The new fiscal year is off to a strong start as we continue developing business for Western Montana across our three key B2B markets: meetings and conventions, international travel trade, and domestic group tours.
The meetings and conventions market stayed active, with 25 RFPs answered across July, August and September, representing more than $9.7 million in potential economic impact for the region. As always, we support planners with timely destination information, local connections, and logistical insight, from small board retreats to larger conferences.
On the domestic group tour side, we hosted Tauck Tours on a site visit for a proposed motorcoach series through the region, beginning in 2028. This will be a new multiday tour product running through Western Montana with weekly departures throughout the summer months. We continue working with tour operators, refining existing motorcoach itineraries and building new ones as demand for Western Montana grows.
Our international travel trade work continues beyond the major trade shows. Following our spring participation at Go West Summit and IPW, we have continued to follow up with international tour operators and receptive operators, helping connect them with Western Montana businesses and experiences.
As we move through FY27, our focus remains on qualified business opportunities and relationships that can translate into visitation and economic impact for communities throughout Western Montana. We are continuing to carefully evaluate trade shows, media opportunities, FAM tours and other investments. We appreciate your partnership in helping bring these opportunities to life. If you'd like to learn more about how your business can engage with these markets, reach out
Summer 2026 Update
The fourth quarter was busy as we continued promoting Western Montana’s Glacier Country across our key B2B markets: meetings and conventions, international FIT (foreign independent travelers) and domestic group tours.
Director of Sales Debbie Picard represented the region at two major international travel trade events this quarter. Go West Summit took place in Las Vegas in April, followed by IPW in Fort Lauderdale in May. Both events provided valuable opportunities to connect with international tour operators and U.S. receptive partners who package and sell travel experiences throughout the United States.
Many of the tour operators we met with were preparing for the influx of visitors arriving for the FIFA World Cup. The tournament brought millions of international travelers to the U.S., many of whom returned home with firsthand stories, photos and experiences that no marketing campaign can replicate. We are optimistic that this exposure will continue to build interest in the American West and drive future visitation to destinations like Western Montana.
On the domestic side, we hosted several product developers throughout the region, including companies exploring Montana for the first time as demand for western destinations continues to grow. Operators are refining existing motorcoach itineraries and developing new programs as tourism experiences and visitor offerings continue to expand across Western Montana.
The meetings and events market experienced a slower quarter, but activity remained steady. We responded to 15 meeting and conference RFPs and secured a definite booking in Missoula. Our team continues to support meeting planners with timely destination information, local connections and logistical expertise. From executive retreats and board meetings to conferences and training programs, we are helping position Western Montana as both an inspiring and practical destination for group business.
Thank you for your continued partnership in helping bring these opportunities to life. If you would like to learn more about engaging with the meetings, travel trade or group tour markets, please contact Debbie Picard at debbie@glaciermt.com.
Spring 2026 Update
It’s been a strong and steady quarter as we continue promoting Western Montana’s Glacier Country across our key B2B markets—meetings and conventions, international FIT and domestic group tours.
In March, our Director of Sales, Debbie Picard, represented the region at Go West Summit in Las Vegas, meeting one-on-one with international tour operators and U.S. receptive partners. While international travel to the U.S. is currently trending down—with forecasts showing a flat outlook into 2026—interest in iconic experiences like national parks remains high. These conversations are key to keeping Western Montana in the mix as operators plan future itineraries.
On the domestic side, we’re seeing continued momentum with group tour planners. Operators are actively refining existing motorcoach itineraries and building new ones, with several new companies exploring Montana for the first time as demand for Western destinations grows.
In the meetings and events market, we responded to 21 RFPs this quarter, supporting planners with timely information, local connections and logistical insight. From small board retreats to larger conferences, we’re helping position the region as both inspiring and practical for group business.
We appreciate your partnership in helping bring these opportunities to life. If you’d like to learn more about how your business can engage with these markets, reach out to Debbie at debbie@glaciermt.com.
Winter 2026 Update
Demand from meetings and conventions, international FIT and domestic group tour markets remains strong for Western Montana’s Glacier Country.
Northstar’s Small and Boutique Meetings, Ogden, UT
In October, our Director of Sales, Debbie Picard, represented the region in Park City, UT, at Northstar’s Small and Boutique Meetings, showcasing Western Montana to meeting planners seeking smaller destinations for board retreats, trainings and boutique meetings.
In November, Debbie traveled to NTA Travel Exchange in Ottawa, Canada, to connect one-on-one with domestic and international motorcoach tour operators. Demand for soft adventure and U.S. National Parks remains strong; however, Canadian tour operators say demand for the U.S. isn’t likely to return for another three years.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior has announced a new policy affecting international visitation to all U.S. national parks beginning January 2026. Under this policy, international visitors have the option to purchase a non-U.S. resident America the Beautiful pass for $250, which grants access to all national parks, or pay a $100 per-person surcharge to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, including Glacier National Park. It remains to be seen how this will affect international visitation.
If you’d like to learn more about how your business can connect with these markets, reach out to Debbie at debbie@glaciermt.com
Fall 2025 Update
The meetings and conventions, international FIT and domestic group tour markets continue to expand for Western Montana’s Glacier Country.
In June, our Director of Sales, Debbie Picard, represented the region at IPW in Chicago—the largest international travel trade show in the U.S. Montana’s double booth created strong visibility, allowing Debbie and partners to connect one-on-one with international tour operators and U.S. receptive operators. Demand for national parks and surrounding communities remains steady in mature markets like Europe, with exciting growth emerging from India and other developing markets.
That same month, Debbie traveled to San Antonio for Cvent Connect, joined by CVB representatives from Missoula, Kalispell and Whitefish. Together, they showcased Western Montana to meeting planners seeking destinations for board retreats, trainings, conferences and other gatherings. All leads for these trade shows are accessible on our Partner Center.
Meanwhile, summer brought a steady flow of domestic group tours into the region. From small-van excursions to full motorcoach itineraries, planners continue to select Western Montana for its memorable experiences and unique landscapes.
We greatly appreciate your partnership in helping make these efforts successful. If you’d like to learn more about how your business can connect with these markets, reach out to Debbie at debbie@glaciermt.com.
Spring 2025 Update
It’s been a busy and productive quarter as we continue to promote Western Montana’s Glacier Country across key business-to-business (B2B) markets: Meetings and conventions, International FIT and Domestic Group Tours.
In January and February, our Director of Sales, Debbie Picard, represented the region at two major international travel trade events—Go West Summit in Palm Springs and IITA Summit in Salt Lake City. She met one-on-one with international tour operators and U.S. receptive operators, positioning our destination as a top choice for their clients. Interest in national parks and surrounding communities remains strong, with steady demand from mature markets, like Europe, and exciting growth from emerging markets, like India.
February also brought us to ABA Marketplace in Philadelphia, where we connected with domestic group tour planners and worked on creating new or refined older motorcoach itineraries that showcase Western Montana’s unique experiences.
On the meetings and events side, we responded to six RFPs this quarter. We continue to support planners with the information and connections they need to choose our region for board retreats, trainings, conferences and more.
We truly value your partnership in helping make these efforts successful. If you want to learn more about how your business can benefit from these markets, please contact Debbie at debbie@glaciermt.com.
Director of Sales Debbie Picard networking at IITA.
Winter 2025 Update
It's been a busy quarter as we continue to promote Western Montana's Glacier Country across various business-to-business (B2B) markets.
In October, we partnered with Discover Kalispell and Southwest Adventure Tours to host 12 travel agents from across the U.S. for an unforgettable familiarization tour. The group arrived in Missoula and spent four immersive days exploring Western Montana before departing from Kalispell. For most attendees, this was their first visit to Montana, and they left eager to share their experiences and newfound knowledge with their clients.
In December, our Director of Sales, Debbie Picard, represented Western Montana’s Glacier Country at Smart Meetings in Phoenix, AZ, where she connected with meeting planners to highlight our region as a premier destination for board retreats, conferences and events. Debbie also responded to 15 requests for proposal (RFPs) this quarter, ensuring planners have the resources to choose Western Montana for their next meeting or event.
We continue to build strong relationships with international tour operators through our B2B blogs and newsletters and by providing updates and insights on the planned timed-entry vehicle reservation system for Glacier National Park in 2025.
We value your partnership and look forward to collaborating further. For more information on how your business can benefit from these markets, please contact Debbie at debbie@glaciermt.com.
Fall 2024 Update
Debbie Picard, our Director of Sales, has been actively showcasing Western Montana as a premier destination for retreats, meetings and events. In July, she attended Meetings Today LIVE in Boise, Idaho, where she connected with meeting planners, many of whom were unfamiliar with the Mountain West and were exploring destinations like Boise for future meetings. Additionally, Debbie responded to a dozen requests for proposal (RFPs) this quarter. We're also pleased to announce that Western Montana’s Glacier Country was nominated for Prevue’s 2024 Visionary Award.
The demand for domestic group tours in Western Montana remains strong, with July through September marking the peak of the motorcoach tour season. While we aim to provide itinerary assistance in advance, this year saw an increase in last-minute requests from tour operators needing support while on the ground. We're committed to ensuring these tours run smoothly and providing referrals to our Glacier Country partners whenever possible.
Debbie continued her engagement with international tour operators, focusing on fly-drive itineraries that incorporate western states, including Montana. This ongoing effort helps position our region as a key part of broader travel experiences.
We value your partnership and are eager to collaborate further. For more information on how your business can benefit from these markets, please contact Debbie at debbie@glaciermt.com.
