Click to share thisClick to share thisAPEC Conference Coming to Big Sky - Big Sky Resort to Open Summer Season in the First Week of May
By Hunter Rothwell
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is coming to Big Sky to host their annual event this spring. APEC was established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the appearance of regional economic blocs such as the European Union and the North American Free Trade Area.
APEC is a premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Pacific Rim. Twenty one member economies, representing 53% of the world’s GDP, 46% of total global trade, and 2.7 billion consumers will have their trade representatives in attendance. The resort is expecting up to 1000 attendees during the two week event.
This event was made possible by the hard work of Sen. Max Baucus to promote Montana as the ideal location for this meeting. The Big Sky Chamber of Commerce (BSCOC) is acting in the leading role for the statewide Montana Host Committee whose members are recommendations from Senator Baucus’s office, the U.S. State Department and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk’s office.
BSCOC Executive Director Marne Hayes stated, “This conference brings the opportunity for Big Sky and our businesses to be on a global stage. [This] is an opportunity that not many communities get.”
The meetings will be held at Big Sky Resort’s Yellowstone Conference Center. All of the resort’s lodging accommodations are blocked off for the two week event. As a result of the the conference, Big Sky Resort will be opening their summer season early in the first week of May.
“Hosting APEC is going to provide incredible exposure for our community, region, and state, and allow us to prove that we are the premier destination for meetings and conventions in the Rocky Mountains,” said Group Sales Manager Brian Stumpf.
During the conference Big Sky and the surrounding region will receive unusually high offseason traffic. Business owners have an opportunity to turn the traditionally slow month of May into a huge success. In addition to official attendees of the conference, there is expected to be a large media presence. Security for the event is a high priority and will bring more individuals to the Big Sky area.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and his office, “extend our deep appreciation to the Big Sky community and Montana’s leaders for opening their doors to the world in 2011.”
For more information please contact Big Sky Chamber of Commerce. (406) 995-3000.
