The 
Intertribal Gathering at Fort Robinson State Park, scheduled for
June 8-10, 2012, has been designated one of the Top 100 Events in
North America for 2012 by an   American Bus Association (ABA) panel
of tourism experts, the ABA announced on Sept. 13.

The list is published as a supplement to the
Sept./Oct. issue of ‘Destinations’ magazine and
indicates  that the event
“offers excellent entertainment value to tour groups and individual
travelers from around the world,” according to an ABA news
release.The list is used  by travel professionals, motorcoach
operators and the general public.

The Intertribal Gathering, which marked its twelfth
year in 2011, brings Native American traditional dancers from all
over the country, as well as artisans and crafters, to Fort
Robinson State Park for powwow dance contests and other cultural
events. It is sponsored by 
Panhandle Resource Conservation and Development, with assistance
from local businesses and organizations.  

The selection was based on the Intertribal
Gathering’s broad appeal, accessibility to motorcoaches, skill at
handling large groups, and a variety of other relevant criteria,
according to the release. Nominations for the list came from ABA
members.

“The real news here is that the Intertribal
Gathering has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism
dollars, at a time when re-energizing domestic tourism is so
important to our spirit and our economy,” said Peter J. Pantuso,
ABA’s president and CEO. “The honor gives Crawford, Neb., an
important boost in visibility among professional tour
planners.”

According to research from The George Washington
University and Dunham and Associates, one overnight visit by a
motorcoach group can add from $5,000 to more than $11,000 to a
local destination’s economy. Those dollars are spent on lodging,
meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local
taxes.

“Motorcoach groups spend more and stay longer,”
Pantuso said. “That’s why the Intertribal Gathering is truly a
local economic asset. There is no better way to jump-start tourism
than to attract motorcoach groups to a great event and convince
them to extend their stay.”

The Top 100 Events list is available at www.buses.org/News-Publications/Top-100.