WHO ARE WE?
OUR MISSION
Artisan Venture Tours (AVT) is a company dedicated to designing outdoor, team building, and cultural travel experiences that facilitate collaboration, individual as well as team growth, and new passions.
OUR GOALS AND VALUES AT A GLANCE
EMPLOYEE INSPIRATION
EXPERIENCING NEW CULTURES
BUILDING COMMUNITY
WORK-LIFE BALANCE
LEARNING NEW SKILLS
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Our Home is Our Inspiration
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Our office is based out of Livingston, Montana - a small town placed in a breathtaking mountain valley adjacent to the Yellowstone River. In the late 60s, Livingston became a crossroads of recreation. Where people from all walks of life - writers, artists, ranchers, and outdoorsmen united over good drinks, better food, and beautiful views. Community values such as hard work, outdoor recreation and adventure have shaped our unique approaches to business and travel.
What does"Redefining the Corporate Retreat" mean to us?
Our small team design retreats that focus on connecting participants with experiences that allow them to build new skills alongside their coworkers. The goal is to completely stray away from the daily back-to-back meetings, 5 cups of coffee a day, and hours of screen time. Whether it be learning how to ski at Bridger Bowl in Montana, or taking Caribbean cooking classes in the Florida Keys, research suggests that employees who actively engage their employees in learning processes see increased productivity, creativity, and job retention.
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Our Goals for Your Team
AVT strives to help businesses attract talent, reduce turnover, express appreciation for employees’ work, and encourage healthy work-life balance. We believe in allowing growth and dialogue to develop naturally by engaging employees with exciting outdoor and cultural activities in unforgettable spaces. With the rise of remote work, this value has become more important than ever.
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MEET THE TEAM
Jon Hesse
President & Founder
Jon is a practicing attorney and has started and sold several businesses. He is presently the President of HT Leather Goods, Handbag Tailor, and Big Sky Programming and Digital Arts. Jon lives in Livingston, Montana, with his wife, Mary who is a nurse, and their cat, Teeka. Jon has been involved as a board member for many non-profits. Jon loves to fly fish, ski, bike ride and travel. He lost his leg to a cancer when he was in his early twenties and is a firm believer in making the most of the gift of life and to enjoy the people you meet and value all that you do- including work! These beliefs led to the formation of Artisan Venture Tours and are embedded in its values.
Carissa Walsh
Director of Event Planning & Sales
Carissa grew up in western Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout where she earned her degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She grew up on her family’s hobby farm where she was able to experience the outdoors. Carissa continues to enjoy the outdoors by hiking in the summers and is now taking on another challenge by learning to ski in the winters. She also stays active all year round by attending CrossFit classes, which she is very passionate about. Carissa’s most memorable travel experience was when she went jet skiing with her girlfriends from college on their annual “Girls Trip” to Florida!
Heather Klatt
Director of Event Planning & Sales
Heather is from Western Wisconsin, and currently resides there. Heather went to the University of Wisconsin-Stout for Hospitality Management, and has years of sales and event experience. She grew up playing sports, and continues to play league Volleyball throughout the year. Heather loves to be active, and enjoys traveling to new places. One of Heather's most memorable experiences was running a full marathon, and continuing to raise her twin boys. Heather is new to the team but has proven to be eager. She is not afraid to dive in and learn the ins and outs of Artisan Venture Tours. She values and appreciates any opportunity to learn and grow in her knowledge each day!
Lauren Meyer
Director of Marketing & Sales
Bio coming soon!
🖤 Small Team, Big Impact 🖤
1201 US Hwy. 10 West, Suite A4A
PO BOX 423
Livingston, MT 59047
AVT Office: (406) 222-2411
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