BILLINGS — Nearly 500 travel bloggers arrived in Billings Tuesday to write, post and blog about the Magic City to their millions of followers.
The travel blog exchange conference, hosted by Visit Billings, the tourism arm of the Billings Chamber of Commerce, offers attendees a more intimate look into how visitors experience and communicate about Billings and Montana.
On Tuesday, some bloggers were given a tour of downtown Billings, which allowed them to see a glimpse of the art, food and culture Billings has to offer just below the Rims.
Molly Schiltz, the art and culture coordinator of the downtown Billings says there are plenty hidden gems to show off in the area.
"People from all over are coming to Billings to see everything that we have to offer and experience our culture and write about it and blog about it, and go back to every corner of the United States and even the world," Schiltz said.
Food and travel blogger, Desiree Rew of Baltimore, Md., says she would have never thought that it would be in Billings.
"It's really great, and hopefully I can share with my readers and they will want to come too. And not only want to come but know where they can go, where to eat, all the places they can see, the experience of a hometown feeling," Rew said.
The conference is four days long. It ends on Friday with a grand party at the historic Billings Depot with a final opportunity to showcase the region with dino digs, a mini brew-fest, historic tours and music.
