2024 Convergence

Name: Convergence 2024
Start: 2024-05-21T08:00:00-06:00
End: 2024-05-22T19:00:00-06:00

A Celebration of National Travel & Tourism Week

To recognize Tourism as one of our state’s leading industries, the Montana Chamber of Commerce will celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week (#NTTW24) and the intersection of tourism with the film and outdoor recreation industries at the 2nd Annual Convergence event on Tuesday-Wednesday, May 21-22, 2024 at the “1923” Dutton Ranch, The Finlen Hotel and The Butte Depot. All harness the power of place, #TheLastBestPlace, to drive economic development and create thriving communities.

Established in 1983, National Travel & Tourism Week is an annual tradition when the U.S. Travel Association and the entire industry come together to celebrate the U.S. travel community and travel’s essential role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, inspiring new businesses, and elevating the quality of life for Americans every day.

Join 150 film, outdoor recreation, tourism, and community development leaders from across Montana as we explore topics such as the impact of SB-540 on the tourism sector, the importance of the MEDIA (Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement) film tax credit, and policy initiatives for the 2025 Legislature to expand it, the outdoor recreation landscape in Montana, air and rail service developments, and more.

2024 Event Schedule At-A-Glance

FOR VIP GUESTS & SPONSORS ONLY: TUESDAY, May 21, 2024

3:30 – 5:30 PM TOUR & TALK – “1923” Dutton Ranch
PICK UP / DROP OFF AT THE HOTEL FINLEN

Join us as we venture out to the private property film location of the Dutton Ranch in the “1923” prequel of Yellowstone. Hear from Montana Film Office staff and community leaders who supported the location scouting and TV series production and how the MEDIA film tax credit made Montana a competitive film destination that led to this production, created jobs, and provided training/education for a homegrown workforce.

5:30 – 7:30 PM VIP RECEPTION @ THE FINLEN HOTEL COPPER BOWL

5:30 PM VIP Networking Reception Begins for Event Sponsors / Attendees, Invited Guests, Montana Chamber Board, and Staff

6:30 PM Welcome from J.P. Gallagher, Chief Executive – City and County of Butte-Silver Bow and Todd O’Hair, President & CEO of the Montana Chamber; Brief remarks from Glacier Bank, Reception Sponsor

7:30 PM Event Concludes

WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2024

9:30 – 11:15 AM BUTTE TROLLEY TOUR
DROP OFF/PICK UP AT THE BUTTE DEPOT
Thanks to the Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce

11:30 AM – 2:00 PM CONVERGENCE #NTTW23 LUNCHEON AT THE DEPOT

11:30 AM Networking

12:00 PM Montana Chamber Welcome and Buffet Lunch served

12:15 – 2:00 PM

12:15 – 1:00 PM – FILM IN MT: EMBRACING THE IDEA OF “YES”
- Allison Whitmer, Commissioner – Montana Film Office
- Jocelyn Dodge, Chair – Visit Southwest Montana
- Karen Byrnes, Community Development Director – Butte-SilverBow Government
- Lynn-Wood Fields, Executive Director – Montana Media Coalition
- Moderator – Dan Molloy, Projects & Locations Coordinator – Montana Film Office
1:00 – 1:30 PM – THE MT OUTDOOR INDUSTRY BUSINESS LANDSCAPE WITH THE IMPACT OF MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
- Alex Kutches, Former President – Mystery Ranch (backpacks); recently acquired by Yeti
1:30 – 2:00 PM – MT TOURISM: SB-540 A YEAR LATER AND A LOOK AHEAD TO 2025
- Dax Schieffer, Voices of Montana Tourism

lodging

Room blocks have been reserved at a rate of $129/night + tax. Reference Group name: Convergence / Travel and Tourism.

Best Western Plus Butte Plaza Inn
Online direct booking at Group link here or Call: 406-494-3500

Hampton Inn
Call: 406-494-2250

Traveling into Southwest Montana and the Butte area, be sure to check out Visit Southwest Montana and Visit Butte to learn more about the destination.