Havre saddles up for convention
Havre, Montana’s largest Hi-Line city, will host the Montana Tavern Association's 55th Annual Convention and Trade Show Sept. 13-16 at the Great Northern Inn and Havre Ice Dome.
The city last hosted the event in 1988, so local MTA members are anxious to roll out the welcome mat.
Hi-Line Tavern Association, in coordination with the state Tavern Association, is now putting the final touches on the business-and-pleasure event.
“Havre is doing an outstanding job,” said Bob Anderson, executive director of the Montana Tavern Association. “The Hi-Line folks are really working hard to make this convention a success.”
Lora Compton, the Hi-Line Tavern Association’s convention chairperson, said convention planning actually began two years ago when Havre was chosen to host this year.
“I think it’s going well,” Compton said. “It’s going to be a great convention. People still talk about the last convention held in Havre. We’re very excited to create some new 2010 memories.”
The Havre edition of the convention will boast a western theme and a casual feel.
Transportation will be provided free to and from any and all association events. Phone numbers for transportation are provided, and drivers are at your beck and call all four days. In addition, transportation schedules will be posted in all the motels.
“There will be plenty of transportation,” Compton said, “from morning until the wee hours.”
As the Montana Tavern Times passed its news deadline, some specifics of the convention schedule were yet to be determined, particularly which dignitaries were going to participate and in what way.
However, the main framework of the convention had been completed.
While the association conducts serious business at its conventions, including hearing from panels of top regulators and government officials, considering legislative strategies and problems facing the industry, and electing a new slate of officers, there is always an appropriate amount of emphasis placed on fun.
For many operators, the convention represents the only "vacation" they see during the year.
And maybe that's why the first Monday of the convention is traditionally devoted purely to fun.
Again this year the convention kicks off with a golf tournament (Beaver Creek Country Club), while another group will load up for a round of sporting-clays shooting at the Havre Trap Club.
Unique this year in Havre is the local-attractions outing Monday afternoon, and Compton said the idea has sparked much interest. Becky Miller, the local coordinator for the outing, said participants will tour several unique attractions, including Fort Assinniboine, established in 1879 to house over 500 soldiers charged with monitoring the activities of the region’s many Indian groups. The outing also will also make its way to “Havre Beneath the Streets,” underground area built at least 100 years ago to house several illicit businesses. Outing participants won’t go hungry or thirsty either, as wine and hors d’oeuvres will be provided.
Monday evening will find everyone gathering at the traditional 19th Hole Party, to be held at the Beaver Creek Golf Course, where a big feed with plenty of beverages will take place.
The MTA's annual Roger Frampton Memorial Poker Tournament commences right after the 19th Hole Party at the Duck Inn. Players will face off in Texas Hold 'Em in the tournament's preliminary elimination rounds. The tournament will conclude the following evening when the top three finishers will receive cash awards – last year’s winner netted $2,400.
Tuesday begins with the Public Relations Committee meeting at 9:30. Then the trade show – deemed by many as the best reason to attend the convention – kicks off at the Havre Ice Dome. Booths have been purchased by vendors large and small, all ready to display, demonstrate and discuss a complete array of the latest valuable and profitable products and services available to retail operators.
Licensees never even have to leave the show as a luncheon is served amongst the vendor displays, then later toward evening, hors d'oeuvres are spread. Of course, beverage suppliers are generous with their samples throughout the day.
The Trade Show is the place where operators rub shoulders and exchange valuable information with the most knowledgeable folks in the business, and that includes their successful peers.
And as a special bonus for a lucky trade show participant, a 42-inch LCD HD television donated by Town Pump will be given away. You must be present at the trade show to win.
Industry suppliers then will throw a big bash known as the Industry Party, this year to be held at the Eagles Club. Again, all the food and drink you could desire is available.
Then, for those with sufficient stamina, a pub crawl has been organized that will sample venues throughout the city while providing fun and games along the way.
“We really want to get everybody involved in the pub crawl,” Compton said.
She said fun activities are planned, both for the time on the bus and in the local taverns. For example, she said participating establishments will provide a putting green, with the lowest-scoring putter winning a great prize.
Budget and Legislative and Gambling Committees will meet Wednesday morning beginning at 9:30. The trade show continues until noon.
When these end, buses and vans will whisk everyone to a luncheon at the Ice Dome. Unique entertainment is planned here, as well, with a professional, Western-themed skit to play out.
Then the transport vehicles will hustle members back to the Duck Inn in order to hear from top industry regulators and government officials.
Convention goers will get a bit of a break for a nap or maybe a stop at one of the local watering holes, before the pre-banquet cocktail hour, followed by the big sit-down dinner at MSU-Northern.
Compton emphasized that the banquet is casual dress.
MTA's Mark Staples will again emcee, and awards will be presented, including the MTA's most prestigious Durkee Award. And winners of $46,000 in MTA raffle prizes will be announced.
When the formalities are completed and the desserts consumed, the talented Milk River Band will play the latest country hits, as well as the traditional favorites.And still more fun is scheduled with an “indoor rodeo” that absolutely guarantees laughs.
You'll need to get up and at it Thursday morning in order to take advantage of a big breakfast buffet before turning to the last business of the convention.
The general membership will hear the reports of the various committees, including legislative and gambling and budget, but then will be asked to make the decisions that will influence the success of the organization in the future: the election of officers, including a new president.
Please peruse at length and depth this edition of the Montana Tavern Times. In it you will find all the information, down to the last detail, you will need to fully enjoy and exploit the vast convention potential.
Registrations are still being accepted, Compton said. If you need a registration form, call the MTA office at 442-5040.
Compton added the local tavern association has several members who worked extremely hard on the convention planning.
They include Becky Miller – attraction outing; Jupe Compton, Lance Johnson and Max Ericson – golf; Tom Farnham (local president) – trap shoot and transportation; Russell DeVries – trade show; Lisa Morre – trade show luncheon; Lacy Farmer – industry party; Maxine Munson and Dan Kucera – pub crawl; Jill Leo, Shawn Byxbe, and Sandy Anderson – men’s and ladies’ luncheon; Trudy Myers – Thursday bruncheon; and Janna Saber, Debbie Keller and Darren Overlie – banquet.
Compton also acknowledged the help of Mary Jane Heisler, who’s on the MTA’s Time and Place Committee.
“Mary Jane has been wonderful,” Compton said. “She has really come through for us.”