Conference Wrap-Up & What’s Next | | |
Thank you to everyone who attended, sponsored, and exhibited at the 2025 MLHA Annual Conference & Trade Show! Your engagement made this year’s event one of our best yet—with packed sessions, inspiring speakers, and the largest trade show in years. Don't forget to check out Keynote Tim Lockie's AI for Anyone course, with a special discount code for members!
If you’d like copies of speaker slides or presentations, email Ella (ella@benchmarkpublicaffairs.com)!
Did you attend?
Please take a few minutes to complete our Conference Evaluation Survey and share your feedback. Your input helps us shape future events.
Special congratulations to our 2025 award winners:
| | Blain Birmingham, KONE, Allied Business Member of the Year | |
Brad Niva, Tourism Friend of the Year
| | |
Barb Rooney, Lodging Person of the Year
| Cathy Cullen-Kuhr, Sales & Marketing Person of the Year | | Virginia Boroughs, 'Heart of Hospitality' Front Line Team Member of the Year | |
We also celebrated the re-election of Stefan Cattarin, Jacob Klatt, and Steve Wahrlich to the MLHA Board. One board seat remains open, with an appointment announcement coming soon.
Bylaw updates were adopted during the conference, primarily a modernization and cleanup effort, establishing clearer rules for virtual meetings and other governance updates. For details, contact Peggy Trenk or Ella Currier.
| |
State offers up agritourism grants to give producers more options | Industry is growing, USDA says, as producers look for more revenue options with the state offering up grants to help out. | | | Big Sky Joins New York City, Palm Beach, Taos, in a New Wave of Luxury Hotels | Big Sky, Montana, is joining a prestigious list of cities such as New York City, Palm Beach, Taos, and Houston, all of which are paving the way for a brand-new wave of luxury hotels in US Hospitality industry. | | | Mike Nelson elected as next Mayor for Billings | |
Voters elect a new mayor and 6 new council members in Billings.
Mike Nelson is the owner of the Northern Hotel, and an MLHA Member!
| | | |
Commerce's Tourism Revolving Loan Fund Brings Revitalization and Jobs | The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that last year, $24 million in tourism loan funding was allocated to economic development organizations across the state to help grow local economies and create and retain jobs. | | | Commerce's Opportunities in Rural Economies Planning Grant Program Now Accepting Applications | The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that applications are now open for the planning grant segment of the Opportunities in Rural Economies Program suite. | | | 'It was a great run': Bozeman state Rep. Ed Stafman resigns from Legislature | |
"I served five years, and that was enough. I'm now in my 70s, it's time to make room for younger folks," Stafman said.
Rep. Stafman was a key ally of MLHA on STR Legislation during the 2025 Session.
| | | | |
|
Nationwide election results, courtesy of AHLA:
Citywide races
- New York City – In the nation’s most-watched race, New Yorkers elected the Democrats’ nominee, Zohran Mamdani, to be the next mayor over former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani, who ran as a democratic socialist, campaigned on proposals that emphasized affordability and climate action. Several of those proposals, including a $30 minimum wage and new taxes on high-income earners and businesses, will require action from the state legislature. Mamdani has also called for an increase in tourism funding and the appointment of a “tourism czar” to get the city ready for the FIFA World Cup.
- Boston – After easily winning the primary election in September, Mayor Michelle Wu ran unopposed in her reelection campaign in the City of Boston. All incumbent City Council members won reelection, and voters chose Democrat Miniard M. Culpepper to replace former Councilwoman Tania Fernandes Anderson, who was convicted on corruption charges earlier this year.
- Seattle – Votes are still being counted in Seattle, where community organizer Katie Wilson challenged incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell, a moderate Democrat. Since Washington state votes by mail, it may be several days before we know the winner of that race.
Statewide races
- New Jersey – New Jersey elected Mikie Sherrill (D) as governor by a 13-point margin over her Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli. Sherrill’s inauguration will leave a vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives, requiring a special election to fill that seat early next year.
- Virginia – Virginia’s next governor, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, won handily over her opponent, Winsome Earle-Sears. Spanberger becomes the first female governor of Virginia. Voters also elected Virginia State Senator Ghazala Hashmi (D) as Lieutenant Governor, and – in a race that drew nationwide attention – Jay Jones (D) defeated incumbent Jason Miyares (R) in the Attorney General’s race. Democrats gained 13 seats in the House of Delegates, securing the state’s blue trifecta.
| | | |
Host the 2026 MLHA Sales & Marketing Retreat!
Is your property ready to shine? MLHA is seeking a host location for the 2026 Sales & Marketing Retreat, scheduled to take place in late April or May. This annual event brings together marketing and sales professionals from across Montana’s lodging industry for networking, learning, and fresh ideas.
As host, your property will showcase its best hospitality—providing meeting space, lodging, and an opportunity to highlight your community through activities and excursions.
Proposals are due November 16, 2025. Hosts will present their proposals at the Sales & Marketing Council meeting during the MLHA Fall Conference in Missoula.
Interested in hosting? Contact Paula Ruark at paular@townpump.com for details and to submit your proposal.
| | Smith Travel Report: September Trends | | | |
Montana Overall: Occupancy declined to 71.6% (from 74.5% in September 2024), while ADR edged up to $186.70 (vs. $185.04). RevPAR fell -3.1% year-over-year, with softer demand weighing on overall performance.
Billings: Occupancy decreased to 63.3% (from 70.7%), and ADR decreased to $130.67 (from $140.25), resulting in a -16.6% decline in RevPAR. Total room revenue saw a significant pullback, reflecting one of the steepest declines among Montana markets.
Bozeman/Yellowstone: Occupancy dipped to 80.8% (from 81.4%), while ADR eased to $246.35 (vs. $252.18). RevPAR slipped -3.0%, showing stable rate strength but softer demand compared to last year.
Missoula: Occupancy edged down to 72.7% (from 75.4%), with ADR falling to $195.90 (vs. $208.89). RevPAR dropped -9.6%, marking a notable decline in both rate and demand.
Helena/Great Falls: Occupancy ticked down to 68.6% (from 69.0%), with ADR essentially flat at $135.56 (vs. $135.95). RevPAR declined -0.8%, reflecting generally steady but slightly softer conditions.
Butte: Occupancy fell to 67.2% (from 71.4%), while ADR increased to $130.98 (from $126.76). RevPAR decreased -2.8%, driven by lower occupancy despite higher rates.
Flathead/Glacier: Occupancy eased to 80.6% (from 81.1%), while ADR rose to $229.50 (from $219.99). RevPAR increased +3.6%, with strong rate growth more than offsetting softer occupancy.
| | Updates from the Montana Department of Commerce | | |
Commerce is currently accepting applications for the Opportunities in Rural Economies Planning Grant. Businesses and non-profits are eligible to apply. For more information, contact Program Specialist Kathy Bartlett at kathy.bartlett@mt.gov or 406-841-2792.
The Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 Loan Participation Program application portal for remaining Tranche Three funds will remain open until all available funds are fully obligated. Submissions will be reviewed in the order they are determined to be fully and properly completed. Upon completion of all required application materials, the application will be scored and reviewed by the loan review committee. All application determinations, approved or denied, will be promptly provided to the participating lenders. This process will continue until all funds have been committed to eligible businesses. Future opportunities will be supported through recycled SSBCI 2.0 funds as loans are repaid.
The Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 Loan Participation Program-Recycled Funds application is open and will remain so for the duration of the program, with capital availability contingent on repayments from existing borrowers. A list of participating lenders with funds for recycling can be found on the SSBCI webpage.
Native American Collateral Support Program funding available: The NACS Program is now accepting applications online, which can be found on the website under “Application Process.” Currently, $170,832 in cash funding is available. For more information, contact Program Specialist Chris Ryan at chris.ryan@mt.gov or 406-841-2594.
The 2026 Tribal Tourism Grant Program is open until Nov. 30. This program provides funding to support shovel-ready tourism projects led by the governing bodies of Montana's eight tribal nations. This competitive grant has $150,000 in available funding with a maximum award amount of $50,000 and a 50% match requirement. Past funded projects include tribally owned vacation rentals, rodeo grounds and pow wow arbor improvements as well as development of campgrounds with tipi rentals. For more information, contact doctribal@mt.gov.
The Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant is open until Nov. 30. With $240,000 in funding available in award amounts of up to $10,000 each, this competitive grant program provides funding to start or expand a tribal tourism business in one of five business categories:
- Native American Made in Montana producers or retailers, including pop-up vendors
- Food, beverage or grocery operations that are either mobile or brick-and-mortar locations
- Licensed outfitters or guides in the hunting or fishing industry
- Hosted accommodations, tours or experiences
- Businesses that support tribal tourism businesses and services
Eligible applicants must be 18 or older and enrolled citizens of a Montana tribal nation. For more information, email doctribal@mt.gov.
The Economic Impact and Destination Event Grant will accept applications Nov. 18 through Dec. 18. The purpose of the Destination Event Grant Program is to assist Montana’s communities with destination events and new events that will increase tourism, including regional, national and international visitors, promote Montana's unique attributes and generate additional community revenue.
| | | | |
