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HomeConv: 2026 SLA



Snowsports Leadership Academy...


93rd Annual Far West Ski Association 
SkiCon

June 11 - 14, 2026



San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
8757 Rio San Diego Dr, San Diego, CA 92108 • 800-228-9290 
www.marriott.com/sanmv


"Peak to Pier"


 












Snowsports Leadership Academy Topics

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Morning Session (8:45 am – 10:45 am)


 "The Membership Multiplier"
Modern Marketing for Ski & Snowboard Clubs

Moderators:  Craig Caples & Tammi Loveland
Panelists: Jo Duff, Maxine Jensen, Nick Loveland

Today’s members don’t just find your club at a ski expo—they discover you on Instagram, through Google searches, in their inbox, and through friends who share your posts. This session breaks down a practical, step-by-step marketing framework designed specifically for ski and snowboard clubs that want to grow membership, increase trip participation, and strengthen engagement year-round.

We’ll cover:
  • Social Media That Converts – How to showcase your trips, events, and community culture in ways that move followers from scrolling to signing up. Learn what to post, how often, and how to turn powder-day stoke into measurable growth.
  • Search Engine Visibility (SEO & Google) – Make sure prospective members can actually find you. We’ll review simple website improvements, local search optimization, and how to rank when someone searches “ski club near me.”
  • Performance Marketing & Paid Ads – When and how to use targeted ads on platforms like Facebook and Google to promote trips, events, and early-bird memberships—without wasting your budget.
  • Email Marketing That Drives Action – Build automated email sequences that welcome new prospects, nurture interest, promote trips, and re-engage past members. Learn how to segment your list for better open rates and higher conversions.
  • Tracking What Works – Identify the key metrics that matter (clicks, conversions, trip fills, member acquisition cost) so your board can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Whether you’re a volunteer-run club or a large metro organization, you’ll leave with a clear marketing roadmap, practical tools, and repeatable systems that multiply your membership and keep your buses full all season long.



Afternoon Session (2:00 pm – 3:30 pm)

"Snowball Effect":
Turning Small Efforts into Big Fundraising Wins

Moderator:  Tammi Loveland


Big fundraising results don’t always require big budgets—they require smart, consistent effort that builds momentum over time. In this session, we’ll explore how ski and snowboard clubs can turn small, manageable initiatives into powerful revenue streams that grow year after year.

You’ll learn how to:
  • Start Small and Scale Smart – Identify low-lift fundraising ideas (raffles, club merch, partner nights, trip add-ons) that are easy to launch but designed to grow.
  • Activate Member Networks – Empower members to become ambassadors who expand sponsorship reach, event attendance, and donor participation.
  • Form a Dedicated Fundraising Committee - Create a small team of members who are solely focused on sponsorships, events, and revenue growth.
  • Leverage Events for Maximum Impact – Turn kickoff parties, movie nights, race leagues, and après gatherings into revenue-generating opportunities without losing the fun.
  • Build Sponsorship Momentum – Create entry-level sponsor packages that naturally lead to larger, long-term partnerships.
  • Layer Revenue Streams – Combine dues, trip margins, merchandise and donations into a diversified funding model.
  • Track, Refine, Repeat – Measure what works, improve each season, and build systems that make fundraising sustainable—not stressful.
Whether your club is volunteer-led or professionally managed, this session will show you how consistent, strategic efforts can compound like a snowball rolling downhill—turning small ideas into significant, reliable fundraising success.




Our Moderators:





Tammi Loveland

Skiing has been my passion when I first got on skis at the age of 5.  In her 30's she joined National Ski Patrol and patrolled at Bear Mtn and Mt. Waterman for 8 years.  After her kids grew up, she needed a new ski crew.  Then, she found the Wailers.  After the first year, Tammi was invited to run for the Board and became the Social Director.  It's been a lot of work but also a ton of fun getting to know and spend time with this great group of people.  She is now club President and a force behind the Wailers Ski Club's ultra successful Vertical Challenge fundraiser, raising approximately $16,000 in March 2026. 







Craig Caples


Skier Craig, as he is known, is the current president of the Las Vegas Ski & Sports Club and hasbeen for several years. He joined the club in 1965 as a junior in high school. He has always been involved in skiing and received his "Skier" Craig alias when he broadcast ski reports on the radio for 13 years. He has promoted skiing over the radio, as a videographer, in schools, as a PSIA certified instructor and through ski club activities throughout his life.



Meet Our Panelists

      
NICK LOVELAND  

Nick holds a Bachelor's in Studio Art, with a concentration in Graphic Design and a minor in  Marketing. Specializing in digital marketing and branding, Nick helps purpose-driven and not-for- profit organizations maximize their impact.  LovelandBranding.com 
     
JO DUFF


Jo is a technology marketing leader with 23 years in sales and marketing. She focuses on partner marketing at a global consultancy, driving ideas to market through collaboration. She also serves as VP of Communications for CCSC, engaging members through digital media.
    
MAXINE JENSEN

Director of Group Sales at Alpine/Anywhere Adventures & Adventures Africa VIRTUOSO, Max is a global travel expert who leads group trips creating memorable journeys filled with discovery and adventure.


 




 


 




All attendees of the Snowsports Leadership Academy will receive a Certificate of Completion for each module. All Delegates to the FWSA Convention are given internet access to the Leadership Packet, which contains a myriad of information on each of the components (with expanded topics).



Why should you attend the Snowsports Leadership Academy?
The purpose of the Snowsports Leadership Academy is to provide an informational forum to the members attending the Far West Ski Association Convention, and has evolved into a valuable resource. It is a Far West education program designed to provide Far West members training and tools to enhance and expand their clubs and be recognized industry wide as having a measure of standards and consistency.













   

The Academy Involves Eight Components

  • Taking Office
  • Membership and Communications
  • Risk Management
  • Travel Programs Management
  • Technology Resources
  • Ethical Responsibilities
  • Ski Equipment Design
  • Building Membership Through Racing

 


 


Contact:
  Tom Bundgard Craig Caples
VP Council Services VP Membership
  619-884-3848 702-682-0587














Book your lodging by May 21, 2026 to secure your room.

We look forward to seeing you in San Diego, CA,  June 11-14, 2026