Newcomer tackles Idaho tourism – moved from one of the most famous resort cities in the world to take on tourism marketing for one of the fastest-growing in the country.

Mark Robitaille for the past two years worked for the Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention and Visitors Authority, the tourism marketing agency for the Coachella Valley in California. He previously had been in retail management at Mammoth Lakes, Calif. In October he made his first visit to Coeur d’Alene and decided this was where he wanted to live. That week, he bought a home here for himself, his wife, and two kids.

"I wanted to get back to a mountain community," Robitaille said. "I saw what was happening here and secured a house."

Determined that Coeur d’Alene would be his new home, he began almost daily visits to The Coeur d’Alene Press Web site, perusing the classified ads for a job.

When Christina Hatfield left the Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce position as tourism vice president to take on marketing for Gozzer Ranch, Robitaille, 44, made his move.

"There was no doubt I was going to move regardless of work," he said. "I figured by this summer I would find something. This has worked out very well for me. I’m happy with the job and the organization."

By RICK THOMAS
Staff writer

Full Story: http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2005/09/01/business/bus01.txt