🎄 Ho, ho, hold onto your sleigh bells, because it’s that magical time of year again! This holiday season, RMI has been bustling with excitement like Santa's workshop, and we can’t wait to unwrap all the delightful details with you. From productive networking and travel to festive holiday events, our commitment to our clients and community is as bright as a Christmas tree. Join us in this merry adventure, and let’s make this season one to remember together! 🎉✨ | |
CLIENT UPDATES & PARTNERSHIPS | |
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We are so excited to welcome the North Idaho Tourism Alliance (NITA) as the newest Great American West Partner!
NITA is devoted to getting the word out about the incredible visitor experiences possible in the five counties of northern Idaho. As a collaboration between the visitor bureaus and chambers of commerce of northern Idaho’s principal communities, NITA seeks to publicize and market North Idaho as a travel and convention destination, with a primary focus on promoting overnight visitation in the region.
The alliance consists of 12 organizations representing: Bonners Ferry, Coeur d’Alene, Harrison, Hayden, Post Falls, Priest Lake, Priest River, Sandpoint, Silver Valley, Spirit Lake, St. Maries and Wallace.
We look forward to welcoming NITA Vice Chair Aaron Nelson to his first IRU this spring in Rapid City, South Dakota!
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WHAT IS EXPLORE MINNESOTA UP TO? | | |
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Minnesota has had an exciting 2024! With Governor Tim Walz undergoing a run for vice president, the Star of the North has certainly been in the spotlight. On the international front, we have been happy to work with Jen Schak – the new Explore Minnesota market development manager – on launching an extensive marketing plan focused on raising consumer awareness and inspiration in five key international markets. And with the announcement of Delta launching a new direct flight to Minneapolis from Rome in May 2025, we’ve got our sights set on Italy for some exciting new promotional campaigns.
Lori and Elvira plan to attend the upcoming Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference in February in beautiful Minneapolis. This annual event is tailored specifically for the Minnesota tourism industry and features national keynote speakers, topical breakout sessions, networking opportunities and plenty of fresh and actionable ideas.
RMI would like to recognize Cheryl Offerman as she prepares to retire from Explore Minnesota at the end of 2024. Cheryl was instrumental in re-launching Minnesota’s international marketing program, and RMI has appreciated her leadership, guidance and exceptional Minnesota knowledge as we worked together to promote this great state around the world. Best wishes and congratulations on a fantastic career!
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DID YOU KNOW: Explore Minnesota Edition | | |
- Minnesota is the birthplace of the Post-it note, rollerblades and waterskiing, among other notable inventions.
- The Mall of America in Bloomington is big enough to hold 32 Boeing 747 airplanes!
- There are 69,200 miles of rivers and streams in Minnesota. That’s enough to circle the equator 2.75 times!
- The Los Angeles Lakers basketball team is called the “Lakers” because they were originally from Minnesota – the land of lakes!
- On average, Minnesota has one recreational boat per every six state residents.
- Famous Minnesotans include:
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Ann Bancroft, explorer: The first woman to cross the ice to both the North Pole (1986 by dogsled) and South Pole (1993 by skis)
- Bob Dylan, singer/songwriter: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee; Grammy, Oscar and Nobel Prize winner
- Judy Garland, actress/singer: Played Dorothy in the movie "The Wizard of Oz"
- Charles A. Lindbergh Jr., pilot: The first person to fly alone over the Atlantic Ocean (1927)
- Prince (Rogers Nelson), singer/songwriter/actor: Grammy Award winner, Oscar for Best Soundtrack; known for his movie "Purple Rain"
- Charles Schulz, cartoonist: Creator of the “Peanuts” series
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Good news for tourism: Total state tourism budgets grew by 7% from FY22-23 to FY23-24! That’s a rise from $1.74 billion to $1.87 billion. Read more here. | | |
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Mathias and Alyssa attended the 2024 Wyoming Fall Hospitality and Tourism Summit in beautiful Laramie, home of the Wyoming Cowboys. The RMI team was able to network, exchange ideas, and connect with home-state industry peers while learning the latest trends in Wyoming tourism. Go Pokes! | | |
The annual Great American West Mid-Year Meeting was held on November 7 in lovely Rapid City, South Dakota. It was a highly effective meeting with all state delegates, directors and representatives in attendance to discuss high-level planning, reinforce the bonds of the strong four-state cooperative and build off the program's strong momentum. | |
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Kim and Alyssa are currently on a Great American West Sales Mission with representatives from the four states. The group visited Nice and Paris, France, followed by a transfer under the water to London. The mission includes visits with tour operators and media outlets from both markets as the trip is designed to enhance the knowledge of these outlets to inspire the consumer to travel and inform international tour operators about our region and new offerings, with the goal of driving increased bookings and overnights. | |
IRU 2025 is already a winner – and the event is still months away! Visit Rapid City is pulling out all the stops and is putting together an amazing program to showcase the highlights of this vibrant community, including Mount Rushmore, the Dahl Fine Arts Center, The Park for an all-American good time, Firehouse Brewing and rodeo at The Fairgrounds, to name just a few. Elvira is in Rapid City this week to meet with the planning team and take in some of the sights herself. | |
- Throughout the early autumn, Mathias and Kim were busy visiting the Great American West partners in Boise, Bismarck, Pierre and Cheyenne. They were able to catch up with the state tourism team in each capital city with the initiative to reinforce relationships and discuss goals, opportunities and strategies. It was fun and enlightening to have the opportunity for one-on-one discussions and to map out the future with our longest-standing client.
- On October 9, Kim and Mathias attended the North Dakota Travel Industry Marketing Summit, where Mathias presented as a guest speaker. He discussed tips on cooperative marketing, partnerships and increasing length of stay in North Dakota destinations. This annual free event brings together North Dakota travel and tourism businesses, agencies and organizations to hear the North Dakota Tourism Division present the 2025 Media Plan, research and insights, and cooperative programs. It was a unique chance for Kim and Mathias to connect with North Dakota partners in a world-class venue at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum. They even had the opportunity to induct outgoing Governor Doug Burgum into the exclusive Buckle Club. Thank you for your commitment to North Dakota Tourism!
- Kim attended Idaho’s Conference on Recreation and Tourism in Garden City October 22-23. Having the chance to reconnect with industry colleagues and learn more about the state’s new developments as well as gain more insight into all of the impactful vendors and opportunities available was truly an invaluable experience.
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- Evan will travel to Pierre January 21-23 to attend the South Dakota Tourism Conference.
- Mathias, Alyssa and Lori will represent RMI January 26-28 at the Wyoming Governor's Tourism Convention in our home city of Cheyenne.
- Elvira and Lori will attend the Minnesota Tourism Conference in Minneapolis February 18-19.
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- RMI recently supported the National Association of Chiefs of Police Family Fund for Paralyzed & Disabled Police Officers. This organization helps assist families whose loved ones have been injured in the line of duty. We are thankful for those heroes who sacrifice and put their lives on the line to help protect our communities.
- Our team came together this holiday season and donated food items as well as coats and winter gear to those in need in our communities. We are truly grateful to be able to spread some joy and help those who need it!
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Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization, added four senior-level hires to join new President and CEO Fred Dixon’s staff. We look forward to working with these new team members! Read more here. | |
STAFF UPDATES & ANNOUNCEMENTS | | |
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Elvira has been elevated to Director of Events and Special Projects! Elvira absolutely deserves this recognition for the value she’s brought to RMI through her event management experience, diligence and expertise. In her short tenure, IRU has been taken to another level. She’s built trust with the RMI team and clients through tenacious hard work, leadership and dedication. She will continue to drive us forward, and we're so happy to have her on our team. Congrats, Elvira! | | |
If you've been in downtown Cheyenne recently, you may have noticed the sixth floor of the Boyd Building festively lit up for the holidays ... and you might have even spotted the Grinch trying to steal our lights! Ashlie led the charge to bring Christmas cheer to the office and entered us in the Downtown Window Display Contest along with 29 other downtown businesses. We hope to make it to the Top 5, but either way, we all enjoyed the bright lights and festive decorations! | |
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RMI
1720 Carey Ave. #600
Cheyenne, WY 82001
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