Graduation: A Rite of Passage for Our Future Workforce |
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This past Saturday, President & CEO of the Montana Chamber and Executive Director of the Montana Chamber Foundation, Todd O'Hair was invited to give the commencement speech for the 84th Commencement Ceremony at Miles Community College. Pictured above with Montana Chamber Board Member Dr. Ron Slinger, President of MCC, along with graduate and soon-to-be Montana State University-Bozeman Bobcat, Alex Hopfauf, son of Montana Chamber Foundation Board member, Paul Hopfauf.
What an honor it is to support Montana students through our work with teachers across the Treasure State. They are, after all, our most valuable resource and our future. Go Pioneers!
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The Prospects Winners Announced:
2024 Grand Champions Competition - MON, MAY 20
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The top 5 winners of The Prospects New and Existing Business categories and President's Hustle (high school only) will compete in person at MSU Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship in Bozeman for the title of Grand Champion and $5,000. The event will be held on Monday, May 20th. Here are our competitors:
New Business Finalists
● PrecisionTech - Twin Bridges
● To-You Mechanic Service - Seeley-Swan
● Walker for the Blind - Billings Skyview
● TipSense - Simms
● PnK’s Bakery - Missoula Sentinel
Existing Business Finalists
● Beatriz Mexican Sweets+More - Billings Skyview
● Sherman Angus LLC - Ronan
● Gumball Drop Shop - Missoula Hellgate
● Resig Bros Custom Haying - Lewistown
● Pixel Crafts - Red Lodge
President's Hustle
NEW - Mr. Soggs - Missoula Hellgate
EXISTING - Semi Verde Pepo - Twin Bridges
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Thank You to Our Sponsors: BlueCross BlueShield of Montana, City of Bozeman, Empowered / Youth Entrepreneurs, Gallatin College Montana State University, Miles Community College, Stockman, and Two Bear Capital
More information on The Prospects and Grand Champions can be found here.
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Let's Celebrate US SBA Awards for MT Small Businesses |
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Our President & CEO Todd O'Hair was there as was SBA District Director Brent Donnelly, SBA Region 8 Administrator Aitka Marcoulier, and SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman who gave the luncheon keynote.
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We congratulate all of the 2024 Montana small business winners:
Small Business Champion Karen Grosz, President and Developer, Canvas Creek Team Building
Young Entrepreneur Owned Business of the Year Co-Founders Genai Castro Waller and Aaron Waller - Graphic Finesse LLC
Women Owned Business of the Year Co-Owners Linda Heins and Susan Baker - Yarn Bar
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Montana Festival Tickets on Sale; Speakers Announced THURS-SAT, MAY 30 - JUNE 1
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❌ SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT
Join us for “The Journey to Unf**ing the Planet: A conversation with Chris Sacca."
We are excited to share that Chris Sacca – famous climate tech investor, Shark Tank star, and Montanan – will be speaking at the inaugural Montana Festival on Friday, May 31st.
Chris Sacca, the co-founder of both Lowercarbon Capital and Lowercase Capital, is an accomplished venture investor, entrepreneur, and that guy who wears those cowboy shirts on Shark Tank. Together with his wife Crystal, he grew Lowercase Capital into one of history's most successful funds, known for early investments in companies like Twitter, Uber, and Instagram. This accomplishment landed Chris on a lot of lists, most of them good.
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Tickets are $100 per person |
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Investing in Montana Summit - THURS, JUNE 11
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Join the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance on Tuesday, June 11 from 11 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the AC Hotel by Marriott Bozeman Downtown to talk about investing in Montana. Hear first-hand success stories from Montana companies and develop an understanding of the regulatory framework surrounding capital formation.
Remember, doing things the right way protects not only your interests but also the investors. An additional focus this year is raising capital from the business side with information on topics like preparing to raise capital, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, and intellectual property.
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Montana Chamber Signature Events: |
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JOIN US! - 2nd Annual CONVERGENCE - Tues/Wed, May 21-22
A Celebration of National Travel & Tourism Week
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TUESDAY, MAY 21 - SPONSORS, LEGISLATORS, AND SPECIAL GUESTS
3:30 – 5:30 PM TOUR & TALK – “1923” Dutton Ranch
Pick up / Drop off at The Hotel Finlen
Join us as we head out to the private property location of the Dutton Ranch in the “1923” prequel of Yellowstone. Smores and a campfire at the adjacent forest service cabin will provide a space for us to hear how the series’ production contributed to the Butte-Silver Bow community’s economic development. Learn about how the MEDIA film tax credit made Montana a competitive film destination to land this production, created jobs, and provided training/education for a homegrown workforce. The following individuals will be joining us to share this story.
5:30 - 7:30 PM VIP RECEPTION @ THE FINLEN HOTEL COPPER BOWL
WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2024
9:30 – 11:00 AM BUTTE TROLLEY TOUR
Thanks to the Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM CONVERGENCE #NTTW23 LUNCHEON AT THE BUTTE DEPOT
12:00 PM Montana Chamber Welcome and Buffet Lunch served
12:15 – 2:00 PM
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12:15 – 1:00 PM – FILM IN MT: EMBRACING THE IDEA OF “YES”
- Allison Whitmer, Commissioner – Montana Film Office
- Jocelyn Dodge, Chair – Visit Southwest Montana
- Karen Byrnes - Butte Slver-Bow
- Lynn-Wood Fields, Executive Director – Montana Media Coalition
- 1:00 – 1:30 PM – THE MT OUTDOOR INDUSTRY BUSINESS LANDSCAPE WITH THE IMPACT OF MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
- Alex Kutches, Former President – Mystery Ranch (backpacks); recently acquired by Yeti
- 1:30 – 2:00 PM – MT TOURISM: SB-540 A YEAR LATER AND A LOOK AHEAD TO 2025
2:00 PM Luncheon Concludes
Tickets are $50/pp for Chamber members (any Chamber) | $75/pp for non-members
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THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS |
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Big Sky, Bright Future Summit - Wed/Thurs, June 19-20, 2024
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Co-hosts Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the 2024 Big Sky, Bright Future Summit on Wednesday-Thursday, June 19-20, 2024 at Bourbon and the Hilton Garden Inn in Bozeman.
Industry and community leaders, chamber and economic development members, policymakers, government affairs representatives, and business leaders should plan on attending this event. Seminars will focus on the Montana Chamber’s Envision 2026 pillars: Entrepreneurship, Business Climate, Infrastructure, and Workforce with trades and apprenticeship; housing and childcare; manufacturing; business recruitment; and broadband at the forefront.
We’re putting the spotlight on innovative companies and solutions, highlighting Governor Gianforte’s progress on moving Montana forward as a business-friendly state, and providing networking opportunities. Tickets are $150/pp.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Platinum: Boeing and Stockman Bank
Gold: NorthWestern Energy
Silver: The Washington Companies
Bronze: Alexander Hutton, Montana State University, Prospera, and Republic Services
Breakfast: Montana Secretary of State
Lunch: Montana Department of Commerce
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Montana Chamber Member Spotlight: |
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Brixtel Defense manufactures munitions and propellants for the U.S. Armed Forces and its allies. Through its new ammunition manufacturing facility in Glendive, the company is projected to create over 350 good-paying Montana jobs by 2028.
“In an era where outsourcing is commonplace, we choose to invest in the heart of our nation. We are proud to announce $125 million investment in Montana,” said Andy Mansoor, CEO of Brixtel Defense. “This expansion is a testament to our belief in the American workforce, the American dream, and the fundamental values upon which this great country was built. As we embark on this journey in Glendive, we are reminded of our purpose. Together, we build more than ammunition; we forge the future of freedom.”
To integrate local expertise into its operations and foster relationships within the state, Mansoor announced that Brixtel Defense is partnering with Alpha Loading Systems, an ammunitions manufacturer which recently expanded in Stevensville.
To learn more, visit their website here and read the press release from the Governor's Office here.
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This Business Brief Is Sponsored by Our Treasure State Member: |
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To learn more about Treasure State Membership benefits for your business, contact Matt Olson, Director of Network Development at Matthew@montanachamber.com | 406.360.6443
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