It was Kelly Pawlak’s first NSAA conference as the organization’s president and CEO, and she seemed to be in several places at once throughout the event, meeting many western resort operators for the first time. Pawlak’s thirst for knowledge was evident as she sat in with other attendees for some educational sessions on Wednesday.
The conference rewarded attendees by addressing several challenges head-on. These included climate change, tax and regulatory changes, legal and risk management threats, and more. Perhaps the best-attended session focused on leadership and succession. While this has been an ongoing topic for several years, it appears to get more urgent with each passing season. And the fast-evolving culture of leadership, in the wake of the #MeToo movement and its challenge to the old boys’ club, has shaken up succession planning further.
Other major issues covered include governmental changes in the Trump era, employee housing, the latest industry data, and a variety of marketing and risk management topics.
The trade show itself was crowded, with exhibitors and resort personnel spilling into the foyer outside the main hall. The aisles and booths were packed throughout, and the floor was slow to clear at the end of each trade show session.
Wednesday’s first tracks attracted hundreds of attendees for a pre-dawn ride up the tram to Snowbird’s state-of-the-art summit building, where all were treated to a robust breakfast and a breathtaking sunrise from the 11,000-foot Hidden Peak before carving turns. Thursday morning’s first tracks at Alta were also well attended.
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(L to R) John Rice, Sierra-at-Tahoe; Tom Horrocks, SnoCountry; and Dave Belin, RRC Associates, chat with Snowbird’s Dave Amirault during trade show.
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Beer anyone?
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Burton’s Shaun Cattanach and Billy Johnson show off the company’s uniform line.
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Winner winner, chicken dinner! SAM’s Dave Meeker celebrates a win alongside Paul Thallner of High Peaks Group.
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Tanner Flatness shows off some product from AllOver Media Mountain Group.
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NSAA’s Earl Saline and RRC Associates’ Dave Belin chat over a couple cold ones.
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NSAA president and CEO Kelly Pawlak (left) catches up with Mardee Kayser from Ski Area Supplies.
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Phil Van Why from HKD (left) engages Hugh Killebrew during the tradeshow.
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Snowbird GM Dave Fields greets attendees at the base of the tram before first tracks.
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Pre-dawn arrival at the summit.
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Breakfast with a view.
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Dennis Kinsella (left) of Demac Lenko hangs out with John Hammond of Sugarbush Resort, Vt.
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The Telluride team (L to R) Jeff Proteau, Heather Young, and Tom Richard, chat with MountainGuard’s Tim Hendrickson.
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(L to R) David Dufour and Greg McCullough of Valley Summits share stories with Greg Dallas of Sugarbowl Resort.
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Attendees and suppliers all about to enjoy first tracks at sunrise
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Snowbird’s Tess Hobbs and Kate McGuinness celebrate a win on the wheel of chance at the SAM booth.
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The SAM team is booted up and ready for some sunrise turns!
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Bob Bonar, president of Snowbird, gives welcoming remarks over breakfast at the summit lodge.
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Natalie Ooi, program director for Colorado State University’s online graduate program in Ski Area Management (SKAMP) speaks to a standing-room only crowd about leadership and succession planning.
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Sharing some knowledge in the session titled "Spicing up your marketing mix - using the right ingredients": (L to R) Hugh Reynolds, Mountain Creek/SNOW Operating; Scott Clarkson, Crested Butte Mountain Resort; Halley O'Brien, Halley O'Brien Productions; Dave Gibson, Propeller Media Works; Tom Horrocks, SnoCountry.
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Snowbird general manager Dave Fields (left) is all smiles with the resort's director of sales Dan Crooker.
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(L to R) Geraldine Link, NSAA; Laura Schaffer, Powdr; and Shelby Sommer, Brendle Group, Inc., lead a session on Climate and Sustainability Organizations.
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2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 8
Sessions were full—some standing-room only—throughout the show.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 6
The marketing gurus gather for some pre-session prep.
(L to R) John Rice, Sierra-at-Tahoe; Tom Horrocks, SnoCountry; and Dave Belin, RRC Associates, chat with Snowbird’s Dave Amirault during trade show.
Beer anyone?
Burton’s Shaun Cattanach and Billy Johnson show off the company’s uniform line.
Winner winner, chicken dinner! SAM’s Dave Meeker celebrates a win alongside Paul Thallner of High Peaks Group.
Tanner Flatness shows off some product from AllOver Media Mountain Group.
NSAA’s Earl Saline and RRC Associates’ Dave Belin chat over a couple cold ones.
NSAA president and CEO Kelly Pawlak (left) catches up with Mardee Kayser from Ski Area Supplies.
Phil Van Why from HKD (left) engages Hugh Killebrew during the tradeshow.
Snowbird GM Dave Fields greets attendees at the base of the tram before first tracks.
Pre-dawn arrival at the summit.
Breakfast with a view.
Dennis Kinsella (left) of Demac Lenko hangs out with John Hammond of Sugarbush Resort, Vt.
The Telluride team (L to R) Jeff Proteau, Heather Young, and Tom Richard, chat with MountainGuard’s Tim Hendrickson.
(L to R) David Dufour and Greg McCullough of Valley Summits share stories with Greg Dallas of Sugarbowl Resort.
Attendees and suppliers all about to enjoy first tracks at sunrise
Snowbird’s Tess Hobbs and Kate McGuinness celebrate a win on the wheel of chance at the SAM booth.
The SAM team is booted up and ready for some sunrise turns!
Bob Bonar, president of Snowbird, gives welcoming remarks over breakfast at the summit lodge.
Natalie Ooi, program director for Colorado State University’s online graduate program in Ski Area Management (SKAMP) speaks to a standing-room only crowd about leadership and succession planning.
Sharing some knowledge in the session titled "Spicing up your marketing mix - using the right ingredients": (L to R) Hugh Reynolds, Mountain Creek/SNOW Operating; Scott Clarkson, Crested Butte Mountain Resort; Halley O'Brien, Halley O'Brien Productions; Dave Gibson, Propeller Media Works; Tom Horrocks, SnoCountry.
Snowbird general manager Dave Fields (left) is all smiles with the resort's director of sales Dan Crooker.
(L to R) Geraldine Link, NSAA; Laura Schaffer, Powdr; and Shelby Sommer, Brendle Group, Inc., lead a session on Climate and Sustainability Organizations.
Sessions were full—some standing-room only—throughout the show.
The marketing gurus gather for some pre-session prep.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 17
(L to R) John Rice, Sierra-at-Tahoe; Tom Horrocks, SnoCountry; and Dave Belin, RRC Associates, chat with Snowbird’s Dave Amirault during trade show.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 19
Beer anyone?
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 20
Burton’s Shaun Cattanach and Billy Johnson show off the company’s uniform line.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 22
Winner winner, chicken dinner! SAM’s Dave Meeker celebrates a win alongside Paul Thallner of High Peaks Group.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 23
Tanner Flatness shows off some product from AllOver Media Mountain Group.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 24
NSAA’s Earl Saline and RRC Associates’ Dave Belin chat over a couple cold ones.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 26
NSAA president and CEO Kelly Pawlak (left) catches up with Mardee Kayser from Ski Area Supplies.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 27
Phil Van Why from HKD (left) engages Hugh Killebrew during the tradeshow.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 28
Snowbird GM Dave Fields greets attendees at the base of the tram before first tracks.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 29
Pre-dawn arrival at the summit.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 33
Breakfast with a view.
-
DSC08484
Dennis Kinsella (left) of Demac Lenko hangs out with John Hammond of Sugarbush Resort, Vt.
-
DSC08499
The Telluride team (L to R) Jeff Proteau, Heather Young, and Tom Richard, chat with MountainGuard’s Tim Hendrickson.
-
DSC08503
(L to R) David Dufour and Greg McCullough of Valley Summits share stories with Greg Dallas of Sugarbowl Resort.
-
IMG 0049
Attendees and suppliers all about to enjoy first tracks at sunrise
-
IMG 0493
Snowbird’s Tess Hobbs and Kate McGuinness celebrate a win on the wheel of chance at the SAM booth.
-
IMG 0496
The SAM team is booted up and ready for some sunrise turns!
-
IMG 0501
Bob Bonar, president of Snowbird, gives welcoming remarks over breakfast at the summit lodge.
-
IMG 1602
Natalie Ooi, program director for Colorado State University’s online graduate program in Ski Area Management (SKAMP) speaks to a standing-room only crowd about leadership and succession planning.
-
IMG 6405
Sharing some knowledge in the session titled "Spicing up your marketing mix - using the right ingredients": (L to R) Hugh Reynolds, Mountain Creek/SNOW Operating; Scott Clarkson, Crested Butte Mountain Resort; Halley O'Brien, Halley O'Brien Productions; Dave Gibson, Propeller Media Works; Tom Horrocks, SnoCountry.
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IMG 6409
Snowbird general manager Dave Fields (left) is all smiles with the resort's director of sales Dan Crooker.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 10
(L to R) Geraldine Link, NSAA; Laura Schaffer, Powdr; and Shelby Sommer, Brendle Group, Inc., lead a session on Climate and Sustainability Organizations.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 8
Sessions were full—some standing-room only—throughout the show.
-
2018 nsaa snowbird gibson fullrights 6
The marketing gurus gather for some pre-session prep.
(L to R) John Rice, Sierra-at-Tahoe; Tom Horrocks, SnoCountry; and Dave Belin, RRC Associates, chat with Snowbird’s Dave Amirault during trade show.
Beer anyone?
Burton’s Shaun Cattanach and Billy Johnson show off the company’s uniform line.
Winner winner, chicken dinner! SAM’s Dave Meeker celebrates a win alongside Paul Thallner of High Peaks Group.
Tanner Flatness shows off some product from AllOver Media Mountain Group.
NSAA’s Earl Saline and RRC Associates’ Dave Belin chat over a couple cold ones.
NSAA president and CEO Kelly Pawlak (left) catches up with Mardee Kayser from Ski Area Supplies.
Phil Van Why from HKD (left) engages Hugh Killebrew during the tradeshow.
Snowbird GM Dave Fields greets attendees at the base of the tram before first tracks.
Pre-dawn arrival at the summit.
Breakfast with a view.
Dennis Kinsella (left) of Demac Lenko hangs out with John Hammond of Sugarbush Resort, Vt.
The Telluride team (L to R) Jeff Proteau, Heather Young, and Tom Richard, chat with MountainGuard’s Tim Hendrickson.
(L to R) David Dufour and Greg McCullough of Valley Summits share stories with Greg Dallas of Sugarbowl Resort.
Attendees and suppliers all about to enjoy first tracks at sunrise
Snowbird’s Tess Hobbs and Kate McGuinness celebrate a win on the wheel of chance at the SAM booth.
The SAM team is booted up and ready for some sunrise turns!
Bob Bonar, president of Snowbird, gives welcoming remarks over breakfast at the summit lodge.
Natalie Ooi, program director for Colorado State University’s online graduate program in Ski Area Management (SKAMP) speaks to a standing-room only crowd about leadership and succession planning.
Sharing some knowledge in the session titled "Spicing up your marketing mix - using the right ingredients": (L to R) Hugh Reynolds, Mountain Creek/SNOW Operating; Scott Clarkson, Crested Butte Mountain Resort; Halley O'Brien, Halley O'Brien Productions; Dave Gibson, Propeller Media Works; Tom Horrocks, SnoCountry.
Snowbird general manager Dave Fields (left) is all smiles with the resort's director of sales Dan Crooker.
(L to R) Geraldine Link, NSAA; Laura Schaffer, Powdr; and Shelby Sommer, Brendle Group, Inc., lead a session on Climate and Sustainability Organizations.
Sessions were full—some standing-room only—throughout the show.
The marketing gurus gather for some pre-session prep.