Marketing Bureau Chief
We are excited to announce that Marlee Iverson has been selected as the Marketing Bureau Chief for MOTBD.
Born and raised in rural Central Montana, Marlee Iverson's love for the state started out at an early age. She graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman and came to work for the State of Montana. Marlee has been involved with the state’s tourism marketing program in all of her positions with the Department of Commerce. She began as the Publicity/Publications Assistant, then she transitioned to the position of Group Travel Specialist before taking on the role of the International Travel Trade Manager. During this critical time of COVID response, Marlee stepped in as interim Marketing Bureau Chief. Traveling the world and promoting Montana has been a true passion. Her vast familiarity with the bed tax budget, marketing campaigns, the international and domestic traveler, the working relationships within the Marketing Bureau as well as the division, and great relationships with partners make her a great leader for the Department of Commerce's Marketing Bureau. Please join us in welcoming Marlee to her new role.
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Applications for Tourism Grants due by November 30!
The application cycle for Tourism Grants is now open. The 2021 application cycle will accept applications from eligible entities until November 30, 2020.
The Tourism Grant Program funds projects that strengthen Montana’s economy through the development and enhancement of Montana’s tourism and recreation industry. A total of $750,000 is available for projects that develop and enhance tourism and recreation products that have the potential to increase non-resident visitation.
Projects funded in the 2021 cycle must be completed by June of 2022. Entities in Montana that are eligible to apply for a Tourism Grant include registered non-profit 501(c) organizations and city, tribal or county governments.
Funds will be awarded to tourism and recreation projects that fall within the categories of:
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Arts/Culture /Heritage Preservation: Projects that preserve, protect, or restore Montana’s arts, culture, and/or heritage treasures
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Visitor Facility Upgrades/Construction: Projects that will enhance the non-resident visitor experience and increase expenditures
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Niche Product Development: Projects of interest to non-resident visitors as identified in Montana Destination Brand Research Study
For more information or to apply for a grant, visit MARKETMT.COM/TOURISMGRANTS.
Choose Local
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we encourage you to support your local businesses when possible. 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.
Native American Made in Montana
In Montana, we take authenticity seriously. The Native American Made in Montana badge honors the authentic cultures, creations, and values that represent Indian Country across Montana.
Sovereign tribal territory spread across Montana makes up nine percent of the land base in Montana. Tribal members live on and off the reservation, innovating new products as well as creating traditional arts and crafts. You can find those products at MADEINMONTANAUSA.com/Products/NAMIM.
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"Big Sky" on ABC
You may have seen the advertising on ABC for a new series called “Big Sky", which premiered this week. It is from Wyoming author CJ Box, and he is not only based in Wyoming but is one of the executive producers of “Big Sky”, produced by David E. Kelly.
While the state of Montana has no editorial involvement with the content of the show, watch closely, and you may see footage of Montana and Helena. Several of the main characters in the story are based out of Helena, hence the work done in the area. For more information on the series, click here.
AIANTA Offers Complimentary Registration Support for the Professional Certificate Program in Cultural Heritage Tourism
Thanks to NATIVE Act Funding, AIANTA is thrilled to offer complimentary registration support for up to 40 participants!
The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), in partnership with the George Washington University (GWU) International Institute of Tourism Studies, has designed the Professional Certificate Program in Cultural Heritage Tourism. The online program brings together industry experts who help students explore the importance of including authentic Native American cultural experiences in their tourism planning.
Individuals who have an interest in the cultural and economic impacts of tribal tourism within your community should apply. Individuals interested must be a Tribal/Native tourism professional or working in tribal tourism or cultural heritage program. Individuals must also be an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe. For more information on eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.
Montana Access Project Path Ahead Webinar Series:
November 24, 2020 (11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)—Montana's Zoom Towns: Is Outdoor Recreation Access The New Gold Rush?—In this next webinar, panelists will discuss how Covid 19 has accelerated the “zoom town” phenomenon. Now that technology enables businesses and workers to work where they want to live, quality access to outdoor recreation can tip the scales in recruiting and retaining talent, but not without impacts. Form more information or to register for this webinar, click here.
Montana in the News Tourism Partner Shout-Outs, Recognition and News
Kalispell—Kalispell Chamber Embarks on New Leadership—As the Kalispell business community looks to the future and what lies beyond the pandemic, it will have a new leader to help navigate that path forward. After 24 years at the helm of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Joe Unterreiner has passed the baton to the Chamber’s new leader, Lorraine Clarno. “It is just truly my honor and privilege to be stepping into Joe’s very, very big shoes,” Clarno said Thursday as she introduced herself to the Flathead County commissioners. Read more from the Daily Interlake here.
Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks—This Bucket List Road Trip Covers 12 of America’s Best National Parks in One 5,600-mile Route—In the early 1900s, national parks were largely playgrounds for the wealthy. Visitation often numbered in the tens of thousands, with itineraries fulfilled via expensive rail tickets, stagecoach tours, and horseback rides.
When automobiles joined the scene, the average American — fresh from their own pandemic — had a chance to hit the open road, an opportunity to see the country like never before. But in this case, the “open road” was a muddy path or dusty trail, if it existed at all. And our national parks were still wild expanses barely fit for mules.
So, in 1920, 12 Americans — representing groups like the National Park-to-Park Highway Association and AAA — set out from Denver, Colorado, for a 5,600-mile road trip, lassoing 12 national parks into one massive loop. Their goal? To draw publicity and tourism to the country’s public lands and to push for driveable roads that connect them.
The great American road trip was born. (Editor’s Note: Travel might be complicated right now, but use our inspirational trip ideas to plan ahead for your next bucket list adventure.) Read more from Travel + Leisure here.
Promotion and Preservation: Best Practices in Rural Destination Management
The National Association for Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) recently held a webinar for its members and has kindly made the recording available. The webinar was presented by Daniel Eades and Doug Arbogast, State Specialists with the West Virginia University Extension Service.
Their research interviews with rural destination management organization leaders reveal innovative examples of how rural tourism stakeholders and external partners can develop a destination management framework which allows communities to effectively cope with the decentralized, multi-player, multi-stakeholder nature of rural tourism, and balance their dual mandates of preservation and visitation growth. Their study demonstrates how rural destinations are leveraging local assets and creating new organizational structures to balance economic development, sustainable tourism, and quality of life. The results provide real-world examples of how other rural DMOs might creatively address similar situations and the role Extension can play in facilitating rural tourism innovations. To watch the webinar, click here.
The Role of COVID-19 Testing in the Recovery of Travel
The full recovery of travel will depend on many factors—but what role can swift, reliable and available testing have to accelerate the return of safe travel? Dr. Mike Parkinson, U.S. Travel's chief medical consultant, breaks down the different types of tests being used, the reliability of each and what value they may or may not have for the recovery of the travel industry. Hear from MGM Resorts International on how they are utilizing testing, among other measures, to create a layered approach for healthier and safer environments throughout their venues and events. To learn more and view the webinar from the U.S. Travel Association, click here.
The Present & Future of Live Events
They are exhilarating. They raise our spirits. They bring us together. But the future of in-person concerts, festivals and live events is currently uncertain. Although 75 percent of those Americans who actually attended a live event since the onset of the pandemic in March felt “safe” or “very safe” at said event, nearly nine-in-ten American travelers report they have not purchased any tickets for an upcoming live event. Moving forward, how can the event production world deliver the thrill and the magic, while keeping us socially distant and safe? Destination Analysts Senior Research Director, Myha Gallagher, interviewed three major event producers who shared what they foresee to be the future of live events for the short and long term. Read below for key takeaways and watch the full discussion from the weekly Destination Analysts webinar here.
DMO Checklist: 6 Signs You've Found a Great Content Creator
Use this checklist to spend your budget (and your time) wisely as you search for your DMO’s next content creator. The right content creator is an invaluable asset for your destination’s media mix – but how do you choose the right person amid the flood of skilled professionals looking for work?
With the travel industry undergoing drastic changes, many content creators are looking to innovate and broaden their networks. As these creatives seek new connections, your destination marketing organization (DMO) might be receiving more pitches than ever before. The talent field is wider than ever, which can make choosing the right creator more difficult.
Choosing talent is a crucial skill for destination marketing leaders to develop. At Destination Campbell River, we continually receive pitches and refine our selection process along the way. We’re sharing our six-point checklist and some strategic thinking in the hope that it will help other DMOs save time vetting content creators and lead to long-term partnerships.
Checklist: Six signs that a content creator might be right for your DMO
- They don’t lead with a request for compensation
- They’ve researched your destination properly
- Their media kit is relevant to your destination
- They’re flexible with dates and skilled at communication
- They deliver work on time
- They provide the details you need to make a decision in today’s context
Read more from the Destination Think! blog here.
Montana Main Street Program Grant Application Cycle Opens December 8, 2020!
The Montana Main Street Program awards grant funding to member communities on a competitive basis and as funding allows. Applications are evaluated by the Department of Commerce in the order that they are received and grants will be awarded on a continual basis until all funds are allocated.
Funding can be used to address long range community planning and revitalization needs as well as more specific prioritized projects. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate the implementation of larger community vision and goals or as they relate to previous or concurrent larger planning efforts (such as a downtown revitalization plan, growth policy, historic preservation plan, etc.). For more information or to apply, click here.
If you have questions regarding the application process or guidelines, please contact our office to work with a Community Development Division team member at 406.841.2770 or by email at DOCCDD@mt.gov
Workforce Recovery Program
The Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) Workforce Recovery program is designed to support Montana businesses that had to lay-off employees and/or reduce the hours of the employee to part-time status due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Commerce will reimburse Montana businesses based on the growth of jobs up to pre COVID-19 levels.
The Workforce Recovery program will reimburse a business for the wages of full-time, permanent jobs that are created and retained for at least six months, up to a maximum of 25 jobs per business. Businesses apply directly to the program. A reimbursement of up to $7,500 per job is available to businesses in high-poverty counties. The business must match $3,750 per job. A reimbursement of up to $5,000 per job, with a $5,000 match, is available for businesses in all other counties.
Please reference the guidelines for further information on the program. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted or December 31, 2020, whichever comes first. For more information or to apply, click here.
FWP Recreation Grant Program Application Cycle Now Open
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is now accepting grant applications for four recreation grant programs via the online system at funding.mt.gov.
Applications for the following grant programs are due by Monday, February 1, 2021:
- New! Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program
- New! Summer Motorized Trail Pass Grant Program
- Recreational Trails Program
- Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Program
FWP is offering virtual training sessions for prospective applicants from October through January. These sessions are free and highly recommended for new and returning applicants to any of the four grant programs. During the training, FWP staff will provide tips on writing a competitive application, using the grant management software to submit an application, and understanding differences and similarities between programs. Online trainings via Zoom will be held on the following dates:
- Tuesday, December 8, 2020: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday, January 7, 2021: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
For more information on attending a grant application training session or applying to one of these opportunities, visit STATEPARKS.MT.GOV/RECREATION.
January 11-February 28, 2021—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.
The online program brings together industry experts who help students explore the importance of including authentic Native American cultural experiences in their tourism planning.
Courses include narrated presentations, live webinars, online discussions and practical tools and resources participants can apply in their day-to-day experiences planning tourism programs. for more information, click here.
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