other episode in the series history — making it the No. 1 most-watched cable telecast of the year, according to Nielsen. Including a CMT simulcast and encores, the closer drew 7.5M viewers on premiere night.
The season 3 finale also is up big in all key demos vs. the season 2 finale – up 81% in P25-54; +71% in P18-49; and up 84% in P2+. It capped a season that ranks as the most watched across all cable year-to-date in L+SD.
Season 3 also bested all key stats on social, topping season 2 by double digits, according to Nielsen social. The third season saw 113% more views vs. season 2, along with 132% more engagements, and it was up 90% in fan growth, generating 146 million cross-platform views and 5.4 million cross-platform engagements, while adding 404,000 new fans. On Facebook alone, the third season was no. 1 for views and engagements across drama programs across the TV universe, excluding sports, live events and news. Read more from Deadline here.
Tourism Media Planning in the Age of COVID-19
These past months have reminded us that sometimes we need to drop our analytical pencils and start fresh. The sources that led our clients’ visitor performance this prior year may not be who, how and where they derive their greatest strength in the coming seasons.
For our tourism clients that are on a 12-month fiscal calendar that runs from July of the current year through June of the following year, this is normally the time we would be reviewing the results of the last fiscal FY20, drawing insights and making decisions on FY21 based on those insights. We would review historical performance by geographic areas, target audiences, media tactics and competitive activity and use these cumulative trends to tell a story about what was working and what was not working in our fiscal plan. Building upon the successes of our previous optimizations would normally guide our decisions into the coming year.
Today is different. COVID-19 has significantly affected the world, our nation and traveler mindsets. Therefore, our planning process must now be different. Tending to recent data will sharpen our analytical pencils far more than a whole year of historical data would have done previously.
Here’s what you should consider as it relates to targeting future travelers:
- Feeder Markets May Change
- Seasons are Now Blurred
- Interests, Not Demographics, Will Dictate Future Travelers
As you look to the months ahead, it is important that destination marketers plan for the unplanned. Accepting that your historical data may have just been flipped upside down and opening up your analytics to a new story will set your marketing efforts up for success. Read more from Hoffman York here.
Along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Most residents and visitors are familiar with explorers Captain Meriweather Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark who traversed the country as part of the Corps of Discovery Expedition in the early 1800’s. Today, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and its interactive geotourism website link contemporary authentic communities and cultures, including tribes whose connections span thousands of years, to historic, vibrant and living landscapes.
While traveling through Montana on the Trail, the experience is greatly enhanced by the amazing possibilities highlighted on the LEWISANDCLARK.TRAVEL website. Everything from enjoying a meal at a local eatery to exploring a historic natural area is available on the website. The website is multi-faceted and while it serves as a tool for planning travels, it is equally a tool for destinations to promote their historic and contemporary role on the Trail.
This week’s highlight along the Trail is Lake Elmo State Park in southeast Montana near Billings. Explorers can partake in both water and land activities on the 183 acres situated at an elevation of 3,199 feet with a large reservoir for kayaking, wind-surfing, swimming, fishing and ice skating in the winter.
To learn more about the Trail and for information on places to visit or to nominate local businesses, points of interests and community activities along the Trail, click here.
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Montana in the News
Tourism Partner Shout-Outs, Recognition and News
Bozeman—New Montana Hotel Is Your Perfect Road Trip And Adventure Base—2020 has quickly become the year of the domestic road trip, thanks to COVID-19 and the global coronavirus pandemic.
The most popular destinations for these car-based vacations are America’s best scenery and top National Parks (read more here) and I recently outlined what I think is the top such natural wonder focused trip in all of North America here at Forbes.
Montana ranks high on the list of such outdoorsy, naturally beautiful, wide open destinations, and the gateway is the charming mountain town of Bozeman. That’s why the scheduled opening today (August 18) of the new Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman is such a big deal.
As a brand, Kimpton hits the perfect sweet spot between budget and luxury, with affordable but attractive amenities, it’s hip, and exceptionally pet friendly. More people are doing road trips now with their entire family, including four legged “children,” and Kimpton welcomes dogs with open arms. Read more from Forbes here.
Missoula—"Bikes to Barns" Rolling through Missoula—It’s getting harder and harder to keep the family entertained as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on. No longer can you grab the kids and pile into a movie theater or go to the ballpark to watch a game.
If you’re on the hunt for a family-friendly, COVID-19 conscious activity, you might consider “Bike to Barns.” Organized by the Missoula Community Food and Agriculture Coalition (CFAC), "Bike to Barns" is a 15-mile self-guided tour through the Orchard Homes and Target Range neighborhoods.
Along the route, you’ll visit a handful of local farm stands, giving you the chance to explore the area, exercise, and support our local food system. When you sign up, you’ll be given the bike route map, special farm stand offers, and local food meal vouchers. Organizers say this event is a win-win for everyone involved. Read more from KPAX News here.
 Stop the Knock!—Complete the 2020 Census Now
Share the message that Montana's can RESPOND NOW and lessen the possibility of a Census Bureau employee knocking on their door to obtain a response to the 2020 Census.
Census takers are currently knocking on doors to follow up with households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census, but you can STOP THE KNOCK if you respond today!
Filling out the Census is quick, easy, and safe. It will take less than 10 minutes to complete and your information and privacy are protected by federal law. Montanans can fill out their Census forms online at my2020census.gov or by phone at 1.844.330.2020. The Census is also available via TDD (Telephone Display Device) at 844.467.2020. Learn more at CENSUS.MT.GOV.
2021 Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant
The Office of Indian Country Economic Development is accepting applications to the fiscal year 2021 Indian Equity Fund (IEF) Small Business Grant program. Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2020. The purpose of this grant is to assist startup or expanding Native American businesses in Montana.
The funds are available to enrolled members of the tribes in Montana. All applications must include documentation of tribal enrollment in the form of a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) or tribal ID. An application will be considered incomplete without this information.
Awards for individual businesses can be up to $14,000 with a minimum dollar-to-dollar cash or in-kind match ($1:$1) and must be firmly committed and documented in the application. For more information, click here.
3 Actions to Improve Your DMO's Communication During COVID-19
In an unstable time, redefine successful communication using strategies and tactics that urge safety and responsible travel. Have you ever read War and Peace? If this pandemic was a novel, it would be a thick one. For your tourism destination, the first chapter might be over, but the epilogue is a long way off.
In this messy middle section, many destination marketers strive to shift communications from promoting travel – ideally through community engagement and word of mouth – to promoting safety while supporting local communities and tourism businesses.
But so much is unstable. Travel regulations are in flux at home and in your travel markets. Public opinion toward tourism is volatile. And travel, at the macro level, has significantly decreased as the world tries to slow the spread of the virus. Three communications objectives for your DMO:
- Ensure every visitor understands local health regulations
- Anticipate how to shift your messages when regulations change
- Support your future visitors along the customer journey
Read more from DestinationThink! here.
2020 Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit | Building Resiliency for the Future—October 13 - 15, 2020 (Virtual)
The 2020 Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit will focus on building resiliency for the future and take place October 13-15, 2020 virtually. Montana Governor's Office of Outdoor Recreation, Crown of the Continent Geotourism Council, and Montana Trails Coalition will host the region's enhanced follow-up to inaugural 2018 Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit.
This year's Summit participants will be from Montana, Greater Crown of the Continent Region including Alberta and British Columbia and beyond, ranging from industry, community, and conservation. Summit will offer tools that will help facilitate interaction between attendees and create concrete opportunities to utilize and integrate into future work. Join the conversation to:
- Promote outdoor recreation opportunities for all
- Enhance public access to outdoor recreation resources and facilities
- Support economic vitality of communities and outdoor recreation industry
- Improve quality of life through outdoor recreation experiences
- Adapt outdoor recreation for a changing environment
- Honor outdoor legacy
Expect three days of networking, live panels, podcasts, dynamic guest speakers, webinars, live workshops, film festival and so much more. For more information, click here.
October 6-8, 2020—The 2020 NAISMA (North American Invasive Species Management Association) Annual Conference (Virtual)—The 2020 NAISMA Annual Conference will be held on a virtual platform rather than our traditional in-person meeting in order to keep everyone safe and healthy.
This year’s virtual conference will be presented live during the conference dates. Sessions will also be recorded for post-event attendee access. Attendees will be able to log in to view presentations for up to 1 year after the event. To learn more, click here.
October 13-15, 2020—The 2020 Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit: Building Resiliency for the Future (Virtual)—Hosted by the Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation, Crown of the Continent Geotourism Council, and Montana Trails Coalition, The 2020 Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit will be an enhanced follow-up to inaugural 2018 Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit.
This year's Summit participants will be from Montana, Greater Crown of the Continent Region including Alberta and British Columbia and beyond, ranging from industry, community, and conservation. The summit will offer tools that will help facilitate interaction between attendees and create concrete opportunities to utilize and integrate into future work. Join the conversation to:
- Promote outdoor recreation opportunities for all
- Enhance public access to outdoor recreation resources and facilities
- Support economic vitality of communities and outdoor recreation industry
- Improve quality of life through outdoor recreation experiences
- Adapt outdoor recreation for a changing environment
- Honor outdoor legacy
Expect three days of networking, live panels, podcasts, dynamic guest speakers, webinars, live workshops, film festival and so much more. For more information, click here.
October 20, 2020 (Sidney) and October 22, 2020 (Butte)—Rise and Restore Small Business Summit—The Rise and Restore Small Business Summit is in response to COVID-19. Hear how industry experts and other small business owners have been maintaining their business, stabilizing their profit and protecting their team in response to COVID-19. To learn more or register, click here.
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