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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. – May 22, 2006 – Today more than 800 ski industry executives from across the country convened at the Marriott Marco Island Resort Golf Club & Spa for the National Ski Areas Association’s (NSAA) annual National Convention and Tradeshow. The convention, scheduled from May 22 – 25, will focus on the growth of the sport, risk management and insurance issues, resort marketing technology, customer relations, environmental issues and more.

Topping the list of featured speakers is Peter Francese, founder of American Demographics Magazine, now part of Advertising Age magazine, and author of “Marketing Insights to Help Your Business Grow.” Francese will provide his insight on important consumer trends that will impact the ski industry’s future.

Other sessions will include an update on the State of the Industry and Key Metrics for Success and Growth, presented by Boulder-based research firm RRC Associates. New this year, a finance track has been added to the show designed specifically for resort CFOs and controllers. Topics of discussion include strategies for improving internal controls and reducing fraud, an update on current finance trends in the resort industry and the latest news on valuations and available financing opportunities. In addition, the annual industry awards will be presented during the convention including the Heads Up National Ski Area Safety Awards, Golden Eagle awards (administered by Clif Bar), the Sales & Marketing and Customer Service awards, sponsored by MoutainDew and Sobe, and the NSAA Lifetime Achievement and Sherman Adams award. As always the tradeshow features a wide display of leading innovations in ski industry products and services. More information on the convention is posted 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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