Idaho Conference on Recreation and Tourism in Sun Valley, Idaho

Last week I attended a portion of the Idaho Conference on Recreation and Tourism (ICORT) in Sun Valley, Idaho. Specifically, I travelled to the conference to attend the Scenic Byways Committee potion of the meeting. I learned quite a bit about scenic byway projects in other communities, but I got more out of the experience than the presentations during the conference - I got to explore Ketchum, Idaho.
Wow - what a great town! I am new to the Rocky Mountain West and have not visited very many "mountain towns", but of the small scale mountain towns I have visited, Ketchum is by far my favorite. Experiencing Ketchum as a planner was to experience all of my favorite elements described in William H. Whyte's book City: Rediscovering the Center come to life. I couldn't help but take note of (and photograph) all of the placemaking details - the wayfinding signage, the public art, the plethora of places for pedestrians to sit, the chess tables, the plaza with a kiosk to serve snacks seasonally, the monuments to local people and history, the bulletin board brimming with flyers advertising community events. 
I was so impressed with Ketchum that I even stopped by their City Hall and introduced myself to their Planning staff, and gushed about how great their town is. I can't wait to go back and visit again!