USIA fills two top administrative posts
For operations he selected Dennis Harmon, for the past seven years the senior vice president and chief financial officer of Aspen Skiing Company. Before that he spent six years at Steamboat Ski Corp. as vice president, finance. Harmon also logged time as chairman of NSAA’s Economic Study Committee, and sat on the board of Colorado Ski Country.
Harmon was enthusiastic about the challenges ahead, saying, “The consolidation of the two organizations [NSAA and SIA] was a very productive step for the industry as a whole, and I am looking forward to being a part of that at the ground level.”
Ingemie was even more enthusiastic, telling SAM, “He’s very well regarded . . . he’s a helluva guy!”
Harmon’s responsibilities will include USIA administration, systems, data processing, accounting, personnel.
Harmon, who is looking forward to moving east with his wife and two youngsters, eight and eleven, will move sometime after the New Year holiday.
The other position filled was vice president of marketing, for which Art Currier was the final choice after a three-month search. He will be responsible for managing and directing marketing and communications for USIA.
Currier’s background includes top marketing and management positions at such ski industry firms as Salomon, Puma USA and Norfell. He was a marketing consultant for Sugarloaf in Maine from 1981-1983, and was executive producer of the official 1982 Nordic Skiing World Championship documentary film. For the past three years Currier has been running his own marketing agency in Danvers, Mass., called First Team of Specialized Marketing Resources. Upon joining USIA, Currier’s firm became inactive.
David Ingemie, who has used Currier’s services for SIA in the past, said, “It’s exciting to have somebody of Art’s caliber be a part of the new USIA. He will be able to hit the ground running and have an impact on the planning process of next year’s campaign.”
Craig Badami killed in Park City helicopter crash
Craig Badami, vice president of Park City Ski Area, was killed when the helicopter in which he was riding crashed, apparently after a dangling cable snagged a trailer. Of the pilot and five passengers, only Badami was killed.
The 37-year-old Badami was the only son of Nick and Avis Badami. Nick Badami, a former chairman of NSAA, is chairman of Alpine Meadows Ski Corp., which owns Park City Ski Area.
Craig Badami had come to be associated closely with the U.S. Ski Team, and he was viewed by team members as a loyal supporter and good friend. The support was not only financial — which was substantial — but also as a non-stop booster, and a sort of ringmaster of a non-stop promotional circus for the team.
In addition to his parents, Badami is survived by his three-year-old son, Nicholas.
Ski Area Industry Calendar
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 7-9 | NSAA Western Regional Winter Trade Show | Keystone, Colo. |
| Jan. 16-18 | NSAA Midwestern Regional Winter Trade Show | Devil’s Head, Wisc. |
| Jan. 22-24 | NSAA Eastern Regional Winter Trade Show | Stratton Mt., Vt. |
| March 19-24 | SIA Ski Show | Las Vegas Convention Center |
| April 19-23 | CCSAA Convention/Trade Show | Park City, Utah |
| April 25-28 | SAM (Salon Amenagement Montagne) Trade Show | Alpexpo, Grenoble, France |
| May 9-12 | Infratourist (Trade Show/Seminar) | St. Gallen, Switzerland |
| May 14-18 | NSAA Convention/Trade Show | Sheraton Boston & Hynes Convention Ctr. |
| Oct. 11-13 | Interalpin 90 (Trade Show/Seminar) | Kongresshaus, Innsbruck, Austria |
Industry marketing charges aggressively into January
The industry marketing program got the green light to proceed with much of what had originally been hoped for in the January flight. The funding goal of $7 million was almost reached, but what forced a revision in spending plans was also the skyrocketing costs of network TV. The revision was to go more with spot market TV.
The new programs that illustrate the strategy of “leveraging” are the Radio Metro Traffic Report, and the 16-page insert in People. Through cash and barter (equipment and tickets that are used in-house by Metro Traffic as sales incentives and employee benefits), USIA marketers are getting 10-second messages on 530 stations in 30 major metro markets.
The People insert was bound into the center of all 3.4 million copies, with estimated readership of 30 million. With participation by eight national advertisers, USIA leveraged $200,000 cash to achieve a buy valued at $1.5 million.
Skiing wins in Utah
A public referendum in Utah on whether public funds could be used for the financing of winter sports facilities was won, thus strengthening Utah’s bid for a Winter Olympics. It is the selection of the U.S. Olympic Committee for 1998, and if Utah loses out on that year (its competitors are Japan, New Zealand and Italy), it will automatically be the U.S. choice for 2002.
The affirmative vote sends an important message to the International Olympic Committee,” says Bob Bailey, executive director of the Utah Ski Association. “It says, ‘The world is welcome here!’ ”
European trade shows
There will be three important mountain resort trade shows in 1990, one of them new.
SAM 90 in France
First comes the biennial SAM 90 in Grenoble, France. This runs April 25-28, and uses 450,000 square feet of exhibition space, as well as on-slope demonstration areas at nearby Olympic venue, Chamrousse. American exhibitors will be featured in a section called the American Pavilion. The exhibits cover all aspects of mountain economy, principally recreational and agricultural, and the show usually attracts more than 30,000 professionals from some 32 countries. For more information, write SAM 90, Alpexpo, B.P. 788, F-38034 Grenoble Cedex, France.
Infratourist in Switzerland
From May 9-12 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, is the first of what will be a bienniel trade fair called Infratourist. It will be a show focusing on the wire rope transportation industry, resort infrastructure and tourism management. In addition to the trade show, there will be an international symposium in marketing and technology. For more information, contact Infratourist, Postfach 220, CH-9008 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Interalpin in Austria
From October 11-13, the ninth Interalpin will be held in Innsbruck, Austria. Always a packed and lively trade show, Interalpin features mountain resort equipment (lifts, snowmaking, grooming equipment, lift ticket systems and the like). In conjunction with the trade show is a Ski Symposium, which this year will focus on ski area capacity problems. The Austrian Ropeway Operators Convention is also held concurrently. For more information, contact Interalpin 90, Kongresshauss, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Boyne USA consolidates Brighton ski holdings
The Brighton Ski Resort in Utah, which had been bought by Boyne USA, owners/operators of both Boyne resorts in Michigan as well as of Big Sky in Montana, consolidated its Utah operation by purchasing all of the base area public facilities, including food and beverage services, ski shops and rental facilities, as well as the 24-room Brighton Lodge for overnight accommodation.
It is the first time since the area started in 1936 that a hundred percent of all the facilities are under single ownership. Major changes and expansion are planned, including a replacement 80-90 room hotel. All will require Forest Service approvals.
The owner also said they planned to push hard for implementation of the Utah Interconnect, in which Brighton would be a beneficiary.
Meanwhile, up at the Big Sky operation, the company is building a $10 million convention and meeting facility and slope-side condominiums called Yellowstone Conference Center and Shoshone Condominiums at Big Sky. A June completion is projected.
PSIA/NSP consolidation
The Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) board has approved a proposal to consolidate the national office with that of the National Ski Patrol (NSP), whose board will act on a parallel proposal in mid-January.
The goal is to gain efficiency and effectiveness by eliminating administrative duplication between the two organizations which already are housed in the same building in Lakewood, Colorado. This consolidation of services would affect office administration only, and would not represent a merger of the two organizations.
Study Trip to Japanese ski areas is proposed
A ten-day, educational trip for ski area executives has been proposed by Resort Kenkyukai, a Japanese firm in the recreation consulting business, which has organized a similar trip for Japanese ski area executives to visit U.S. ski resorts in January.
The trip would be an opportunity to see behind the scenes of the booming ski industry in Japan, where expansion of facilities is explosive.
The group would leave for Tokyo on March 18. During the stay the group would be welcomed at some eight ski areas, selected to give the broadest possible representation: a small-scale urban resort, an all-new resort development, Japan’s premier snowmaking system, Japan’s candidate for the 1988 Olympics, the 1972 Olympic venue, a Club Med ski resort, a “fashion resort” — where it’s important to be seen.
The itinerary is tentative, the dates and length of visit are flexible. The group will meet with many of the leading Japanese ski industry figures.
It is estimated that the all-inclusive cost of the trip would be between $6,000 and $7,000. If there is sufficient interest, the detailed arrangements will be made, and the exact price settled.
Anyone interested should contact Ski Area Management, P.O. Box 644, Woodbury, CT 06798 — Tel. (203) 263-0888.
International Snow Science Workshop
A five-day workshop has been scheduled at Bigfork, Montana, October 9-13, by the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW 90). Papers will be presented on many aspects of avalanche studies (forecasting, control technology, awareness education, protection, search and rescue); physical and chemical properties of snow; snow formation and mountain meteorology (including snowmaking), the effect of wind on snow deposition, snow management (compaction, removal) and other such topics.
In addition to the presentation of the papers, a field trip to nearby Glacier National Park is scheduled.
Anyone wishing to present a paper should submit an extended abstract (200-400 words) to the ISSW 90 committee by February 1. Also, space is available for exhibits pertaining to the commercial aspects of snow.
For more information, write the ISSW 90 Committee, P.O. Box 372, Bigfork, Mont., 59911.
Honors to Patrol
The National Ski Patrol’s Winter Emergency care (WEC) program has been selected by the American Society of Association Executives as the best association education program of 1989. It was chosen from 104 entries in the category “Educational program based on the needs of industry or professional associations.”
The WEC program is designed to prepare ski patrollers to provide emergency care and rescue transportation in the winter environment. Participation is required of all NSP members, who become certified WEC technicians upon successful completion of the course.
Errata
In the Directory section of the November issue, please note the following corrected phone numbers: Audio Innovators — (800) 222-9929; also, Joe Brigham, Inc. — (603) 224-9050.
We regret any inconvenience caused by these errors. — Editors
Vail buys Eldora
Vail Associates recently bought a controlling interest in Eldora Ski Area, near Boulder, Colorado. Andy Daly, who, with the Ertl family, owned the area, joined Vail Associates as executive vp and president of Beaver Creek. He will also remain president of Eldora, though based at Beaver Creek.
With this transaction, Vail adds another feeder area to its existing ski operation at Ski Broadmoor. Says Vail’s president, Mike Shannon, “It furthers our commitment to quality skiing on the Front Range.”
Eriksen wins AT&T award
Stein Eriksen is this year’s winner of the AT&T Skiing award, given annually to recognize “an individual whose commitment to excellence and dedication to skiing has profoundly enriched the sport.”
The world’s top racer in the early ’50s, Eriksen won Olympic gold and silver medals in 1952, and was a triple gold medalist in the 1954 World Championships.
Dendrite announces success in snowmaking breakthrough
With the international patents in place for the MK-II Dendrite Snowgun, the wraps have started to come off the hush-hush, eight-year effort to achieve a technological breakthrough in snowmaking. The effort was funded by money subscribed by a consortium of ski areas calling themselves Dendrite Associates, and currently numbering 24.
Their goal was to develop a more energy efficient device. Two years of testing and modifications have resulted in results described as “promising,” with “significant energy savings” indicated.
Sale of this technology, and the right to market it worldwide, is being handled by Sno-engineering, who also provided the field testing data.
A complete report on this technology will appear in the March issue of SAM.
Small at Sugarbush
John E. Small has been named president of Sugarbush in Vermont. He comes from a background in resort and hotel management, as well as from the cruise line industry, where he was vice president of Princess Cruises.
Small and his wife, Denise, are both skiers.
People
Dennis Eshbaugh goes from operations manager to general manager at Holiday Valley in New York. Also, Bill Beerman was appointed ski school director. He comes from Labrador Mt. . . . Vice Presidential first cousin, Bradley T. Quayle, was named by Vail to the new position of vp resort development for Vail and Beaver Creek. A Vail Valley resident and business entrepreneur since 1974, Quayle has coordinated the Disney/Vail relationship for the past two years. Also at Vail, Michael R. Beckley was promoted to manager of special events, and Robert L. Sperberg is senior staff attorney, a newly-created position on Vail’s legal team . . . At Sunday River in Maine, Marti Mayne is the new director of communications; Skip King becomes mountain operations supervisor; Chip Seamans is promoted to patrol general foreman; and Jay Gamble, formerly operations supervisor, moves inside to direct field sales . . . Timberline in Oregon has named Steve Kruse as rental and repair manager.
Lift Engineering signs contract with Mitsubishi
Lift Engineering signed a licensing agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on December 7, and simultaneously announced an initial order of three lifts — two detachables and a fixed-grip quad.
Jan Kunczynski, Lift Engineering’s founder and president, said that the company’s technology and experience were in harness with the Japanese industrial giant’s deep engineering resources, advanced electronics and sophisticated testing capabilities. He called the agreement “a significant one” for the whole industry, especially in the light of the enormous expansion potential of the Japanese market, which he described as “by far the world’s biggest tramway market today.”
Mr. Matsudo, managing director of MHI, called it “epoch-making” to be introducing the first American user-oriented lift to the Japanese market. “MHI has great confidence in gaining a firm market share through Yan’s technology and MHI’s development and sales service network.”
Lenko distributorship
Distributorship of the Swedish Lenko snowmaking machines for the U.S.A. has been acquired by Peter D. Geise, P.O. Box 442, Winchester, Mass., 01890.
Geise reports he has units of the Lenko 880, an “airless” machine, available for sale, rent and demonstration.
Alford to York
Peter Alford, a leading figure in snowmaking circles for 18 years, has joined York Automatic Snow as vp of planning and development. He will be based in the Denver offices of York.
