About Us
Visit Big Sky (VBS) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership organization
OUR VISION
Big Sky's confluence of nature, culture, people and preservation is so inspiring that one visit makes you want to stay for a lifetime.
OUR MISSION
As the Big Sky community's official destination marketing and management organization, Visit Big Sky leads the development and promotion of authentic tourism experiences through research and stakeholder collaboration to grow Big Sky's economy while balancing the need to sustain quality of life for its residents.
FY20 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Visit Big Sky's Board of Directors meets every third Thursday of every other month at 8:30 a.m. at the Big Sky & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Information Center at 55 Lone Mountain Trail, Big Sky, MT 59716.
OFFICERS:
- Tim Drain, President –General Manager, Natural Retreats
- Dan Martin, Vice President - Owner, Karst Stage
- Ryan Kunz, Secretary/Treasurer - General Manager, Lone Mountain Ranch
DIRECTORS:
- Justin Bain - Vice President, Cross Harbor Capital Partners
- Julie Grimm-Lisk – Jake’s Horses and CAP Mentor Coordinator, Thrive
- Kirsten King - Owner, Big Sky Vacation Rentals
- Annie Pinkert – Vice President of Business Development, Big Sky Resort
- Krista Traxler – Director of Marketing, Yellowstone Club
- Andy Wirth - Lone Mountain Land Company
If you are interested in joining the Visit Big Sky Board of Directors, there is currently one vacant seat. To apply for board nomination or for more information, please email candace@visitbigskymt.com .
Team Big Sky
Candace Carr Strauss | CEO
Candace is a brand-raiser in the EXPERIENCE Economy: she has spent twenty five years curating memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for individuals, brands, and organizations by promoting purpose with passion, forging connections, building relationships that enable deeper engagement, providing stewardship and ultimately creating loyal fans, customers, and donors. She most recently conducted a funding study for Wonderful Copenhagen, the official Destination Marketing Organization for Denmark’s capital region. Other past experience includes work as Director of Development at Bozeman’s Museum of the Rockies from 2008-2014 and Director of Corporate Relations at the Houston Symphony.
Emilie McGee | Marketing Manager
After packing up and moving across the country almost 17 years ago, Emilie would call herself a Bozeman native, having spent almost her entire life being raised in the Gallatin Valley. In May of 2018 she graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Business Marketing and Small Business Entrepreneurship. During her time at MSU, she spent two years working for Bobcat Athletics as their Marketing Assistant, producing multi-sport events and learning the ins and outs of sports marketing. She also has experience in events, nonprofit work and business development. Upon graduation she just couldn't get herself to leave the Montana lifestyle and risk not livin' the dream, so she made the move to Big Sky, taking the next step in her professional career while getting to stay immersed in the outdoors and out running the trails!
Lori Wetzel | Compliance Manager
Lori graduated from MSU Billings with an accounting degree and passed the CPA exam that same year. She is a Montana native, spending most of her life in the Billings area. After a couple of years in Arizona, she and her husband have returned to their home in the mountains and look forward to enjoying the big blue skies, clean air, beautiful white snow and abundant wildlife.
Paige Desatoff | Community Engagement Manager
Born and raised in Broadus, MT, she came to Bozeman to experience the wonders of the mountains. She is a recent graduate from MSU with a degree in Business Marketing and Management with a Minor in Small Business and Entrepreneurship. She worked with Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital Cancer Center for over 3 years and Bobcat Athletics for 2 years in Event and Sports Marketing. Her love for the outdoors and the mountains is why she decided to stay in the Gallatin Valley. Outside of work, you can find her on the river fishing, on the mountains hiking, or exploring new hunting grounds.
Nicole Hom | Graphic Designer
Nicole brings with her over a decade of adventuring and creating in the southwest Montana region. A fine arts graduate of Bethany College she completed her masters degree in Museum Exhibition Design through Johns Hopkins University. Her work in the arts industry has encompassed editorial and publication design, gallery management, museum exhibition design, and freelance graphic design.
Emily Lessard | Visitor Services Manager
Emily graduated form the University of Massachusetts Amherst and went on to work for the National Park Service in visitor services and outdoor education. She has been living and recreating in Big Sky since 2016 and enjoys interacting with our diverse visitors.
BIG SKY & GREATER YELLOWSTONE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
Located at the corner of U.S. Hwy 191 and Lone Mountain Trail (MT Hwy 64), the Big Sky & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Information Center’s is here to assist you with a variety of travel information.
Our experienced travel counselors live in Big Sky because of their love for our community and are more than happy to help you plan your trip. If you have questions before your stay, please call us at (406) 995-3000, email us at info@visitbigskymt.com or stop by the visitor information center with your questions.
Hours of Operation: Open 5 days a week, Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00 pm.