From Jackson Hole to Australia and Back Again!

By: Kent Elliott, Destination Sales Manager

My heavy travel season is winding down and I'd like to thank all of the partners who participated in the Travel Trade Shows over the past nine months.

I'm just returning from Australia, the #1 international skier market to the Jackson area, where we sponsored participation in two ski shows accompanied by representatives from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Hotel/Grand View Lodge, and Teton Mountain Lodge/Hotel Terra. Along with the shows, JHMR arranged many appointments with tour operators who book our area.

It is important that the operators become more familiar with all of the offerings that our destination provides. The participation and monetary commitment to travel from our partners has helped to show the market that our destination appreciates their business.

Competitors from Colorado, Utah, Montana, and beyond were at the Australian shows to sell their destinations. I'm very proud that our team of representatives worked together to set us apart by portraying Jackson Hole as the multifaceted destination it is.

It has been gratifying to hear from several local businesses who thanked me for successful efforts to attract tourists in early May (even when the parks weren't open). These results are the proceeds from more than two years of coordinated efforts from all of the partners promoting the destination we call Jackson Hole with the support of our Lodging Tax.

I'll be happy to spend more time in town and I'd like to thank my wife and daughter for understanding the extensive amount of travel that keeps me away.

We're already planning for the next round of promotions. Would you like information about how your business can participate? Look for communications coming soon or contact me directly at 307.201.2305 or kent@jacksonholechamber.com.

Kent is pictured second from right with the Jackson Hole team.

Lodging Tax Report Updated to Add Value for Members

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is transitioning the way we report lodging tax revenues in order to provide more relevant tools for our members.

The state has provided data based on the month in which lodging taxes are assessed and, after compiling it, we have created a new reporting tool so that we can have a better understanding of the economic activity inside of given months. We will be able to see the impacts of promotions, events, natural disasters, PR, and many other potentially causal activities that impact our tourism economy.  This data will also be useful in benchmarking the new tool we rolled out two months ago: DestiMetrics.

For complete information, please visit www.jacksonholechamber.com/tourismforecast.

Jackson Hole Community Resource Center: Thank You!

Congratulations to the Community Resource Center for hosting a successful fundraiser for the employees and residents affected by the Budge Drive landslide. More than 400 people attended the event.

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce was pleased to participate and would like to recognize contributions from community partners. Center Management, Inc. provided the Snow King Sports & Events Center, Osprey Beverage and Snake River Brewing provided beer, Bubba's Barbecue provided dinner, Maw Band provided the music, and Hughes Production provided the sound equipment and stage. More than 200 silent auction items were donated.

Although immediate danger has subsided, donations are still being accepted for employees and residents who were displaced. For more information, please contact Jennifer Lee, Community Resource Center Director of Development and Marketing, 307.739.4500 or jennifer@crcjh.org. Visit www.CRCJH.org to make donations online.

Jackson Hole Receives Honors at Inaugural Awards Dinner

Chamber Partnership and Governor Mead Recognize Contributions

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Board Chair Scott Anderson, Director of Visitor Services Rick Howe, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort were honored at the Wyoming Chamber Partnership Inaugural Awards on April 24. Governor Matt Mead presented the keynote address.

Scott Anderson was named "Best Board Member" for his leadership, including his work with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and his commitment to help ensure a smooth transition during the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce CEO hiring process.

Rick Howe was named "Best Chamber Employee" for demonstrating a commitment to boosting Jackson's economy through programs like Great Until Late and American Express Small Business Saturday. His quick-thinking ingenuity was displayed when he opened a remote visitor center to help travelers affected by the government shutdown of 2013.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort was named "Best Business Member" for their commitment to sustainable business practices, which was recognized with the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce Green-to-Green award, and for their strong partnership with the with the local business community, which was on display when they collaborated with the Chamber to host the SKI Magazine #1 Resort celebration on Town Square.

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is also thrilled to announce the organization's nominee for "Chamber Director of the Year," Scott Baylo with the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce, was recognized. Scott’s decisive action to open Yellowstone National Park in the spring of 2013 showed strong leadership and a spirit of collaboration as he worked with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Wyoming Office of Tourism, the National Park Service, and the State of Wyoming.

Awards were also presented Elizabeth Hunt of the Rawlins Chamber of Commerce for "Best Chamber Employee" and the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce for "Best Website."

 

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

 

Rick Howe

 

Scott Anderson

For more information about the Wyoming Chamber Partnership, please visit http://wyomingchambers.com/. For more information about the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, please contact Jeff Golightly, President/CEO, jeff@jacksonholechamber.com or 307.733.3316.

Photo Credit: http://www.lannawingphotography.com/