Video: Governor Schweitzer Promoting the Big Sky to the Big Apple

— Publicizing new direct flight to Montana, Governor promotes Big Sky on Big Rigs in the Big Apple –

Governor Brian Schweitzer visits the Big Apple: http://vimeo.com/pangolin/review/40971729/c14ded0766

Making use of a unique opportunity to showcase Montana in a big, bold manner, Governor Schweitzer is in New York City promoting the state as a premiere vacation destination for this summer’s upcoming travel season. His visit to the Big Apple is timely as it coincides with a soon-to-begin direct flight via United for area residents looking for the perfect escape coupled with the convenience of non-stop air service.

Big rigs (semi-trucks) wrapped in picturesque unspoiled natural landscapes and iconic Montana wildlife will begin traveling through New York’s boroughs next week to coax potential travelers to Montana. To kick-off the promotion, Governor Schweitzer spent Tuesday in Times Square in one of these big rigs adorned with a captivating Montana scene, handing out free promotional items from Montana such as beef and bison jerky and huckleberry jam while inviting New Yorkers to visit Big Sky Country.

"Who will be able to resist the lure of Montana when they see it pass by them on 48′ moving billboard? With this new direct flight, we’re giving our friends from the New York area convenient access to the most spectacular places and experiences they’ll encounter in the lower 48 states. And we’ll deliver it with our customary western hospitality" said Governor Schweitzer.

New Yorkers will have a new, direct flight opportunity to travel to Montana starting in June. United Airlines will offer a weekly flight every Saturday out of Newark Liberty International Airport to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport from June 9 through September 1. The flights are scheduled to leave at 8:25am and arrive in Bozeman at 11:00am.

While other states are eliminating tourism offices, Governor Schweitzer is forging ahead to capture new market share. Travel and tourism is one of Big Sky Country’s most vibrant economic drivers, contributing over $2.8 billion in gross spending into the state’s healthy economy. The Governor protected $6 million in tourism and tourism promotion funds by vetoing a republican measure (HB 316) to strip the money last legislative session.

While Montana has had an innovative and impactful marketing presence in other key markets such as Chicago, Minneapolis and Seattle for the past several years, this is a new approach to establishing a presence in the New York metropolitan area.

The promotion includes:

* Eleven truck trailers in total, vinyl wrapped with compelling Montana images for a minimum of three years.

* Five smaller 34′ trucks will be traveling in the New York Metro area including the five boroughs, Long Island and the Tri-state metro area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

* Five larger 48′ trucks will be traveling in the broader New England area of New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Upper New York and Upper Pennsylvania.

* One 48′ truck will be traveling routes throughout Montana.

Free Montana Giveaways Included:

* Beef & Bison Jerky from Little River Smokehouse http://www.americanindianfoods.com/products/little-river-smokehouse/ , A Native American Community in Harlem, MT

* Huckleberry Taffy from The Sweet Palace http://www.sweetpalace.com/ , Philipsburg, MT

* Country Pasta from Country Pasta http://www.countrypasta.com/ , Polson, MT

* Huckleberry Jam from Huckleberry Haven http://www.huckleberryhaven.com/ , Kalispell, MT

* Grass Fed Beef Jerky from GK Jerky http://fwp.mt.gov/doingBusiness/store/parks/gkJerky.html , Deer Lodge, MT

* Billy "the goat" Bowman Mascot from Glacier National Park Fund http://www.glacierfund.org/

* Tipu’s Chai Now from Tipu’s http://www.tipuschai.com/ , Polson, MT

* Beef Jerky from Hi-Country Snack Foods http://www.hicountry.com/ , Lincoln, MT

* Plus other Montana knick-knacks

While in New York with his rolling "Big Sky Country" road show, Governor Schweitzer will also be appearing on the David Letterman Show, Wednesday, April 25, to share Montana with an even larger national audience.

To learn more about Montana’s marketing campaigns visit, http://www.travelmontana.org.
Win a United voucher for two tickets to Montana’s paradise!

The winner will receive a voucher for two to travel round-trip to Montana.

Simply be the 41st person, Montana was the 41st state, to submit a picture to twitter of Governor Schweitzer in NYC with the scenic Montana truck and yourself @brianschweitzer and have a chance to win a voucher for two tickets to Montana’s paradise! Flight is from Newark Liberty Airport to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.* Restrictions apply, must be 18 to be eligible.