22 June 29, 2012 business <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> Chamber of Commerce news Chamber moving to new building BIG SKY – Once upon a time, in 1999, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> Chamber of Commerce was at <strong>the</strong> corner where Lone Mountain Trail meets Highway 191. Now, 14 years later, <strong>the</strong> Chamber will return to that spot, moving into <strong>the</strong> space previously occupied by Rivers to Peaks Realty. With $45,000 for rent and improvements in funding from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> Resort Tax Board set to start July 1, Chamber board member Shawna Winter has been negotiating with a representative for <strong>the</strong> property, Brian Dolan, to iron out <strong>the</strong> details of <strong>the</strong> lease. “This is big, big, big news,” said Chamber Chairman David O’Connor. At 3,200 sq. feet, <strong>the</strong> building is much larger than <strong>the</strong> current 2,000 sq. foot office. Because it’s visible from <strong>the</strong> highway, it should draw more drive-by traffic. “We’ve had huge community support,” O’Connor said. “It’s so important to everybody—being <strong>the</strong> welcoming committee and being able to roll out <strong>the</strong> red carpet.” explorebigsky.com Since 2000, <strong>the</strong> Chamber has been tucked away in a hard to find office in <strong>the</strong> West Fork. That’s why <strong>the</strong> resort tax board voted unanimously to fund <strong>the</strong> new building, resort tax chairman Les Loble said. “I suspect [<strong>the</strong> chamber of commerce] is one of <strong>the</strong> first places tourists think of as a place to go for information,” Loble said. “Having it right <strong>the</strong>re at <strong>the</strong> turnoff is <strong>the</strong> best possible place.” With bay windows looking out at Lone Mountain and Gallatin Canyon, <strong>the</strong> new space is “perfect” for a visitors’ center, said chamber membership and program director Robin Brower- McBride. “The best of <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> is within view, it’s really cool.” The building also has offices, a great room, and a small boardroom. Clemens is new executive director BIG SKY – After several months with very slim staffing and an extensive candidate search, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> Chamber of Commerce has hired a new executive director. Kitty Clemens comes from Colorado Springs, Colo., where she has worked up and down <strong>the</strong> Front Range in economic development, destination marketing, community relations, public affairs, advertising and <strong>the</strong> arts. For Clemens, <strong>the</strong> position is “an opportunity to do what I’m really passionate about—destination marketing BIG SKY – The <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> Chamber of Commerce is offering a new monthly orientation to teach members how to best utilize <strong>the</strong>ir benefits. Designed for new members and members with new employees, <strong>the</strong> orientation program will take place after <strong>the</strong> Chamber’s board meeting (which is open to <strong>the</strong> public) on <strong>the</strong> second Tuesday of each month. and business development for small communities.” The tourism industry brings value to economies and communities, she said. Clemens has worked in tourism development in several small Colorado towns, and most recently focused on a downtown revitalization project for Manitou Springs, an art, recreation and tourism community at <strong>the</strong> base of Pikes Peak. There, as <strong>the</strong> town was installing new streetlights, Clemens led a creative effort to hang banners with artwork from <strong>the</strong> local school children. Working with <strong>the</strong> school superintendent, <strong>the</strong> art teachers, parents, and a local sign maker, Clemens’ side project saved <strong>the</strong> town money and raised funds for <strong>the</strong> local education foundation. “It was a win-win for everyone,” she said. “It really did involve <strong>the</strong> whole community.” Clemens started working on <strong>the</strong> revitalization project in Manitou in 2002 and followed it from <strong>the</strong> preliminary planning stages, all <strong>the</strong> way through <strong>the</strong> first half of <strong>the</strong> final phase eight years later. Not only was that fulfilling, she said it also gave her a much broader perspective of “what it really takes to provide for your residents and also for <strong>the</strong> visitors that actually pay <strong>the</strong> bills at <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> day.” “It’s being able to look at things from a 30,000-foot view. What you’re asking people to come experience can be just as important as <strong>the</strong> marketing numbers or <strong>the</strong> website hits," she said. Clemens also knows that in small communities, “you have to be <strong>the</strong> chief cook and <strong>the</strong> bottle washer.” As an economic development officer, she doubled as a public information officer. Clemens also has also written a crisis communication plan for a multi county travel attraction association, done SWOT analysis, and written grants for state and federal funding. Although retired from skiing, she says she loves hiking, biking, snowshoeing The Chamber can help new businesses with licensure, and online marketing through <strong>the</strong> Chamber’s website or an individual one, among o<strong>the</strong>r things. Also a networking opportunity, <strong>the</strong> meetings will be a chance to meet and work directly with o<strong>the</strong>r new Chamber members and Chamber staff, said <strong>the</strong> Chamber’s membership and program director Robin Brower-McBride. explorebigsky.com Chamber starting orientation program for new members <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> Weekly by emily stiFler big <strong>Sky</strong> weekly managing editor O’Connor dreams that some day <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r buildings on <strong>the</strong> corner property could house local nonprofits like <strong>the</strong> Arts Council of <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> Community Corp. “It could be a community center. All those things under one roof—parks, trails, arts—all able to work toge<strong>the</strong>r. When we start thinking about all those possibilities it gets our minds reeling," he said. and gardening. “The mountains are for me. And definitely cooler wea<strong>the</strong>r is for me.” She starts Aug. 1, but is still looking for a place to live, which, she notes, can be tough with a dog. Her dog, an Airedale, is named Albert. The Chamber of Commerce, which also has several new board members as of this year, went through a restructure this spring while looking to fill <strong>the</strong> executive director position. For years <strong>the</strong> Chamber operated with only two paid staff, an ED and a membership director. It’s added three o<strong>the</strong>r new positions this spring: accountant Wanda McCarthy, marketing specialist Wendy Swenson, and operations support Jessica Martin-Trulen. The new positions are funded by a combination of <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> Resort Tax dollars, membership dues, and grants from Yellowstone Country (which functions as part of <strong>the</strong> Montana Office of Tourism). O<strong>the</strong>r Chambers of Commerce are also creating similar programs, Brower-McBride said, naming Jackson, Wyo. and Seattle. The first <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> Chamber of Commerce member orientation will be Tuesday, July 10, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. New members and members with new employees are especially encouraged to attend.
Rob Akey Greg Alexander Jim Barrett Diana Brady Lynn Cain Todd Connor John DeMott “Face of Wisdom” Creighton Block John DeMott Jerral Derryberry Flavia Eckholm Edd Enders Thomas English Mark Gibson Don Grant Mimi Grant Frank Hagel Ott Jones David Lemon Asha MacDonald ARTIST PROFILE BIG SKY TOWN CENTER 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM MONDAY THRU SATURDAY SUNDAYS BY APPOINTMENT Mike Patterson Paula Pearl Jacqueline Rieder Hud Gary Lynn Roberts Daniel San Souci Deb Schmit explorebigsky.com Laurie Stevens Dave Swanson Ezra Tucker Shirle Wempner To experience a John DeMott painting is to experience a part of <strong>the</strong> great American frontier. An outdoorsman and storyteller of <strong>the</strong> American West, DeMott transcends <strong>the</strong> cliché of <strong>the</strong> western artist. <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Sky</strong> Weekly Born in 1954 and raised on Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California horse ranches, he has worked and lived <strong>the</strong> life of his artistic subjects. His passion is to paint “<strong>the</strong> spirit of <strong>the</strong> Western frontier”. Whe<strong>the</strong>r his subject is Plains Indians, free trappers, cowboys, a grizzly or bison in landscape, DeMott’s gift is to make <strong>the</strong> viewer sense keenly time and place. The ability to recreate a sense of place and time does not come easily. DeMott spends hours researching and studying tools, wardrobe, accoutrements and <strong>the</strong> history of his subjects. Recreating detail is a trademark of a DeMott painting. “As a storyteller of <strong>the</strong> American frontier, western art has been an important part of my life, and I am proud to be involved in <strong>the</strong> preservation of our great heritage!” WINE TASTINGS EVERY THURSDAY AT 4:30 PM <strong>the</strong> cave Spirits & Gifts 406-993-9400 CREIGHTONBLOCKGALLERY.COM Artwork also displayed at Outlaw Partners and Lone Mountain Ranch Dining Room provided by
Change language