SAM Magazine--Lakewood, Colo., January 16, 2007--Recent cold temperatures and reports of snowfall at several resorts in the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast regions are welcomed news to the entire ski industry. Nevertheless, the 2006/07 season will be recorded as one of the most challenging for some ski area operators. Recognizing this, NSAA has reformatted the programming for its Eastern Winter Conference and Tradeshow scheduled to be held at Mount Snow Resort, Vt., Feb. 6-7.

Topping the list, NSAA President Michael Berry will lead a panel discussion that provides a case-study analysis of strategies implemented during similar adverse weather events experienced in the Pacific Northwest Region during the 2003/04 season. Attendees will hear from leading Pacific Northwest ski area executives as they share their experiences in obtaining financing options to address short and long term debt issues, managing guest and season pass holder relations and retaining a year-round workforce.

In other sessions, Ski Area Management (SAM) hosts a forum detailing how to maintain positive media perceptions during challenging weather events; NSAA Public Policy Director Geraldine Link leads a panel that provides advice on how resorts can address the issue of global warming with the press and the public in an informative and positive manner; a snow surface workshop will focus on how resorts can make snow more efficiently, and manage and conserve it effectively; and finally, a panel of experts looks ahead at how resorts can maintain a positive cash flow through summer activities. As always, the programming is complemented with an industry tradeshow of the latest supplies and services. More programming and schedule information on the Eastern Winter Conference is available at nsaa.org.