Idaho Conference on Recreation and Tourism

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who joined us — attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, and our incredible hosts in Idaho Falls. Your enthusiasm, ideas, and collaboration make this event truly special each year. We can’t wait to see you next fall in Moscow!

Thank you for attending ICORT 2025 in beautiful Idaho Falls! We look forward to seeing everyone next year in Moscow Idaho.

Moscow, October 19-21, 2026. See you there!

Idaho Travel Council grantees recognized with Tourism Marketing Awards.

Visit Boise receiving the “Best Campaign Over $50,000” award, Southeast Idaho High Country earning “Best Campaign Less than $50,000”, and the Southwest Idaho Travel Association being honored with the “Judges’ Choice” Award.

Brad Wilson Honored with Governor’s Lifetime Achievement in Recreation and Tourism Award

Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke presented Brad Wilson, General Manager of Bogus Basin in Boise, ID, the prestigious Governor’s Lifetime Achievement in Recreation and Tourism Award at an evening reception during the Idaho Conference on Recreation and Tourism in Idaho Falls this week.

Still Time to Register: ICORT is right around the corner! https://www.icort.org/
October 20 - 22 // Idaho Falls
Blue Cross of Idaho Conference Center in the Mountain America Center

Check out the agenda, learn more about the speakers and pick your favorite breakouts. We'll see you in Idaho Falls!

Home | ICORT Opening Breakfast and Morning Keynotes, Lunch, Breakout Sessions, Afternoon Keynote, Reception/Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Tourism Marketing Awards

Get ready—ICORT’s agenda is brimming with dynamic presentations and breakout sessions! Here’s a look at what’s coming up in the breakouts.

Tuesday, Oct. 21 - Sports and Event Marketing Panel, International Marketing Panel, Ensuring Travel is Accessible for All

Wednesday, Oct. 22 - SEO, GEO & the Evolution of Search, Navigating Online - Using AllTrails Tools for Resourcing and Education, Show Me the Money

Announcing ICORT Keynote Presenters

The ICORT agenda is packed with presentations and breakouts. Here's a teaser of what's in store for attendees at general sessions.

Tuesday, Oct. 21
After opening remarks, get ready for an unforgettable encounter with a special guest, a larger-than-life figure whose adventurous spirit, love of the outdoors, and passion for preserving America’s natural treasures helped shape the landscapes we explore today. This surprise guest will share stories of bold leadership, wild expeditions, and a vision that impacts the way we experience recreation and tourism.

At 11:00 a.m., Chris Ryan George, Senior Creative Director with the Utah Mammoth and Utah Jazz, will present on Creativity & Branding. With a background spanning sports, advertising, and tourism, Chris will share how these worlds intersect to shape people's experiences. From campaigns that inspire travel to the way major sporting events showcase a city or state, you will see firsthand how sports can serve as one of the most powerful forms of tourism advertising and how big moments on the field can translate into even bigger wins for tourism and community pride as a whole.

At 3:00 PM Keynote, Brian Screptock of Longwoods International will share a comprehensive update on the Idaho Visitor Profile, featuring the latest data and findings. This session will highlight impacts for stakeholders and detail key developments relevant to Idaho’s tourism and visitor trends. You will gain actionable insights to inform future planning and strategic decision-making.

Wednesday, Oct. 22
After opening remarks we'll hear from a panel discussing Competition and Co-opetition - Learning from Western States. While Idaho competes with western states for visitors, we can also learn from those states. This panel will discuss key topics, including destination management, responsible recreation, and innovative ways to market to potential visitors. Joining us will be David Blandford (State of Washington Tourism), Jim Hagen (Travel South Dakota), Todd Walton (Xanterra/Yellowstone National Park), and Dave Williams (Utah Office of Tourism). Jeremy Chase with Visit Idaho will moderate the panel.

Our final ICORT session is a panel discussion on the Power of Idaho Tourism. Tourism is Idaho’s third largest industry, but how do we effectively communicate the vitality of tourism to stakeholders? In this panel, we’ll hear from Mayor Jeremy Grimm of Sandpoint, Pam Eaton with the Idaho Lodging and Restaurant Association, and Jason Kriezenbeck with Lobby Idaho to hear their perspectives. Jessica Flynn with Red Sky will moderate the panel.

The annual Idaho Conference on Recreation and Tourism (ICORT) is your premier chance to learn, share, and connect with recreation and tourism professionals from across the state.

Held at the Blue Cross of Idaho Conference Center at the Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls, this year’s packed agenda embraces the theme “The Power of Idaho Tourism” and dives into topics shaping our industry, including:
• Why destinations must consider accessibility for their visitors and future tourism development
• How to rethink your digital strategy to include SEO, GEO and the Evolution of Search, especially with the impact of AI
• Increasing visitation with sports and international marketing
• Incorporating sustainable practices into your brand
• Communicating the value of tourism to stakeholders
• Encouraging responsible recreation with tools and resources from AllTrails Public Lands and Impact program
• Capitalizing on sporting events as a powerful form of tourism marketing
• Exploring the local beer, wine and art scene during Monday afternoon destination tours
• Celebrating peers with awards for great work and contributions to the tourism industry
• and much more!

💥 Ready to level up your tourism game?
ICORT 2025 is your chance to connect with Idaho’s brightest minds in recreation + tourism, Oct. 20–22 in Idaho Falls.

This year’s theme — The Power of Idaho Tourism — will inspire you, challenge you, and send you home with fresh strategies to promote your destination or grow your business.
Register now at icort.org!

Registration is live!
Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to learn about Idaho’s tourism industry and network with other recreation and tourism professionals.

ICORT 2025: The Power of Idaho Tourism

Home | ICORT Opening Breakfast and Morning Keynotes, Lunch, Breakout Sessions, Afternoon Keynote, Reception/Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Tourism Marketing Awards

Thank you for joining us at ICORT 2024! We look forward to seeing you again for ICORT 2025.

This year’s conference will be held October 20-22 in Idaho Falls at the Mountain America Center.

Idaho Falls Snake River Greenbelt

We hope you enjoyed ICORT in Lewiston this year and we hope you walked away with new information, resources, and connections that will make a difference in your professional life.

Your feedback is important to help us plan future conferences that provide optimal networking opportunities and educational sessions with actionable information. Please take a few moments to fill out this survey and share your least and most favorite moments, thoughts on the venue and registration process, topics important to you, and more! https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Y3o7xW4tlk2HyZ9YP20cgS0Ki6OZ-rVIsp1oqoPghQ9UMlQ0V1FJODc1Wk41SkdQSDlSS1lJVkQ1NS4u&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sharpspring&sslid=MzczMjE2NjMztDQ1BQA&sseid=MzEAAyMDQ0NLU1NTAA&jobid=ee13bb59-bf7d-4c5b-acf4-d5a1debe592e&route=shorturl