June 2012 Newsletter - Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

June 2012
Flathead Summer State
Government
Event Expo
June 19
Affairs Report
Our visitors are heading to Glacier
National Park, to Flathead Lake, to
play a round of golf or to enjoy all the
recreational offerings that the Flathead
Valley has to offer. With the vast
outdoors, our museums and cultural
opportunities and the special events
planned for this summer, it seems that
the list of where to go and what to
do just keeps growing and growing.
In order to update its members on all
of the Valley’s outdoor, artistic and
historical offerings the June Kalispell
Chamber luncheon will feature a
Flathead Event Expo.
At a Glance
School is almost out and summer here.
So it’s time to stretch those wings and
explore some of the great Montana
wide-open spaces. With breathtaking
beauty surrounding the Flathead valley
and exhilarating outdoor experiences,
get outdoors and celebrate Memorial
Day.
At the Governor’s office, the 2013
biennium budget is being prepared.
Governor Schweitzer prepares the
budget for the incoming Governor
and Legislature for approval in 2013.
continued on page 6
The Expo and luncheon are sponsored
by Hagadone Directories. The Black
Book, your local directory, is excited
to be a part of this community for 15
years. Hagadone Directories takes
pride in publishing an environmentally
friendly book that is the information
source for the entire Greater Flathead
area.
The Event Expo will be held in the
Red Lion Kalispell Center Hotel
main ballroom on Tuesday, June 19.
continued on page 9
>>
>>
Chamber Snapshot
Visitor’s Center Information
April ‘12
Phone Calls:
118
Walk-ins
204
VACATION
Packets
116
Email Inquiries
45
RELOCATION
Packets
37
Phone Books
2
Web Activity
Unique Visits
5,330
23,123
Total Visits
26,298
6,222
YTD
417
661
373
207
204
6
>>
UNWIND
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
5-6:30 PM
Bill’s Superheat
817 W Center St, Kalispell, MT
>>
New Member Orientation
Thursday, June 14, 2012
3-5 PM
Chamber Conference Room
15 Depot Park, Kalispell, MT
>>
June Luncheon
Flathead Summer Event Expo
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
11 AM – 1:30 PM
Red Lion Hotel
20 N Main, Kalispell, MT
>>
UNWIND
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
5-6:30 PM
Buffalo Hill Golf Club
1176 N Main, Kalispell, MT
In
This Issue
2 New Members
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11
12 13
New Members, continued
Renewals
Flathead Cost of Living 1st Qtr.
Far West Rockin’ the Boat
June Calendar
Government Affairs
Government Affairs, continued
Other Government Affairs
Business Expansion & Retention
Make the Most of Your Chamber
Flathead Summer Expo, continued
Business Expansion, continued
Volunteer Opportunity
Ribbon Cuttings
Win a Stay-cation
Leadership Flathead
Arts in the Park
Chamber is Going Mobile
MT Chamber Choices
UNWINDs
Visit Us Online: www.KalispellChamber.com
Officers
David Mitchell, Chairman of the Board, CTA
Architects and Engineers
Jim Ness, Vice Chairman of the Board, Glacier Bank
Mark Johnson, Secretary, Merrill Lynch
Reed Gunlikson, Treasurer, R. Gunlikson CPA’s
Tom Lund, Immediate-Past Chairman, Rocky
Mountain Bank
Directors
Lisa Brown, Red Lion Hotel
Kris Carlson, A+ Plus Healthcare
Brian Clark, Fun Beverage
Mark Gronley, Northwestern Energy
Scott Hagel, Crowley Fleck Law Firm
Kristen Jones, Flathead Valley Community College
Jason Manger, Applied Materials - Semitool
Denise Nalty, Nalty Real Estate
Chris Ohler, Insured Titles
Jim Oliverson, Northwest Health Care
Jim Peterson, Valley Ford
Kelly Robinson, Plum Creek Timber Company
Loren Sallee, Loren’s Automotive
Dave Waldenberg, Central Heating and Cooling
Holly Walsh, Western States Insurance
Rick Weaver, Daily Inter Lake
Ex-officio Directors
Mike Pence, Flathead County Administrator
Professional Staff
Joe Unterreiner, President and CEO . . . . 758-2804
Cary Aubrey, Executive Assistant. . . . . . . 758-2801
Diane Bebee, Administrative Specialist. . 758-2803
Rob Brisendine, KCVB Group Sales. . . . . 758-2820
Vonnie Day, Travel Counselor.. . . . . . . . . . 758-2809
Diane Medler, KCVB Director. . . . . . . . . . 758-2808
Jill Seigmund, Kalispell Chamber
Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 758-2810
DeAnn Thomas, Business Expansion
and Retention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-8077
Consulting Staff
Anderson, Baker & Swanson - Government
Relations
Edge Communications - Media & Public Relations
Janet Schwalk - Bookkeeping
JCCS - Tax & Audit Counsel
Partners Creative - Creative Agency
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Mission Statement
The central mission of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is the
cultivation and development of entrepreneurs and communities
through the spirit of enterprise.
New Members
Please welcome these new members with your business.
Complete Practice Solutions
1935 3rd Avenue East
Suite 110
Kalispell , Mt 59901
(888) 679-3904
[email protected]
http://www.cps-mt.com
We provide billing services to a wide range of specialties and family care providers.
Allow us the opportunity to make your business profitable.
Defiance Machine
3881 Montana Hwy 40 W
Columbia Falls, MT 59901
(406) 756-2727
[email protected]
http://www.defiancemacnine.com
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Jesco Marine & Power Sports
2610 Hwy 93 S
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 752-2112
[email protected]
http://www.jescoboatingcenter.com
Jesco Marine and Power Sports has served the Flathead Valley for over 30 years.
We are a leading boat, ATV, Motorcycle, Side by Side, PWC and outdoor equipment
dealer. Under new ownership since 2011, we are proud to continue growing and
expanding, acquiring Kurt’s Polaris in February 2012. We sell the following products:
Can Am, See-Doo, Ski- Doo, Spyder, Aquapatio, Centurian, Regal, Godfrey, Weldcraft,
Sweetwater, Bennington, Polaris, Victory, Mercury, Evinrude, and Honda Motors.
Riders and customers through Montana trust Jesco Marine and Power Sports for
boat and PWC repairs, boat part sales, and ATV sales and service. If you live near
Flathead County, Missoula County, or Western Montana, stop by our store at 2610
US HWY 93 S., or browse our extensive online catalog at www.jescoboatingcenter.
com from anywhere in the world!
continued next page >>
2
New Members
>> from page 2
Pace Insurance Agency
PO Box 7492
Kalispell, MT 59904
755-5222
[email protected]
Capitalizing on 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Terry Pace has
opened his own agency. Pace Insurance Agency specializes in employee benefits
consulting, group and individual health plans, life and disability insurance, and all
Medicare products.
Simply Sweet Baking Company
Flathead Regional Business Center
15 Depot Park, Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-2800
(406) 758-2805: Fax
Business Expansion and Retention
DeAnn Thomas, Director
(406) 250-8077
[email protected]
www.nwmontanabear.com
Flathead Community Foundation
Lucy Smith, Executive Director
[email protected]
www.flatheadcommunityfoundation.org
45-6th Ave W
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 257-5107
[email protected]
http://www.simplysweetbakingco.com
Flathead Job Service Workforce Center
Mora McCarthy, Business Resource Consultant
Mike Jackson, Business Resource Consultant
(406) 758-6241
[email protected]
www.employflathead.com
Since childhood we have both delighted in baking and spending time in
the kitchen. That passion is what is behind Simply Sweet. We bake the most
scrumptious goods in Kalispell using natural ingredients. Simply put… we trust
cows not chemists!
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Joe Unterreiner, President
(406) 758-2800
[email protected]
www.kalispellchamber.com
We feel very lucky to be part of this community. We enjoy participating in festivals
and events across Flathead Valley, Keeping our families and our neighborhood
abounding with everything sweet is what keeps our pleasure for baking alive.
Thrivent Financial For Lutherans
Kalispell Chamber Foundation
Jill Seigmund, Director
(406) 758-2810
[email protected]
18 Village Loop
Kalispell, MT
(406) 756-9089
[email protected]
http://www.thrivent.com
Kalispell Convention & Visitor Bureau
Diane Medler, Director
(406) 758-2808
[email protected]
www.discoverkalispell.com
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a faith-based, not-for-profit membership
organization that supports the financial security of our members and their families
through products and services. We also sponsor national outreach programs
and activities that help our members to demonstrate care for others through
the support of congregations, schools, charitable organizations and community
members
Montana Manufacturing Extension Center
Bill Nicholson, Field Engineer
(406) 756-8329
[email protected]
www.mtmanufacturingcenter.com
Northwest Montana SCORE
Liz Scholter, Chapter Chair
(406) 756-5271
[email protected]
Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Doug Bolender, Director
(406) 755-4221
[email protected]
3
Renewals
10 Plus Years
Able Body Shop
Aero Inn
De Pratu Ford
Dental Distinctions, PC
Glacier Pines RV Park
Hooper’s Garden Center
Jackola Engineering & Architecture, PC
Kalispell Auto Parts (NAPA)
Payne Financial Group
5 to 9 Years
Montana Ace Hardware
Rocky Mountain Super Vac
1 to 4 Years
Greenwood Corp 1
Mo Fisch Charters
Olson Search International
Flathead County Cost-of-Living
Figures For First Quarter 2012
Released
Information released by
the Kalispell Chamber of
Commerce revealed that
Flathead County costof-living is 1 % above the
national average. The ACCRA Cost
of Living Index measures regional
differences in the cost of consumer
goods and services, excluding taxes
and non-consumer expenditures,
for professional and managerial
households in the top income quintile.
It is based on more than 90,000 prices
covering 60 different items for which
prices are collected quarterly by
chambers of commerce, economic
development organizations, and
university applied economic centers in
each participating urban area.
The composite index is based on six
component categories – housing,
1st Qtr Data
utilities, grocery items, transportation,
health care and miscellaneous goods
and services. Local data, collected by
the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, is
combined with information from 306
other communities across the United
States to create the ACCRA Cost of
Living Index. ACCRA is the national
association of community and
economic research professionals.
Bozeman is the only other Montana
area participating in the survey.
The ACCRA Cost-of-Living Index for the
Kalispell area during the first quarter of
2012 is as follows (average of 306 urban
areas = 100):
2010
2011
2012
Change
98.8%
98.5%
98.1%
-0.4%
Groceries
116.3%
109.6%
108.4%
-1.2%
Housing
95.2%
95.7%
94.3%
-1.4%
Utilities
82.2%
85.5%
86.8%
+1.3%
Transportation
103.6%
103.2%
97.7%
-5.5%
Health Care
104.6%
107.4%
107.2%
-0.2%
98.7%
97.9%
99.6%
+1.7%
Composite
Miscellaneous
For full report details please visit
http://www.kalispellchamber.com/kalispell/costofliving/.
Rockin’ the Boat
Chamber Summer Cruise on Far West
Join us for an evening of fun and fellowship at “Rock’in the Boat”, the Chamber’s summer
party on Flathead Lake on the Far West. The event will be held Thursday, July 26, 7:009:00 pm, departing and returning from The Docks in Lakeside. The cost is $25 per
person. Your reservation includes passage on the cruise and light dining fare. There will
be a cash bar. Reserve your spot by registering online or by calling 406-758-2803. The
first 145 people to register will be onboard for a fun evening cruise. See you there!
4
Chamber Calendar
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
All Meetings
Look for these Events in July:
are at The
Chamber
unless
otherwise
stated.
3
4
IWT Meeting
1:00pm – 2:00pm
5
Kalispell 2 Go
Webinar
11:00am – 12:00pm
6
Ed. & Com. Committee
Meeting
8:00am–9:00am
Friday
1
4 4th of July Parade
10 UNWIND - the Zone Family
Fun Center
18 UNWIND - Stifel Nicolaus
26 Rockin’ the Boat
June 2012
Saturday
2
2012 Leadership
Flathead Graduation
5:30pm – 7:30pm
7
8
9
15
16
21
22
23
28
29
30
Ribbon Cutting Jesco Marine &
Power Sports
3:00pm
Banquet Committee Flathead Co. Foundation
12:00pm – 1:00pm
10:00am – 12:00pm Associated Chamber
UNWIND – Bill’s
Meeting
Superheat
Kalispell Tourism B.I.D.
10:30am – Noon
5:30pm – 6:00pm
Board Meeting
3:00pm – 5:00pm
10
11IWT Meeting
1:00pm – 2:00pm
12BEAR Meeting 13
14New Member
Agri-Biz Committee
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Meeting
7:00am -8:00am
Orientation
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Flathead Co. Foundation
10:00am – 12:00pm
Kalispell 2 Go Webinar
3:00am – 4:00pm
Ambassador Meeting
4:00pm – 5:00pm Flag Day
17
18
IWT Meeting
1:00pm – 2:00pm
19
Executive Board
Meeting
7:30am – 8:30am
20
Flathead Community
Foundation
10:00am – 12:00pm
Luncheon
Summer Events Expo
11:00am – 1:30pm
Flathead Co. Foundation
Foundation
2:45pm – 5:00pm
Father’s Day
24
25
IWT Meeting
1:00pm – 2:00pm
26
Board Meeting
7:00am – 8:30am
27
Flathead Community
Foundation
10:00am – 12:00pm
Kalispell Tourism
Business
Improvement District
Board Meeting
3:00pm – 5:00pm
5
6
Government Affairs Report
Montana’s 2013 Legislature will begin
January 7 and House and Senate
caucuses will meet on November 14,
2012 to select leadership. To date, 126
bill draft requests have been submitted,
including requests to generally revise
workers’ compensation insurance,
revising common carrier pipeline
regulation by PSC, revising property
taxation and revising renewable
portfolio requirements. Most of
these drafts have been submitted by
legislators; however some are at the
request of committees.
Revenue and Transportation
Interim Committee (Senator Bruce
Tutvedt R-Kalispell) met in Helena on
Thursday, April 26 to work on HJR 13
– study of individual income taxes and
SJR 23 – study of tax exemptions for
nonprofit organizations. Following a
report showing an analysis of imposing
a 6.5% income tax on nonprofit
organizations and limiting property
tax exemptions based on the ratio
of charitable contributions to gross
receipts, the committee chose not to
move forward with a bill to strike the
exemption. For the HJR13 study, the
committee heard about the policy
background for various income tax
exemptions and tax credits. Options
for revising Montana’s income tax
structure were discussed and the
committee chose to move forward
with a committee bill to revise uniform
penalty and interest tax provisions
related to enforcement of tax laws. The
committee also discussed at length the
process for developing the revenue
estimate and received an annual
report on the Charitable Endowment
Tax credit, which sunsets at the end of
2012. In 2010, 630 individual income
tax payers claimed the credit.
Environmental Quality
Council met in Helena on May 2 for
>> from cover
an update on Agency and Councils
assigned by statute to the committee.
They also heard an update on
eminent domain issues and discussed
enhancing public awareness of the
eminent domain issue. On May 3 the
council toured Virginia and Nevada
Cities and Lewis & Clark Caverns State
park. The council’s final day, May 3,
addressed HJ32 – study of state parks
and recreation areas. EQC considered
three bill draft requests addressing
the administration and oversight of
state parks, outdoor recreation and
heritage resources. It will continue its
deliberations about how to streamline
the management, consolidate budgets
and other changes within the prevue of
HJ 32.
Children, Families, Health and
Human Services met in Helena
on May 14 to continue its look at
childhood hunger. There was support
for two bill drafts: appropriate funds
to encourage increased participation
(grants to programs) in the school
breakfast program and appropriate
TANF funds for out-of-school food
support activities. These programs
would be available for those children
whose family income is between 131
and 185 percent of federal poverty.
The committee also took public
comment and supported an action to
increase provider rates on Medicaid
reimbursement. Finally, an update on
Montana’s marijuana act was shared.
Numerous legal challenges and federal
raids have led to a significant decrease
in cardholders. The number of people
registered to use marijuana has
declined to 10,640 in April from 31,522
in May 2011.
Select Committee on Efficiency
in Government (Representative
Mark Blasdel R-Somers, Representative
Scott Reichner R-Big Fork (excused),
and Senator Jon Sonju R-Kalispell)
met on May 14-15 in Helena. The
committee was presented with bill
6
drafts on Medicaid reform and heard
from department representatives and
the public about each proposal. Public
comment was generally supportive of
the proposed changes.
The committee heard a report on
state job training programs. There are
three primary job training programs
for Montana businesses that include
workforce training grants for education
and skills based training. Grant money
is available through Business Resources
at the Dept of Commerce and the 21st
century workforce technology bureau
at the Dept of Labor and Industry.
In final action, the committee voted
to move forward on three bill drafts:
Create a Medicaid pay for performance
pilot project; Require DPHHS to
measure outcomes for children’s
mental health services; and Revise
requirements of 72-hour presumptive
eligibility for crisis stabilization services
Energy and Telecommunications Interim
Committee (Senator Verdell Jackson
R-Kalispell) gathered in Butte on
May 17-18 to tour a natural gas plant
and geothermal site; discuss rural
electric cooperatives, discuss One
Call Legislation for utility lines and
excavating; and discuss a variety of bill
drafts on the Montana Tech campus.
Most of the bill drafts address the
regulatory requirements of public
utilities and the renewable energy
standards and were drafted by the MT
Public Service Commission. ETIC will
accept public comment on the draft
legislation for the month of June and
finalize action in July.
Upcoming Montana Legislative
meetings in June 2012:
Legislative Finance Committee will
meet in Helena on June 11-12.
Economic Affairs Interim Committee
continued on next page >>
Government
Affairs Report
>> from page 6
will meet in Helena on June 11-12.
State Administration & Veteran’s Affairs
will meet June 12-13 in Helena.
Education and Local Government
will meet June 18 in Helena Water
Policy Interim Committee will meet in
Bozeman on June 19; Kalispell on June
20; and Hamilton on June 21.
Law and Justice Interim Committee will
meet on June 21-22 in Helena.
Children, Families, Health, & Human
Services will meet June 25 in Helena.
State-Tribal Relations Interim
Committee will meet on June 28 in
Helena.
Other News:
North Dakota has passed Alaska
to become the second leading oil
producing state in the nation trailing
Texas.
Oil production in Montana has been
generally declining since 2006 with
a flattening trend for the first three
quarters of 2011. The fourth quarter of
2011, however, showed a 7.4% increase
from the previous quarter. Analysis
of the production statistics from the
Montana Department of Revenue
and the Board of Oil and Gas shows
this increase coming from horizontal
production in the Bakken formation.
From 2001 to 2010, Montana’s gross
state product growth has increased
65% (2001 GSP=$22.4 billion; 2010
GSP=$37.2 billion).
FY11 Actual year-to-date revenue
growth (as of 12/1) was 12.37%.
Other Government Affairs News
Chamber supports
improvement of Kalispell City
Airport. The Chamber issued its
support for accepting approximately
$16 million of federal airport funds
to improve the City Airport. These
improvements would also garner
$150,000 in annual operating funds
from the air service trust fund. The
Chamber believes this alternative
provides the best balance for the
current and future needs of Kalispell’s
general aviation facility. At the City
Council on May 21, the decision was
made to put this issue out to the
voters on the general election ballot
November 6. We will continue to keep
you updated on this ballot issue.
Surface Transportation
Reauthorization. Staff for the
conferees on the surface transportation
reauthorization bill were hard at work
last week and apparently making
good progress. Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid (D-NV), House Speaker
John Boehner (R-OH) and the chair of
the conference committee, Senator
Barbara Boxer (D-CA), all had positive
and hopeful things to say about the
prospects for an agreement. The
conferees might need to reach at least
an agreement in principle by the week
of June 4 to finish work on the bill by
June 30.
7
Glacier Park Airport prepares
application for LAX service.
A group of air service expansion
advocates is pledging to provide
financial support for an effort to secure
direct air service to Los Angeles. Los
Angeles is one of the largest markets
in America and a top market for the
Glacier Park Airport. New service to the
Los Angeles market will benefit every
industry and traveler in the Flathead. If
you are interested in helping to support
this effort, contact Joe at 758-2804 or
[email protected].
Don’t forget to vote June 5.
The Primary Election is June 5 and
includes races for President, Governor,
US Senate, US Congress, MT House,
MT Senate, and MT state-wide elected
offices. You can vote early at the
County Fairgrounds if you choose. For
questions or additional information,
please contact the County Election
Office at 758-5535.
NW Montana Business Expansion
and Retention Partnership
Another Success Story Helping NW Montana Business Thrive
“I was more than a little skeptical 18
months ago when I first heard about
BEAR, because some of the partners are
government agencies and I thought,
how can they help me? Well, I was
wrong,” testifies Bob Upton, owner
of Corporate Image Outfitters, an
industry-leading, in-house embroidery
service. “The BEAR Partners have been
a tremendous help! Everyone is an
experienced professional, everyone is
very responsive, every partner is very
aware of how the other partners can
help my business grow. Most amazing
is most of the services cost very little, or
nothing.”
For Bob Upton it all started when he
made the call to set up a BEAR visit with
Mike Jackson, a Business Advocate with
Job Service, and BEAR partner. Mike
had a wealth of resources to start Bob
on the process of working with the
BEAR Partnership. First Mike guided
Bob to the Small Business Development
Center. Bob Upton readily confirms
he benefitted from many outstanding
business services, such as, business
planning, “Profit Mastery” and others
offered by Chris Parson, Director.
Bob relates that, “One service I’m still
participating in is “PeerSpectives”.
I love meeting with this group of
dedicated business professionals.
With Chris as the facilitator, we share
a wealth of knowledge, solve real
business problems and share new and
innovative ideas, the whole experience
has been very valuable for me.” Chris
and other BEAR Partners agree that
Bob Upton possesses important
business skills. He values and grows his
employees, he is open to assistance and
new approaches in doing business…in
short Bob is a fully engaged business
owner.
Bill Nicholson with the Montana
Manufacturing Extension Center, a
BEAR partner, stepped in with expert
knowledge and the end goal of helping
“Outfitters” identifying new products
and services to increase profit. Bill
Nicholson, Bob Upton and a team of
company employees engaged in an
intense evaluation to prioritized the
most pressing “Outfitter” challenges
and developed solutions. One of
several internal processes in need of
change was a customized “Outfitter”
inventory tracking program. This time
and money saving tracking system
was developed my by Bill Nicholson
based on the “Outfitter” team process.
Bill Nicholson knew Bob Upton would
also greatly benefit from the Dept.
of Commerce Program, “Business to
Business”. Bill helped “Outfitters” fill
out an application for free marketing
services. The marketing service
application was successful. The Dept.
of Commerce marketing team, working
with “Outfitters”, developed a strategic
plan for “Outfitters” to expand into the
Balkan oil field flame retardant clothing
market.
The BEAR Partners helped Bill Upton
apply for Employee Training Funding
(IWT Funding). To date, “Outfitters”
has received $4,830 in employee
training funds! Bob learned from
Bill Nicholson that Montana West
Economic Development, another BEAR
Partner, would be an important contact.
Kim Morisaki, Manager of Client
Development & Resources at Montana
West, and Bob have started the process
of seeking funding for a new “Outfitter”
building.
continued on next page >>
8
Make the Most
of Your Chamber
Benefits
Your investment in the Kalispell
Chamber is an investment in the future
of your business, our community and
the Flathead Valley. We want to make
sure that you are aware of all the
opportunities your membership has to
offer. Please take a minute and visit our
website at www.kalispellchamber.com.
At no additional charge you already
have the ability to:
• Post Hot Deals
• Add Your Events to the Web Calendar
• Manage and Update Your Business
Information
• Track Web Traffic to Your Business
• Create Your Own Personalized
Webpage
Looking for new ways to boost your
marketing?
Take advantage of all the advertising
and sponsorship opportunities your
Chamber Membership has available:
• E-News Sponsor-The E-News is sent
out to close to 2000 recipients twice
a month
• UNWIND Sponsor-Held at your
place of business averaging 75 – 150
people attending
• Luncheon Sponsor-Held monthly
with an average of 150 people
attending
• Banquet Sponsor-Our annual
Banquet averages from 375- 450
people
For more details, please contact Diane
at 758-2803, info@kalispellchamber.
com at the Chamber for details and
pricing on one or all of these exciting
opportunities to grow your business.
A New Member Orientation will be held
in the Chamber Conference Room on
Thursday, June 14 from 3-5 pm. At the
orientation we will show you how to
access these benefits and answer any
questions you may have. This
orientation is not restricted to only new
members. Long-time members who
want to learn more about maximizing
their membership benefits are welcome
to attend.
NW Montana
Summer Event
Business
Expo
>> from cover
Members and guests will have an
Expansion
opportunity to visit the booths of local
activity and event providers including
and Retention
area museums, outfitters, artistic
organizations, national and state park
Partnership
representatives. Expo booths will be
open starting at 11:00 and after the
luncheon program until 1:30. Lunch
will be served starting at 11:45 am. All
participants of the Expo will be offering
prizes that will be raffled off during the
event with drawings held periodically
between 12:00 and 1:00.
The Kalispell Chamber/CVB will also
announce the winner of the “Discovery
in Every Direction” stay-cation contest.
This is the second year for the contest
in which entrants are being asked to
suggest an itinerary for a summer day
in the Flathead Valley that starts and
ends in Kalispell and takes advantage of
the surrounding recreation and events.
Contest details can be found at www.
discoverkalispell.com/news. Entries are
being accepted until June 8 at
[email protected] or
Discover Kalispell Facebook.
The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
is proud to announce the upcoming
release of a Custom Mobile Application
for our Community. The New App,
Kalispell2Go, will be a useful tool in
connecting businesses, marketing
your business, finding events and
happenings in the community or GPS
locating the business or place you are
trying to find.
>> from page 8
Bob Upton has put pencil to paper
to determine the value of the BEAR
services he has received. By his own
detailed calculations “Outfitters”
has realized over $30,000 cash
value in services and training. Bob’s
praiseworthy summary of his BEAR
experience is “All the BEAR Partners
have contributed significantly to the
success and growth of Corporate Image
Outfitters!”
If you would like to know how BEAR
can help your business please call
406.758.6252 or 406.250.8077 or
email www.kalispellchmber.com or
[email protected]. We look forward to
hearing from you.
Luncheon tickets are $17 each for
Chamber members and $22 for nonmembers. Tables of eight are available
for $130. Because many of the recent
luncheons have sold out, the Chamber
urges members to register online or call
758-2803 by Friday, June 15.
Members are encouraged to take
advantage of the new Business Card
Express Check-in system that allows
individuals to bypass the check-in table.
9
Volunteer
Opportunity The Kalispell Visitor Information Center
is looking for a few volunteers who love
the Flathead Valley!
We’re very fortunate to have a small
group of faithful volunteers in the
Visitor Center who help greet travelers
and share information about our area
and all the exciting things to do. We
need a few more friendly individuals
who can spare 3 hours per week this
summer. Please call Vonnie at 758-2809
for more information.
Here’s what’s needed:
- a friendly, outgoing and hospitable
personality
- ability to give clear instructions
concerning locations/directions
- familiarity with the Flathead Valley
and Glacier National Park
- basic computer/internet skills are
helpful but not required
Here are the rewards:
- rediscover all the wonderful and
unique sites and activities in our area
- meet people from all over the world
who are very happy to be here
- work in the beautiful new Visitor
Center
- help promote Kalispell, the Flathead
Valley and Glacier National Park
Ribbon Cuttings
Rodda Paint Ribbon Cutting
Vince Saccheri, Lis Weller, Paul Childs, Shawn Levesque & Mike
Seynel cutting the Ribbon at the new Kalispell Rodda Paint store,
2165 US Highway 2 East
BigPhoto.ME Ribbon Cutting
Jim Leary & Vicki Meyerhoff Smith
cutting the ribbon at the new Kalispell
location of BigPhoto.ME/Bigfork Today,
860 N Meridian, #A4
Edgewood Vista Ribbon Cutting
Linda Corcoran, Sylvia O’Neal, Jenni Hoffman and Starla Robinson
cutting the ribbon at Edgewood Vista, 141 Interstate Lane
Literacy Volunteers Ribbon Cutting
Christine Hensleigh, Executive Director cuts the ribbon
at Literacy Volunteers’ new facility in the Gateway West
Mall, 1203 Highway 2 W, Kalispell
Win a Stay-cation
What is your perfect summer day in the
Flathead? If you could spend a day in
the Flathead Valley doing whatever you
wanted what would it include?
Create your ideal itinerary and submit it
to the Kalispell Chamber/CVB Discovery
In Every Direction contest and be
entered to win a stay-cation package
which includes lodging, dining and
activity certificates. Winning itinerary
will be presented at the June 19th
Kalispell Chamber Flathead Event Expo.
Itinerary should:
• Start and end in Kalispell
•
Incorporate both our
natural resources and
local businesses or
cultural amenities
• Include a suggested
location for at least
one meal
• Be logistically feasible
to be completed in
one day
Bonus points will be given for the
itinerary that is most unique and clearly
demonstrates the Kalispell brand:
Discovery in Every Direction
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Post your itinerary on Discover Kalispell
Facebook or email to
[email protected]
Deadline for entries is June 8, 2012.
Leadership Flathead
Graduates Another
Outstanding Class!
Please join us in congratulating the following members of
the Leadership Flathead Class of 2011 who have completed
their two-year commitment and will officially graduate on
June 1:
Maureen Bryan, Park Side Federal Credit Union
Aimee Cawrey, Blue Cross Blue Shield
Eileen Donohoue, The Nurturing Center
Tim Eichner, Department Natural Resources & Conservation
Rishara Finsel, Flathead County Library System
Tyler Frank, Kramer Enterprises
Kristi Hanchett, Whitefish Mountain Resort
Brenda Hanson, Flathead Valley Community College
Karin Holder, Edward Jones Investments
Alison Howard, Flathead County Attorney
John Howard, Western States Insurance
Diane Kautzman, Rocky Mountain Bank
Rich Kehr, Flathead National Forest
Jill Klocke, Glacier Bancorp, Inc.
Angela LeDuc, Kalvig & LeDuc, P.C.
Brittainy Miller
Rick Nelson, Plum Creek
Gerry Nichols-Pagel, CTA, Inc.
Cindy Owens, Evergreen Disposal, Inc.
Laurie Pierce, North Valley Hospital
Melody Pieri, Glacier Bank
Joshua Schroeder, Jordahl & Sliter, PLLC
Tim Sievers, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Matt Springer, Flathead Valley Community College
Jennifer Standley, Applied Health Services with Northwest Healthcare
Margy Stevens, Margy Stevens Counseling
Susie Turner, City of Kalispell
Chip Weber, Flathead National Forest
Jolynne Worrell, First Interstate Bank
Rory Young, Jackola Engineering & Architecture
Tod Young, Flathead Electric Coop
Keagan Zoellner, Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
44th Annual Arts
in the Park
July 20 - 22, 2012
Friday and Saturday 9-6
Sunday 10-5
The Hockaday Museum of Art proudly
presents Kalispell’s premiere arts,
crafts, and music festival held in
historic downtown’s Depot Park.
Over 100 local and visiting artists and
craftsmen offer quality, unique works
for sale. A pleasing variety of musical
and dancing entertainment gives
the festival a light mood, while food
vendors offer delicious sustenance and
thirst-quenching beverages. Purchase
of the $5 Weekend Pass button gives
the wearer unlimited admission to
the festival all three days, as well as
admission to the Hockaday Museum of
Art (Friday/Saturday 10am – 5pm and
Sunday 11am - 4pm) during the festival.
Daily Admittance $3
Weekend Pass $5
Children 6 & Under Free
We thank outgoing Class Officers Aimee Cawrey (Blue Cross Blue Shield) and Matt
Spring (Flathead Valley Community College) for their excellent service over the past
year, and we welcome incoming Class Officers Barbra Bennett (Clark Real Estate
Appraisal, Inc.), Stephanie Parson (NBS), and Nathan Steele (Plum Creek Timber)
who are ready to serve the Class of 2013. We also thank outgoing Chair Cindy
Walp (North Valley Hospital) and we welcome incoming Chair Chris Parson (Small
Business Development Center.)
NOW RECRUITING FOR CLASS OF 2013
11
Worksite Health Promotion Conference A Success!
Are you ready for
the next step?
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is
excited to announce that we are going
MOBILE! We are launching our very
own chamber mobile app.
Highlights of our app:
•
Search and network with fellow
members
•
Look up and respond to chamber
events
•
GPS locator to drive more business
to you
•
And so much more
We would like our members to have
maximum exposure through our
app, and we have contracted with
our developer to defray the cost of
upgrading your basic listing from$250
per year to only $59 per year. Your
company will receive two app pages
(like the ones displayed above for
Union Station), and you will have the
ability to include images, video, maps,
online inventory, purchasing, and more.
PLUS you can change and update
your pages as often as you want at no
additional charge.
This is an introductory, limited time
offer to go mobile with us – for only $59
per year.
Email “Upgrade” to
[email protected],
as well as your company name. (ex.“Upgrade XYZ Builders”)
Send your email by June 8 to go mobile
for only $50. After that, Matthew, who
is helping us develop the app, will be
offering these same Premium Pages for
$250 a year.
Worksite Health Promotion
continues to grow among Montana
businesses every year. This year
the Montana Worksite Health
Promotion Coalition brought
in many great speakers for the
2012 conference in Helena. This
conference is an opportunity to
recognize the businesses who have
implemented successful worksite
wellness programs as well as help
educate those who would like to
create a wellness program for their
employees.
Many small businesses and
organizations in Montana are
getting on the health promotion
band wagon and creating successful
programs for their employees.
During the Montana Worksite Health
Promotion Conference on May 23 in Helena, 25 different Montana
employers from across the state who
met the criteria for the excellence
in worksite health promotion award
were recognized. Each award Gold,
Silver and Bronze had different
criteria for a business to meet. The
Gold award focused on businesses
whose health promotion programs
focused on a comprehensive, effective
worksite health promotion program
and that were seeing a return on
their investment in the program. The
focus of the Gold award centered on
population health and productivity
aspect. The Silver winner category
represented businesses whose goals
were to focus on skill-building and
targeting risky behaviors. The bronze
category represented businesses/
organizations whose goals were to
enhance charitable or quality of worklife balance.
12
Montana Chamber Choices has
sponsored the Worksite Health
Promotion conference the last
few years and is a big supporter of
health promotion. We encourage all
Montana employers to get involved
in health promotion programs to
benefit your business overall, and your
employees. For more resources on
worksite health promotion, go to www.
montanaworksitewellness.org.
UNcover What’s Interesting, New and Developing
May Day (May 1) was a beautiful day
for an UNWIND on Flathead Lake at the
Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. Those
who made the drive down to the lake
were rewarded with a fantastic spread
prepared by camp chefs, Will, Chuck &
Tonja. The menu included Smoked Pork
tenderloin, Chicken with Leeks, Smoked
Salmon Spread with Crackers, Warm
Garlic Shrimp with Crusty French Bread
Slices, Hummus & Roasted Pepper and
Onions - Pita Chips, Assorted Cheese
Tray & Crackers, Fresh Vegetable Tray
with Dip, Fresh Fruit Tray, Chocolate
Mousse in Chocolate cups, Almond
Cloud Cookies, Molasses & Lemon
crème Cookies, Huckleberry Lemonade,
Montana Beer, Red & White Wine.
Lucky prize winners included Ashley
Grassen of West Venture Properties
with Split the Pot, Chris Vernon of
Paper Chase with a gift basket, Vanessa
Ceravolo with a Gift Basket and Bilynda
Anderson of Bill’s Superheat who won
the Campership gift certificate grand
prize of the evening.
May 23 saw a nice crowd at the Historic
Kalispell Grand Hotel for the Glacier
Country-Travel Montana UNWIND.
Rising Sun Bistro, Simply Sweet Baking
Company and The Great Northern
Brewery provided a nice variety of food
and drink for the evening.
Prize winners included: Split the Pot
winner, Russ Larson of Russ Larson
Music; Natasha Tanner of Flathead
Land & Home and Nichole Koelzer
of Alpine Lighting Center each won
a water bottle; District Court Judge
candidate Vanessa Ceravolo and Amy
Galt of Morrison Maierle, Inc each won
an IPhone case; Sandra Lundstrum of
Montana Wilderness Association and
Patty Miller from the Wellness Center
each won a thermos; Kirk Gentry from
Gentry River Ranch won the Raft trip &
hotel stay in Missoula.
Plenty of beverages to wash down the
good food at the Glacier Country-Travel
Montana UNWIND
Upcoming
UNWINDS
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
5-6:30 PM
817 W. Center St
Kalispell, MT
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
5-6:30 PM
Great food and conversation in the
fantastic new dining hall facility at
Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp
1176 N Main St
Kalispell, MT
Mingling in the Lobby of the Kalispell
Grand Hotel during the Glacier CountryTravel Montana UNWIND
New dining hall building and decks at
Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp
13
http://kalispellchamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/4th-of-july-parade-in-downtown-kalispell