August and September FYI

For Your Calendar—

• The IOGA 52nd annual Meeting, December 13 and 14. Board of Director and Committee meetings December 11, 12 and 15. Boise Red Lion Downtowner.
• The 16th Annual IOGA Lobby Days, February 14-15, 2007, Idaho Statehouse and Basque Center, Boise.
• 4th Annual IOGA Outdoor Getaway Fundraiser, March 10, 2007, Coeur d’ Alene Casino, Worley
• 1st Annual IOGA Outdoor Adventure Expo and Fundraiser, April 6-7, Expo Center (fairgrounds, Boise).

Short takes.

• The Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association is proud to announce the First Annual Outdoor Adventure Expo and Auction, April 6-7, 2007 in Boise, Idaho at Expo Idaho (fair grounds).The IOGA is combining its first class track record in producing adventure trip and merchandise fundraisers with an exciting Sport Show. This show is designed to specifically showcase outfitted activities and related products. A packet with details will be mailed to all Idaho outfitters soon.  For more information, contact Jane Bruesch at idoutfitt@cableone.net or 208.342.1438.
• The recent legislatively approved hike in the Idaho sales from 5 to 6% takes effect October 1.
• Main Salmon power and float outfitters and guides are encouraged to respond by September 15 regarding the Salmon River Recreation Sites Renovation Project concerning proposed renovations for Spring Bar, Carey Creek, Vinegar Creek and Wind River Trailhead. It is assumed that fee demo funds, now Rec Fee, will be.  Submit input to Alexandra Botello, Nez Perce National Forest, 1005 Hwy. 13, Grangeville, ID 83530 or via email at: comments-northern-nezperce-Salmon-River@fs.fed.us For additional information regarding the proposal call Jena Daly at 208.983.4018
• The IOGA was awarded a travel promotion grant of $63,465 in late July by the Idaho Travel Council. The funds will be used in general to create awareness of Idaho as a destination for outfitted adventures. More specifically, the funds will be used to maintain and improve the IOGA website (www.ioga.org), promote the IOGA Outdoor Adventure Expo, print and distribute the 2007 IOGA Directory, create and distribute enewsletters and attend several sport shows. Send ideas for enewsletter topics and interest in representing the IOGA at shows in Salt Lake City and Reno to Grant Simonds at gsimonds@cableone.net  IOGA has been successful in its ITC grant requests since the program began in 1982.
• The IOGA is joining the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board in a collaborative effort to review present rules for the purpose of clarification as well as develop potential new rules and possible adaptations to the state outfitter and guide law. Collaborative rule making is exactly what the IOGA has expressed greater interest in historically and especially since the ill-fated rules package of the winter of 2005. The make-up of an 8 to 10 member Working Group will be jointly agreed upon and will include both IOGA and non-IOGA members, IOGLB and IOGA staff. Input will be gathered from outfitters, guides, federal agencies and others. There will be a session during the December 2006 IOGA meeting devoted to this endeavor. It is anticipated that the Working Group will have something finalized in time for the 2008 legislature. If you are interested in being considered to represent the IOGA on this Working Group, send a letter/email of interest to Grant Simonds at gsimonds@cableone.net
• IOGA is accepting nominations for one of the three outfitter/guide seat on the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. The term of incumbent outfitter IOGLB member Bill Bernt expires in April 2007. The IOGA process