Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1357477
020 taught us all how to adjust, refocus, and innovate! As Western Art Week 2020 was ready to kick-off, stay-at-home orders were issued across the nation. We anxiously awaited the flattening of the curve, all while conventions and events were postponed, canceled, moved online, and rescheduled for later dates. Today, we have few more answers than we did in March 2020, and still, we are focused on the future. Our industry partners developed social distancing plans in conjunction with local health officials that will accommodate events now and moving forward. We have built stronger relationships with our meeting planners and are working to recover our industry. In 2021, we look forward to hosting the rescheduled BMW Motorcycle Owners Rally in June and the Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit in the fall. Recovery of the tourism industry will take two to three years once we see restrictions lifted nationwide. Great Falls has been uniquely challenged with the Canadian Border and east entrances to Glacier National Park remaining closed through the height of the travel season. Leading up to the pandemic, Great Falls was facing another growth year. Our room demand was half percent higher than last year. We had awarded a new event grant and we're working with other organizations on additional new events. We remain positive for industry growth as meeting planners look to take advantage of safer tier-3 cities, leisure travelers searching for uncrowded, open spaces, and airlines capitalizing on opportunities to expand and grow into positive performing markets. The recovery of our market takes us all. Take action to help now by investing in the Chamber Foundation's Low Cost Air Initiative or offering to host a safe in-person meeting with industry peers in Great Falls and reconnecting with family and friends. We know they will all love Montana's greatest dam town! 21 Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce www.greatfallschamber.org Tourism 2 T O U R I S M