53rd MTA Convention slated for Great Falls
Pub Date: 9/1/2008
By Cole Boehler
Editor and Publisher
As Labor Day approaches, most folks think about the end of a summer of relative leisure, getting the kiddies settled into school, coming winterization projects and the last mowing of the lawn.
For tavern owners, they think about the annual Montana Tavern Association Convention and Trade Show coming the next week. That's been the case for 53 years.
This year's gathering of licensees will take place in the center of the state at Great Falls and is hosted by the Cascade County Tavern Association. It has been 11 years but plenty of the MTA stalwart remember the last time these folks put themselves on the line: it was an exceptional convocation.
The 2008 event, if possible, looks to be even more fulfilling and, as is traditional, just the right mix of fun, comradery and learning opportunities.
And, as a legislative session looms in January, certainly the time is right for the best heads in the business to scope the future to determine threats and decide upon optimal tactics and strategies. MTA members will be part of the solution, not remote observers.
But let's get one thing clear: when you show up at an MTA convention, you park your car and it doesn't need to move again until you are ready to depart town. Free transportation is provided for everyone to anywhere at all hours. You can put your keys away and have fun with no worries.
Monday features a golf tournament, ladies shopping spree, a skeet shoot, a big bash to top it off, then the elimination rounds for a Texas Hold 'Em poker shoot-out.
Tuesday will commence with the big trade show where 60-70 vendor booths have been reserved for suppliers to show off their latest and greatest wares and services and staffed with the knowledgeable folks who sell them, install them and back them up. There's no better place for an adult beverage/gaming business owner or manager to learn so much in a day-and-a-half under one roof.
Also that morning, the MTA Public Relations and Insurance Committees will meet, if warranted.
Later in the day, there will be a cocktail party with hor d' oeuvres served right in the trade show venue. Then the MTA buses will roll, hauling folks to the second big party, this one sponsored by the major brewers and liquor vendors.
When that shindig winds down, buses and vans will haul conventioneers to dozens of MTA-member locations in various quarters of town where drink will flow and games will be played into the wee hours'; yup, a classic pub crawl.
Or some will surely return to the host facility to resume the poker tournament where the finals rounds will take place. Some lucky shark will go home with close to $2,500 and others will pocket lesser amounts. Let the dealing begin.
The next morning you can sleep in... a little...if you want, but most licensees who care about their business operating environment will be up and showered in plenty of time to attend the MTA Legislative and Gambling Committee and Budget Committee meetings which are gavelled at 9:30 and are scheduled to run until 11:30.
Of course, the Trade Show will be open, too, so you can slip in there, grab some coffee or juice or water (maybe a bloody Mary or screwdriver?), close a few deals with vendors, then head for the meetings...or even play hookey.
But you want to be at the Heritage Inn portal when the buses start moving men to their gender-biased luncheon at Borrie's, and women to their own exclusive luncheon at the Elks Club. Good food is a given and entertainment is promised at both locales.
at the convention general session. The folks who have or will have more to say than any others about your business environment will be on hand.
First, hear gubernatorial candidate Roy Brown speak (Gov. Brian Schweitzer may be at the Wednesday night banquet). Then the assemblage will hear from top regulators such as Atty. Gen. Mike McGrath, Gambling Control Division Administrator Gene Huntington and Liquor Division chief Shauna Helfert. Attorney General candidates Democrat Steve Bullock and Republican Tim Fox will speak and take questions from the audience.
Okay, time to head back to the room and grab a nice nap before putting on the swanky duds (or clean blue jeans, as the case may be) and head to the banquet hall for a round of cocktails before taking your seat for a sumptuous feast.
MTA's venerable, humorous and eloquent musical prodigy and Government Affairs Counsel, Mark Staples, will emcee the evening's program which will include presentation of MTA's highest honor, the Durkee award, aptly named in honor of the couple who nurtured the organization from infancy through maturity over three decades, Bob and Marie Durkee. Who will it be? Be there and find out.
The banquet and program is followed by a dance featuring music of "Cold Hard Cash," a Johnny Cash tribute band. Dancer, dance, dance the night away.
Ahh, nothing like bacon and eggs, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, fruit, cereal, coffee, juice or milk to get the engines off idle and revving. The Thursday brunch buffet will set everyone up nicely for the final MTA business meeting where committee reports will be heard, discussed, amended and given the thumbs up or thumbs down.
Finally, the slate of officers will be affirmed, the gavel will bang, and the 53rd MTA convention will be history.
Plan to be there'; travel safely. See y'all soon!
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, September, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.