TO: Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, Tourism Business Improvement District Board of Directors

CC: Convention and Visitors Bureau Meeting Notification List; Tourism Business Improvement District Meeting Notification List; Tourism Team

Great Falls Montana Tourism Board of Directors Meeting will be on Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM. If you simply cannot attend in person, RSVP below and our team will activate the zoom and send you a link.

Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 9 AM – 10:30 AM | University of Providence, McLaughlin Center, Providence Forum, 1415 20th Street South, Great Falls MT

9:00 | 1. Call to Order, Welcome, Introductions – Ron Korb, Jeff Shull

9:05 | 2. Public Comment – Ron Korb, Jeff Shull

Opportunity for public comment related to items on the agenda.

9:10 | 3. Consent Agenda – Ron Korb, Jeff Shull

Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors

a)     Approve 4-17-2025 Minutes

b)    Accept April Financials

Tourism Business Improvement District Board of Directors

a)     Approve 4-17-2025 Minutes

b)    Accept April Financials

9:15 | 4. Media and Creative Review – Heather Burcham and Stefanie Brown

9:35 | 5. FY25 Budget Amendment – Rebecca Engum

Tourism Business Improvement District Board of Directors approve/deny FY25 Budget Amendment.

9:40 | 6. East West Shrine Game Sponsorship – Rebecca Engum

Tourism Business Improvement District Board of Directors approve/deny up to $6,500 to sponsor East West Shrine Game.

9:45 | 7. Social Media Influencer – Rebecca Engum

Tourism Business Improvement District Board of Directors approve/deny up to $7,500 for Rachel Kawate visit.

9:55 | 8. Round Table Discussion: FY26 Media Tactics – Rebecca Engum

10:15 | 9. Executive Director Report – Rebecca Engum

10:25 | 10. Public Comment – Ron Korb, Jeff Shull

Opportunity for public comment related to Tourism in Great Falls, Montana.

10:30 | 11. Adjourn – Ron Korb, Jeff Shull

FINANCIALS

Convention and Visitors Bureau

I have no issues or concerns with the financials. There will be year end adjustments in the next month to bring the expenses in-line with budget.

Tourism Business Improvement District

I have no issues or concerns with the financials.

STAFF REPORTS

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT - Kali Jean Tuckerman

Kali Jean was in Colorado Springs at the end of April, wooing meeting planners about Great Falls, Montana! Kali Jean will follow up with each meeting planner to get RFPs (request for proposals) and secure some business for Great Falls. I met with 21 meeting planners ranging in all different sizes and coming from all different locations. Unfortunately, most of the prospects have been ranked a 1 in our pipeline which is the lowest rating for promise in coming to Great Falls.

The 2026 Montana Library Association‘s Annual Conference will be held in Great Falls from April 2 to 4, 2026. We are excited for the upcoming conference in Great Falls and look forward to collaborating with our local library to ensure they have a wonderful experience!

LinkedIn has gained 868 followers (90% of our goal)! We are now less than 100 away from our year-end goal of 966. Can you help us reach our goal? Invite your colleagues to follow Great Falls Montana Tourism.

Kali Jean met with one of our partner venues last month to discuss the possibility of using their bus as a shuttle service for meetings held at their facility while accommodating hotel rooms at different locations.. This shuttle service would be a huge asset and would potentially help us land some meetings we couldn’t have landed without it.

The Montana Meat Processing Association has chosen another city for their 2026 Annual Meeting. We will try again in the future, but their dates conflict with other events going on in Great Falls and they can only meet at certain facilities.

April’s Get It in Great Falls newsletter has a 41% open rate after only a day. This newsletter provides meeting leads to our venues to follow-up with and land for themselves.

MARKETING REPORT - Shannon Newth and Rebecca Engum

Our YouTube subscribers increased by 1.5%

Facebook followers increased by 0.8%, and Instagram followers increased by .6% since our last board meeting. Weekly impressions averaged 24,812 over the last month.

Facebook followers are comprised of 70% women and 30% men. The top five cities followers are from are: Great Falls, Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Edmonton.

Instagram followers are 64% women, and 36% men from Great Falls, Missoula, Billings, Helena, and Calgary. 

Since our last meeting, the top five cities people who visited our website from were: Calgary, Lethbridge, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Airdrie, AB. 

So far this year, Great Falls Montana Tourism has spent over $201,000 on paid media that has generated 50 million impressions and a reach of over 8 million. The click-through rate for all campaigns is 2.13%.

EVENT REPORT - Liz Lauver

I've made progress on preparations for our upcoming holiday programming. I met with potential partners and secured Anaconda Hill Golf Course as the location for our Christmas light path. A partner has signed on to provide complimentary refreshments at the event each weekend. A committee is currently being formed to assist with logistics and planning for the three key Christmas events:

1. Christmas Light Path. The coordination of setting up an elaborate light displays along a walking path.
2. Home Tours. Onboarding of homeowners who will decorate the interiors of their homes for public Christmas tours.
3. Hotel Decor. Harkening back to the 1950's, work with local hotels to create holiday wonder in their lobby for picture perfect visits.

The Great Beyond Film Festival is being planned for February and will highlight films centered on aliens, paranormal phenomena, and cryptids. I've assembled a committee of four advisors and actively engaging with potential partners to host and teach filmmaking workshops as part of the event.

I'm building the planning committee for Rhythm & Rumble with one member so far. I'm in communication with a talent booking agency to help secure performers and continues to pursue potential sponsors.