News
2011
January 6, 2011 -
Employment Opportunity: Associate Director
America’s Byways Resource Center has a full-time opening for an Associate Director.
The Associate Director will assist the Director to provide leadership in Resource Center project and contract management and delivery of services, including staff supervision. Key responsibilities include coordinating and integrating the training program, technical assistance efforts and communication with staff, customers and stakeholders.
January 7, 2011 -
Request For Proposal: Sensitivity Testing for Byways Economic Impact Tool
America’s Byways Resource Center has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a qualified independent consultant(s) to determine the effectiveness and perform a sensitivity analysis of the Economic Impact Tool for National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads, released by America’s Byways Resource Center in February 2010.
January 13, 2011 -
America's Byways Resource Center Recognized For Achievements In Facilitation
America’s Byways Resource Center has been honored as a “2010 ToP Champion” for achievement in facilitation by the Institute of Cultural Affairs National ToP (Technology of Participation) Network. The Technology of Participation (ToP®) teaches team members how to collaborate on projects and group facilitators how to effectively lead their team.
February 24, 2011 -
America's Byways Resource Center Announces Staff Updates
America’s Byways Resource Center recently announced that Ryan Matara has joined the staff as the Training Specialist. He comes to the Resource Center with nearly 13 years of experience in the field of Training and Development. Previously, he held a training position with the Fingerhut Corporation and, most recently, he spent nearly 10 years as a Performance Specialist with Grand Casino Hinckley where he focused on career and supervisory development training and provided internal organization development consulting services to the various departments.
March 24, 2011 -
New Tribal Liaison Named
America’s Byways Resource Center has named Cheryl Cloud Westlund as the new Tribal Liaison. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the Tribal transportation field, successfully working across organizational, cultural and geographic lines.
March 29, 2011 -
Byways Specialist Position Now Open
A staff promotion has created an employment opportunity at America’s Byways Resource Center for a full-time Byways Specialist. This person will serve as the primary contact for assigned nationally designated scenic byway organizations, State byway coordinators, partner organizations and State byway programs. The position involves providing technical assistance, information, contacts and support to further the goals of the National Scenic Byways Program and the goals outlined by local byway groups. Applications are accepted until April 15, 2011.
April 13, 2011 -
America's Byways Resource Center Now Accepting Advisor Applications For America's Byways Peer Advisory Network (PAN)
Feedback from byway leaders has indicated a need for a peer-to-peer mentoring program, and America’s Byways Resource Center is launching a new program in response. America’s Byways Peer Advisory Network (PAN) was developed to provide an intensive assistance tool, similar to the technical assistance provided by Byways Specialists, but with information and mentoring from the standpoint of a day-to-day byway practitioner. And to launch the program, America’s The Resource Center plans to recruit up to twelve qualified byway practitioners.
May 2, 2011 -
Registration Opens For 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference
America’s Byways Resource Center announced its new online registration site is now open for the 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference, which will be held August 21-24 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“Online registration makes it easy for the byway community to take advantage of our $100 early-bird discount now,” said Ryan Peterson, Program Assistant at the Resource Center.
May 24, 2011 -
America's Byways Resource Center Welcomes Communications Specialist
America’s Byways Resource Center has named Gina Chiodi Grensing as the new communications specialist. Gina’s extensive communications experience includes more than twenty years in marketing, writing and editing, public relations and events planning.
June 13, 2011 -
Quick and Easy Economic Impact Tool Survey in Your Inbox
Are you using the Economic Impact Tool for National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads? If so, you should have received a link to complete a short survey that will help us understand how you are using the tool.
June 23, 2011 -
Save $100! Register for the 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference Now!
Now is the time to register for the 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference if you haven’t yet.
Register before July 13, and you’ll save $100!
Click here now to register.
Conference Dates - August 21-24, 2011
Held in beautiful and lively Minneapolis, Minnesota, this year’s conference promises to be a learning and networking extravaganza.
June 27, 2011 -
Journal for America's Byways Now Available
The premier issue of the Journal for America’s Byways, a publication from the America’s Byways Resource Center, is now available. This informative publication provides in-depth insight into issues involving the byway community. Topics covered in the inaugural issue include a historical perspective on scenic driving, a look into a successful visitor center, a guide to mapping visitor experiences and lessons regarding transportation safety on byways.
July 7, 2011 -
Important Letter to the Byway Community
Dear Byway Community:
I am writing you to inform you about a situation which may affect the relationship we have with all of you and our ability to continue to be of service to the byway community. Last month we received notice from the Federal Highway Administration that funds set aside by Congress specifically for the America’s Byways Resource Center will not be distributed to us and instead have already been redistributed to various states. We had anticipated using those funds to continue our work into calendar years 2012 and 2013.
What are the details?
The Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011 (signed into law in March), included language giving the Secretary of Transportation discretion to redistribute funds allocated to specified projects and programs that were designated in SAFETEA-LU, if the Secretary determines that these programs have received “sufficient funds in fiscal year 2010, or a previous fiscal year, to carry out the purpose for which the project or activity was authorized.” (Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011 [Public Law 112-5, Title 1, Section 101(d) as it amends Public Law 111-147, Title IV, Section 411(d)])
July 21, 2011 -
Minnesota Twins Branding Presentation At 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference
Just Announced!
Patrick Klinger, Vice President of Marketing for the Minnesota Twins Baseball Club, and Charlie Callahan, Senior Vice President/Creative Director at Periscope advertising agency, will lead a luncheon presentation on August 23 on the value of branding, showcasing the Twins’ innovative marketing efforts.
August 1, 2011 -
Hotel Reservaton Deadline Extended!
If you haven’t yet booked your hotel for the 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference, do so before August 5 to be included in the special Conference room block at the Marriott City Center. You’ll get two deals when you book in the Conference room block. First, you’ll automatically be entered into a drawing for free conference lodging. (Drawing to take place at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24.) Second, you’ll receive the low conference standard room rate of $120.00, not including taxes.
Click here or call 1-800-228-9290. Ask for the National Scenic Byways Conference group rate.
Don’t wait! Make your reservation now!
August 3, 2011 -
Resource Center Welcomes Gerard Baker As Keynote Speaker For The 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference
Join Us Monday, August 22, 11:45 a.m.
Learn how byways can embrace the vast diversity of cultural traditions in America and help share the stories of our national heritage. Gerard Baker, recently retired assistant director for American Indian Relations-National Park Service and a Mandan-Hidatsa tribe member, will address the 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference during Monday’s keynote luncheon. Mr. Baker has initiated award-winning interpretive programming changes to help revive and honor Native American perspectives.
August 8, 2011 -
2011 National Scenic Byways Conference Online Registration Closes Friday, August 12
You still have time to register online for the 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference, to be held August 21-24 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Use a credit card to register online by August 12 (after August 12, onsite registration only). Click here to register today!
If you cannot pre-register, the America’s Byways Resource Center staff will accept registrations at the conference site, Minneapolis Marriott City Center, 30 South 7th Street. For more details about the conference and its unique learning and networking opportunities, click here.
August 11, 2011 -
Public Awareness Partnership Generates New York Times Article
America’s Byways Resource Center and Goodyear formed a partnership in 2010 that continues to generate results for the public awareness initiative, including an article that appeared in the August 5, 2011 edition of the New York Times about driving nine national scenic byways.
August 30, 2011 -
Marketing Boot Camp Scheduled For October
Plan to attend America’s Byways Resource Center’s Marketing Boot Camp in Duluth, Minnesota, October 17-20, 2011. This highly informative, concentrated,
four-day, marketing seminar will provide participants with effective tools, techniques and tactics to take back and implement immediately.
• Only 15 people will be selected to attend. Priority will be given to members of the America’s Byways Collection, but others are encouraged to apply.
• Applications must be received before 12:00 p.m. CDT on September 16, 2011.
Get more information and download your application here.
September 8, 2011 -
Congratulations To The 2011 Scenic Byway Award Winners!
The 2011 Scenic Byway Awards winners were announced at a presentation dinner on Wednesday, August 24, at the conclusion of the 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Sponsored by the America’s Byways Resource Center, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the prestigious Scenic Byway Awards recognize eight projects of excellence and one outstanding byway leader from byway nominations across the country.
September 19, 2011 -
New Journal For America's Byways Coming Soon
Look for the next issue of the Journal For America’s Byways to be coming soon. Articles include
• Road’s Designed for Pleasure: Part II,
• Becoming a Nonprofit,
• America’s Byways and North American Indians, and
• Byways via Bicycle.
September 30, 2011 -
Community Involvement and Byways Webinar
Join us for the webinar
Community Involvement and Byways
on October 6, 2011.
Hear about one byway’s efforts to successfully acquire involvement from the community in which it exists.
By attending this webinar you will:
• Learn about the community involvement in projects undertaken by the highlighted byway.
• Learn about the specific challenges experienced in the highlighted byway’s community involvement efforts.
• Understand the benefits realized by the highlighted byway through effective community involvement.
• Understand how the practices discussed might relate to their own byway efforts.
October 4, 2011 -
Peer Advisor Network Up and Running
The byway community has another tool to help it navigate ever-changing organizational and economic conditions. The America’s Byways Resource Center sponsored twelve byway leaders from around the country to learn how to leverage their byway experience into peer assistance to the byway community. The 2.5 day training session, conducted at the Resource Center office in Duluth, Minnesota, was led by National consultant, Dr. Craig Dreeszen, on behalf of the University of Massachusetts, Arts Extension Service.
The training, which builds on advisor and group strengths and addresses new challenges of byway organizations operating in the new economy, focused on the fundamentals of organizational assessment and consulting. Now these byway leaders, who are not usually professional consultants, can provide front‐line program and management advice to their peers.
October 12, 2011 -
Community Involvement and Byways Webcast
Learn how the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway successfully promoted community involvement in specific projects. This webcast looks at the byway’s efforts and challenges to include the community along its corridor. It highlights the benefits reaped by the byway when community partnerships were successful.
Presenter: Robin Gyorgyfalvy, USDA Forest Service, Deschtes National Forest
Click here for more information and to watch this informative and helpful webcast.
October 28, 2011 -
Online Strategies Publication
Download the America’s Byways Resource Center’s publication An Introduction to Online Strategies For Leveraging Your National Scenic Byway Designation.
This handy 20-page publication will assist you on
• capitalizing on the America’s Byways brand,
• making the most of your website,
• utilizing strategies of social networking,
• staying current and on task through checklists,
• and more.
November 2, 2011 -
Big Ideas Shared at the 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference
One of the exciting opportunities at the 2011 National Scenic Byways Conference was a chance for participants to share successful ideas from their byway or an idea that they thought would work well for the future of America’s Byways brand. We found that conference participants appreciated the opportunity to share with us. It was fun to see the ideas, which covered a variety of topics, pop up on the Big Idea Board. They are highlighted (edited for clarity) below. Thank you to everyone who provided a Big Idea!
November 16, 2011 -
National Scenic Byways Program Discretionary 2012 Grants
Apply now for your Federal Highway Administration’s National Scenic Byways Program grant.
The application deadline is January 6, 2012
The America’s Byways Resource Center is holding informative webinars with presenter Gary Jensen, Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration.
All sessions are from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. CST.
• November 28 - State Coordinator’s session
By invitation only - contact Ryan Matara
• November 29 - Open session
Register here
• November 30 - Tribal session
By invitation only - contact Ryan Matara
• December 5 - Open session
Register here
Access a grant application and important information at http://www.bywaysonline.org/grants
November 22, 2011 -
Best of the Road® Deadline Extended
America’s Byways Resource Center and our marketing alliance partner, Rand McNally, invite byways to submit brief travel itineraries to be eligible to be featured on the blog, Best of the Road®, and possibly other media. The deadline for submissions is now January 13, 2012!
“Byway organizations should download the submission form from our website, complete the short questionnaire, and upload the document with photos to us via YouSendIt,” said Michelle Johnson, America’s Byways Resource Center director.
December 9, 2011 -
Time Is Running Out - Secure Your Peer Consultant NOW
With America’s Byways Resource Center closing this summer, there is limited time to match byway organizations that are looking for assistance (that means you!) with experienced, trained peer advisors. The deadline to apply for assistance from the Peer Advisor Network (PAN) is January 20.
The peer advisors have gone through rigorous training by an expert brought in by the Resource Center. These advisors are ready to help you now.
