Community Process

Glacier Country's Destination Stewardship Strategy is a community-driven process. As the strategy is developed, hundreds of regional stakeholders from over 75+ communities in 8 counties will be actively included in the process through a variety of engagements including 1:1 interviews, tourism town hall meetings, resident and stakeholder surveys, and focus groups. If you are interested in learning more and being involved in the implementation of the strategy, please contact Racene Friede, President CEO at racene@glaciermt.com.

The objective is to engage the many diverse stakeholders who collectively comprise the tourism ecosystem in Glacier Country to identify and prioritize opportunities that will balance tourism growth with the long-term health and vibrancy of our communities.

Glacier Country Tourism's Board of Directors and Stewardship Steering Committee will take what we learn from our communities and create a long-term strategy that aligns with and complements existing community plans and initiatives. This strategic plan is about our communities and how we can work together toward common goals now and well into the future.

Will a cash card up to $500 when you register and attend a town hall meeting or take the resident and/or stakeholder survey. Click to read the Contest Terms & Conditions.

Engagement will include:

• Community Town Halls: We will conduct 16 facilitated sessions (8 in person and 8 virtual) with local residents to discuss gaps and opportunities with regards to Glacier Country’s tourism and visitor economy.
• Resident Survey: We have developed an online survey to identify and gauge residents’ perceptions on a variety of key characteristics with respect to livability, culture, economy and sense of place.
• Stakeholder Assessment: We will gather input through a stakeholder online survey that combines the most wide-ranging industry research available with stakeholder input, to provide destinations with strategies for sustainable growth.
• One-On-One Interviews: An interview guide will be developed with key questions for one-on-one consultations with key stakeholders.
• Focus Groups: These sessions will include a short presentation, followed by a highly interactive discussion on the key issues and opportunities for Glacier Country’s visitor economy. Focus groups may be allocated according to industry segments (e.g. Hotels and Accommodations; Arts, Culture and History; Restaurants and Culinary; etc.) or by geographical region.