Get Ready for the 2025 CMR Fall Conference!
Your CMR Education Committee has been hard at work crafting an energizing and valuable conference designed specifically for Minnesota resort and campground owners. This is your opportunity to step away from the busy season, recharge, and connect with people who truly understand the resort life.
At the Fall Conference, you’ll:
✅ Learn from expert speakers and industry leaders.
✅ Share experiences and ideas with other resort owners.
✅ Build lasting connections that strengthen your business and our resort community.
Don’t miss this chance to invest in your resort, your future, and your community.
And here’s a bonus: The admission fee for your first attendee (up to $200*) will be credited to your 2026–2027 CMR Annual Membership—making this conference not only valuable, but also a smart investment.
👉 Check out the schedule, speakers, and accommodations below—and get registered today!
*The credit is not to exceed the annual cost of your CMR membership.
Your CMR Education Committee has been hard at work crafting an energizing and valuable conference designed specifically for Minnesota resort and campground owners. This is your opportunity to step away from the busy season, recharge, and connect with people who truly understand the resort life.
At the Fall Conference, you’ll:
✅ Learn from expert speakers and industry leaders.
✅ Share experiences and ideas with other resort owners.
✅ Build lasting connections that strengthen your business and our resort community.
Don’t miss this chance to invest in your resort, your future, and your community.
And here’s a bonus: The admission fee for your first attendee (up to $200*) will be credited to your 2026–2027 CMR Annual Membership—making this conference not only valuable, but also a smart investment.
👉 Check out the schedule, speakers, and accommodations below—and get registered today!
*The credit is not to exceed the annual cost of your CMR membership.
Location
Sanford Center
1111 Event Center Dr NE Bemidji, MN 56601
1111 Event Center Dr NE Bemidji, MN 56601
Date & Time
Conference Begins: Friday, October 24, 2024 | 10am
Vendor Show: Friday, Oct. 24 | 10am-6pm
Depart: Saturday, October 26, 2025 |11am
Vendor Show: Friday, Oct. 24 | 10am-6pm
Depart: Saturday, October 26, 2025 |11am
Fall Conference Schedule
Please review the full final schedule below!
Schedule subject to changes.
Schedule subject to changes.
Schedule subject to updates & changes.
Day 1 - Friday, Oct. 24: at Sanford Center
9am
Welcome and Opening Session
Our CMR Operations Manager, Angie, will check you in and give you a welcome packet and name tag. If you haven't paid, please be prepared with a check written to the CMR.
* Welcome from Kayla Daigle, President CMR
* Resorter Introductions- Brian Hiese – South Isle Family Campground; Nancy & Troy Loren – Little Boy Resort
* Welcome from Kayla Daigle, President CMR
* Resorter Introductions- Brian Hiese – South Isle Family Campground; Nancy & Troy Loren – Little Boy Resort
10:00AM-6:00PM
Vendor Fair + Cornerstones
🛠️ Hands-on sessions | 🤝 Vendor connections | 💡 Practical ideas
10:30 am-12:00 pM
Morning Cornerstones
✨ Cleaning Hacks & Must-Have Products
📋 MN Family & Medical Leave: What You Need to Do
🤖 AI & Tech Tools for Hospitality
🌍 Airbnb, VRBO, OTAs: Friend or Foe?
📋 MN Family & Medical Leave: What You Need to Do
🤖 AI & Tech Tools for Hospitality
🌍 Airbnb, VRBO, OTAs: Friend or Foe?
11:30 am
12:30 PM – Lunch & Learn
📝12:30-1:30- Update on the Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) from DEED and a Legislative Update from Joel Carlson- Legal Research- Government Affairs
📝12:30-1:30- Update on the Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) from DEED and a Legislative Update from Joel Carlson- Legal Research- Government Affairs
1:00pm-6:00pM
Afternoon Cornerstones
🚨 Disaster Planning for Resorts
📣 Marketing That Works (social, video, email, partnerships)
🛶 Guest Experience Trends (activities, rentals, F&B upgrades)
🌱 Sustainability & Future-Proofing
📣 Marketing That Works (social, video, email, partnerships)
🛶 Guest Experience Trends (activities, rentals, F&B upgrades)
🌱 Sustainability & Future-Proofing
6:00PM-7:00pM
Happy Hour Sponsored by Major Sponsor: Northwoods Bank
Servicing Park Rapids, MN And The Surrounding Areas. Family owned and operated since 1919. Our team members greet you with a smile and the expertise you are looking for!
7:00PM
Dinner
9:00 pM
Trivia: Entertainment Sponsored by Major Sponsor rezStream
Schedule subject to updates & changes.
Day 2 - Saturday, Oct. 25: at Sanford Center
Roundtables, Breakouts & Annual Meeting
8:00 AM
Walk & Talk ☕🚶♂️
9:00AM
Breakfast
10:00AM
Welcome & Resorter Stories- Damie & Olivia Vangstad – Timber Trails Resort; Steve & Pat Addler – Retired, Cedar Rapids Lodge
10:30AM-12:30PM
Morning Breakouts & Sponsored Roundtables
12:30pm-1:30pm
Lunch
1:30 pM-3:30pm
Cracker Barrel Session & Breakouts
3:30pm-5:00 pM
CMR Annual Meeting (updates, elections, announcements)
5:00- 6:00 pM
Cocktail Hour 🥂
6:00PM
Dinner
7:30pm
Live Auction
Evening
Marc Bloomquist Hospitality Night at Balsam Beach Resort. Shuttle provided - will run every 20 minutes
Location: Balsam Beach Resort
Schedule subject to updates & changes.
Day 3 - Sunday, Oct. 26: at Sanford Center
Vision Forum & Farewell
8-9:00 AM
Breakfast
9-10:00 aM
Ambassador Kickoff & Buying Program
10:00-11:00 aM
CMR 2026 Vision Forum 🔮
11 Am
Closing & Farewell 👋
Conference Sponsorship
Sponsor a Conference Event
MAJOR Sponsor - Gold: $2500
Co-sponsor - Silver: $1500
Alacarte - Misc.
Co-sponsor - Silver: $1500
Alacarte - Misc.
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors!
Associate Members of the Community of Minnesota Resorts (CMR) are businesses that provide goods and services that are particularly relevant to the operation of resorts and campgrounds. The CMR appreciates every Associate Member for their membership in the CMR, and their ongoing support of Resorts and Campgrounds throughout the state of Minnesota!
The following Associate Members are this year's Major Sponsors of the Community of Minnesota Resorts Fall Conference. We will update as they are accepted! Their contributions enable the CMR to present an even more enriching and fulfilling fall conference platform of speakers, presentations, and educational opportunities for our resort and campground members.
We want to thank each of the Major Sponsors! Visit them during the fall conference and vendor show, provide your appreciation for their sponsorship, and explore their product and service offerings!
The following Associate Members are this year's Major Sponsors of the Community of Minnesota Resorts Fall Conference. We will update as they are accepted! Their contributions enable the CMR to present an even more enriching and fulfilling fall conference platform of speakers, presentations, and educational opportunities for our resort and campground members.
We want to thank each of the Major Sponsors! Visit them during the fall conference and vendor show, provide your appreciation for their sponsorship, and explore their product and service offerings!
Brought to you by your CMR Education Committee:
Kyle Walter | Acorn Hill Resort and Vice President of CMR| [email protected]
Anne Dougherty | Wambolts Cabins and CMR Strategic Director | [email protected]Jen Bloomquist | Cedar Rapids Lodge | vacation@crlodge.com
Timberly Christansen | Finn n' Feather Resort | [email protected]
Tim Norris | Pimushe Resort | [email protected]
We look forward to having you!
