Bozeman Chamber Program of Work

The Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce, representing its' membership advocates economic vitality, high quality of life and preservation of the free enterprise system through leadership, vision, and communication.

These working committees comprise the Chamber's Program of Work for 2011-2012. Although participation in these committees is strictly voluntary, Chamber members are encouraged to get involved in areas of interest and help accomplish the committee goals. Please feel free to contact the Chamber if you wish to participate on any particular committee or activity.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
Chamber Board of Directors Liaison: TBD
The purpose of this division is to help grow current Bozeman and Gallatin County business and attract new businesses to Bozeman and Gallatin County.

Business and Industry Recruitment Committee
Goal: Recruit new businesses to Bozeman Community and enhance existing industry and commerce in the Community.
Objectives: Establish an Economic Development working group which includes but is not limited to Prospera Business Network, the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce, Gallatin Country, the City of Bozeman, Tech Ranch, Gallatin Association of Realtors, Southwest Montana Builders Association and Montana State University, etc. to meet once a month to discuss opportunities for business growth, development and recruitment.
Chair: Brit Fontenot, City of Bozeman

Business and Industry Retention Committee
Goal: Work with local manufacturers and distribution centers to address challenges and opportunities for industrial expansion in the community.
Objectives:
Meet with local manufacturing and distribution centers over the course of the year to learn about business expansion opportunities, retention, and employment needs.
Work with Montana State University, College of Technology and Bozeman ISD to establish educational synergies in the manufacturing industry.
Compile a wage survey.
Chair: Stuart Leidner, Prospera Business Network

Transportation Committee
Goal: Improve and expand transportation services in the Gallatin Valley
Objectives:
Work with state, city, and country officials on future transportation planning issues including the airport interchange
Create an air service development entity to expand current air service.
Chair: Dan Martin, Karst Stage

Utilities Committee
Goal: Provide high quality utilities to meet the current and future needs of the community.
Objectives:
Work with all utility companies that service Bozeman and Gallatin Country area to identify current status of utilities
Develop a plan on improvements that are needed for future development
Assist City of Bozeman in successful completion of area wide Broadband to Bozeman, Belgrade, and Four Corners Area application.
Chair: Pat Patterson & Mel Kotur

Workforce Committee
Goal: Enhance the quality and quantity of the workforce in the Bozeman area.
Objectives: Identify quality and quantity of Gallatin County workforce.
Help coordinate and organize a job fair annually with Montana State University
Coordinate and organize an annual job fair for High School graduating Seniors
Make three recommendations for types of training needed in Bozeman Area
Chair: Bob Hietala, Gallatin College Programs

Special Projects
Gallatin Business Resource Network website has been completed. Click here to visit. City of Bozeman, Montana State University, and the Chamber of Commerce had to develop an all inclusive web site that businesses can turn to for all of their needs.

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
Chamber Board of Directors Liaison: TBD
The purpose of this division is to increase Chamber membership.

Green Coat Ambassadors
Goal: To promote good will and community awareness of Chamber activities
Objectives:
Welcome new members and encourage participation in Chamber activities. through the mentoring program.
Support and attend Blue and Red ribbon cuttings, grand openings, Business After Hours, Business Before Hours, ground-breakings, membership luncheons/ breakfasts, new member reception and other Chamber events.
Each Green Coat is responsible for providing one new business lead per month to the Membership Director.
Chair: Katherine Atteberry, Mind Over Matter-MOM

Member Networking Events
Goal: Provide Chamber members an opportunity to attend networking to meet other business members and potential new clients.
Objectives:
Plan and arrange the details of Annual Banquet and Meeting
Host 12 Business After Hours per year
Host 12 Business Before Hours per year
Plan and organize the Annual Chamber Classic Golf Outing
Maintain and grow the seven Leads Exchange Groups
Young Professionals Group, click here for more information!
Chair: Karri Clark, BACC

Membership Services Committee
Goal: Assist the Chamber team in developing programs to encourage member participation in chamber events.
Objectives:
Member-2-Member Discount Program
Organize the annual Operation Thank You Event
Business After Hours/ Business Before Hours Registration Table
Volunteer Appreciation Event: Shauna Deckert, Bank of Bozeman
OPERATION THANK YOU CHAIRS: Syndey Rick, AWE Financial & Patty Kicker, Big Sky Western Bank
Operation Thank You takes place the second week of June.

Special Projects
Goal: Creates venues to promote Chamber businesses.
Objectives:
Host Chairman Roundtables
Produce an annual Membership Directory
Promote New and Renewing Business Members in the Business 2 Business Magazine and the Chamber Corner.
Chairs: Karri Clark, BACC

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
Chamber Board of Directors Liaison: Brian Sprenger, Gallatin Airport Authority
The purpose of this division is to enhance economic development of the community through the promotion of tourism, film production, and meetings while sustaining the geographic character, environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well being of its businesses.

Convention and Visitors Bureau Committee
Goal: Contribute to a positive quality of life in Bozeman by promoting tourism as an economic and sustainable industry.
Objectives:
Write and implement a yearly tourism marketing plan.
Provide promotional items to meetings and city wide events.
Coordinate and manage the distribution of tourism materials at the 19th St Rest Area.
Coordinate and manage the seasonal Visitor Center on N. 7th Ave.
Chair: Brian Sprenger, Gallatin Airport Authority

Tourism Business Improvement District Committee (TBID)
Goal: Work with the City and CVB to enhance tourism marketing efforts and explore new areas of tourism marketing bringing new revenue into the community
Objectives:
Design and implement a marketing plan which compliments / enhances current tourism marketing efforts.
Create a hospitality committee for new event recruitment and site visits.
Partner with State, Bozeman, CVB, and other entities to leverage marketing dollars.
Respond to City-wide RFP's.
Attend Meeting and Convention Conferences.
Chair: Tim Kuhlman, Holiday Inn

Special Projects
Goal: Develop collateral that meets the needs of the community and visitors and creates revenue for the Chamber.
Objectives:
Print and distribute a comprehensive City Map bi-annually
Print and distribute a tear-off map bi-annually
Update weekly on-line community calendar & coordinate social media.
Coordinate the production of the yearly Community Guide
Chair: Daryl W. Schliem, BACC

Convention Center Feasibility Study
Goal: Work with local Hoteliers and the business community to identify the need for a convention center in the Bozeman Area.
Chair: Daryl W. Schliem, BACC

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION (TECDD)
Chamber Board of Directors Liaison:TBD
The purpose of this division is to provide new training and educational opportunities for chamber members while creating a solid revenue stream for the chamber.

Assistance for Business Clinic
Goal: Organize and promote a one day workshop to business owners providing up-to-date information on employment, tax laws, tax credits.
Objectives: Provide up to date business practices at the one-day workshop.
Chair: Kami Jessen, BACC

Exposition '12
Goal: Host an annual Business Expo that is educational for members and profitable for the Chamber.
Objectives:
Host a Business Expo each fall.
Provide seminars on current issues and new opportunities for the business owner.
Provide vendor sponsorship opportunities for Chamber members
Organize and host a Business After Hours following the Business Expo.
Evaluate Business Expo format.
Chair: Karri Clark, BACC

Business Lunch Seminar(s)- (BLS)
Goal: Develop a series of courses that tackle a range of business topics, designed to address the core business issues facing Montana employers
Objectives:
Host lunch hour training courses to address a variety of topics and issues as requested by Chamber Members.
Provide time for individual class evaluation at the end of each session.
Survey members in attendance for future topics
Chair: Karri Clark, BACC

Leadership Bozeman Committee
Goal: Develop future community leaders
Objectives:
Provide a broad overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the Bozeman Community through a ten month comprehensive learning program.
Provide opportunities at each session for future leaders to learn from current community leaders through field trips, presentations, and question and answer sessions.
Chairs:
John Ayers, First Security Bank
Heather Collins, Eagle Mount
Alisa Lister, Buffalo Restoration
Candace Esler, American Land Title Company
Program Coordinators: Nicole Evelyn, Daryl Schliem, BACC

Public Awareness Committee
Goal: Education members of the Chamber and public about State, City, and County issues that affect Chamber businesses and members. Communicate the Chamber's position on these issues to public officials.
Objectives:
Facilitate and promote forums on current local issues that impact local business.
Facilitate and promote candidate forums.
Participant in the yearly " Business Days at the Capitol" event .
Educate the public and members on community/ business issues that will affect our city and county .
Weekly legislative updates while in session.
Chair: Bill Conover, Conover Commercial

Gallatin Valley Agricultural Committee
Goal: Promote agriculture in Gallatin County through educational, social, and legislative support.
Objectives:
Work with area elementary schools to fund and coordinate the annual Farm Fair.
Work with the Gallatin Valley Agricultural committee to coordinate the annual FFA Breakfast when it is held in Bozeman.
Work with Gallatin Valley businesses to recognize Agricultural Careers.
Continue to develop our partnership with Belgrade Chamber of Commerce.
Chair: Carrie Taylor, First Security Bank
Meets second Tuesday of every month at Noon

MSU/ Chamber Relations Committee
Goal: To promote awareness of the economic impact of Montana State University on the City of Bozeman.
Bobcat Signage Task Force, Events Task Force, Media Task Force, Mentoring Task Force
Objectives:
Sponsor and promote the annual Awards for Excellence Banquet.
Organize and promote downtown Pep Rallies for Montana State University CAT/GRIZ events and Homecoming.
Increase attendance and sponsorship for MSU Turf Party in September.
Add MSU Students on Committee.
Mentorship program for MSU Students.Click here to see more information on the upcoming student employment fair! Click here to register!
Chairs: Jodie Delay, Montana State University & Kathleen Wood, First Interstate Bank
Meet on an as-needed basis. The Turf Party is the week before the first home Bobcat Football game.

Gallatin Valley Tournament Committee
Goal: Promote and Support High School sanctioned events in Belgrade and Bozeman
Objectives:
Provides bids for hosting High School Events
Fund raising to support High School bids
Encourage volunteers and Chamber members to attend these events.
Economic Impact report on each event
Chairs: Kevin Black, Gene Cook Realty
Meets second Wednesday of every month at 8:00am at The Chamber Center.

FOUR CORNERS DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
Chamber Board of Directors Liaison: Roxeanne Pearson, RM Enterprises
This is a new division to the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce which has opened a satellite office in Four Corners, courtesy of Cardinal Distribution and Big Sky Western Bank.

The purpose of this division is to work with the Chamber members that have chosen to open their business in the Four Corners Area and to bring awareness to the Bozeman community what they have to offer.

These are the following six goals that we will be developing during 2011, with:

Business Networking- A quarterly business social will be hosted by a Four Corners business to bring more awareness of the diverse business community that has been established in Four Corners.

Economic Development- Assist in all aspects of retaining and recruiting specific business sectors that would complement the current business in this area.

Marketing- Develop a shop local plan that would encourage business owners and workers to buy locally and at teh same time market to the businesses and and citizens of the Bozeman Area.

Tourism- Develop a plan to attract the thousands of tourists who travel through the Four Corners Area to stop and pick up literature on what there is to do in the area.

Transportation- Work with Gallatin Country and Montana Department of Transportation in designing a transportation infrastructure that will serve to the benefit of all businesses.

Workforce- Continue to identify the needs of local business when it comes to providing an adequate workforce and job training.