what if it snowed and there were no snowmobiles

I recently made a presentation at a Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting in the heart of the Snowbelt.  The Chamber Board meeting was your standard luncheon meeting, we discussed numerous Economic Development issues and various Business and Community development subjects. 

I opened my presentation with a simple question, "What if it snowed and there were no snowmobilers?"  People in the room responded with, "It would be horrible! It would be financially devastating! My kids love to snowmobile, what would they do all winter? My business would fail! Our schools would be hurt! The winter would be very long and dreary! Our tax base would fall!" 

I assured them that the manufacturers would continue to build state of the art, mechanically marvelous, reliable snowmobiles for many decades.  I went on to say that together we must work to insure the fringe radicals don't gather strength and ruin our family winter recreation. 

I asked the group how many of them were members of the State Snowmobile Association or their local snowmobile club.  Much to my surprise almost every hand went up. The individuals at the meeting represented a common "Chamber Board." 

The banker eagerly acknowledged that his organization financially supported organized snowmobiling.   He explained how good snowmobile "paper" was and how his branch made many good snowmobile loans and he worked closely with the local snowmobile dealer.

Sitting next to him was the Insurance Agent who exclaimed his agency wrote an abundance of snowmobile insurance policies and he was confident his book of snowmobile business would continue to grow.  He too supported snowmobiling. 

Across the table sat two restaurant owners, both of whom openly admitted winter tourism brought many snowmobilers into town to keep their businesses alive in the winter, even though the trails didn't run directly to their establishments.

There were numerous small businesses represented that did not directly benefit from snowmobile tourism.  They certainly understood the benefits the snowmobile economic engine provides to their community.  They passively supported snowmobiling. 

The superintendent of the school system is on the Board of Directors and he is acutely aware of the tax revenue generated by the snowmobile community.  He understands that snowmobile revenue supports the local school system.  His school system endorses the snowmobile safety training programs that are put on by the state association and the DNR.  He knows that many of the students in his school system are snowmobilers and they ride with their parents. 

Two of the Board members are owners of small town motels that catered to snowmobilers in the winter.  They clearly understand the importance of snowmobiling to their businesses.  They stated that snowmobilers pay the mortgage during the months of December through April.

All of the folks sitting around the table absolutely understood that many of the jobs in their small town were full time year around jobs because snowmobilers visited their community and helped to generate the circular flow of money that keeps businesses viable year around.

It was enlightening to see how snowmobiling had become part of the fabric of this community and of the Chamber of Commerce.

During the meeting I gave my standard presentation on Economic Impact, Safety Awareness and a legislative update.  I'm not sure if this was a standard Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, but the meeting reaffirmed my belief in our need to work closely with Chambers of Commerce and Visitors and Convention Bureaus throughout the Snowbelt region.  Virtually all of the Chamber members have business contacts and friendships with the snowmobile community.  They knew and understood who developed the trail system and were eager to work with the local clubs in expanding and improving the trail system.

During the meeting, snow flurries began and there was quiet applause for Mother Nature.  I expressed to the group, as I have to others, that I am not in the weather forecasting business, but that it certainly was good to see snow flurries in mid-November.  Hopefully Mother Nature is kind to us this year and recognizes how ready we all are for a great winter season.