The theme of NSAA president Michael Berry’s keynote, “Forging a Positive Future,” was mirrored in the range of workshops and seminars and in the exhibits in the trade show hall. It may just be our optimistic bias, but it seems that resorts are becoming more positive about NSAA’s challenge to increase trial and improve conversion. When Berry introduced this challenge at the national convention in May, one manager described the challenge as “impossible.” The Summit audience felt otherwise.

Not coincidentally, 32 golfers arrived early enough to play in the opening day Suppliers Cup Golf Tournament and raised money for the Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month program.

Of course, the ops-oriented NSAA fall educational series and the Doppelmayr lift maintenance sessions more than balanced the marketing push. The Summit, as is true of the fall fairs generally, provides a well-rounded kickstart to the coming winter season.