April 2018
First Annual, Montana Indoor Soccer Championships, March 3-4, 2018, Flathead County Fairgrounds
KALISPELL CHAMBER NEWSLETTER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
APR 5
After Work Networking with FAYP
5:30-7:30pm | Great Northern Brewing Co.
APR 10
UNWIND with Habitat for Humanity & the Daily Inter Lake 5:00-6:30pm | Habitat for Humanity ReStore
APR 17
Flathead County Candidate Forum Luncheon
11:45am-1:15pm | Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell
APR 18
FAYP Espresso Yourself: What’s Happening at the Airport
8:00-9:00am | Colter Coffee, Kalispell
APR 19
Thinking Thursday: Social Media Marketing - How High Tech is a Blue Collar Business’ BFF 8:30-10:00am | Kalispell Chamber
APR 25
Travel to China in 2018: Informational Meeting 5:30-6:30pm | Kalispell Chamber
MAY 5-6
Montana Spartan Race Flathead Lake Lodge
MAY 8
Kalispell Public School Levy Vote
MAY 8
Chamber 101
3:00-4:30pm | Kalispell Chamber
MAY 8
UNWIND with Pierce RV Center 5:00-6:30pm | 3138 US-2, Kalispell
MONTHLY LUNCHEON: FLATHEAD COUNTY CANDIDATE FORUM Tuesday, April 17 | 11:45am-1:15pm | Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell The June 5th primary ballot will feature some of the most competitive races for Flathead County offices in many years, including those for Sheriff/Coroner, County Commissioner, and Justice of the Peace. April’s luncheon will provide a forum for businesses and citizens to become better acquainted with the candidates. Every candidate in a contested race has confirmed, including: Gerald Scott, Randy Brodehl, Ronalee Skees, Gary Krueger, Tom Clark, William Managhan, Paul Sullivan, Jordan White, Calvin Beringer, Brian Heino, and Keith Stahlberg.
Sponsored by:
RSVP here before April 13 at 5:00pm
SUPPORT $1M LEVY REQUEST FOR KALISPELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Our Board of Directors believes good schools are one of the primary considerations in business and personal relocations to Kalispell and unanimously voted to approve support for the $1-million levy request currently being put forth by Kalispell Public Schools. According to Kalispell Public Schools and the Flathead Beacon, in an article on Tuesday, April 3, registered absentee voters in Kalispell’s elementary district will receive a mail-in ballot during the week of April 16, then begining April 18-May 7, all registered voters can take advantage of early voting at the school district offices at 233 1st Ave E. On the day of the election, May 8, voters who have not yet cast their ballot can vote at the Flathead County Fairground’s Country Kitchen building. A strategic initiative of ours, as outlined in our 2010-2020 strategic plan, is to support education and workforce advancement. We strongly urge you to vote yes on this levy request. For more information on the levy, visit the information via Kalispell Public Schools, here.
CHAMBER SCOOP: Support for National Park Restoration Act - The Act, authored in Sen. Daines’ Senate Sub-Committee on National Parks, will reduce the maintenance backlog of roads, bridges, buildings, campgrounds, trails, water systems, and more estimated at $11.6B. The bill creates a National Park Restoration Fund that receives 50% of onshore and offshore revenues from energy production on federal lands over 2018 projections that are not already allocated to other purposes. Support for S. 2115 that will rewrite parts of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act - This bill, by Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Sen. Tester, will adjust the size at which banks are subject to certain regulatory scrutiny and exempt small banks from some requirements for loans, mortgages, and trading, among other measures. This bill is welcome news for Montana’s community banks, and was approved by the Senate and is now in the House. Development Information Center Report - Work is progressing on the Development Information Center, which will have a physical presence in the Visitor Information Center and a virtual presence on kalispellchamber.com. The expected launch date is July 1st. In the meantime, members of our staff have met with two developers and four owner/users in the 5,000-10,000 square foot range who are interested in the Core and Historic Downtown areas.
READ ALL ABOUT IT! SunRift Beer Company opening in April - Daily Inter Lake, March 30 Whitefish Mountain Resort breaks record for skier visits - Flathead Beacon, March 26 Kalispell Regional Medical Center receives top 100 distinction - NBC Montana, March 7 Kalispell Schools to float $1 million operational levy - Flathead Beacon, March 6
FAYP & Great Northern Brewing Co. Aprl 5 5:30-7:30pm FLATHEAD AREA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TOPS 200 MEMBERS Early last year, we merged with Flathead Area Young Professionals, a network of the next generation of community and business leaders ages 21-39, which had about 20 active members at the time. We’re happy to announce that as of midMarch, FAYP now has a roster of over 200 active members! Join FAYP for their first after-hours networking event in Whitefish this year on Thursday, April 5 from 5:30-7:30 upstairs at Great Northern Brewing Co. In spring fashion, this event is Hawaiian themed, so come dressed in your best island gear. Interested in joining FAYP? Any employee, aged 21-29, of a chamber member gets a free membership. Annual FAYP membership for non-chamber members is just $50/year. Contact fayp@kalispellchamber.com for more information.
ONE LAST CHANCE
!
We’re in the final stages of producing our annual Flathead Valley Map - which we have taken 100% inhouse! We print thousands of these maps and deliver them to local retailers, restaurants, hotels, rental car locations, and include them in every relocation and visitor packet request we get throughout the year. We still have space for an advertisement for your business and ads start at just $200. Contact our Membership Development Manager, Krista Borgardt, today to snag one of the last spots!
COMING UP INVEST IN MONTANA: MONTANA STATE AUDITOR TOUR STOPS IN KALISPELL Thursday, April 12 | 4:30-6:00pm | Syke’s
Securities Commissioner Matt Rosendale and staff from the Office of the Montana State Auditor will be hosting a presentation and roundtable discussion in Kalispell on April 12th as part of the Commissioner’s “Invest in Montana” tour. Invest in Montana is Commissioner Rosendale’s statewide initiative to promote capital formation and business investment in accordance with Montana’s securities laws. The purpose is to create a dialogue with business leaders, economic development organizations, business incubators, and community leaders to promote investment in Montana and support businesses as they start up and/or grow their existing operations. This event will include brief presentations from the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) staff. CSI will educate attendees on capital formation through equity and debt offerings, and exemptions to securities registration. The goal of the Invest in Montana tour is to help foster a multi-faceted approach for entrepreneurs to seek and obtain investment capital to start or grow their business and improve Montana’s economy.
Click here to RSVP
THINKING THURSDAY: SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING: HOW HIGH TECH IS A BLUE COLLAR BUSINESS’ BFF Thursday, April 19 | 8:30-10:00am | Kalispell Chamber Conference Room Social Media Marketing is a powerful yet confusing tool that often leaves small businesses who don’t have the millions of dollars behind them frustrated and overwhelmed. Have you: • Been unable to crack the code of making it work for you rather than just wasting time? • Been unsure what and when to post and how to create content (and what kind of content to even create)? • Been mystified by the fancy gizmos and gadgets that come with putting your business online? You will walk away knowing: • What Social Media Marketing is and how it’s different from other marketing tools • Principles and best practices • The difference between the multiple “channels” and how to choose the right ones • Simple, easy strategy and content creation techniques
Click here to RSVP
APPLICATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR’S LEADERSHIP FLATHEAD CLASS DUE MAY 1 Applications for our leadership development program, Leadership Flathead, are due on May 1st. Leadership Flathead is intricately designed to develop tangible leadership skills, increase awareness of significant local issues, and build a tightly-knit network of community leaders, all while strengthening the ability of current and emerging leaders to spearhead positive change in the Flathead Valley.
APPLY NOW!
Throughout the course of the program a variety of custom-designed sessions from community and industry leaders focus on topics such as education and workforce training, public safety, culture and tourism, human services, and planning, growth and government. Additionally, a skills-building theme is integrated into each of the sessions, which includes activities that reflect on conflict resolution, strategic planning, organizational change, collaboration, and more. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program in July and will begin the program’s two-year commitment with an overnight development retreat in September, followed by nine monthly skills-building sessions through June 2019. To supplement the training received during the first year of the program, participants will assume a new leadership role with a community organization or engage in a community-based project of their choosing during their second year. Fore more information, contact the Program Director, Diane Morton Stout, at leadershipflathead@kalispellchamber.com or visit www.kalispellchamber.com/leadership-flathead.
MARCH SESSION REVIEW The focus of Leadership’s March session day was human services. Through panel discussions and special tours of the Samaritan House and a Habitat for Humanity build site, our class members could see the generosity and caring spirit exemplified in our community for those who need a helping hand. As a community, we must work together to solve the needs of our citizens.
BRAVE LEADERSHIP WITH FLATHEAD NATIVE, KIMBERLY DAVIS
MAY 22
Tuesday, May 22 | 5:00-8:00pm | Kalispell Regional Medical Center
Join TEDx Speaker and expert on authentic leadership Kimberly Davis and Leadership Flathead for an engaging evening focused on leadership and courage. Kimberly Davis graduated from Flathead High School in 1985 and has spent her career teaching and speaking about leadership worldwide. Her presentation will highlight her recent book, Brave Leadership.
The event will feature a short presentation by Kimberly Davis followed by an audience conversation lead by Chris Parson, Director of FVCC’s Continuing Education Center. The evening will culminate in a book signing and social hour with Kimberly Davis. Tickets can be purchased on our website for $20 per person. Advance sales of the book are also available on our website. All current Leadership Flathead participants and dues-paying alumni are invited to attend this event free of charge.
KALISPELL CONVENTION & VISITOR BUREAU KCVB HOSTED SUCCESSFUL FIRST ANNUAL MONTANA INDOOR SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP The Kalispell Convention & Visitor Bureau’s inaugural Montana Indoor Soccer Championship took place at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center, March 2 – 4. Thirty-six boys and girls teams from Spokane, Sandpoint, Bozeman, Helena, Missoula, Polson, Calgary, Nelson, Cranbrook, and the Flathead Valley competed in the tournament. Thank you to the event sponsors, volunteers, local soccer clubs and vendors who worked with the KCVB to make this new shoulder-season event successful. Feedback from coaches, players, and parents was very positive with everyone looking forward to next year’s championship scheduled for March 2019.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR THE 2018 MONTANA SPARTAN RACE The Montana Spartan Race returns to the Flathead Valley on May 5 - 6 with the challenging Beast race on Saturday and the rigorous Sprint on Sunday. More than 7,000 racers will be fire jumping, spear throwing, and rope climbing. Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the event without having to do things that involve mud, blisters, and barbed wire. There are TWO ways to volunteer for this event: 1. Sign up with the Kalispell Convention & Visitor Bureau (KCVB): Want to take surveys or pour beer? This is the place for you. KCVB Volunteers receive lunch, snacks, free on-site parking, and a special Spartan volunteer tee shirt (but no free race entry). SEE KCVB volunteer opportunities and sign up HERE. For more information, contact Vonnie at (406) 758-2809 or Vonnie@discoverkalispell.com. 2. SPARTAN RACE, INC. volunteer opportunities: If you’re looking for a free race entry or want to help build the course, here’s your chance. These volunteer assignments tend to be more physical and the shifts are longer. Benefits include lunch, snacks, a tee shirt, and a free race entry if you commit to a half or full day. The free entry can be used for this event or a future race. See the Spartan, Inc. volunteer positions available and sign up HERE. Spartan Race, Inc. also provides opportunities for volunteers from local non-profit groups to work together at the event in exchange for a donation to their organization. For info, email or call Vonnie Day at (406) 758-2809.
THE 2018-2019 KALISPELL VISITOR GUIDE IS NOW AVAILABLE If you would like copies to have available at your business, please stop by the Chamber or contact Meche Ek at (406) 7582811. View the guide online at http://www.discoverkalispell.com/travel-guide/
MILESTONE CELEBRATIONS THIS APRIL 30+ YEARS
Glacier Guides and Montana Raft
20 YEARS
Meadow Lake Golf and Ski Resort
10 YEARS
1 YEAR
NEW MEMBERS
Glacial Escape LLC Morning Star Lawn & Garden, Inc. Big Sky Rent & Events, Inc. Northwest Automotive Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming Sparrows Nest of NWMT Two Men and a Truck Great Northern Brewing Company AE2S
Montana Air Adventures
5 YEARS
Whitefish Theater Company Kalispell Oral Surgery & Implants
HAPPENING AROUND TOWN April 18: Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening at Professional Therapy Associates 5:00pm at 105 Village Loop, Kalispell April 20: Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening at Berguson RV 4:00pm at 4095 HWY 93N, Kalispell April 24: Blueprint for Business Success - 12 Danger Zones for Employers Series. Are Your Paying Your Employees Correctly? Wages and hours worked are two of the most important employment related concerns for many workers. Federal and state laws concerning wages have evolved over the years and the rules can be difficult to understand.12-1:00pm. To register, visit https://blueprintforbusinesssuccess.eventbrite.com May 4: Headshot Workshop with Valerie McIntyre At the Kalispell Chamber. More details to follow. May 18: Ribbon Cutting at the new location for Flair Boutique 4:00pm at 123 Main Street, Kalispell Have an event coming up? Contact us at (406) 758-5054 to hear about how we can help with advertising your big day.