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financial impact of forced closures and evacuations during wild- The changing demographics of the US population are creating
fire season. This session will address proactive fire prevention an ever-more diverse population, with Gen Z the most racially
efforts—from updating operations plans to selecting insurance diverse generation ever. This reality is forcing many in the outdoor
coverage—that ski areas can take to develop resiliency to protect space, including the ski industry, to make conscious choices about
their guests, their facilities, and their bottom lines. We examine how they promote getting outside. Groups that form around inter-
the legal framework governing fire mitigation projects on public ests like skiing and riding and other outdoor pursuits are not new.
and private lands, discuss wildfire management strategies that What is changing though is the number of groups focused on
some ski areas have pursued, and conclude with recommen- diversity—racial and economic—that are successfully introducing
dations that ski areas can implement to understand their legal an ever-broader mix of people to the great outdoors. Join
rights and obligations, increase preparedness in the event of a our panel as they discuss their learnings on bringing kids and
threatened closure, and, ultimately, reduce their wildfire risk. adults outside.

51 Ways to Increase Your Ski Area Food & Beverage Wednesday, May 1
Profits Over One Season 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Mike Holtzman, President, Profitable Food Facilities Worldwide Vail's Commitment to Zero
The food and beverage operations at your ski area have the distinct Moderated by Kate Swayne Wilson, Director of Sustainability,
opportunity to serve as one of the key profit components of your Vail Resorts, Inc
business. Clearly, for your F&B operations to be profitable, they Craig Konz, Cleantech Client Manager, Schneider Electric
must first be set up for success—but with the rising cost of payroll Energy & Sustainability Services
and vendor services, seasonal limitations, and staff turnover, this is Sarah Martinez, Director of Marketing, Eco-Products
no easy task. The focus of this session is to examine ways your area Pete Sonntag, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer,
can set the foundation for a well-oiled operation by implementing Whistler Blackcomb
cost-savings and profit-boosting measures. With more than 40 Vail’s groundbreaking Commitment to Zero is a bold pledge
years in the F&B industry, Mike Holtzman will provide the secrets to reach a zero net operating footprint by 2030. Kate Swayne
to operating a successful operation that adds increased value to Wilson, director of sustainability for Vail Resorts, will highlight
your bottom line. elements of Vail’s plan, including a 12-year agreement with
Plum Creek Wind that will bring a new wind farm online in 2020,
The Parking Dilemma: Strategies for Being reducing the emissions associated with the company’s FY2019
Too Popular electricity use by 100 percent; launching a partnership with
Moderated by Travis Beck, Director of Environmental Services, Eco-Products to help reduce single use conventional plastics and
SE Group switch to compostable and recycled-content items in all of its
Dave Fields, General Manager, Snowbird, UT North American restaurants at 17 resorts this season; and Vail’s
Tony Janowiec, President & Chief Manager, Interstate Parking first annual EpicPromise Progress Report detailing the company’s
Kim Mayhew, General Manager, Solitude Mountain Ski Area, UT efforts and plans to reach its emissions, waste, and forest and
For years ski areas of all sizes have struggled with parking, habitat goals.
whether it’s a matter of the lots filling up on weekends, overflowing
on holidays, or able to accommodate a soccer game during the The Summer Opportunity
week. What has changed most recently is the increase in traffic to Sponsored by Aquatic Development Group
ski areas—overwhelming current capacities—and how quickly areas Moderated by Jeni Batte, Vice President, Account Services,
are parking out on these high-volume days. Areas are using a lot Guest Research, Inc
of different strategies to address these issues, including off-site Brian Czarnecki, Chief Operating Officer,
shuttles, ride sharing, paid parking, and even offering bus passes Camelback Resort, PA
where mass transit is available. Join our panel of area GMs as Casey McCoy, Senior Director of Guest Services,
they share their experiences with this issue and the ways in which Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, LLC, CA
they’re addressing the parking challenge through unique and Dan Skelton, President & Chief Operating Officer,
forward-thinking solutions. Blue Mountain Resort, Canada
Brad Wilson, General Manager, Bogus Basin Mountain
Growing Diversity & Inclusion Efforts Recreation Area, ID
Moderated by Lise Aangeenbrug, Executive Director, North American mountain resorts have largely been known as “ski”
The Outdoor Foundation resorts, having generated the majority of their profits from winter
Patrick Holloway, Sargeant-At-Arms, 4 Seasons West sports. But more and more of them are realizing they can no longer
Ski & Snowboard Club, CA depend solely on winter, given the impact of global warming, gen-
Schone Malliet, CEO, National Winter Activity Center, NJ erational changes in leisure time, and the decline in skier visits.

CONVENTION 2019 | NSAA JOURNAL | C17