Last year, at the first World Ski and Snowboard Festival, Ed Pitoniak spoke at the Industry Dinner about generational change and "the passion gap" in the ski/snowboard industry. This year, guest speaker Jack Turner continues the generational theme with a presentation entitled, Fear and Loathing in Whistler. Turner’s varied background includes World Cup management, ski area marketing, contributing to Transworld Snowboarding Magazine, Olympic commentating for ABC Sports and his current venture, developing joint marketing programs between recreational industries and major record labels. "The (ski/snowboard) industry could learn a few lessons from drug dealers," Turner says jokingly. "They know how to keep their customers. Skiing and snowboarding are serious addictions that the industry needs to push to kids on street corners, duct tape junkies and weekend warriors." Turner’s presentation, April 11 at the Garibaldi Lift Company, will be a "humorous, politically incorrect look at ourselves and the notorious underworld behind the business of sliding downhill." Doug Perry, chairman of the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, says Turner is known for his innovative ideas and is expected to suggest some radically different concepts for marketing Whistler. Pitoniak, former editor-in-chief of SKI Magazine and now vice president of idea and product acceleration for Intrawest, will introduce Turner. The Industry Week dinner during the World Ski and Snowboard Festival is an opportunity to bring people from all sectors of the ski and snowboard industry together to exchange ideas. "Through the busy season there are few opportunities for the people who turn the wheels of our business to get together," Perry says. "The World Ski and Snowboard Festival, with its diversity of events and programs, is becoming one of the most important gatherings of the year for the industry." The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 7 p.m., followed by a gourmet dinner, Turner’s presentation and live entertainment with Lyndia Scott. Tickets are $45 and available by phone or in person at Whistler Mountain’s Guest Relations; call 932-3434.
