Tourism and the impact of the national recession will be at the center of discussion during a northern Idaho summit set for March 18 at the Silverwood Theme Park.
Maintaining a quality work force for the tourism industry and marketing tourist-related businesses in a tough economy are key issues that experts will be discussing during the day-long event sponsored by Workforce Innovation Now, which is developing a strategy to create a more dynamic work force for an economy that is trying to diversify beyond forest products. The summit will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Northern Idaho’s lakes and mountains make tourism a significant economic contributor,” said Vicki Isakson, the assistant manager for the Labor Department’s Coeur d’Alene office who is part of the work force strategy development team. “This summit focuses on how to get the most out of tourism in the face of serious economic constraints.”
Among those speaking at the summit are Randy Barcus of Avista Corp. on the economic impact of tourism, David Kilmer of Blue 541 on marketing business, Kiki Miller of FYI North Idaho on the Tourism Institute, Laury Forrest on the generational makeup of the work force, Ted Parvin on the relationship of tourism to the film industry and Mary Willeford of Cabela’s on customer service.
The $7.50 registration includes lunch, and participants can register at http://labor.idaho.gov/tourism.
More information is available from Isakson at (208)769-1558 ext 3917 or by e-mail at
Vicki.isakson@labor.idaho.gov.