CVB announces Prospector Award

During Coeur d'Alene's history, wealth often came in the form of gold or silver nuggets.

Today's gold nuggets are visitors, and the Coeur d'Alene Convention and Visitor's Bureau is exploring new ways of rewarding those who find them.

"We're launching what we call the Prospector Award program," said Katherine Coppock, bureau manager. "This is a way of encouraging members of our community to bring groups, corporate events and convention business to Coeur d'Alene, and rewarding them when they do."

Recipients will be honored with recognition at the Coeur d'Alene chamber's monthly Upbeat Breakfast event, as well as a series of ads in The Coeur d'Alene Press, Coppock said.

The launch starts with a major Coeur d'Alene-based business event by SQM, US, Inc., which opened a new research call center in Coeur d'Alene last year. SQM will host a four-day awards event this week with The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

"Some of our best leads can come from our community," said Bill Reagan, general manager of The Coeur d'Alene Resort. "From family reunions to major business functions, we are incentivizing people to bring group meetings to Coeur d'Alene."

The Prospector Award program is similar to the Stand UP! for Coeur d'Alene campaign which the Convention and Visitor's Bureau debuted during the height of the recent recession.

"It's a way our town can literally help itself succeed," Coppock said. "These type of events have a multiplier effect for our economy and the state tax rolls. We are encouraging everyone to bring their business here - and rewarding them for doing so."

For more on the Prospector Award, visit coeurdalene.org or call 664-3194.