2015 Montana State High School Rodeo Finals
Abstract
This study was conducted for the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce/Convention and Visitor Bureau to provide insight into the characteristics of attendees to the Montana State High School Rodeo Finals event. Paper surveys were completed by 154 attendees of the event. Results show that 93% of attendees were residents of Montana and of those 67% came from outside of Flathead County. Visitors to the Flathead Valley area spent an average of 3.72 nights in Kalispell. More people spent money on restaurant/bar, hotel/motel and retail goods while visiting the area than other spending categories. In last year’s event hotels/motels received the highest total dollars during the event, but in 2015 restaurant/bar was the spending category that received the most money. Respondents to the survey reported total spending of $91,753 in the Flathead Valley. Results provide event organizers and the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce/CVB with useful data for future event planning, making improvements to the event, event marketing/promotion, and understanding visitor spending associated with the event.