SkiTops University Join us for the 6th Annual SkiTops University! MARK YOUR CALENDARS Complete details will be posted here as they become firm MONDAY, JULY 30th Main Arrivals Welcome Reception TUESDAY, JULY 31st University WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1st University THURSDAY, AUGUST 2nd - Departures Sample Information from our last University Quick Links Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Trade Show Booths - A List Presenter Table Order Presentation Schedule Shipping Boxes for T.O.s About The University See The Pictures See Who Came Schedule of Events Times and locations are still subject to change. Final update - August 3, 2011 Please note that many of the events take place outside. Please dress accordingly. August temperatures typically range from high 80's during the day to high 40's at night. The entire event is casual dress. Please wear comfortable shoes for the site tours and the Fish Olympics. If you need assistance getting around the resort, please contact Guest Services at (406) 862.3687. Printable Itinerary Sunday, August 14th EARLY ARRIVALS SKITOPS MEETING PLACE Time: 6:00pm Location: Hellroaring Saloon (Main Village) Details: Serving dinner and drinks - on your own Monday, August 15th BREAKFAST ON OWN Time: 7:30am - 9:00am Location: Breakfast is available at the Base Lodge Café or continental breakfast at the Hibernation House REGISTRATION DESK Times: 2:00pm - 5:00pm Location: Lodging Check-in (Main Village) WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT LODGING & KANDAHAR LODGE SITE TOUR Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm Location: Tour Operators meet at the Lodging Check-in (Main Village) TRADE SHOW SET-UP Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm (Suppliers set up booths & display collateral) Location: Heaven's Peak Room (Base Lodge) Details: Items that were shipped will be stored at the Base Lodge TRADE SHOW Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm Location: Heaven's Peak Room (Base Lodge) Details: SkiTops Staff will have boxes available for Agents to ship collateral back to their office COCKTAIL RECEPTION Time: 6:30pm - 7:00pm Location: Base Lodge Patio WELCOME TO WHITEFISH BBQ - Sponsored by R&R Sports Time: 7:00pm -10:00pm Location: Base Lodge Patio Chair Lift: Chair #6 will be running between the Main Village & the Base Lodge till 10pm Sponsor: R&R Sports SKITOPS ON-MOUNTAIN PUB Times: 10:00pm - Location: Bierstube Pub (Main Village) Details: Frabert Award Night Tuesday, August 16th HOSTED ALL-MEMBER HOT BREAKFAST BUFFET Time: 8:00am - 8:30am Location: Heaven’s Peak Room (Base Lodge) Details: Chair #6 will begin running between the Main Village & the Base Lodge at 7:30am GUEST SPEAKER, MICHAEL BERRY - President, National Ski Areas Association This interesting and informative presentation will tell the story of how the ski industry has positioned itself over the last 10 years with regards to market research, demographic analysis and development of grass roots growth programs. Over the last decade the industry has grown from 52 million tickets sold annually to over 60 million. We will provide information on the strategic initiatives that allowed for a decade of sustained growth for the ski/snowboard resort industry. Time: 8:30am - 9:30am Location: Heaven's Peak Room (Base Lodge) Q & A WITH MICHAEL BERRY/FREE TIME Time: 9:30am - 10:15am Location: Mt. Jackson Room (Base Lodge) SKITOPS UNIVERSITY Location: Heaven's Peak Room (Base Lodge) 10:15am - 12:00pm Presentations 12:00pm - 1:00pm Deli Lunch 1:00pm - 1:30pm Free Time 1:30pm - 3:15pm Presentations Complete Presentation Schedule and list of Presenters FREE TIME Time: 3:15pm - 4:00pm GREAT NORTHERN BREWERY & FARMER'S MARKET Pick-up: Meet at the Kintla turn around in front of Lodging Check-in Bus 1: 4:00pm tour operators Bus 2: 4:15pm tour operators and suppliers Bus 3: 4:30pm tour operators and suppliers GROUSE MOUNTAIN LODGE SITE TOUR & DINNER - Sponsored by Le Bus Transfer: Meet at the Brewery 1st transfer 6:00pm tour operators 2nd transfer 6:30pm suppliers Reception: 6:15pm - 7:00pm Cocktail Reception & Agent Site Tour Dinner: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Location: Outdoor Pavilion Transfer: 1st transfer to town and back to the resort at 9pm PUB NIGHT - DOWNTOWN WHITEFISH NIGHTLIFE Time: Last bus back to resort at 12:00am, taxi after Transfers: Meet at O'Shaughnessy Center for return to Resort Wednesday, August 17th TOUR OPERATOR BREAKFAST MEETING - Sponsored by Ski n See Time: 8:00am - 9:00am Location: Mt. Jackson Room (Base Lodge) Details: Chair #6 will begin running between the Main Village & the Base Lodge at 7:30am SUPPLIER BREAKFAST MEETING Time: 8:00am - 8:45am Location: Heaven's Peak Room (Base Lodge) Details: Chair #6 will begin running between the Main Village & the Base Lodge at 7:30am SKITOPS UNIVERSITY SCHEDULE Location: Heaven's Peak Room (Base Lodge) 9:00am - 10:15am Presentations 10:15am - 10:30am Break 10:30am - 11:45am Presentations 11:45am - 12:00pm Break 12:00pm - 12:45pm Presentations 12:45pm - 1:00pm Graduation Complete Presentation Schedule and list of Presenters BURGERS & BRATS ON THE DECK Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Location: Base Lodge Patio FISH OLYMPICS Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Location: Base Lodge Patio FREE TIME Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE SITE TOUR & FINAL NIGHT DINNER - Sponsored by Jackson Hole & Reno/Tahoe Transfer: Meet at the Kintla turn around in front of Lodging Check-in 1st transfer 6:00pm tour operators 2nd transfer 6:30pm suppliers Site Tour: 6:15pm - 7:00pm Reception (outdoors) & Site Tour Dinner: 7:00pm - 10:00pm (Lakeside Tent) Transfer: 1st transfer back to the resort at 9pm Thursday, August 18th Departures Suppliers and Tour Operators We will have Post Office shipping boxes available to all Tour Operators to ship back contents they receive at SkiTops University. This could include printed materials, CDs, small schwag, etc. - the box size is 11-7/8" x 3-3/8" x 13-5/8". And this from our Best Practices section (Presenters, there is some helpful information for you on this page): CD's of your information are preferred / do not bring binders and brochures Send new supply of brochures / don't bring them Suppliers - Hopefully this will be helpful as you plan what to bring for your presentations. Are you shipping things to the event? Here's the address: Whitefish Mountain Resort 3889 Big Mountain Road Whitefish, MT 59937 406-862-3687 Attn: SkiTops and Your Name & Arrival Date About Whitefish Mountain Resort For more than 60 years, Whitefish Mountain Resort has been providing skiers in the know with good times, great people, and deep snow. Rising above the historic railroad town of Whitefish, in beautiful northwest Montana, the resort has gained notoriety for its laid-back vibe, world-class skiing, and spectacular summer recreation at an unbeatable value. Boasting more than 3,000 acres of bowls, chutes, and glades, and more than 300 inches of Rocky Mountain snow on average, Whitefish's Big Mountain is the quintessential skier's mountain. Ranked #19 overall, #6 for Scenery and #7 for Value in SKI Magazine's 2009-2010 reader survey, it is just as well known for a pleasant lack of lift lines as it is for friendly people, deep powder, and wallet-friendly pricing. When the snow melts, Whitefish Mountain Resort becomes home to thrilling zip lines and an alpine slide, world-class downhill and cross-country mountain biking, and the unique Walk in the Treetops, in addition to spectacular hiking, water sports, fly fishing, whitewater rafting, Glacier National Park, and more available in the greater Whitefish area. It is the perfect base camp for a summer visit to Montana's majestic Flathead Valley. About University What is the SkiTops University? The second in two annual SkiTops meetings, the University, is a dynamic full Membership (Tour Operators as well as Supplier Members) multi-faceted convention. Our current SkiTops University Convention contains several social elements, two formal business meetings, and a major educational element, The University. The SkiTops Tour Operators (23), all of whom are required to attend the convention, sell collectively in excess of $400 million dollars in ski and summer travel each year. Purpose of the University SkiTops' University provides an excellent networking opportunity with both the Principals and Line Agents. BUT, the main goal and purpose of the University is to educate the attending Sales Agents. Suppliers have the opportunity to purchase a presentation table at the University. New this year - the presentations will be done in a round robin type format. Small groups of Sales Agents (companies who bring four or more agents are guaranteed their own private group) will move around the various tables and meet with the Suppliers in an intimate setting that will allow for a personalized presentation (tailored towards what the group is most interested in learning) as well as relaxed interaction. Attendance Anyone who is a SkiTops member can attend. Tour Operators are required to have a minimum of one representative attend, but usually have an average of 3 or 4 attendees. We are hoping the new University format will bring in even more Tour Operator representatives. SkiTops, as an organization, will contribute up to $400, per attending Sales Agent (up to four per Tour Operator), to offset transportation ticket costs. More information provided under "Tour Operator Incentive." Typically, SkiTops University will have 120 - 140 participants. Of this number, about half are Ski Tour Operator / Owners or Sales Agents. The balance is Supplier Members. SkiTops Tour Operator members are invited to attend any or all of the Supplier Presentations - Sales Agents are required to attend all events as well as all of the presentations in order to get their travel expenses paid. Tour Operator Incentive SkiTops continues to invest significant funds in the success of the University program. We would love to see four top-notch sales agents from every company at the event. Transportation Reimbursement Therefore, SkiTops hereby offers to underwrite the costs of airfare, train or automobile transportation associated with bringing four Tour Operator Sales Agents to the University, up to a maximum of $400 per agent. Simply attend all University events and then present your proof of transportation costs to SkiTops Administrator, Judy Fjeld, for reimbursement. This offer is valid only for the transport of full time Sales Agents currently employed by a SkiTops Tour Operator member. For those agents that choose to drive instead of fly, SkiTops will pay $0.55/mile reimbursement (up to $400 per vehicle). Comped Lodging Whitefish Mountain Resort and Kandahar Lodge have generously agreed to comp two rooms per Tour Operator, for the use of Sales Agents, for the nights of the program (three nights). These rooms must be used by Sales Agents and are not available to Tour Operator Principals/Owners. If you would like to reserve a large unit for your company and you are bringing Sales Agents, the two comp rooms can be credited towards the cost of a larger unit. These reservations will be handled directly through Whitefish Mountain Resort Central Reservations. Please call them at (800) 234-3249, press"1," in order to make your reservation. Please note, a limited number of room types are available, so please make your reservations early. All rooms are first come, first served. Larger Map View Lodging For Suppliers and Tour Operator Principals, who would like to stay on the mountain, transportation is not required, please make your room reservation with Whitefish Mountain Resort Central Reservations at (800) 234-3249, press "1" for reservations at the following properties. Please note - rooms will be released from the room block on July 1st. Book your room now! Kintla & Morning Eagle Deluxe Slopeside Condominiums - Whitefish Mountain Resort Lodging Company www.skiwhitefish.com/lodging.php Located slopeside in the main village, both Morning Eagle and Kintla Lodges share a secure heated underground parking garage. Both complexes have wireless high speed internet, gas fireplaces and washer/dryers. Shopping is along the boardwalk of both complexes. During the winter both complexes are ski in/ski out access and have ski locker storage. Edelweiss Complex - Whitefish Mountain Resort Lodging Company www.skiwhitefish.com/lodging.php Located in the heart of the Village, the Edelweiss offers condominiums with Studios, One and Two Bedroom units. Each condo is equipped with a kitchen, wireless Internet, and private balconies or patios for great views of the Flathead Valley or the mountain. The Chairlift Plaza, dining and shopping are only a few steps away. Edelweiss has an indoor hot tub and coin operated shared laundry facility. Kandahar Lodge www.kandaharlodge.com Kandahar Lodge is a beautiful lodge that is both elegant and rustic. The large lobby is a comfortable gathering place. The Snug Bar provides a full selection of cocktails, including an extensive wine list. Café Kandahar serves gourmet meals nightly and provides the Snug with a delicious selection of appetizers, tapas and gourmet pizzas. The outdoor hot tub, steam room and exercise room are popular amenities. All rooms have queen beds, small refrigerators, microwaves and a/c. Whitefish Mountain Resort Central Reservations will handle all bookings, call 800-234-3249, press '1'. We encourage Tour Operators and Suppliers to come earlier or stay later using the nightly rate below. One rate is offered to both the Suppliers and the Tour Operators Lodging Price - SkiTops Rate (Same for Supplier or TO) Kandahar Lodge Hotel Hotel Lock-off 1 bedroom/1 bath (Edelweiss) 2 bedroom/2 bath 3 bedroom/3 bath 3 or 4 bedroom Town Homes $84.00 $54.00 $84.00 $170.00 $225.00 On Request * 12% tax is not included. Clean fees are waived. Additional Lodging Available: On Mountain Individual Homes, Town Homes, and Condominiums. Call Whitefish Mountain Resort Central Reservations at (800) 234-3249, press "1" for reservations. Near Town Grouse Mountain Lodge and The Lodge at Whitefish Lake are both SkiTops members and will be hosting evening events that will include site tours. The Lodge at Whitefish Lake is offering lodging as well. For rates and to book a room: Call (877) 887-4026 and mention "SkiTopsU" Visit www.lodgeatwhitefishlake.com/weddings-groups/group-reservations/ Enter GroupID: SKITOPSU Enter Password: SKITOPS *Please note, if you would like to stay near town, you are responsible for transportation to and from the University events. Transportation to the Resort Resort Gateway: Air - Kalispell, Montana (FCA)- 19 Mi. | Amtrak - Whitefish - 7 Mi. Transfers from the airport or train station are provided by Flathead-Glacier Transportation and are $10.00 each way. Transfers are booked through Whitefish Central Reservations and are payble at the time of booking. Whitefish Mountain Resort Central Reservations will handle all bookings, call 800-234-3249, press '1'. Attendees with Guests SkiTops attendees are welcome to have guests join them in Whitefish. If you will be having a guest join you, please include their information on the registration form. Please note that the cost for each guest at each event is as follows: Welcome Reception - $55.00 Lunch - $20.00 Evening at Grouse Mountain Lodge - $45.00 Final Evening at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake - $62.00 NEW format for the University The NEW format will offer the opportunity for Suppliers to provide "small group" presentations in a roundtable format. Each Supplier presenter will staff a table and front line agents will move from table-to-table for 15-20 minute sessions where suppliers will be able to present their information in a more intimate and personalized manner. We believe this will allow Suppliers to speak directly to the needs of each small group and encourage agents to ask questions that they might not be comfortable asking in the current large classroom style presentations. For Tour Operators bringing FOUR front line agents we will offer "exclusive" round table sessions. Tour Operators bringing less than four may be combined in sessions depending on how the final scheduling matrix works out. We believe the benefits of this NEW format will raise the quality of knowledge for the agents and allow Supplier reps to become better acquainted with the frontline agents and enhance the additional networking opportunities throughout the other University functions. That combined with the opportunity for Suppliers to speak with MORE agents should be a win-win. More agents than ever before Ability to tailor sales presentations to the audience Single client presentations (for tour operators with 4 or more front line) Group-centric tables FIT centric tables Less intimidating Q & A Additional small-group networking Appointment schedules in advance University Presentation Slots and Trade Show Booths Presentation Slots Presentation slots are sold on a first come first served basis. Resort areas that will require more time to present their product are encouraged to purchase multiple slots. Consider recruiting other SkiTops members from your resort to participate with you on a co-op basis. A schedule will be build when all slots are sold. That schedule will be designed to present a logical and informative session structure. Trade Show Display Booths are free sold. All suppliers are encrouraged to participate. Suppliers that purchase two or more presentation slots are entitled to one complimentary trade show booth. Event # of Shares Avail. Cost Per Spot Spots Remaining Authorized Invoice Amount 15 Minute SkiTops University Presentation Slots First come first served 26 $500 0 Sold Out SkiTops Trade Show Display tables (Limit one table per Supplier company) 40 $50 0 Sold Out - Presenters Aspen / Snowmass Vail Resorts Vail Resorts - second slot Steamboat Ski Resort / Mountain Resorts Telluride Telluride - second slot Reno / Tahoe Canyons Black Tie Ski Rentals Christy Sports/Door 2 Door by Christy Sports Sun Peaks Mt. Bachelor Copper Mountain Big Sky Jackson Hole Parkway Inn / Rendezvous Mountain Rentals Ogden/Weber CVB R&R Sports Tahoe Mountain Resorts Lodging Ski Butlers Winter Park Park City Peaks The Lodge at Whitefish Lake Crested Butte Taos Ski Valley Skiset Sponsorship Opportunities SkiTops invites a select group of industry suppliers to be spotlighted at one of our five events. It is a very affordable means to create additional exposure and enhance name recognition before, during and after this event with the owners and sales agents of SkiTops. Your exposure and recognition at these events will be complimented with: Your company name/logo printed on the event signage displayed at SkiTops functions Includes a booth at the Trade Show ($50.00 value) Special seating with the SkiTops President at the Farewell Dinner Your company name/logo featured on the SkiTops website in several key positions including the home page, membership home page, meeting information, attendees and registration pages. Additional speaking opportunities at the event Your company name listed on all sales agent certificates Important: Google Chrome Users - Click Here To submit the sponsorship form. Company: * Required Email: * Required Your Name: Phone: Event # of Shares Avail. Cost Per Share Shares Remaining Authorized Invoice Amount Monday, August 15 Welcome Reception 1 $500 0 R&R Sports Tuesday, August 16 Full Membership Lunch 2 $750 1 Waldorf Astoria Park City Full Membership Dinner 1 $750 0 Le Bus Wednesday, August 17 Tour Operator Breakfast, includes breakfast with the Tour Operators 2 $750 1 Ski 'N See Supplier Breakfast 1 $750 1 Final Evening Dinner and Reception 2 $750 0 Jackson Hole Ski Reno-Tahoe - Message to us: Important: Google Chrome Users - Click Here To submit the sponsorship form. For more information or questions contact Ed Holofcener - (443) 471-4100 or ed@toursdesport.com. Fall Convention 2011 | Event Sponsors: SkiTops thanks all of our sponsors for their support. Pictures From Last Year: - Click Here P.O. Box 191981 - Sacramento, California, U.S.A. 95819 info@skitops.com | Back | Home | Contacts SkiTops.com: