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Play It Again, Montana: 30th Montana Governor’s Conference On Tourism And Recreation 4/4-6 Billings

2004-04-04 16:00:00
Holiday Inn Grand Montana Billings, MT

Play It Again, Montana: 30th Montana Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Recreation

April 5-6, 2004
Holiday Inn Grand Montana
Billings, MT

All Governor’s Conference Events take place at Billings’ Holiday Inn Grand Montana, 5500 Midland Road, Billings, MT 59101, 406-248-7701,
877-55GRAND, http://www.holiday-inn.com/billings-west

http://travelmontana.state.mt.us/conference/agenda.htm

Saturday or Sunday – April 3-4, 2004
Arrive early and enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Billings. A Billings Planning Committee has developed a list of “Specials” for Governor’s Conference attendees. Check out details and contact information on the “Specials” at http://www.billingschamber.com/packages.asp (available by mid-February).

* Big Sky Airlines, Thrifty Car Rental fly/drive package

* Rimrock Mall, Downtown Billings shopping surprises (pre & post conference)

* NILE Bullriders Invitational, Billings’ MetraPark, April 3-4

* Broadway production "Saturday Night Fever" Alberta Bair Theater Saturday, April 3, http://www.albertabairtheater.org

* Spa Sunday – Be Pampered at Billings’ premier day spas

* Eat & Drink Specials Downtown & West End Billings (pre & post conference)

* Visit ZooMontana, Yellowstone Art Museum, Moss Mansion, Western Heritage Center, & Peter Yegen, Jr. Yellowstone County Museum (pre & post conference)

For information on other specials or community information, contact the Billings Convention and Visitors Bureau, 406-252-4016
or 1-800-735-2635.

Sunday, April 4, 2004
4 – 7 p.m. Governor’s Conference Registration
Location: Holiday Inn Grand Montana Atrium

GOVERNOR’S CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES

Monday – April 5, 2004

7 a.m. Governor’s Conference Registration
Location: Holiday Inn Grand Montana Atrium

8:30 a.m.- 9:45 a.m. – General Session
Location: Montana Convention Center

Welcome and Conference Opening
Feature Presentation

“Getting Ilsa Through the Door”
Presenter: Roger Brooks, Destination Development, Inc. Olympia, WA

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.” Humphrey Bogart uttered that line about Ilsa, played by Ingrid Bergman, in the film classic “Casablanca.” Bogart played Rick, the owner of a tourism business called Café Americain. Roger Brooks will build on this theme by helping us answer the question: So with all the towns in all the west, what do you need to do to get visitors into yours? Get updated on the latest travel trends, learn the ten commandments of tourism in the otts (2001-2010) and what you can do to get visitors in your door – here’s looking at you!

9:45 a.m.-10:25 a.m. BREAK in Exhibit Area

10:25 a.m.-11:45 a.m. 5 Concurrent Break Out Sessions

* Montana Tourism Research – Current Visitor Information and How it can be Useful

Presenters: Norma Nickerson, Ph.D. and James Wilton, M.S., Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research, The University of Montana – Missoula

ITRR Director Norma Nickerson and Jim Wilton, Economic Analyst, will present the latest information on Montana tourism trends along with visitor expenditures and profiles by travel region and select counties. They will also provide a step-by-step process on how to use Montana tourism data for your business and marketing plans.

* Marketing on a Miniscule Budget
Presenter: Roger Brooks, Destination Development, Inc., Olympia, WA
This interactive workshop showcases a number of ways to maximize your marketing budget: get and use publicity effectively, use trade in exchange for advertising, create public/private marketing partnerships, and catering to niche groups. We’ll show you how to place ads effectively, what size ad is necessary, rule of frequency, using the internet to your advantage, and signage solutions that work.

* Succeeding in the Convention & Meetings Market – Montana Style
Presenter: Bill Geist, Zeitgeist Consulting, Madison, WI
How to compete in the meetings and convention market when you’re not a nationally known convention destination? Destination consultant (and former CVB CEO) Bill Geist returns to Montana to help us achieve our Strategic Plan objective of attracting more meetings and conventions to the State. Destination leaders will learn how to effectively compete in compelling niche markets, use your community leaders to generate leads, stand out in a crowded marketplace and much more…regardless of your destination size or budget.

* Discovering & Promoting Community Heritage Resources
Presenters: Ellen Baumler, Montana Historical Society, Helena, MT; Jon Axline, Helena, MT
Historians Ellen Baumler and Jon Axline will help you find Montana’s National Register and Landmark sites, historic bridges and roadways; illuminate promotional and interpretive benefits of these and other heritage resources in your area; and assist in identifying programs to help you discover and better tell your community’s story.

* Experience – The Next Generation of Travel Product
Presenter: Joe Veneto, The Opportunity Guy, Quincy, MA
Visitors select destinations, but what they really want are experiences. Whether you are a community attraction, state or national park, outfitter and guide, your key to success with today’s healthier, wealthier, more discerning visitor is the experience you provide. Joe Veneto, The Opportunity Guy, will provide us with the understanding and models to Experience success.

11:55 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Luncheon
Location: Montana Convention Center

Feature Presentation: "As Time Goes By"
Presenter: Doug Monger, Parks Division Administrator, MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Helena, MT

1:30 p.m.-2:50 p.m. 6 Concurrent Break Out Sessions

* International Market Development Program Workshop
Presenter: Gary Schluter, Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours, Fort Collins, CO
If you are interested in marketing internationally, but haven’t tried yet or would like to expand your current operations, the Market Development Program Workshop is for you. Through a "Discover The American West" grant administered by the Western States Tourism Policy Council, Gary Schluter will share his international marketing expertise in this training session focused on attracting visitors from Germany, the U.K. and Japan.

* Montana Travel Trends & More

Presenter: Norma Nickerson, Ph.D. and James Wilton, M.S., Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research, The University of Montana – Missoula
REPEAT OF MORNING SESSION

* Marketing on a Miniscule Budget
Presenter: Roger Brooks, Destination Development, Inc., Olympia, WA
REPEAT OF MORNING SESSION

* Succeeding in the Convention & Meetings Market – Montana Style
Presenter: Bill Geist, Zeitgeist Consulting, Madison, WI
REPEAT OF MORNING SESSION

* Discovering & Promoting Community Heritage Resources
Presenters: Ellen Baumler, Montana Historical Society, Helena, MT; Jon Axline, Helena, MT
REPEAT OF MORNING SESSION

* Experience – The Next Generation of Travel Product
Presenter: Joe Veneto, The Opportunity Guy, Quincy, MA
REPEAT OF MORNING SESSION

2:50 p.m.-3:30 p.m. BREAK in Exhibit Area

3:30 p.m.-4:50 p.m. 1 Break Out Session & 6 Roundtable Discussion Topics

Break Out Sessions

* International Tourism Market Development Workshop
Presenter: Gary Schluter, Rocky Mountain Holiday Tours, Fort Collins, CO
Repeat of Monday, 1:30-2:50 p.m. session

Roundtable Discussion Sesions

* On The Spot WEB Critiques – Effective Web Design & Function Resource Person: Daniel Lorenzetti, The Web WorkShop, Three Forks, MT (offices also in Austin, TX & New York City, NY)
Repeated Tuesday, April 6, 10:25 – 11:55 a.m., see that session listing for details.
* Packaging Weekend Getaways & Shoulder Seasons

* Developing a Montana Birding Trail: Bitterroot Valley Pilot Project & In Your Community
* Ag-Tourism Partnerships: What’s Happening (or could happen) In My Area?
* Incorporating Arts & Culture Into The Tourism Network
* Create Publicity FAM Tours That Work!

4:50 – 6 p.m. No Host Reception in Exhibitors’ Area

6 p.m. Free Night in Billings – You choose what will make your night most enjoyable.

The Montana Tourism Coalition is planning to hold their fundraising auction at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana this evening (Monday). Details to come later.

Tuesday – April 6, 2004

8:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m. General Session
Location: Montana Convention Center

Welcome & Session Opening

Feature Presentation
It’s Showtime! Montana’s National Spotlight Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Events & Corps of Discovery II
Presenters: Gerard Baker, Superintendent, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Omaha, NE; Peggy Bourne, Coordinator, Explore the Big Sky! Signature Event, Great Falls, MT; Melody Dobson & Robbie Carpenter, Coordinators, Clark on the Yellowstone Signature Event, Billings, MT; Dyani Bingham, Executive Director, Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance, Billings, MT

The focus of the national Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemoration turns to Montana in 2005 & 2006. This session highlights the three national events scheduled to take place here: Explore The Big Sky, June 1-July 4, 2005, Great Falls/Fort Benton; Clark on the Yellowstone, July 22-25, 2006, Pompeys Pillar/Billings; The National Park Service traveling interactive exhibit “Corps of Discovery II” visiting 18 Montana communities between May 2005 & August 2006. The presenters will provide an overview of the rich multicultural attractions these events will create as well as the opportunities for individuals and communities to participate in or partner with them.

9:55 a.m.-10:25 a.m. BREAK in Exhibit Area

10:25 a.m.-11:45 a.m. 5 Concurrent Break Out Sessions

* Putting Montana on Your Table: Where to find Montana-made Foods/Products & How to Incorporate Them Into Your Operation
Panel Presentation
To help achieve our objective of putting more Montana foods and products in the hands of Montana’s visitors, this panel of presenters will introduce us to some the suppliers, producers and marketers involved in this area.
* Montana Trails Showcase: Hands of Harvest: The Craft Heritage Trails of North Central Montana, Beartooth Highway All American Road, and Montana’s Dinosaur Trail
Presenters: Representatives of each Trail Project
Three Montana projects that are using “special designations” to create new Montana destinations will share information about the process they’ve used, and the products they’ve created or are planning to create.
* Developing Culturally Appropriate Tourism in Montana’s Indian Country
Presenters: Dyani Bingham, Executive Director, Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance, and MTTA Members
Representatives of the Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance will talk about their efforts to develop cultural appropriate tourism on Montana’s 7 reservations and update us on current and ongoing projects.
* On The Spot Critiques – Effective Web Design & Function
Presenter: Daniel Lorenzetti, The Web Workshop, Three Forks, MT (offices also in Austin, TX & New York City, NY)
Back by popular demand, Daniel Lorenzetti provides web design and function consultation in a public discussion session. As a service of Travel Montana, Montana tourism and recreation partners are invited to send Daniel their website for review prior to the conference [email protected] and he will provide constructive critique to as many as possible in this session.
* Access to Montana’s Treasures: Yellowstone National Park Winter Use, Glacier Park’s Going to the Sun Road Improvement Plan, Montana’s River Recreation Plan
Presenters: Representatives from Agencies
In this session agencies will provide the latest information on how Montanans and their visitors will be able to access three important attractions in the state.

11:55 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Luncheon and Exhibitor Giveaways
Location: Montana Convention Center

Feature Presentation
Eastern Montana’s Treasures – Slide show and commentary
Presenter: Photo-journalist Rick Graetz

1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 3 Concurrent Field Trip Break Out Sessions

Organization & Coordination Services for Field Trips provided by Renee Christiansen Montana Fun Adventure Tours, Billings, MT,

* Chief Plenty Coups State Park Field Trip
Host: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Bus Transportation Provided, Limited Seating
Journey to the heart of Crow Country to Chief Plenty Coups State Park in Pryor, Montana, on the Crow Indian Reservation. Come learn about this great leader and about the Apsaalooke people. Brand new interpretive displays are in place at the park including inside Plenty Coups restored log house. Wander the park grounds including the Crow life ways trail, Plenty Coups gravesite and sacred spring. Join park staff and Apsaalooke interpreters for a fun and informative afternoon.
* Pompeys Pillar National Monument/Huntley Project Museum Field Trip
Host: Pompeys Pillar Historical Assocation, Huntley Project Museum of Irrigated Agriculture, CoorS
Bus Transportation Provided, Limited Seating
This field trip highlights two centuries of activity in the Yellowstone Valley. You’ll tour Montana and the nation’s newest national monument, Pompeys Pillar which features Capt. William Clark’s July 25, 1806, etched signature on its sandstone walls. This will be the site for the July 22-25, 2006, Clark on the Yellowstone Signature Event of the national Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemoration. On the way to the Pillar, you’ll stop by Coors’ modern barley facility and the Huntley Project Museum of Irrigated Agriculture’s new visitors center which helps tell the story of early day irrigated farming on the northern plains. Refreshments at Pompeys Pillar.
* Billings – Your City for Arts & Culture Field Trip
Host: Billings Cultural Partners
Shuttle Buses & Billings Trolley Service Transport Between Holiday Inn & Downtown Tour Sites Provided.
This field trip will offer designated stops at Arts and Culture venues along the Billings Trolley Route in Downtown Billings. Groups led by members of the Billings Cultural Partners will visit downtown Billings arts and culture sites including Yellowstone Art Museum (“blockbuster” exhibits by America Icon/Pop Artist Andy Warhol and landscape painter Maynard Dixon), Alberta Bair Theater (an African American Dance performance), Western Heritage Center (American Indian Tribal Histories Project), Moss Mansion (tour), Peter Yegen Jr. Yellowstone County Museum (Lewis & Clark reception), and Montana Avenue’s Venture Theater Project in the historic Northern Pacific Depot (renovation & impromptu performance). Refreshments served at various stops. The buses and trolley will shuttle groups between each of the stops on a regular schedule between 1:30-4:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m.-2:50 p.m. Entertainment Break Out Session
This is Montana – A Photo Journey with Rick Graetz
For those not taking the three field trip options, photo-journalist Rick Graetz will share images and stories he’s collected while traveling Montana.

4:30-6 p.m. Free Time

6-7 p.m. No Host Reception
Location: Grand Montana Ballroom

7-9 p.m. Governor’s Conference Banquet Dinner
Location: Grand Montana Ballroom

Keynote Speaker Governor Judy Martz, Helena, MT
Governor Judy Martz will share with us her thoughts on Montana’s tourism industry. The Governor will help us honor the Montana Tourism Person, Community, Partnership & Volunteer of the Year.

The Billings Governor’s Conference Planning Committee has organized a “Big City/Big Lights” Entertainment Gala in the Holiday Inn Grand Montana Atrium following the tourism awards. It will be a fun conclusion to the 30th annual gathering of Montana’s Tourism & Recreation partners.

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