10/30/2026
Update from the conference we attended earlier this week:
There’s something powerful about being surrounded by people who understand your dreams, your challenges, and the work it takes to keep moving forward. 💙
Bryan and I came home from the Community of Minnesota Resorts conference feeling refreshed, encouraged, and full of ideas—and reminded of how much this community accomplishes together.
🏛️ They show up at the Capitol.
Through “Day on the Hill,” resort owners advocate for issues that affect our businesses. One of CMR’s biggest legislative wins in 2026 was meaningful property tax relief for qualifying Class 1c homestead resorts. For Head of the Lakes, that meant roughly $4,000 in property tax savings!
🛠️ They show up for each other.
When devastating storms hit Bemidji, fellow resorters gathered tools, heavy equipment, chainsaws, and helping hands to support affected resort owners—without waiting to be asked. That says so much about this group.
🤝 They find ways to move forward together.
A buyers club is in the works to explore bulk purchasing for things like mattresses, pillows, and toiletries. Pooling our buying power could create opportunities for resorts of all sizes.
We also spent time with vendors who want to help us succeed. Our reservation system provider, rezStream, helped us discover more ways to use reports, guest letters, and other tools—and we barely scratched the surface! We learned about additional options for aquatic w**d management, too, and look forward to exploring those ideas with our lake association.
But the most valuable part? The people.
The honest conversations. The shared ideas. Learning what works, talking through what doesn’t, and helping each other find solutions. New owners and seasoned owners all have something to offer. And for anyone dreaming of owning a resort, it’s a wonderful community to learn from and get a feel for the business.
We came home with more optimism, more hope, and more energy for what’s ahead. When you’re surrounded by people who understand the work and believe in the possibilities, the doubts and outside noise get a little quieter.
Thank you to CMR’s board, fellow resorters, and participating vendors for helping us keep learning and growing.
We’re proud to be part of this community. 🌲💙
(We stopped by the Mississippi headwaters on our way home and snapped a photo)
