Contact: Troy Hawks
NSAA Communications
(720) 963-4215
thawks@nsaa.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ski Industry Closes Strong Season with Annual Convention
2007/08 Ski and Ride Season Anticipated to be one of the Best on Record.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. – May 12, 2008 – At the close of what has been a record-setting season for many ski resorts nationwide, hundreds of ski area executives are scheduled to meet at the annual NSAA National Convention and Tradeshow to examine and address leading industry issues. The annual convention, to be held at the Hilton San Francisco, May 28-31, features a host of educational sessions focusing on the growth of the sport, risk management and insurance issues, real estate, finance, marketing technology, customer relations, environmental issues and more. Preliminary national skier visitation figures will be announced Thursday, May 29.

Among the convention’s featured speakers, U.S. Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell will address the Forest Service’s three major challenges for the future: climate change, water and getting more kids in the woods. Also, San Diego Padres’ Special Assistant for Baseball operations and former Los Angeles Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta is slated as the keynote speaker. DePodesta will share his insight on building team success efficiently and effectively. Also slated to speak, award-winning journalist Guy Garcia will outline ways in which the multi-cultural consumer is transforming American business, and adventurer Jamie Clark will share his triumphs, and lessons learned while surmounting one of the World’s most arduous obstacles, Mt. Everest.

In addition, the annual industry awards will be presented during the convention including the Heads Up National Ski Area Safety Awards, the Golden Eagle awards for Environmental Excellence (administered by Clif Bar & Co.), the NSAA Marketing and Guest Service awards and the NSAA Lifetime Achievement and Sherman Adams award. Once again the convention is being powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Renewable Choice Energy, Boulder, Colo., has donated green power, in the form of renewable energy credits (RECs), to offset the energy consumed during this year's convention. More information on the NSAA National Convention and Tradeshow is posted online at www.nsaa.org.

 THE NATIONAL SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION, LOCATED IN LAKEWOOD, COLO., IS A TRADE ASSOCIATION FORMED IN 1962 FOR SKI AREA OWNERS AND OPERATORS NATIONWIDE.

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