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04/24/06 Anderson/Glacier Country Letter of Support04/24/2006 05:38 14068376231 GLACIER COUNTRY PAGE 02 i Glacxcr Country -Regional Tourism Commission P.O. Box 1035 Bigfork, MT 59911-1035 406-837-6211 Pax 406-837-6231 800-956.6537 email: glxciercountry@montana.com Slacienvisitmt.coin April 24, 2006 Mayor Pam Kennedy City of Kalispell City Council Members CITY OF KALISPELI_ 312 - 1 st Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59903-1997 Dear Madam Mayor and Kalispell City Council Members, On behalf of Glacier Country Regional Tourism Commission, one of the six tourism regions in Montana, funded by the Accommodation Tax, we are pleased to support The Hilton Garden Inn project at the old Armory Site on Highway 93 South. We represent Flathead County, as one of the eight counties in our region. We also represent Kalispell along with the Flathead Convention and Visitors Bureau which collects accommodation taxes within the city limits of Kalispell. The 147 new room addition, as well as their meeting space, in Kalispell, will be a welcome addition. This will help Kalispell economically for many years to come. The overflow from this particular property will help all of the hotels/motels within Kalispell city limits as the Hilton Garden Inn's meeting space is much bigger then their guest'room count so travelers coming for meetings. and conventions will need to stay someplace near the meeting space. These visitors will eat and. shop In downtown Kalispell, The national exposure Hilton brings to Montana opens the area up to travelers who are loyal to the Hilton brand. What does this mean to Kalispell? It means more revenue from bed tax for further promotion of the area, especially in the shoulder seasons of March — June and September — November, It means more incremental dollars being spent in Kalispell businesses. And perhaps most importantly, it means more people frying in which could guarantee the Flathead Valley more airline service and more seats in off season then we currently have. This benefits everyone in The Valley, as well as Kalispell. The company has aggressive goals of 800 attendees for 30 weeks out of the year in their hotel. Most of those attendees will fly in, rent cars, and stay an average of 4 - 5 days. We would like to point out that between the various organizations marketing Kalispell as well as the Flathead Valley, the marketing dollars Hilton will bring to the table will be a welcome contribution. Compared to national statistics, all of our budgets combined are quite low. We have found working with the new Hilton Garden Inn, In Missoula, and Mr. Robert Voelker to be one of the most cooperative and professional building projects In quite some time. The same organization Is working on the Hilton Garden Inn project for Kalispell. This organization is rewarding to work with in that they are organized, educated and realize how important their product Is in getting the visitor to Kalispell and western Montana. Because this Hilton Garden Inn organization specializes in Meetings and Conventions, we are looking at bringing more business into Kalispell during our shoulder seasons, not just in the summer. Meeting and Convention visitors spend more money then the average individual tourist. And reports show they come back in years to come with their family and take vacations. We support their efforts to build this important project and know you as the City Council will too. We thank you for your time and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 637-6211. Sincerely, Linda J. rson Executl !rector Cc: Robert.Voelk6r, Hilton Garden Inn; James H. Patrick, City Manager, Kalispell