Tourism

News from the Montana Department of Commerce

Did you know Medicare covers an Annual Wellness Visit?

Did You Know Medicare Covers An Annual Wellness Visit? This annual visit is a simple way to improve and protect your healthNo co-pay or deductible is applied and it is a great way to improve your health

By Taylor Davison Valley Journal

RONAN — The Ronan Revitalization Committee met on Tuesday, March 22 to learn more about the Montana Main Street program (MMS).

According to guest presenters Taylor Crowl and Mackenzie Espeland from the program, Ronan was the only town to be accepted this year thanks to the efforts already made by the community toward downtown improvement. Now the program will meet Ronan where it’s at to help move forward with both funding assistance and improvement ideas.

The Main Street program focuses on four main points: economic vitality, design, promotion, and organization. One main goal of the committee is to find projects that tie in all four elements.

Several examples of projects in other locations were given during the presentation that could potentially be implemented in Ronan. Helena has Alive at 5, a live music event held at different downtown locations every Wednesday evening in the summer, that can be used as a good fundraising and volunteer engagement event for the community. A Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, such as exists in Polson, was also given as an example to help reinvest in façade improvements, as well as create a more vibrant, welcoming, and visually interesting downtown environment to draw

HELENA — The more people in. Montana Depart- The next planned steps for ment of Commerce the committee will be to do a has announced that registration is open downtown walkthrough along with MMS staff to explore potential and promising direcfor the 2022 Mon- tions for the town, as well as put tana Governor’s Con- together a presentation workference on Tourism and Recreation. The shop in early summer to explore ideas. The revitalization committee will also work on devising event will be held in a workplan for the next year to Billings, April 17-19, begin putting projects in motion. at the DoubleTree by Hilton and Great There will also be a Montana Downtown Conference in Billings on April 6-8 where Main Northern hotels. The Street communities will gather conference is Mon- and share what is being done tana’s annual gathering of private and across the state to improve local communities. Based on the inspiration public sector partners given during the meeting, the in the tourism and committee will be brainstorming recreation industries potential projects to improve in Montana. “While the past downtown Ronan with costs of around $10,000 that they would like to tackle first. two years have been The revitalization committee, extraordinarily chal- a subcommittee of the Ronan lenging for the world, we’re beginning to Area Chamber of Commerce, is actively seeking out two additional board members to emerge and examine help with future projects. To things in a new light. learn how to become a particiIf 2020 and 2021 pant, call 406-676-8300, or visit ronanchamber.com.

taught us one thing, it’s that we must embrace change to be successful,” Commerce Director Scott Osterman said. “This year’s conference will feature presentations on what’s changed in the travel and recreation spaces, and how to create nimble, forward-looking strategies for Montana’s tourism businesses, organizations, and communities,” Osterman added.

Registration is limited; sign up quickly to ensure seating. Early bird registration pricing ends on April 1, when the standard conference attendee registration increases to $249. There will be no walk-in registration for this conference. This is an in-person event only; no virtual options will be available.

Featured conference speakers will include nationally acclaimed marketing and customer experts Peter Shankman, Shawna Suckow, and Sarah Elkins. Sherry Rupert, who represents the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), will present. An annual update from Commerce’s Brand MT Marketing team will round out the

MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE The conference will offer breakout sessions for additional opportunities for discussion offerings. Separate breakout sessions with Suckow, Elkins, and a Tribal Tourism roundtable will offer attendees additional opportunities for more in-depth discussions. Conference attendees will be invited to a “Welcome to the Trailhead of Awesome” event on April 17, sponsored by Visit Billings. For more information and to register, visit marketmt.com.

Ridgewater Clinic (406) 883-3737

Medicare Annual Wellness Visits give you a chance to talk with your healthcare team about your health history, your risk for certain diseases, the current state of your health, and your plan for staying healthy. Your provider will conduct an exam and screenings as well as discuss advanced care planning for your future. Call today to see if you are due for your next Medicare Annual Wellness Visit and what you should discuss with your physician. Available at St. Luke Community Clinics Conveniently Located Throughout the Mission Valley

St. Luke Community Clinic - (406) 676-3600|Southshore Clinic - (406) 883-2555 St. Ignatius Clinic - (406) 745-2781|Ridgewater Clinic - (406) 883-3737