$7M Montana tourism marketing contract award criticized

[TexasTowelie]

BOZEMAN (AP) — A Montana state agency's decision to award a $7 million tourism marketing contract to a Wisconsin firm is being criticized by some tourism industry officials.

The Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development earlier this month awarded the contract to Milwaukee-based Hoffman York, splitting with the Bozeman advertising agency MercuryCSC after a decade.

Jennifer Pelej is the bureau chief for the tourism department's marketing office. She tells the Bozeman Daily Chronicle that 11 applicants went through a competitive bidding process.

Pelej disclosed that she has a relative who works for Hoffman York, but procurement officials found no conflict of interest.

Read more: http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/m-montana-tourism-marketing-contract-award-criticized/article_3d1dfe5b-eec9-526e-8df4-3e532f215dad.html

[misterhighwasted]

1. "Pelej disclosed that she has a relative who works for Hoffman York"

"...but procurement officials found no conflict of interest."

Ok. Tell that to Montana residents, then turn off the phone. Ouch!

[2naSalit]

2. Montana tourism

is in a state of weirdness right now... I live right next to YNP and the towns at the west and north gates of the park are turning Chinese and corporate... meanwhile Yellowstone River (from just outside the park) is closed for 183 miles (plus tributaries) to all recreational activities due to a major fish die-off and the surrounding valleys are filled with smoke due to wildfires in and around the park... it's a mess. The locals have had enough of the Asian newbies already, they are rude and pushy and are dangerous hazards on the roads now that they have started driving... especially the CruiseAmerica RVs. These folks are terrified of curves in the roads and have to slow to 15mph for each one and when the road is narrow, they drive right down the center line, in and out of the park. It's a nightmare.

Montana tourism needs restructuring because the well-being of natural resources is not being considered when all that is considered is the almighty dollar.