Tourism Talk: The latest news from the Wyoming Office of Tourism

Your newsletter for things that are happening in the tourism and hospitality industry throughout the state.

Celebrating Diane Shober: 20 Years of Outstanding Leadership as Executive Director at Wyoming Office of Tourism.

Diane Shober celebrated her 20-year anniversary as the executive director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism on Monday, June 19. Her dedication, leadership and contributions to the tourism industry have been outstanding. She fosters an environment of excellence and empowers employees to go beyond expectations. Diane leads by example, upholding high standards and making decisions with integrity. Her work ethic, industry passion, and innovative thinking have propelled the organization and tourism industry forward. Accomplishments include award-winning ad campaigns, team building and

securing funding for office growth and Wyoming's economy. Diane's legacy extends beyond achievements, touching many lives. The Wyoming Office of Tourism staff and Board of Directors are honored to have worked with her and eagerly anticipate her continued leadership in the future.

Please join us in celebrating Diane’s remarkable 20-year journey, sign the digital work anniversary card and send her a message to show your support and honor her exceptional contributions.

Sign the card!

2023 TAP Dance, Rochester NY.

The Wyoming Office of Tourism, along with partners from Visit Cheyenne, Carbon County Visitor’s Council, and Visit Gillette & Wright, recently attended the 2023 TAP Dance in Rochester, NY. TAP Dance is one of the most unique travel conferences, designed to expand business during a two-day event with Travel Alliance Partners (TAP). In total the group from Wyoming met with 17 qualified tour companies, sharing an itinerary featuring each of the partners present, along with several others throughout the state. We already have one company ready to build out a Western Heritage tour for 2024 based on our meeting! There is no question that Wyoming continues to be highly appealing, attracting significant interest in bringing groups to the state to explore thrilling and one-of-a-kind experiences.

Upcoming Domestic Trade Shows:

   NTA Trex: Nov 12-15, 2023, Shreveport-Bossier, LA
   ABA Marketplace: Jan 13-16, 2024, Nashville, TN
   NTA Contact: May 20-23, 2024, St. John’s, Newfoundland

Big Horn County Wyoming Best

This month, WOT wrapped up the last of the Wyoming Best Strategic Planning sessions with Berkely Young from Young Strategies, presenting the recommended plan for Big Horn County. It was a great session with several entities and tourism partners from around the county coming together to look at ways to elevate the visitor experience in the region. WOT and Young Strategies will continue to work with all the

counties involved in the Wyoming Best program as they implement their plans over the next several years.

The Wyoming Best program was the first requirement to be completed for the current Destination Development program that Lodging Tax Boards are currently participating in. For more information on either of these programs, reach out to Jim Wollenburg, Global Partnerships Sr. Manager.

Email Jim

KEY:

Shoshone: Park, Big Horn, Washakie, Hot Springs, Fremont
Red Desert: Uinta, Sweetwater, Sublette, Lincoln
Big Horns & Badlands: Sheridan, Johnson, Campbell, Crook, Weston
Platte River: Natrona, Converse, Niobrara
Medicine Bow: Carbon, Albany, Platte, Goshen, Laramie

Zartico Case Study: Regional & Seasonal Year-over-Year Visitation

What impact did the Wyoming Office of Tourism's 2021-2022 seasonal marketing efforts have on our state? A year-over-year increase in visitor-to-resident ratio in all regions (except for the Shoshone region). A year-over-year average visitor spending increase in all categories (except for attractions). Visitation increases in the Spring (Platte River & Red Desert) and Summer (Medicine Bow, Platte River & Red Desert). And an increase in visitor spending during the 2022 months of Spring, Summer & Fall compared to 2021.

READ THE FULL ANALYSIS

Media & Press Summary: May 2023

Please note the ‘Top Media Placements’ and ‘Earned Media’ include coverage that is a direct result of the Wyoming Office of Tourism’s (WOT) efforts, while “Wyoming in the News” is coverage that cannot be directly tracked back to the PR program.

May 2023

*This includes domestic media coverage only

Reach: 71,018,525

Placements: 44

Fiscal Year-to-Date

*Domestic media coverage through May 2023 and international media coverage through April 2023

Reach: 10,086,776,363

Placements: 1,128

Top Media Placements

The emerging trend of ski resorts as popular summer vacation spots was on the mind of many travel writers in May, including Cortney Fries who showcased a number of North American ski destinations in her Family Vacationist piece “10 Ski Resorts That Are Even More Fun in Summer.” Cortney highlighted the advantages of visiting ski resorts in the summer, focusing on Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and its Aerial Tram, which offers sensational views of the Tetons and Jackson Hole Valley, along with access to trails and exploration opportunities in Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park. This story also appeared in USA Today as “Hear us out: Ski resorts during summer are actually great”, which was then picked up by three additional outlets.

Writer Richard Varr explored the legacy of Buffalo Bill, the magnificence of Yellowstone, and the musings of Wyoming’s western culture, in his vibrantly descriptive feature “Yellowstone & Yonder” for Porthole Cruise Magazine. Road tripping through Wyoming’s Northwest, Varr takes readers on a visual journey through Cody, Thermopolis, and several scenic landscapes from the Shoshone River to the Absaroka Mountain Range, making special mention of off-the-beaten-path gems like the Cowboy Bar & Café and the Meeteetse Chocolatier. Varr’s piece is a tribute to all the Western wonders of Wyoming, and when visiting Cody, states “I make one last stop and am again reminded how the Wild West’s presence lingers on today.”

Finally, “Roped in Wyoming,” a story that was initially published in January by visiting journalist Marlise Kast, popped up yet again and this time in San Diego Metro Magazine. The total reach for this story is now at 28,360,856.

Full May Media Report

Congratulations WOT Staff who celebrated work anniversaries for June!

Jeanett Wolff

June 19 - NE Welcome Center Specialist - 6 years

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Amy Larsen

Industry Relations Manager

Phone: (307) 777-6706

Email Amy