An occasional look at issues facing Wyoming business owners and entrepreneurs from
the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, a collection of business
assistance programs at the University of Wyoming.
By Kenny Overby, regional director for Goshen and Laramie counties, Wyoming SBDC Network
Tourism season is just around the corner. For many Wyoming small businesses, the spring
and summer months bring a welcome surge of visitors eager to experience the Equality
State. Whether you’re in retail, food service, lodging, outdoor recreation or a service‑based
industry, now is the perfect time to get your business “tourism‑season ready.”
Here are three simple steps you can take today:
-- Refresh your online presence: Visitors often plan their stops long before they
hit the road. Make sure your Google Business Profile, social media pages and website
are updated with current hours, correct location information, high‑quality photos
and any seasonal offerings. A clear “what’s new this season” post can help you stand
out from nearby competitors. Speaking of refreshing your online presence, check out
this awesome tip about optimizing your Google presence by Kayley Achi, market research program manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network.
-- Streamline the customer experience: With higher foot traffic coming, small adjustments
can make big differences. Consider simple additions such as outdoor seating, grab‑and‑go
options or bilingual materials for international visitors. The easier it is to buy
from you, the more likely tourists will do it.
-- Partner up locally: Tourists rarely visit just one attraction. Collaborate with
neighboring businesses on cross‑promotions, and bundle offers or mini‑itineraries
that encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more. Wyoming travelers love authenticity.
These partnerships showcase the local flavor of our communities.
As Wyoming’s tourism ecosystem continues to grow, so does its leadership. Congratulations
to Jim Walter, newly named president and CEO of Visit Cheyenne, who officially steps
into the role after serving as interim CEO since 2025. For the full announcement,
go here.
The Wyoming SBDC Network offers no-cost advising and technical assistance to help
Wyoming entrepreneurs think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business.
In 2025, the Wyoming SBDC Network helped Wyoming entrepreneurs start 42 new businesses;
support 2,017 jobs; and bring a capital impact of $12.8 million to the state. The
Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council
and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business
Administration.
To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu or write Dept. 3922, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071-3922.
For more information, go here.
All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
