ChamberCast Billings Chamber of Commerce

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 (https://www.somt.org/)* VisitBillings (https://www.visitbillings.com/)

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 (https://www.zoomontana.org/)Western Heritage Center (https://www.ywhc.org/)Visit Billings (https://www.visitbillings.com/)Visit Southeast Montana (https://southeastmontana.com/)

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 (https://www.billingsbird.com/)* Billings BIRD on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/billingsbird)* Billings BIRD on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/billings_bird/)

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 (https://blubrry.com/chambercast/110980559/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 (https://blubrry.com/chambercast/93731230/education-pathways-to-success/)* School District 2 (https://www.billingsschools.org/)* Career Center (https://www.billingsschools.org/our-schools/high-schools/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 (https://www.msubillings.edu/naac/)Powwow (https://www.msubillings.edu/naac/powwow.htm)Native American Business Summit (https://business.billingschamber.com/events/details/native-american-business-summit-5102539)Billings Chamber DEI Network (https://www.billingsdei.com/)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 (https://mtchemnet.com/)* ENCORE (https://www.billingschamber.com/encore/)* Women's Network (https://www.billingschamber.com/womens-network/)* Email Jennifer (mailto:%20jennifer@billingshcamber.com)* Our episode on mental health and substance abuse: Getting Upstream on Mental Health (https://blubrry.com/chambercast/127801112/getting-upstream-on-mental-health/)