Travel Trade Program
Missions in the German and Benelux Markets Promote Travel to Montana
Visit Montana's Travel Trade Program represented Montana in two training missions last month—one in Zurich, Switzerland, and the other in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Recent requests for sales staff training and product updates, as well as increased interest in these markets for travel to unique US destinations, meant the five-state consortium branded “The Great American West” was welcomed enthusiastically by specialty tour operators in these markets.
Events included several training workshops for targeted tour operators and travel agents in both cities, media events, networking functions and business meetings with product managers to review product and discuss routings throughout the Great American West (GAW) region of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. In total, there were meetings or trainings with 31 Swiss trade and eight media, and 43 Dutch trade and media. State representatives also met with Consul General Kate Nanavatty of the US Embassy and Consul General in Amsterdam to discuss tourism issues. Many tour operators requested assistance to develop themed itineraries, bookable lodging product and fam tours to our region. Travelers in these countries are vaccinated and eager to travel to unique destinations like Montana, despite high inflation and higher travel prices.
The mission in Switzerland and the GAW region received significant coverage in Travel Inside - link. This publication reaches the majority of travel trade in Switzerland and Germany and is important media coverage for our region.
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Indian Country
Actress Lily Gladstone on Verge of Stardom
Actress Lily Gladstone, Blackfeet, who has a starring role in the upcoming "Killers of the Flower Moon" film, is featured in the 2023 short film "Lily Gladstone: Far Out There," for the American Masters PBS program, "In the Making." The film, produced by American Masters and Firelight Media, is one of seven films about emerging artists and their journeys to become masters of their disciplines.
Read the full article from montanafreepress.org here.
Final Call for Registration
Registration Closes on Monday, April 17
If you haven’t already registered, click here to register for the Conference. Conference registration is limited and based on seating space. All Conference registrations must be made in advance. There will be no walk-in registrations.
Remember to Download YAPP
Before the Conference, make sure to download the YAPP app at my.yapp.us/MT2023.
YAPP will have all the information you'll need for the Conference. There' is a schedule for each day of the Conference, located at the bottom. Create a personalized schedule by clicking the icon in the upper right corner to add activities or sessions to “My Schedule.”
Afterward, presentations from feature speakers and breakout sessions will be loaded on the YAPP.
Tourism Grant Program
Recovery Destination Event Grant Cycle Now Open
The Tourism Grant Program team is excited to announce a $500,000 Recovery Destination Event Grant application cycle to assist Montana communities as they plan for events to increase out-of-area visitor attendance and generate community revenue.
Each recovery destination event could be eligible for up to $25,000 in tourism grant funds; a match is not required. Awarded funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis only for eligible expenses, which include and are limited to costs for advertisement and marketing, specific event infrastructure and signage.
For information about a Recovery Destination Event Grant, eligibility criteria and to view a workshop about the grant cycle, visit the Tourism Grant Program website at BRAND.MT.GOV.
Montana in the News: Tourism Partner
Shout-Outs, Recognition and News
Julie Mullins Hired as New Executive Director of Explore Whitefish
Explore Whitefish, also known as The Whitefish Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCVB), has announced the appointment of Julie Mullins as the new executive director of the nonprofit destination stewardship organization, replacing director Dylan Boyle.
“I am inspired by the efforts and ability of Explore Whitefish to maintain and preserve our community’s culture,” said Mullins. “Whitefish has maintained the balance of tourism and community—this is one of the primary reasons why my husband and I have chosen to call Whitefish home.”
Mullins first arrived in Whitefish a decade ago, attracted by the allure of skiing and business opportunities her husband had in the aerospace manufacturing industry. Mullins has worked in the CVB industry for over 20 years, leading teams, developing and implementing organizational strategic direction, and managing complicated board and committee priorities. She left her last full-time CVB role at Choose Chicago to live and work from Whitefish, where she operated her own destination consulting business across multiple tourism industries since 2021.
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Report Details Impact of Recreational Tourism on Montana
The Institute of Tourism and Recreation Research shared data on trends from both residents and nonresidents who use Montana's public lands. The Institute's Melissa Weddell explained why visitation plays such an important role for those in the forestry industry.
Read the full article from kpax.com here.
Weamer Honored as Face of Red Lodge
On March 21, citizens, businesses and organizations from Red Lodge and Carbon County met at the Elks Lodge to surprise and commend Sherry Weamer, Executive Director of the Red Lodge Area Chamber of Commerce, for her tireless work on behalf of the community during these difficult times and for “always portraying Red Lodge in the best possible way.”
Read the full article from carboncountynews.com here.
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Funding Opportunities
Glacier Country Tourism Visitor Information Center Grant Opens
Glacier Country Tourism is pleased to continue supporting Western Montana Visitor Information Centers (VIC). Studies show community-based VICs are more likely to be used by first-time visitors traveling to an area. Visitors who use VICs are more likely to stay longer, experience more of what that community has to offer and have an overall better experience. Please share this grant opportunity with your local VICs.
Glacier Country Tourism has committed a total of $100,000 toward VIC grants for the purposes of supplementing qualified visitor information center programs with paid and/or volunteer staff positions to operate their visitor information centers. Grant awards are up to $10,000 per VIC depending on the number of hours the VIC is open per week. Centers must be open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Applications are due by April 20, 2023.
Apply for the VIC grant here.
Office of Tourism Partners
Tourism Advisory Council (TAC) Meetings - All Council meetings, including committee meetings, are open to the public. Information about the Council, upcoming meetings, and meeting minutes can be found at BRAND.MT.GOV.
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June 5-6, 2023, Great Falls - Full Council Meeting
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October 3-4, 2023, Anaconda - Full Council Meeting
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February 5-6, 2024, TBD - Full Council Meeting
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June 3-4, 2024, TBD - Full Council Meeting
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October 7-8, 2024, TBD - Full Council Meeting
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