Welcome to our final episode of ChamberCast... for now. Host Jack Jennaway and Communications Manager Kelsi Gambill sat down to look back on the last 3 years of this show and take a look ahead to what's next for the Chamber. Stay tuned until the end for a special tribute to Billings!

Thank you so much to Upstream Strategy Partners for sponsoring ChamberCast!

You have probably noticed the new look at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital. What does this mean for patient care, and our local economy? What's new in healthcare? We asked Lee Boyles, President of St. Vincent Regional Hospital for the Montana and Wyoming Markets. You don't want to miss this inside look at this critical Billings institution!

Thank you so much to Upstream Strategy Partners for sponsoring ChamberCast!

Learn more:

• Intermountain Health Website
• Our interview with Dr. David Park on the establishment of Rocky Vista University

Special Olympics Montana is coming to Billings for the next 3 years! This huge event will bring hundreds of athletes, family members, and coaches to compete at facilities around Billings--boosting our local economy. This is a two-part episode. In part 1 we hear from VisitBillings's Sports Tourism Manager, Evan Decker on the impact of sports tourism. In part 2, we hear from the co-chairs of the Special Olympics MT State Games, Brian Brown and Tyler Witlgen.

Thank you so much to Upstream Strategy Partners for sponsoring ChamberCast!

Learn more:

• Special Olympics Montana
• VisitBillings

It’s no hidden secret that Billings businesses benefit from tourism here in our city, but did you know that tourism accounts for $620 million dollars in revenue, generated from 3 million people visiting each year?

Visitors spend money and spur our local economy, through our restaurants, retail stores, attractions, and hotels, not to mention events and more. Billings is our home AND positioned as a tourism destination, thanks to the efforts of Visit Billings. Regionally, Visit Southeast Montana drives visitation to 13 counties and two Indian reservations. Dive into the economic impacts of tourism to Montana’s Trailhead, fostering community pride, and the diversity of offerings that we have in our backyard as we gear up to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week May 19-25, 2024. Hear insights from two champions of tourism, Billings, and southeastern Montana--Jeff Ewelt of ZooMontana and Kevin Kooistra of the Western Heritage Center, in this episode of ChamberCast.

Thank you so much to Upstream Strategy Partners for sponsoring ChamberCast!

Learn more:

ZooMontana

Western Heritage Center

Visit Billings

Visit Southeast Montana

Michelle Harkins, our 2024 Outstanding Business Person of the Year, truly embodies the concept of being a helper. With a heart for the Billings community, specifically the BIRD, Michelle tirelessly advocates for business and making our city better. Serving as the Director of The Billings Industrial Revitalization District (BIRD), her infectious energy and enthusiasm is evident in everything that she does. With energy and passion, Michelle leads by example and follows the concept of no job or task being beneath her.

Thank you so much to Upstream Strategy Partners for sponsoring ChamberCast!

Learn more:

• BIRD website
• Billings BIRD on Facebook
• Billings BIRD on Instagram

School District 2 is making moves to balance the budget, reduce dropout rates, and improve public safety. Superintendent Dr. Erwin Garcia joined us to provide a comprehensive update on everything happening at SD2, especially the three new charter schools that will open soon!

Thank you so much to Upstream Strategy Partners for sponsoring ChamberCast!

Learn More:

• Our episode from 07/26/2023 with former Superintendent Upham and Dr. Garcia: Moving from Good to Great to Excellent in Education
• Our episode from 02/08/2023 with Bo Bruinsma and former Superintendent Upham on SD2's Career Pathways program: Education & Pathways to Success
• School District 2
• Career Center

Native American business, culture, and history is a huge part of Montana. If you have ever wanted to learn more about any of it, there are two events coming up that are great places to start. Cathy Grider, Workforce Development Manager for the Billings Chamber, and Randy Bear Don't Walk with MSU-Billings's Native American Achievement Center joined us to dive into the Native American Business Summit, and the upcoming Powwow at MSU-Billings.

Thank you so much to Upstream Strategy Partners for sponsoring ChamberCast!

Learn more:

Native American Achievement Center

Powwow

Native American Business Summit

Billings Chamber DEI Network

Chamber Breakfast featuring Andre Reed

In honor of International Women's Day, this episode highlights the Chamber's programming for women -- with Jennifer Reiser, who manages those programs and Sam Morris, owner of ENCORE's title sponsor, Chemnet.

Learn More:

• Chemnet
• ENCORE
• Women's Network
• Email Jennifer
• Our episode on mental health and substance abuse: Getting Upstream on Mental Health