Here's What It Means To You
By David Smith

It's the economy.

OK, so I took a little license from a successful political campaign of a few years ago. But it worked for them.

If you were among the 300 people in attendance at our annual dinner last month, you saw the video about our focus on four core values, or principles, that chambers of commerce have. Promoting a strong local economy is the most important of those values.

Chambers were conceived with the primary purpose of creating a strong local economy - it was, and continues today, to be Job 1.

Our job as lobbyists is unique. We don't lobby on just any or all issues - only on those business issues that create a strong local economy.

Chambers would not do networking events if they did not promote business in the community. Again, this creates a strong local economy. Likewise, we need to test community events, programs and all activities against whether those activities help create a strong local economy.

Even more important, chambers must provide programs that reinforce Job 1. Business After Hours, Business Expo, Bozeman Exchange, Visitors Guide, Relocation Guide, committees, Leads Groups, Gold Outings, seminars, NxLeveL, tournaments, tourism promotion, advocacy, attending city, county, state and federal meetings, and even answering the silly questions we get on the phone - these are all focused on creating a strong local economy.

Stay tuned, as we turn this newsletter into an electornic version. Just another example - we want to be your chamber for the future, not the past.