Montana Office of Tourism Awards e-Marketing Grants to Eight Tourism Organizations

Tourism organizations from eight Montana communities will be able to move forward with new e-marketing projects thanks to recent funding awards made by the Montana Office of Tourism (MTOT) at the Montana Department of Commerce.

MTOT announced the recipients of its Tourism e-Marketing Technology Grant, which was created last year in an effort to help Montana businesses and non-profits improve their competitive position within the state’s tourism industry.

"E-marketing is essential to reaching Montana’s target travelers," said Jeri Duran, Administrator of the Montana Office of Tourism. "This grant provides tourism organizations with the resources they need to remain competitive in the rapidly changing world of digital technology."

Grant funds may be used for a variety of technology-related projects such as the development of mobile applications and web design. Now in its second year, the program has expanded from $150,000 to $200,000 in available funds.

Recipient organizations and funded projects include:

City Sponsor Project Award

Bozeman Museum of the Rockies Retargeting e-Marketing Campaign $5,095

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Butte Butte-Silver Bow CVB Butte Virtual Tour Website & Mobile App $9,000

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Charlo Blue Sky Productions Lively Times: Web Enhancement & Data Sharing Project $43,415

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Hamilton Bitterroot Cultural Heritage Trust Connecting Visitors to Arts & Culture in the Bitterroot $26,225

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Helena Alternative Energy Resources Organization Abundant Montana Agritourism e-Marketing Project $26,700

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Missoula Run Wild Missoula Promotional Video, Online Registration, Social Media $23,205

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Missoula Adventure Cycling Association Montana Bicycle Tours Online Marketing Campaign $16,860

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West Yellowstone Kirkwood Ranch Amazing Digital & Discovery Event $9,500

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Whitefish Old Town Creative Communications Montana Roadside History & Geology Markers App $40,000

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Total $200,000

MTOT Visitor Services Manager Carol Crockett said last year’s recipients are already using their funds to good effect. For example, the Terry Chamber of Commerce, which received $5,000 from the program in 2013 to update its website, recently launched its completed project at http://www.visitterrymontana.com.

For more information about the MTOT e-Marketing Grant Program, contact Carol Crockett at [email protected] or (406) 841-2796.