Montana
Chamber of Commerce to Celebrate
National Travel & Tourism Week
Travel and tourism are one of Montana’s primary industries and the leading service export for the Treasure State. In celebration of National Travel & Tourism week, the Inaugural “Convergence” will recognize the critical role travel and tourism play in stimulating economic growth, cultivating diverse communities, creating fresh job opportunities and inspiring new businesses in Montana. As an important economic driver for Montana tourism, we will highlight the role film and outdoor recreation play as vehicles to harness the power of place.
And nearly one year following the 500-year historic flooding in the Greater Yellowstone, we will celebrate the recovery and resilience of America’s first National Park–Yellowstone, and its economically dependent Gateway Communities, including Livingston, Gardiner, Cooke City/Silver Gate, and West Yellowstone. The Montana Chamber will lend its voice to promoting these industries along with the Department of Commerce | Brand MT, Media Coalition of Montana, Alaska Airlines and Paramount, Montana Travel Association, Voices of Montana Tourism, and the state’s Tourism Regions and local Chambers/CVBs. EVENT HIGHLIGHTS (Details and registration available here):
THURSDAY, MAY 11
Harnessing the Power of Place as an Economic Driver: Tourism’s Intersection with the Film and Outdoor Recreation Industries
- Moderated Fireside Chat with Tourism, Film and Outdoor Recreation Industry Representatives 1:00 PM – Yellowstone Valley Lodge & Grill, Owl’s Rest Event Barn, Paradise Valley
- Learn about the role of Montana’s outdoor recreation offering in driving travel and tourism, film and business interest, from key industry representatives.
- Tour & Talk at the Yellowstone Film Ranch 3:30 – 5:00 PM – Yellowstone Film Ranch, Paradise Valley
Hear from media manufacturing and film production industry business leaders about how the MEDIA film tax credit makes Montana more competitive, creates jobs, provides workforce training/education, and contributes to community development.
FRIDAY, MAY 12
Recovery and Resiliency in the Greater Yellowstone
- Tour & Talk in Yellowstone National Park 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM- Bus departs from Gardiner Chamber of Commerce; Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Conference Area
Hear the amazing story of recovery and resiliency in the Greater Yellowstone from Superintendent Cameron “Cam” Sholly, Deputy Superintendent Mike Tranel, and Chief of Facility Management and Operations, Duane Bubac following an interpretive tour of the newly constructed road between Gardiner and Mammoth on the shuttle ride.
- 10:00 AM – Community Connection event at Gardiner Chamber of Commerce
- 10:30 AM – Shuttles Depart from Gardiner Chamber of Commerce
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Talk with Q&A at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Conference Area
- 12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch
- 1:00 – 4:00 PM- Tours of the Lamar Valley will be offered separately for anyone interested
Submitted By Lyndsey Medsker
DPHHS to Discontinue COVID-19
Dashboards in May
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced today that with the federal Public Health Emergency ending on May 11, the agency plans to discontinue the weekly updates to the COVID-19 case tracking and vaccine dashboards.
The last update to the dashboards will take place on May 5, and they will subsequently no longer be available online after July 14.
In addition, DPHHS will no longer publish the monthly COVID-19 Monthly Epi Profile and vaccination reports, and the weekly demographic table reports that are posted here. May 5 will be the last time these reports will be updated.
However, going forward, DPHHS will continue to work with local public health and Tribal health agencies to conduct routine surveillance for COVID-19 cases and outbreaks, as with any reportable condition. In addition, relevant COVID-19 information will still be available on the DPHHS website here.
COVID-19 data for Montana will still be available on CDC’s COVID Data Tracker website, which includes:
COVID case, hospitalization, death, and vaccination data: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=Montana&data-type=Cases
Variants and Genomic Surveillance: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions
COVID wastewater surveillance data: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#wastewater-surveillance
Campground Update-Rexford/Fortine Ranger Districts
Rexford Bench Campground will be open and offering all amenities starting Friday, April 28. This site has both first come, first serve, and reservable sites. Reservations can be made at https://www.recreation.gov/.
North Dickey Lake Campground is currently available for camping free of charge. By Friday, May 12, the campground will be offering all amenities and charging. This site has both first come, first serve, and reservable sites. Reservations can be made at https://www.recreation.gov/
Rocky Gorge and Peck Gulch Campgrounds are currently available for camping free of charge with vault toilets and garbage offered. Due to low water, no docks are in, but the boat launches are both available. Starting Friday, May 19 both campgrounds will be open for the season and charging.
For more information contact Eureka Ranger Station at 406-296-2536.
Courtesy of U.S. Forest Service– Kootenai National Forest