CLIENT SPOTLIGHT!

CLIENT UPDATES

RMI TRAVEL

The Great American West executed a week-long sales mission to Australia to gather major market and company updates and provide in-depth education to key trade and media contacts about the travel experiences available across the states of Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. The sales mission included a combination of in-office staff trainings with key trade, including product managers and tour operators as well as front-line travel agents, and workshop-style training events with both trade and media professionals across the cities of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney, generating the region 70 qualified leads for future travel development. Major players in this market to know are Flight Centre and Helloworld – both of whom we had the opportunity to meet with. The former is Australia’s largest leisure brand, operating with over 400 brick and mortar store locations throughout Australia, while the latter has expanded its operations to include over 2,400 travel advisors across Australia and New Zealand. 

The North Dakota Travel Industry Conference took place in the charming city of Minot, North Dakota, on April 28-30. RMI was a breakout exhibitor sponsor, highlighting our company and GAW client on the main stage before a break in the day.  

Mathias and Kim headed to New Mexico to represent RMI at the NMTC for the first time, with Kim presenting "International Tourism 101" to a large group of interested DMOs at one of their main breakout sessions. RMI shared the stage with Brand USA in an effort to support the state’s efforts in expanding their presence in the international marketplace after taking a pause for nearly two decades via sharing introductory educational information and industry resources.  

Mathias and Scott attended U.S. Travel's IPW in Chicago June 15-18! In addition to catching up with many partners, clients and old friends in person, they helped the Great American West region welcome 250 guests to the annual and much-anticipated Buckle Club Celebration. They're already looking forward to next year!

• Mathias will attend the 2025 Arizona Governor’s Conference on Tourism (GCOT) in Phoenix July 16-18. As the premier education and information-sharing event in Arizona for travel professionals and destination marketings, GCOT provides attendees the opportunity to exchange ideas with peers, learn from expert panelists, draw inspiration from nationally renowned speakers, and discover cutting-edge products and services. If you're attending, be sure to look Mathias up!

COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIPS & 12 MONTHS OF GIVING

Community Sponsorships:

• RMI is proud to sponsor youth baseball and adult softball and basketball in Cheyenne this summer season!
• Adult Rec Softball sponsorship: Both Lori and Alyssa are playing women’s league rec softball this summer, but only Alyssa is hitting dingers. 😉  
• Cheyenne Junior League sponsorship: Ivan (Mathias’ son) and Breckan (Ashlie’s son) are teaming up on the Royals with RMI sponsoring their 12U CJL team. Go Royals! 
• Adult Rec Basketball sponsorship: Mathias is getting his jumpman on with some rec basketball. We’ll see if he makes it out unscathed.  
• RMI was a Stagecoach Sponsor at the 29th annual Wyoming Brewers Festival this Father's Day weekend. Proceeds from the Brew Fest go directly into preserving the Historic Cheyenne Union Pacific Depot, a cornerstone of Downtown Cheyenne. A good cause and some delicious beer – sounds like a win-win to us!

12 Months of Giving:  

• April – Cheyenne Animal Shelter (Evan): The Cheyenne-based RMI team spent a morning volunteering at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter doing spring cleaning duties such as dishwashing, trash pick-up around the perimeter of the property and outdoor kennel cleanout. The shelter also offers a “Doggie Day Out” program which allows folks in the community to take a pup out of the shelter for a walk, run, hike or simply enjoy a pup cup from Starbucks together. If you are interested in volunteering, click here. 
• May – Cheyenne Day of Giving (Team): This May marked the 20th Annual Cheyenne Day of Giving, a powerful community event dedicated to helping those in need. RMI was proud to support this important cause with a monetary donation, which goes directly to local charities and agencies, including organizations like St. Joseph’s Food Pantry, COMEA, Needs Inc. and the Boys & Girls Club of Cheyenne. The event is held annually each year, but fundraising happens year-round to assist agencies throughout the year. The 21st Annual Cheyenne Day of Giving will take place on May 8, 2026! 
• June – Rooted In Cheyenne (Nicole): Lori and Nicole spent a morning volunteering their time planting trees throughout neighborhoods in town with Rooted in Cheyenne. RIC is a tree planting program that helps support a more diverse and resilient urban canopy and cultivate greener, healthier, more livable neighborhoods. If you are in the Cheyenne city limits, you may be eligible to purchase up to two trees per planting to be planted in the public right-of-way during fall or spring planting days. To volunteer or apply for a tree, click here.  

INDUSTRY UPDATES

With tariffs and political rhetoric dominating the news, international arrivals to the U.S. have been closely watched for signs of a downturn. Recent data, however, suggests that year-to-date numbers are more promising than expected. 

• According to the International Trade Association, the top 20 overseas markets to the U.S. are up 0.4% through April this year. International markets of interest to RMI clients are mixed: 

- UK: +2.7% 

- Germany: -7.1% 

- France: -8.3% 

- Italy: +9.9% 

- Netherlands: -2% 

- Australia: -0.2% 

•  Overall, Western European markets are down less than 1% year-to-date. 

VUSA Updates: 

The Visit USA Committee stresses that political developments have rarely had long-term effects on the tourism industry, and that the U.S. remains a popular destination overall. From a travel perspective, nothing has changed compared to last year, and there are still many reasons to visit the United States: 

• Entry requirements remain the same as last year, except for the change to stating gender information for trans and non-binary travelers. 
• The cities, natural landscapes and cultural offerings are as exciting and fascinating as ever. 
• Travelers can look forward to museums, music, cuisine and everything else that makes the U.S. a top destination. 
• Americans continue to be warm and hospitable people. 
• Travel can build bridges, and in the current situation, these bridges may be even more important than usual. Every trip offers opportunities for exchange and sharing views. 
• Read more here

Brand USA Updates:

• Exchange rates are becoming more favorable to make travel to the U.S. more affordable. The Euro gained 10% YTD against the dollar.  
• Air capacity is up 4%. 
• Overseas arrivals grew +8% YOY. 
• Canada remains the largest market affected, with -6% of air arrivals YOY and -27% car trips. Mexico, on the other hand, is up 36% for air arrivals and up 1% for car trips. 
• Read more here

With the key summer and fall travel seasons still to come, RMI will continue to closely watch the U.S. arrival trends on our Industry Updates page.

STAFF UPDATES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Stacey Sheetz joins RMI after over 10 years at Capital Region USA, a consortium of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. As Project Development & Events Manager, Stacey will manage IRU as well as help coordinate RMI’s participation at other events including state tourism conferences. Stacey brings a wealth of international tourism marketing and events experience. We're so excited to have her; please welcome her to the team!

Evan will be transitioning to focus more on the data and research side of RMI as Data Manager & Marketing Specialist! After working on the RMI TRIP Report™ and database for over a year, it’s time for him to step into a leadership role for all the data that comes through RMI during the year. Outside of data and research, Evan will still maintain a role in the GAW through managing the partner program as well as being a helping hand wherever needed. 

Kim will transition from leading the Great American West cooperative into a role based around growing and leading new programs for the company. She’s excited to step in and lead some of the company’s new initiatives and further RMI’s business development. 

Lori has been accepted into the 2025 Wyoming Academy program, a collaboration between Leadership Wyoming and the Wyoming Business Council. The Wyoming Academy is designed to connect and grow leaders who are building resilient communities in Wyoming. The program includes four in-person sessions across Wyoming, highlighting both large and small communities. Lori is excited to network with other Wyoming leaders and focus on improving our beautiful state! 

MISC.

Alyssa just returned from a road trip through Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California and Utah with 3,000+ miles driven, 50 hours in the car and a sparkly new engagement ring! Aside the surprise beach proposal, highlights included meeting some future in-laws, breakfast at the Tillamook Creamery in Oregon, Crater Lake and Redwood National Parks, lighthouses, natural hot springs and lots of miles hiked. Big congrats to Alyssa and her future husband!

RMI has officially been “Getting There Together” for 35 years! The company was founded in 1990 and has been honored to serve alongside dozens of national, state and community destinations and organizations. Read more about our origin story, growth and future goals here. 

BLOG POSTS

Missed the last post? RMI Director of Global Programs Kim Snape dropped some knowledge on how to build a winning project strategy and stay organized like a pro.

Looking ahead: New RMI staffer and VP of Marketing Scott Balyo will offer some insight on the power of partnerships and why destinations are stronger together.