City full of tourism, media events next week

The beginning of fall brings a textbook trifecta of tourism education, media planning and networking opportunities to North Idaho next week.

Idaho Travel Council kicks off the week with its annual fall meeting Oct. 13-14 at the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce board room.

ITC's meeting agenda includes film grant review and awards, tourism media distribution platform and a presentation by Drake Cooper on the agency's outline of FY11 marketing and media plan including winter program recap.

The Idaho Bed and Breakfast Association's first convention "INN-CREDIBLE Idaho" meets the evening of Oct. 13 from 6-10 p.m. at Settler's Creek in Coeur d'Alene.

In its inaugural year the membership has grown to more than 50 members. To register please call John or Tina Hough at 765-5200.

The North Idaho Tourism Summit will be held at Settler's Creek on Oct. 14.

The full day begins at 8 a.m. with a state report from Karen Ballard, administrator of the Idaho Division of Tourism. Ballard will be followed with a presentation by Lisa Gerber, Big Leap Creative.

Gerber will be discussing the importance of and how to track social media and travel sites to see what visitors are saying about your business.

There will be more reports, networking and refreshments.

Information: Katherine Coppock at (208) 415.0114 or e-mail katherine@cdachamber.com.

"Overall lodging sales and visitation to attractions in northern Idaho were up compared to last summer," Ballard said.

Bonner County posted a 6.7 percent increase over the same period last year, Shoshone County a 10.3 percent increase, Kootenai County increased 1 percent, and Boundary County a 19.3 increase.