Idaho Conference on Recreation and Tourism

10/05/2026

So…what happens next? ■
The Travel With Care Champion applications are in—and judging is wrapping up.
Here’s what’s ahead:
➡■ October 5: Finalists are selected
➡■ Week of October 5: Finalists are notified
➡■ October 20: The 2026 Travel With Care Champion is revealed at ICORT
One organization, business or destination will be recognized for putting Travel With Care into action and
helping create a better experience for Idaho’s lands, visitors, residents and communities.
The countdown is on.
■ Who do you think will take home the inaugural Champion award?

10/02/2026

Applications are officially closed. Now the judging begins. ■
Thank you to everyone who shared the work they're doing to help Idaho Travel With Care.
Over the next two weeks, submissions for the inaugural Travel With Care Champion Award will be reviewed
based on:
■ Alignment with Travel With Care
■ Impact
■ Reach
■ Partnerships
Then, we'll have our finalists.
Who will rise to the top?
Stay tuned. ■
The 2026 Travel With Care Champion will be announced October 20 at ICORT.

09/30/2026

ICORT 2026 is almost here. Don't miss out, reserve your spot now.

Here's What to Expect
MONDAY, OCT 19: Pick Your Adventure
9:00am - 12:00pm: Idaho Travel Council Meeting, Pitman Center, Vandal Ballroom

Optional Moscow activities starting at 2:00 PM.
Sign up with your ICORT registration. Walk-ups can't be accommodated.
• Sips Through Time: a downtown historical tour
• Pints on the Palouse: a Moscow b**r tour
• Vandal Territory: a University of Idaho campus tour
• Travel With Care Volunteer Event: transplant native vegetation with the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute

TUESDAY, OCT 20: The Big Day
Opening keynote from Rebecca Rusch
Sports tourism keynote with Kevin Hinton of U.S. Travel Association: how youth and amateur sports are fueling Idaho's visitor economy
Lunch with a side of AI: what are travelers asking AI about Idaho before they ever reach your website?
Breakout sessions (each one repeats):
• Growing Idaho's international visitor market
• Marketing the places no one knows yet
• Outdoor Media 101: how to work with travel and outdoor writers
Behind the Numbers: a panel unpacking Idaho's 2025 tourism data, with new tools to help you plan ahead
Evening Reception and Awards Show at the 1912 Center: Idaho's Lieutenant Governor, Scott Bedke, will present the Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award, Tourism Marketing Awards, and the first-ever Travel With Care Champion Award. Come celebrate the people doing great work across Idaho.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 21: Roll Up Your Sleeves
Breakfast Bytes: a hands-on AI workshop on getting found in search and AI
Regional Caucuses: your chance to network with others from your region and help shape Idaho's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
Rural Tourism Panel: turning community strengths into real opportunities
We'll close out the conference at noon and announce the location for next year's ICORT, October 25-27, 2027.

THROUGHOUT THE CONFERENCE
Camp Travel With Care
Come see what Travel With Care is all about:
• Take the pledge on the TWC Pledge Wall and commit to caring for Idaho.
• Share your story in the "Why We Care" Story Booth. Tell us about an Idaho place you love and why it's worth protecting. Your story could be featured on Visit Idaho social channels or at future events.
• Play a game, answer a question, and win free TWC swag!
• It's quick, fun, and a great way to connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts
Meet with Exhibitors during breaks. Connect with the partners, platforms, and media outlets that can help you reach more travelers.
Network with the folks who make Idaho tourism happen, old friends and new. Trade ideas, swap stories, and grow your Idaho network.
Shuttles will run between the Best Western Plus and University Inn prior to morning sessions and after afternoon sessions.

09/18/2026

Idaho’s outdoor spaces are worth caring for—and across the state, organizations, businesses and communities are finding creative ways to do just that.
This year, Visit Idaho is recognizing one organization that is putting Travel With Care into action through
efforts that:
■ Care for Idaho
■ Care for Yourself
■ Care for Others
From trail stewardship and wildlife education to visitor safety, trail etiquette and responsible recreation
campaigns, your work could be the next Travel With Care Champion.
Applications are open through September 21.
The 2026 Champion will be announced at ICORT on October 20 in Moscow.
https://industry.visitidaho.org/2026-travel-with-care-champion-award-1/
Ready to put your work in the spotlight?

09/07/2026

Don't forget to sign up for one of the optional tours & activities when you register. 👇

Pints on the Palouse: Moscow B**r Tour
Raise a glass to Moscow's thriving craft b**r scene on this tour of local breweries and bottle shops.

Vandal Territory: University of Idaho Campus Tour
Discover the rich history and traditions of one of the West's premier land-grant universities.

Sips Through Time: Moscow's Downtown Historical Tour
This guided walking tour weaves through Moscow's storied streets and iconic landmarks with a complimentary drink at beloved local stops.

Travel With Care Volunteer Event: Planting Vegetation with PCEI
Get your hands dirty at the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute transplanting native plants that provide essential food and shelter for local pollinators and wildlife.

09/01/2026

Whether you’re looking for new marketing strategies, fresh data to guide your decisions, or inspiration from your peers, ICORT 2026 has something for you.

International Tourism Update + Mindtrip’s AI DMO Readiness Report - Get up to speed on international travel trends and discover what AI means for the future of destination marketing.

Breakfast Bytes Workshop: How to Get Found in Search or AI - Learn practical strategies for making sure your business or destination can be discovered as travelers increasingly turn to search engines and AI for inspiration and information.

Regional Caucuses - Share ideas, challenges and opportunities with peers from across the state in regional discussions moderated by University of Idaho graduate students.

Breakout Sessions - Choose from sessions covering Marketing Unknown Places (and Turning That Into Your Advantage), international marketing, and a PR panel featuring tested strategies for generating valuable earned media, moderated by Chez Chesak with the Outdoor Writers Association of America.

Celebrate Idaho Tourism - Tuesday evening’s Awards Reception is a chance to celebrate the people and organizations making a difference across Idaho. We’ll honor the recipient of the 2026 Governor’s Lifetime Achievement in Recreation and Tourism Award, celebrate our peers through the Idaho Travel Council Marketing Awards, and present the inaugural Travel With Care Champion Award.

08/28/2026

Get ready for an ICORT packed with fresh ideas, new research and insights you can put to work.

Featured Sessions & Speakers

Opening Keynote with Rebecca Rusch - Kick off ICORT with an inspiring conversation with Idaho cycling legend and adventure athlete Rebecca Rusch.

Sports Tourism - Hear from Kevin Hinton of the U.S. Travel Association on the opportunities and impact of sports tourism.

Rural Tourism Panel - Explore the opportunities and challenges facing rural destinations with Jenny Hemly of Main Street Program/Idaho Commerce, Kristi Baughman of Yellowstone Teton Territory and Susan Jacobson with Clearwater County Economic Development, moderated by Scott Beck of JLL.

New Research, New Insights - Get the latest tourism research and data from Longwoods International, Tourism Economics and Dean Runyan Associates.

08/19/2026

If you haven’t registered for ICORT yet, there is still plenty of time! Hop over to https://www.icort.org/ to see the schedule at-a-glance, afternoon activity options, hotel information and more. Thank you!

Hope to see you there!

08/12/2026

Secure your spot today! Early Bird Discount ends August 15!
https://www.icort.org/

ICORT is an annual event hosted by Visit Idaho that brings together Idaho’s recreation and tourism professionals for learning, networking, and collaboration. Join recreation, tourism, hospitality, arts, destination marketing, and community professionals from across Idaho for two days of learning, networking, and collaboration. Whether you're looking to discover new industry trends, connect with peers, share ideas, or gain practical insights you can bring back to your organization, ICORT is the place to be.

The Idaho Conference on Recreation and Tourism (ICORT) is an exceptional opportunity to learn about Idaho’s tourism industry and network with other recreation and tourism professionals. ICORT is designed for destination marketing organizations and tourism-related businesses in Idaho — from resta...

07/30/2026

Registration is Open!
October 19-21, 2026 - University of Idaho | Moscow, ID
Join recreation, tourism, hospitality, arts, destination marketing, and community professionals from across Idaho for two days of learning, networking, and collaboration.

New Pricing for 2026
Early bird discount: $275 | Regular registration: $350

Don't wait—secure your spot today!
Early Bird Discount ends August 15
https://www.icort.org/

The Idaho Conference on Recreation and Tourism (ICORT) is an exceptional opportunity to learn about Idaho’s tourism industry and network with other recreation and tourism professionals. ICORT is designed for destination marketing organizations and tourism-related businesses in Idaho — from resta...