Visitor Center workshop, hospitality training set for May 17

LEWISTON- A free Visitor Center Workshop and Hospitality Training event is being offered that will highlight details about the Summer of Peace National Lewis & Clark Signature Event, state/regional tourism efforts, and other regional events.

Invited to pre-register are staff and volunteers of North Central Idaho and Southeast Washington visitor center facilities, including chambers, state/federal agency facilities, museums, casinos, Lewis and Clark event volunteers, other key visitor information locations and related tourism businesses.

Morning presenters include Carl Wilgus, Idaho State Tourism director; Farren Penney, Nez Perce Tribal Tourism director; Terri Summerfield, Weippe Camas Festival; Deb Smith, Lewiston Chamber Membership Services coordinator; Yvonne Oberly, Nez Perce Tribe Enterprise director, and Lorraine Roach, North Central Idaho Travel Association (NCITA).

A lunch panel will feature Matt Van Vleet, Potlatch Forest Holdings, Inc.; Christine Bradbury, Nez Perce National Historic Trail Public Affairs specialist and Kris Perry, Clearwater National Forest Lewis & Clark coordinator. After lunch, Rene Gingrich from Lewis-Clark State College will present a three-hour customer service and communication skills training, along with information about Lewis and Clark and the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho.

Visitor Center Directors from other parts of Idaho, and western Montana, have been invited as well, since many will be arriving in the area to attend the Governor's Conference on Tourism, which begins the evening of May 17, in Lewiston.

Pre-registration is required for this free workshop, which includes lunch and will be held at the Red Lion Hotel in Lewiston. The deadline to pre-register is Friday, May 12. Contact North Central Idaho Travel Association (NCITA), info@northcentralidaho.info or telephone (208) 983-2175 for more information. An informational flyer and registration form can be downloaded from NCITA's website www.northcentralidaho.info.

Sponsorship is provided in part by the National Park Service, Clearwater-Snake L&C Bicentennial Committee, University Inn Best Western, High Country Inn, Craigmont Area Chamber of Commerce, Clearwater National Forest, Lewiston Chamber of Commerce and North Central Idaho Travel Association. Additional sponsors are still welcome to help cover costs for this free tourism-related educational event. Call (208) 983-2175 for more information.