Outdoor industry focus of economic summit

Some big names in the outdoor industry will speak at a conference hosted by the National Parks Conservation Association next week.

Orvis Company CEO Perk Perkins will join Whitefish mayor John Muhlfeld at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish on Thursday, Oct. 17, for a free program at 7 p.m. The event will also showcase photos by photographer Steven Gnam.

An all-day conference at Flathead Valley Community College on Friday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. will feature Xanterra Parks and Resort vice president of business development Robert Yow, Glacier Park Inc. vice president Ron Cadrette, local author Andrew Hagemeier, company representatives from Kimber Arms and Kalispell Regional Medical Center, and others.

Xanterra recently was awarded the new 16-year Glacier National Park concession contract. Glacier Park Inc. held the contract for the past 32 years.

The conference, “Looking up: Business and opportunity in the Crown of the Continent,” is intended for people interested in the future direction of the valley and its wide and varied natural resources. The Friday event costs $20 to attend.