KALISPELL CHAMBER NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 2018 FLATHEAD MANUFACTURING MONTH SET TO BREAK ATTENDANCE RECORD This year, Kalispell maintains its status in the state as the community with the greatest focus on manufacturing and events surrounding National Manufacturing Day, this Friday, October 5. The manufacturing industry is the fastest growing basic industry in Flathead County, and we couldn’t devote just one day to celebrating the products made in the Flathead and the people who create them! Join us for any of our events between now and November 8 and better understand the many faces of manufacturing and how the industry may inspire you and your business. Last year we broke a record with over 1,000 participants and we’re on track to break that again this year! Click on any of the tours below for more information and to register, but hurry, space is filling up! OCT 2, 2:00PM
OCT 2, 3:30PM
OCT 3, 9:00AM
OCT 3, 10:30AM
OCT 3, 4:00PM
OCT 4, 11:00AM
WHITEFISH
WEYERHAEUSER
WEYERHAEUSER
DAILY INTER LAKE
KALISPELL KREAMERY
SPIRITS
FLATHEAD LAKE BREWING COMPANY
OCT 4, 2:00PM
OCT 4, 5:00PM
OCT 5, 11:00AM
OCT 5, 12:30AM
OCT 5, 2:00PM
OCT 5, 3:30PM
KALISPELL BREWING COMPANY
GLACIER SUN WINERY/ ROUGH CUT CIDERY
GLACIER DISTILLING COMPANY
APPLIED MATERIALS BIRCH GROVE
GLACIER PRECAST CONCRETE
NOMAD GLOBAL COMMUNICATION SOLUTIONS
OCT 9, 5:00PM
OCT 18, 8:30AM
OCT 25, 12:30PM
NOV 8-9
UNWIND WITH U.S. OPTICS AND LC STAFFING
THINKING THURSDAY: EMPLOYER BRANDING FOR FUTURE EMPLOYEES
FLATHEAD TIMBER TOUR
HANDCRAFTED
MONTANA MANUFACTURING SUMMIT
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TOURS AND OUR MANUFACTURING INITIATIVES, VIEW THE FULL FLATHEAD MANUFACTURING MONTH PROGRAM HERE.
2018 LUNCHEON SCHEDULE, MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OCTOBER 16 AND DECEMBER 18 We have set the schedule for our last two luncheon events of 2018. Please plan to join us on Tuesday, October 16 for an exciting presentation as the director of Glacier Park International Airport unveils the new airport terminal expansion plans, and the City of Kalispell announces the updated trail plans which will replace the existing railroad tracks in Downtown Kalispell. Click here to register. For December, plan to join us on the 18 as our program will feature the top issues that the state will be facing as we head into the 2019 legislative session.
NOMINATIONS FOR ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS DUE FRIDAY, OCT 5 We are now accepting nominations for our annual business awards, which include the Great Chief Award, Businessman of the Year, and Businesswoman of the Year. The awards, which will be presented during our 114th Annual Banquet and Auction on Friday, November 16, represent the most prestigious business awards in the Flathead. For nominating rules and forms, please click here. All nominations are due by 5:00pm on Friday, October 5.
KALISPELL CHAMBER SUPPORTS I-185 AND 6-MILL LEVY, OPPOSES I-186 The 6-Mill Levy has been in effect in Montana since 1948 and is a funding source that continues to directly benefit Montana universities and colleges. The Kalispell Chamber Board of Directors believes the levy is good for the welfare of all Montana communities as it keeps education affordable, which helps establish a skilled workforce for the state. The 6-Mill Levy comes up for renewal every ten years, and the Kalispell Chamber advocated in support of the levy in both 2008 and 1998. The Kalispell Chamber Board of Directors also voted to support I-185. If passed by voters, I-185 would increase the tax on cigarettes by $2.00 per pack, from $1.70 to $3.70, and provide a parallel increase on taxes applied to all other tobacco products, which would also increase e-cigarettes, vaping products, and other electronic smoking items not currently taxed. The funds from the tax increase would help fund Montana’s Medicaid expansion, and also support programs such as smoking cessation and prevention, long-term care for seniors and individuals with disabilities, suicide prevention counseling for Montana veterans, and the Montana Veterans’ Home. After a lengthy discussion following over an hour of presentations from individuals representing both sides of the initiative, the Kalispell Chamber Board of Directors felt that supporting I-185 would continue to positively influence the livelihood of over 100,000 Montanans, approximately 18 percent of which are located in Northwest Montana. Additionally, the Board felt that by supporting I-185, the Chamber would be taking a step forward in helping create a healthier Montana, which in turn, helps foster a healthy, more productive workforce, and efficient economy. Finally, the Kalispell Chamber’s Board of Directors voted in opposition of I-186, which would require the Department of Environmental Quality to deny any new permit for any new hard rock mines in Montana unless the reclamation plan provides clear and convincing evidence that the mine will not require perpetual treatment of water polluted by acid mine drainage or other contaminants. The Board felt I-186 is duplicative and unnecessary and will hurt Montana taxpayers and our economy.
IN THE NEWS Celebrate Manufacturing in the Flathead, Daily Inter Lake Local Officials Lobby for Kalispell Bypass Fnding in Washington DC, Flathead Beacon Kalispell Officials Lobby for Federal Funding to Improve Bypass South Side, NBC Montana
NEW OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS NAMED FOR 2019 At the board meeting on Sept. 18th, two new directors were named for 2019: Mark Blasdel with Vista Linda, and Tom Anderson with Glacier Precast Concrete. The board also approved a new slate of officers: Mike Smith, Glacier Bank, for Chairman of the Board; Tom Ray, Weyerhaeuser, for Vice Chairman; Courtenay Sprunger, Big Sky Public Relations, for Secretary/Treasurer, and Dave Hergesheimer, Jordahl and Sliter, moving to Immediate-Past Chairman of the Board.
CHAMBER DELEGATION PUSHED FOR BYPASS FUNDING AND MORE A delegation of 14 business and civic officials went to Washington, DC on September 4-6 to meet with our delegation and other officials in an effort to secure $15 million of funding to widen the south half of the Bypass. Completing the full-build of the Bypass is a high priority of the Chamber’s Strategic Plan to “build on infrastructure momentum”. We will press for other Strategic Plan priorities including: national parks infrastructure, forest management provisions of the ag bill, FAA reauthorization, and an infrastructure bill. For more details, click here.
CALLING ALL SMALL BUSINESSES! Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate the small businesses which make our Northwest Montana home unique. Join us, in partnership with other chambers of commerce across the valley, and make the pledge to shop small on Saturday, November 24. On the big day, stop by our office to pick up a branded shopping bag, filled with promotions and event gift cards to your favorite local businesses. If you’re a small business and would like to be included in the fun this year, contact Kate Lufkin, our Marketing and Communications Manager, at (406) 758-2801 - we’ll need your information by Wednesday, October 24.
UNWIND WITH U.S. OPTICS AND LC STAFFING
THINKING THURSDAY: BRANDING FOR FUTURE EMPLOYEES
TUESDAY, OCT 9 | 5:00-6:30PM | 235 UNITED DR, KALISPELL
THURSDAY, OCT 18 | 8:30-10:00AM | KALISPELL CHAMBER CONFERENCE ROOM
Join LC Staffing and U.S. Optics for a co-hosted after-hours networking UNWIND at U.S. Optics on Tuesday, October 9th. U.S. Optics, a world-renowned rifle scope manufacturer, will host an abbreviated tour at their facility, highlighting the scope assembly process. Closed-toe shoes are not required as manufacturing will not take place during the tour. In the spirit of celebrating manufacturing in the Flathead Valley, U.S. Optics and LC Staffing have also invited a few local companies within the firearm manufacturing industry, including: Proof Research, Defiance Machine, Ely Yerian Designs, Sheer Manufacturing, and Hunt MT. These local manufacturers will showcase their products in the U.S. Optics showroom during the event.
Staffing in today’s market is increasingly difficult, unemployment in Montana is the lowest it’s been in 11 years, and there are fewer and fewer qualified people in the talent pool. How do you keep your business running smoothly with appropriate staffing levels and create a desire for future employees to apply? In this seminar, LC Staffing will present best practices for your company or business as the local employer of choice for the workforce of today and the future. Registration required, click here to save your seat.
THE BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR! 114TH ANNUAL BANQUET AN AUCTION Without valuable members like you, we would not be able to continue to develop our business, economic, and community projects. Some highlights from this year include: organizing a record-breaking 4H/FFA Market Livestock Sale for the third year in a row, launching our Development Information Center, organizing a D.C. fly-in to help secure funding to expand the south-half of the bypass, and more. As a community advocate, we’ve been involved in the plans for the linear-park that will replace the existing railroad tracks in Downtown Kalispell, supported major events such as the Spartan Race, Dragon Boat Festival and Rebecca Farm, and assisted in communications for passing the Kalispell Public School’s operating levy in June. Please consider joining us for our 114th Annual Banquet and Auction this November 16. Our theme, planes, trains, and automobiles, is meant to celebrate the historic opportunity that Kalispell, and the entire Flathead Valley, has for revitalization with the removal of the railroad tracks, a planned airport terminal expansion, potential expansion of the bypass, and continued development projects. Purchase tickets here. The proceeds of the auction will benefit the Kalispell Chamber Foundation, our 501(c)(3) affiliate, which supports our strategic initiatives: promote an active and vibrant downtown, grow Kalispell as a regional trade center, build on infrastructure momentum, accelerate non-resident tourism growth, and strengthen manufacturing and innovation. For sponsorship information, please click here.
KALISPELL CONVENTION & VISITOR BUREAU SMALL MARKET MEETINGS CONFERENCE Kalispell CVB Group Sales Manager Dawn Jackson met with more than 30 meeting planners at the Small Market Meetings Conference, a trade show held in Ontario, California, September 24 - 25. At least 70% of those planners had never been to Montana or considered holding an event here until meeting with Dawn. Many were surprised at the number of flight options and guest rooms available in Kalispell. Having Glacier National Park in our backyard is always a great way to start a conversation and Montana made a splash at the show along with several other representatives from around our state. Icing on the cake: Dawn also had an opportunity to meet face to face and continue discussions with a planner who has been interested in our area.
LEADERSHIP FLATHEAD Leadership Flathead is proud to announce the Class of 2020. This year started off with a bang this past week at Glacier Camp on Flathead Lake, September 20-21. Thirty-nine participants from a variety of local business and organizations engaged in leadership training, team building activities and dialogue. They will be involved in nine full-day sessions this year, focused on continued leadership skills building, community awareness and the opportunity to build professional relationships throughout our valley. Welcome to these new members of our Leadership Flathead program. Amelia Gonzalez Barbara Moran Beckie Christiaens Beth Kornick Bill Mulholland Chris Dowling Daniel Wagner Emmy Hickey Erik Schliebe Gail Whitney Grace Marlowe Gregg Murphy Jamie Quinn Jared Richardson Jenna Taylor Jennifer C.K. Hargett Jeremy Marsh Jessica Heil Jessica Tubbs
Express Employment Professionals InnSpace Flathead Valley Community College Kalispell Public Schools USDA-Forest Service USDA-Forest Service KLJ Engineering Keller Williams Realty NW Montana Flathead Electric Cooperative The Salvation Army The CFO Agency Flathead County Sheriff's Posse Flathead Food Bank Weyerhaeuser Child Bridge, Inc. Hargett Mountain Properties LLC/ PureWest Christie's Real Estate Stillwater Christian School Innovative Captive Strategies Shepherd's Hand
Jill Kuntz Jolene Bradstreet Kim Lynch Krista Borgardt Laura Spargo Lauren Alley Laurie Normandy Linda Updike Maribeliz Wroble Mark Freidline Megan Griffiths Pam Long Renee Liechti Rhonda Kalvig Rocheal Gaston Sarah Mathiason Steve Byrd Steve Ramsey Troy Brackey Tyler Tonjum
TrailWest Bank Rocky Mountain Bank Glacier Bank Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Glacier Bank Glacier National Park Immanuel Lutheran Communities Xanterra Travel Collection Rocky Mountain Bank City of Kalispell Flathead Valley Community College Valley Bank of Kalispell Jordahl & Sliter PLLC OrthoRehab Physical Therapy Direct Source MT, Inc Flathead Industries Glacier National Park Northwest Drywall and Roofing Park Side FCU Jackola Engineering
FLATHEAD AREA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FAYP NETWORKING, WITH GHOSTS AND GOBLINS! Join fellow young professionals between the ages of 21-39 and hop aboard with the Montana Trolley Company for a tour so frightening, that networking might not seem so scary anymore. For an hour and a half, spend time with Valley Area Paranormal Research on a journey through Kalispell. Learn about Kalispell’s haunted history, while enjoying some local craft spirits (drinks that is,) and enjoy some laughs along the way. Meet at Brannigans at 5:39, or come a bit earlier and mingle with FAYP members prior to the tour, but once the clock strikes 6, we’ll hop aboard the trolley! If possible, please park at Super 1 and walk to Brannigans so we don’t take over their entire parking lot. Cost is $10 per person and booking can be done up until 5:30 pm day of the tour. Click here to register.
PUT YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO WORK! JOIN FAYP’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE Flathead Area Young Professionals has two seats on its advisory committee that will need to be filled as we roll into 2019. FAYP is the Kalispell Chamber’s high-performing development group for young professionals between the ages of 21-30. Interested applicants should have attended past FAYP events, be able to represent young professionals from all backgrounds and career interests, share skills and expertise, and be able to devote a significant amount of time to help organize the 2019 Montana Young Professionals Summit, to be held in Kalispell June 12-14. For more information email fayp@kalispellchamber.com
VOTE FOR JOBS Voters today have a wide range of issues to consider: the state of the economy, taxes, regulations, and legislative initiatives, and the overall political landscape in Washington. Whatever your reason for voting, there has never been a more important time to make your voice heard. In less than 50 days, the entire House of Representatives, a third of the Senate, and a variety of local positions and ballot initiatives will be on the ballot. The Kalispell Chamber strongly encourages you to learn more about the candidates in each race and the issues at hand. But most importantly, we hope you will use the tools on this website to register to vote, find your polling place, and cast your ballot. Click here for more information.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Executive Cleaning by Design LLC OCTOBER MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES 30+ YEARS • • • •
Kalispell School District #5 Culligan Water Conditioning Flooring America/Poiema Carpet & Interiors, Inc. Flathead Industries
25 YEARS
• Murdoch’s Ranch & Home
15 YEARS
• Fidelity National Title
10 YEARS
• Flathead Community Foundation
5 YEARS
• Historic Tamarack Lodge and Cabins • Montana Equestrian Events, Inc.
1 YEAR • • • • •
SunRift Beer Company ERA Lambros Real Estate L’Heureux Page Werner, PC (LPW Architecture) Measure, Sampsel, Sullivan & O’Brien, P.C. U.S. Optics
Human Therapy on Horseback
RIBBON CUTTING & OPEN HOUSE Saturday, November 10
4:00 - 7:00pm @ Firefly Horse Co. Demos, Raffles, Food and Drinks
See how miracles happen!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Visit www.kalispellchamber.com for more informationa and more events
Flathead MFG Month Events October 1-5 FVCC Festival of Flavors October 5-13 Pink Me Up! 1k/5k Run or Walk Color Celebration Sunday, October 7 2:00-5:00pm, FVCC Montana Association of Chamber Execs Conference October 8-9 UNWIND at US Optics with LC Staffing Tuesday, October 9 5:00-6:30pm, 235 United Drive, Kalispell Ribbon Cutting at Towne Place Suites Whitefish Wednesday, October 10 11:00am, 300 Akers Lane, Whitefish Montana Marie Espresso Bar Grand Opening Thursday, October 11 4:30pm, 140 S. Main St., Kalispell FAYP Haunted Trolley Tour Monday, October 15 6:00pm, Leaves from Brannigan’s
GET YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE WITH GOOGLE: Reach Customers Online with Google – Make Your Website Work For You The Montana Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Google, is bringing you a workshop on how to reach customers online with Google and how to make your website work for you. Monday, October 22 – 8:00 a.m. to noon – Hampton Inn Kalispell. Cost: $15 per person Reach Customers Online with Google: Learn how customers find your business online and how to promote your online presence using a free business listing, search engine optimization (SEO) techniques and online advertising. We’ll also introduce tools that will help you run your business online, including Google Analytics and Trends.
October Monthly Luncheon Tuesday, October 16 11:45am - 1:15pm, Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell
In this workshop we’ll discuss best practices for:
Thinking Thursday: Branding for Future Employees Thursday, October 18 8:30-10:00am, Kalispell Chamber
• Creating a free Google My Business listing • Improving your website’s visibility in Google’s organic search results, on all devices • Advertising your business on Google
Get Your Business Online with Google Monday, October 22 8:00am-12:00pm, Hampton Inn, Kalispell Final Alps to Adriatic in 2019 Informational Meeting Wednesday, October 24 5:30-6:30pm, Kalispell Chamber Flathead Timber Tour Thursday, October 25 12:30-4:30pm, Busses leave from Kalispell Chamber
Make Your Website Work for You: If you’re launching a new business website (or sprucing up an old site), this workshop will help. Learn how to create a search-friendly site that’s useful for customers and supports your business goals. In this workshop we’ll offer tips for:
Small Business Saturday Saturday, November 24
• Building a goal-oriented website • Creating useful content for your audience • Ensuring your site is useful for visitors, on any and every device • Increasing visibility with search engine optimiza- tion (SEO)
Have an event coming up? Make sure to post it on our website!
Click here for more information and to register
114th Annual Banquet and Auction Friday, November 16 5:00pm, Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell