HORIZONS JULY/AUGUST 2018 | Page 9

SECTION ONE PHOTO COURTESY: KRISSIE MASON E D I TO R ’ S M E S S AG E | K R I S S I E M A S O N As if the hustle of Summer didn’t come and go as swiftly as a clap of thunder, Fall’s frenzy is emphatically rapping at the door. Plans for hunts and eco-adventures are being f inalized. New products from public relations f irms and marketing teams are arriving at our doors. Collaborations with peers, brands, outlets, and destinations are underway. Like squirrels we are, well, squirrelling away nuts and hoping to hang on to our tails. (More on that from Dave Mull on page 22.) And mammalian wildlife is about to go wonky as courtship hits the forests, plains, scrub lands, mountains, and high deserts. As members of AGLOW we are entering one of the busiest seasons in our industry; a time poised to once again be ushered in by our annual Conference. After some unforeseen staff changes at Bismarck-Mandan CVB, Mark has gone to near extraordinary lengths to pull this one together. (When you see him at the Conference be sure to buy the guy beer and give a hearty slap on the back. He deserves it.) A slate of events, seminars, people and experiences have been conf igured to inspire and add value to our work. Take a look at the updated conference schedule in Section Four for details. Want some pre-conference craft improvement inspiration? This issue of HORIZONS deliv- ers. Our talented, award-winning peers, Tom Watson and Steve Griff in, both have contri- butions. In Section Two, Tom has provided tips for how to enhance a story package by creating your own illustrations. Steve Griff in, with his usual aplomb and deft humor, en- courages us to create work worthy of stealing. I kid you not. In these pages you’ll also f ind a Conservation Q & A with my friend Jared Frasier, Executive Director, 2% for Conservation, a line-up of Conference presenters, and a handful of the many news worthy press brief ings that cross my desk. If you have not done so, there is still time to sign up for the Conference and for some hunting and f ishing outtings sure to stir story ideas. See Mark’s message for links. Enjoy the issue.-km HORIZONS | 05