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.
