Office of Tourism
Happy New Year from Brand MT and the Montana Office of Tourism. Each new year brings its own challenges and opportunities. This is especially true for the tourism industry, whether you are a business struggling with issues such as housing and employees, or a destination marketing organization trying to get the ‘right’ type of visitor coming at the ‘right’ time of year. Our goal for 2023 is to continue to work together to develop new ideas and programs to address these challenges.
As the new year begins, there is some good news on the national front: The massive omnibus spending bill that was approved by Congress on Dec. 22 includes the creation of an Assistant Secretary of Travel and Tourism within the U.S. Department of Commerce. This high-level leadership position within the federal government should help revive and strengthen tourism as a crucial sector of our economy.
Governor's Conference on Tourism
April 23 - 25, 2023
Delta Hotels by Marriott Helena Colonial | Helena
The Governor’s Conference on Tourism is Montana’s annual gathering of private and public sector partners in the tourism and recreation industries.
Early bird pricing: $249 (ends January 20, 2023)
Pricing after January 20: $299
Registration link: mttourismconference.regfox.com
Follow the Office of Tourism Facebook page for conference updates:
www.facebook.com/MontanaOfficeofTourism
Due to limited space, no guest registrations are offered for the conference, meals, or FAM tours. Those wishing to attend any or all of the conference activities, meals, etc. must register as a standard conference attendee and pay the full registration fee. This guarantees each attendee a seat and space at all sessions and all meals.
Grants Program
Construction Progressing on Great Falls New Indoor Aquatic Facility
The new indoor aquatics and recreation center is 45,000 square feet of new construction that will include a recreation pool, lap pool, gym, fitness center, walking track, multipurpose room, party room, locker rooms, restrooms, child watch area, lobby, offices, storage, and mechanical rooms at 900 29th Street South in a portion of Lions Park.
Read the full article on theelectricgf.com here.
Member Spotlight: Garden Shed Pottery
Garden Shed Pottery, owned by artist Judy Andrews, is a small ceramic studio in Butte. Judy loves to create functional, artful, and graceful forms that warm your heart and bring art to your life while still having functionality for everyday use.
Learn more about Judy and her business by watching her interview on the Made in Montana YouTube channel here.
|
MADE Fairs Wrap Up Record Year
Handmade Montana recently wrapped up its biggest year of MADE Fairs yet, supporting artists throughout the state and providing new opportunities for Montanans to shop local.
Read the full article from valleyjournal.net here.
|
Travel Trade Program
Northwest USA Spotlight 2023
Destination Missoula and Glacier Country Tourism are excited to announce that Northwest USA Spotlight will be held in Missoula, April 16 – 18, 2023. Northwest USASpotlight is an intimate regional trade show that “spotlights” lesser-known destinations to domestic motor coach and small-group tour operators. DMOs, lodging properties, attractions, and outfitters from across Montana are encouraged to attend to get in front of operators who currently offer tours or plan to bring tours to the region.
Registration is limited; to learn more and register, click here.
|
Indian Country
Native American Hip-Hop Artist Receives National Recognition
A local Native American hip-hop artist in Missoula is receiving national recognition after winning a 2022 Native American Music Award for best narrative in a video.
Read the full article from nbcmontana.com here.
Commerce Awards $320,000 in Grants to 24 Native-Owned Small Businesses
The Montana Department of Commerce announced recently that $320,000 in grant funding through the Montana Indian Equity Fund (IEF) Small Business Grant has been awarded to 24 new and expanding Native-owned small businesses.
Read the full news release from COMMERCE.MT.GOV here.
|
Film Office
"The Year of the Dog" Unites Two Different Types of Strays in Montana
Montana is movie star country now. Kit Harington just wrapped production on “Blood For Dust,” a thriller filmed in Billings. Nicolas Cage is starring in “The Old Way,” which was shot in Paradise Valley. And Kevin Costner spends so much time here making “Yellowstone” that he might qualify to run to be Montana’s actual governor.
Read the full article from billingsgazette.com here.
“Murder in Big Horn,” a three-part documentary set on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations, will premiere at the internationally acclaimed Sundance Film Festival.
Read the full article from indiancountrytoday.com here.
Outdoor Recreation
Skijoring Season Kicks Off for Montana Competitors
Skijoring started out as just a recreational activity, but was elevated to a sport when a number of communities began hosting the event with added money and prizes. The races are primarily held in west central states that have what Loren Zhimanskova, founder and owner of Skijor USA, Inc. and Skijor International, LLC, says have the three needed elements.
Read the full article from agupdate.com here.
|
Montana in the News:
Tourism Partner Shout-Outs,
Recognition, and News
Commerce Announces $3.3 Million in Funding for Affordable Homes
The Montana Department of Commerce announced on December 29 that more than $3.3 million in federal Housing Trust Fund (HTF) and Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding has been allocated by Commerce’s Montana Housing to build new or preserve 66 affordable homes in four Montana communities.
Read the full news release from COMMERCE.MT.GOV here.
|
Governor Gianforte Shares Priorities to Further Improve State’s Business Climate
On January 2, Governor Greg Gianforte joined business leaders to discuss his administration’s pro-jobs, pro-growth, and pro-business priorities for the 68th Legislative Session and year ahead at the Montana Chamber of Commerce Business Days at the capitol.
Read the full news release from news.mt.gov here.
Dax Schieffer: Tourism Benefits Montana
There are many examples where traditional destination marketing organizations (DMOs) have shifted resources to advocate for Recreating Responsibly and Leave No Trace.
Read the full article from mtstandard.com here.
At Long Last, the U.S. Will Fund a High-Ranking Tourism Chief
Tourism spending is higher in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world, but the U.S. has long been an outlier among nations with strong tourism revenues: Although most countries have ministers or secretaries of tourism, the U.S. has never had a senior government official overseeing tourism strategy; that is about to change.
Read the full article from travelweekly.com here.
The Montana Historical Society - The Montana Historical Society hosts public programs on a wide variety of topics relating to the Treasure State’s history and culture. Most programs take place on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. For the full list of January's events, visit mhs.mt.gov here.
April 23-26-International Roundup - This event is not your typical trade show. It offers Montana suppliers (lodging and activities) intensive pre-scheduled one-on-one business meetings with international tour operators from seven markets in Europe, the Nordics, and Australia/New Zealand. Meet directly with travel trade folks who specifically want to do business with Montana and the Great American West region (Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming).
This event fills quickly; reserve your spot on internationalroundup.com here.
Questions? Contact Kim Birrell at the Montana Department of Commerce at kbirrell@mt.gov.
|
