December 2013 Newsletter - Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

December 2013
Annual Meeting
is January 21st
Luncheon
Last Call for
Discover Tuscany
The Annual Meeting of the Kalispell
Chamber will be the January 21
luncheon at the Red Lion Hotel.
Come and here about some of the
major economic development events
planned, business promotions, plans to
make Small Business Saturday bigger
than ever, efforts to bring about new
commercial air service, and more.
continued page 3
>>
Government
Affairs Report
The trip includes roundtrip airfare
from Kalispell, fuel fees, departure
taxes, 14 meals: breakfast and dinner
daily, motor
continued page 8
LOCAL REPORT
Join Flathead business owners at
Business Days at the Capitol Jan 8-9.
You are invited to attend Business
Days at the Capitol on January 8-9,
2014. The conference starts at noon
on January 8 and ends about 1:30 am
on January 9. If you plan to attend,
you are encouraged to make your
room reservation as soon as possible
at the Best Western Great Northern
Hotel 406-457-5500. Keynote speakers
at the event include US Senator Jon
Tester and Governor Steve Bullock. For
more information, go to the Montana
Chamber web site at
www.montanachamber.com
continued on page 7
Join us for the next Chamber
international trip to Tuscany, Italy!
The initial allotment of 60 seats was
sold out, but we worked with our tour
company to make another four rooms
available. The adventure begins March
30 for 9 days/7 nights and returns on
April 7. There is an optional two-day
extension to Rome.
>>
>>
Chamber Snapshot
Visitor’s Center Information requests:
Nov. ‘13
YTD
Phone Calls:
57
1,153
Walk-ins
351
6,060
VACATION
Packets
Email Inquiries
RELOCATION
Packets
64
20
1,280
504
19
420
Web Activity
Page Views
300,402 3,545,121
Top six pages
Bus. Directory 14,138 167,762
Events 13,271 376,734
Hot Deals
2,174 591,735
Jobs
2,175 594,875
Info Request
238
10,621
News
306,440 887,916
Total
457,823 6.642,004
At a Glance
UNWINDS
>> Chamber Thank You Party
Thursday, December 12, 2013
5-6:30 PM
In This Issue
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11
12
13
New Members
New Members, continued
Annual Meeting, continued
Renewals
First Night Flathead 2014
December Calendar
Brown Bag
Government Affairs Report
Government Affairs, continued
Chamber Choices
Director’s Award
BEAR
Chamber Banquet Sponsors
Chamber Banquet Wine Grab
2014 Economic Outlook Seminar
Businessman, Businesswoman &
Member of the Year Awarded
14 Great Chief Awarded
Dragon Boat Posters
15 Visitor Center Volunteers Thanked
Member’s Thank You Holiday Party
15 Depot Park Kalispell, MT 59901 Phone: 406.758.2800 Fax: 406.756.2805 Visit Us Online: www.KalispellChamber.com
Officers
Reed Gunlikson, Chairman of the Board,
R. Gunlikson CPA
Brian Pelc, Vice-Chairman of the Board,
First Interstate Bank
Lisa Brown, Secretary/Treasurer, Red Lion Hotel
Dave Mitchell, Immediate Past Chairman of the
Board, CTA Architects and Engineers
Directors
Kris Carlson, A+ Plus Healthcare
Mark Gronley, Northwestern Energy
Scott Hagel, Crowley Fleck Law Firm
Mark Johnson, Flathead Electric Cooperative
Kristen Jones, Flathead Valley Community College
Jason Manger, Applied Materials-Semitool
Denise Nalty, Nalty Real Estate and Property
Management, LLC
Chris Ohler, Insured Titles
Jim Oliverson, Kalispell Regional Healthcare
Bob Nystuen, Glacier Bank
Jim Peterson, Valley Ford
Loren Sallee, Loren’s Automotive
Jerry Sorensen, Plum Creek Timber Company
Holly Walsh, Western States Insurance
Dave Waldenberg, Central Heating & Cooling
Rick Weaver, Daily Inter Lake
Ex-officio Directors
Mike Pence, Flathead County Administrator
Doug Russell, Kalispell City Manager
Professional Staff
Joe Unterreiner, President and CEO . . . . 758-2804
Chris Parson, Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . 758-2802
Diane Bebee, Administrative Specialist. . 758-2803
Rob Brisendine, KCVB Group Sales. . . . . 758-2820
Vonnie Day, Travel Counselor.. . . . . . . . . . 758-2809
Diane Medler, KCVB Director. . . . . . . . . . 758-2808
Michelle Drager, Kalispell Chamber
Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 758-2810
DeAnn Thomas, Business Expansion
and Retention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-8077
Consulting Staff
Anderson, Baker & Swanson - Government
Relations
Edge Communications - Media & Public Relations
Janet Schwalk - Bookkeeping
JCCS - Tax & Audit Counsel
Partners Creative - Creative Agency
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Mission Statement
The central mission of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is the
cultivation and development of entrepreneurs and communities
through the spirit of enterprise.
New Members
Please welcome these new members with your business.
Absolute Refinement
17 2nd Street East
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 752-7428
info@absoluterefinement.com
http://www.absoluterefinement.com
An “executive” barbershop with a “hideaway” salon offering; cuts straight shaves,
beard trims…. all with hot steam towel. And for the ladies our “hideaway salon has;
cuts, colors, waxing, and more….
Big Sky Public Relations
920 East Oregon Street
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 270-2949
courteny@bigskypublicrelations.com
www.bigskypublicrelations.com
Northwest Montana-based, public relations firm specializing in the expansion,
reach and reputability of companies with strong growth potential through brand
development and management.
Kalispell Brewing Company
412 Main St.
PO Box 1886
Kalispell, MT 59903
(406) 270 1958
info@kalispellbrewing.com
www.facebook.com/KalispellBrewingCompany
Kalispell Brewing Company has a 10 barrel brewhouse with an additional third
vessel which allows us to do decoction mashes. Decoction mashing is an old
process which harkens back to continental Europe that allowed brewers to extract
sugars from under-modified malts more effectively. It is no longer necessary to
efficiently extract the sugars but with our malt forward lagers, decoction mashing
produces a melanoidin-laden wort, which our yeast turns into in a truly complex
and well-balanced Montana-made beer. Sure, we could try to compensate with
specialty grains, but it just wouldn’t taste the same. With our lager beers, we’re after
superior taste. Decoction mashes may take more time and be more labor intensive
but we believe, like all good things, it’s worth the wait.
Kalispell Brewing Company serves unfiltered draft beer from six serving tanks. By
not filtering our brews, we’re not stripping the beer of flavor and you’re not losing
out on taste. Our system was made by Specific Mechanical in Victoria, British
Columbia.
continued next page >>
2
Mission Valley Travel, Inc
109 Cooperative Way
Suite 110
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-4848
denis@mvti.us
http://www.mvti.com
Travel Agency, Airline Tickets around
the world-individual rates, group rates
and Humanitarian Discounts available.
Cruises, Vacation Packages, Visas and
wholesale travel
Annual Meeting
is January 21st
Luncheon
The luncheon is scheduled for noon
- 1:30 pm on Tuesday, January 21 at
the Red Lion Hotel. Luncheon tickets
are $18 each. Tables of eight may
be reserved for $135. Tickets are
purchased in advance by calling 406758-2803 or register on-line at
www.kalispellchamber.com.
Renewals
VilJoya Independent
Living
Big Sky Family Medicine
Brendan House
Bruce Tutvedt
CityServiceValcon
D A Davidson & Co
Flathead Beverage Co
Flathead Farm Mutual Ins. Co.
Home Health - Home Options
Occupational Health Svc
Plum Creek Timber Company
The HealthCenter
119-5th Ave W
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 755-2287
info@viljoya.com
http://www.viljoya.com
VilJoya Independent Retirement
Living offers residents a safe caring
community where you do not have
the worries of maintaining your own
home. VilJoya consist of six private villa
apartments conveniently located in
downtown Kalispell, Montana.
Inclusive affordable monthly rent
includes: Daily meals, housekeeping,
utilizes, activities, full size kitchens,
dining, living area, bedroom, washer
& dryer. Your family pet is welcome.
Schedule a tour and find out why we
LOVE it here! LUNCH IS ON US.
Flathead Regional Business Center
15 Depot Park, Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-2800
(406) 758-2805: Fax
>> from the cover
Practical Financial
Solutions Inc
315 W Montana St
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 257-8198
mnicolson@calton.com
20+ years
10-19 years
Frugals
Summit Preparatory School
5-9 Years
FH Stoltze Land & Lumber Co
Montana Land and Home, Inc
Waatti Engineering
Western Outdoor
1-4 Years
Crevier’s Academy of Cosmetology
Easter Seals-Goodwill
Kalispell Electric
Keller Williams Realty Northwest
Montana
Mann Mortgage LLC
Montana Chamber Choices
Swan Mountain Outfitters
3
Business Expansion and Retention
DeAnn Thomas, Director
(406) 250-8077
deannthomas5@gmail.com
www.nwmontanabear.com
Flathead Community Foundation
Lucy Smith, Executive Director
lucy@flatheadcommunityfoundation.org
www.flatheadcommunityfoundation.org
Flathead Job Service Workforce Center
Mora McCarthy, Business Resource Consultant
Mike Jackson, Business Resource Consultant
(406) 758-6241
mmccarthy@mt.gov
www.employflathead.com
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Joe Unterreiner, President
(406) 758-2804
joe@kalispellchamber.com
www.kalispellchamber.com
Kalispell Chamber Foundation
Michelle Drager, Director
(406) 758-2810
michelled@kalispellchamber.com
Kalispell Convention & Visitor Bureau
Diane Medler, Director
(406) 758-2808
dianem@kalispellchamber.com
www.discoverkalispell.com
Manufacturers Alliance
manufacturersalliance@kalispellchamber.com
406-758-2800
Northwest Montana SCORE
Liz Scholter, Chapter Chair
(406) 756-5271
nwmtscore@montanasky.net
Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Doug Bolender, Director
(406) 755-4221
dougb@mtcdc.org
help us to produce this year’s event
with a tax-deductible donation.
FREE Family Activities at the
Kalispell Center Mall
First Night®
Flathead 2014
December 31,
2013
A Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Gala
in downtown Kalispell!
First Night® Flathead, an alcohol-free,
family-oriented public gala, returns this
year for its 15th annual celebration in
Downtown Kalispell offering a wide
range of musical styles and ensembles
presented by our very talented local
artists and artists from throughout the
state. Whatever your favorite kind of
music or entertainment, you are sure
to find it at First Night! There are more
artists in one place, on one night at First
Night Flathead than anywhere else in
the Valley at any other time of the year.
We are currently in our fundraising
phase and while times are still difficult
for many, we ask the community to
support FNF 2014 with cash donations
as this annual festival is a time a time
of hope and joy, a coming together as
a community every year in celebration,
an event that is beloved by the families
and artists of the Flathead Valley. Please
Our First Night® Flathead
celebration includes Free
Family Activities at the
Kalispell Center Mall – our
gift to the people of the
Flathead Valley. Taking
place on the afternoon
of December 31st from
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the
free fun includes Hat Making,
Face Painting, Jewelry Making,
Hula Hooping, and the First Night®
Flathead 2013 Commencement Parade.
Returning this year to delight children
and adults alike is Clifford, the Big Red
Dog!
First Night® Flathead 2014
Performance Admission Buttons on
sale December 20th!
Admission Buttons go on sale at 15
outlets throughout the Valley on
December 20, 2013. Your First Night®
Flathead button is valid for admission
to all performance venues in downtown
Kalispell hosting performing artists
from 7:00 pm – 12:30 am on New Year’s
Eve. Admission Button prices, which
have remained the same since 2008, are
$12 in advance and $15 at the door of
performance venues. Children 12 and
under are free while accompanied by
an adult with a FNF button. Visit our
website for a complete list of advance
button outlets, performance venues
and performing artists.
Support First Night Flathead 2014
First Night® Flathead is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization and is funded
solely by community support. The
scope and variety of each year’s event
is determined by the amount of
financial support we receive from the
community. Donations in any amount
are always gratefully accepted. Please
4
consider becoming a sponsor with
a business or personal donation. We
budget to the bone and everything
we raise goes right back into the
local economy. Our Sponsors receive
exceptional promotional benefits and
all donors will be listed for one year
on the FNF website. Please take this
opportunity to receive a tax deduction
while making a direct contribution
to our community. Donations can
be mailed to P.O. Box 3121, Kalispell,
Montana 59903 or brought to the
First Night Flathead table in the Red
Lion Convention Center Lobby on Dec
31st, 2013 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm or
7:00 pm – 12:30 am at all performance
venues.
Complete information on Sponsorships,
Performance Venues, Artists, Advanced
Button Sales Outlets, Volunteers and
Free Family Activities is available on line
at www.FirstNightFlathead.org.
First Night® Flathead Contact info:
Organizer Patrice Manget at 406-253-2471
and/or info@FirstNightFlathead.org
for all info. PR/Marketing Director Jill
Redmond at 406-257-1535 and/or
marketing@FirstNightFlathead.org
for Press and specific Sponsor level
benefits info
Chamber Calendar
Sunday
1
Monday
2
Tuesday
3
Wednesday
4
Education and
Communications
8:00 am
December 2013
Thursday
Friday
5
6
Art Walk
5-9 pm
Saturday
7
Kalispell TBID
Board Meeting
3:00 pm
8
9
15
16
22
23
29
Government
Affairs
Noon
30
10
11
12
13
14
17
18
19
20
21
24
25
26
27
28
Executive Board
Meeting
7:30 am
Chamber
Board Meeting,
Homewood
Suites
7:00 am
Chamber
Christmas Party
5:00 pm
Agribusiness
Meeting
8:00 am
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Office closes at noon
Office closed
31
First Night
Flathead
7:00 – 12:30 am
Look for this event in January 2014:
1 New Year’s Day –office closed
8-9 Business Days at the Capitol – Helena
21 Kalispell Chamber Annual Meeting, Red Lion
New Year’s Eve
5
6
All Meetings
are at The
Chamber
unless
otherwise
stated.
Brown Bag Series:
Blueprint for
Business Success
Winter 2014
Become an Employer of Choice
Blueprint for Business Success brown bag sessions feature business professionals facilitating informative discussions. Receive relevant information and have an
opportunity to ask questions of the professionals and
network with peers.
Who should attend? Employers interested in maximizing
their human resources, developing more effective
organizations and becoming employers of choice. Why?
Reducing employee turnover saves you time and
money.
Motivating and energizing your employees helps
make your business successful.
Making better decisions quickly requires more and
better information.
Exchanging ideas, insights and real-world solutions
directly impacts your bottom line.
Utilizing all available resources to operate and grow
is smart business.
Calendar of Events
Time:
Location:
Noon - 1pm
FVCC Arts & Technology Bldg
Room 139
RSVP:
Tim Frye 758-6259
or TFrye@mt.gov
Cost:
No Cost!
JANUARY 8
2014
MARCH 12,
2014
FACILITATOR:
Mike Gwiazdon
Sportsman Ski Haus
Giuseppe Caltabiano,
President Nxgen
DECEMBER
2013
NO BROWN BAG
FEBRUARY 12,
2014
TOPIC:
Employee Retention
and
Business Branding
FACILITATOR:
Sara Stone,
Flying Horse Communications
TOPIC:
See you in January.
TOPIC:
Effective Marketing
and Advertising
Flathead Job Service
Employers Council
6
TOPIC:
Marketing Strategies:
The Local
Competitive Edge
Government Affairs Report
Government Affairs Committee
agenda set for Dec 9. The committee
will meet on Dec 9, at noon, in the
Chamber conference room. Bring your
own lunch. The agenda will include:
Mayor-elect Mark Johnson, Business
Days at the Capitol registration,
commercial air service, and Interim
Session activity. This meeting is open
to all members.
STATE REPORT
Children, Families, Health and
Human Services interim committee
met in November in Helena to being
work on SJR20 – study of prescription
drug abuse. Three separate panel
presentations covered perspectives
from healthcare providers and law
enforcement. Speakers offered ideas
for reducing abuse and diversion of
drugs including improved education
on prescribing practices; using consent
forms for patients using opioids, drug
testing patients on opioids to make
sure they are not selling or diverting
their medications; and improving
the prescription drug registry for
real-time information. The drug
registry was established in 2012 in the
Attorney Generals’ office and contains
information on more than 3.8 million
narcotic prescriptions to about 543,000
patients. The registry is used by
approximately 20 percent of healthcare
providers and discussion focused on
how to enhance the registry by more
providers. Additional discussion on
SJR20 will occur in January with a focus
on abuse in state-run programs such as
workers’ compensation and Medicaid.
The committee also continued its work
on HJR16 study of state institutions
hearing from community services
providers about how to enhance crisis
intervention services and improve
funding for community treatment.
Other suggestions include moving
people from state institutions to
smaller community based facilities;
improved screening for people in the
criminal system for mental illness; and
>> from the cover
creating family based substance abuse
programs. The next meeting is January
10, 2014. Rep. Scott Reichner (RBigfork) serves on this committee.
Economic Affairs interim committee
is looking closely at several topics
related to workers’ compensation
insurance as directed by HJR 25 study,
including the regulatory structure
of the Montana State Fund (MSF). A
working group was established and
will meet December 18 to analyze
the costs and benefits of changing
the organizational and regulatory
structure of the MSF. Various parties
including MSF, the State Auditor’s
office and policyholders are discussing
restructuring options along with ideas
about how to handle the Old Fund
cost to the state treasury. Senator
Bruce Tutvedt (R-Kalispell) chairs
this committee. The next meeting is
January 27-28 in Helena.
The Education and Local Government
interim committee will meet in
Helena on December 2 to hear a
progress report on the management of
electronic records; an update on the MT
Indian Language Preservation program;
a review of charter school bills prepared
for the 2013 Legislature; a report
on school transportation funding
and safety audit; and a review and
discussion on the Shared Policy Goals
for Montana’s systems of education.
The next meeting is January 30-31.
Rep. Dan Salomon (R-Ronan) serves
on ELG.
Energy and Telecommunications
interim committee met on November
8 in Helena to learn about the proposed
sale of PPL MT to Northwestern Energy
(NWE). NWE will own more than 60
percent of its resources, providing more
stable rates over the long term to MT
customers according to the company.
The sale includes the purchase of 11
PPL MT dams (about 633 megawatts).
The sale will require approval by the MT
PSC and the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission.
7
ETIC is also looking at the issue of
competitive bidding and procuring
electricity supply. The discussion
provided the committee members
with a more in-depth view of resource
planning and procurement, specifically
the competitive solicitation process
used by NWE. The next meeting of the
ETIC is March 21, 2014.
Environmental Quality Council’s
next meeting is January 8-9; however
two work groups established by the
committee are meeting regularly. The
SJR15 (study of state and federal lands)
work group is meeting every other
week by teleconference to identify risks
and concerns associated with federal
land management in MT. Senator
Jennifer Fielder (R-Thompson Falls)
chairs the work group and is joined by
Rep. Ed Lieser (D-Whitefish).
In addition, the SJR4 work group is
continuing to study state-owned
heritage properties. This group has
identified a number of statutory
funding and government provisions
that may be suggested for legislative
changes in 2015, such as administrative
rules governing how real property
sales are conducted by the Heritage
Commission and potential funding
for the Cultural and Aesthetic Grant
program.
Finally, the EQC is monitoring a
Governor appointed task force to
review potential changes to hunting
and fishing licenses and fees. So far,
recommendations by the task force
include standardizing the free and
discounted license program for youth,
seniors and disabled; incorporating
fishing and hunting access fees into
a base conservation license; and
evaluating the 10 year funding cycle for
FWP.
Law and Justice interim committee
will meet in Helena on December 5
to continue its study of the Board of
Pardons and Parole and family law
issues.
continued next page >>
Government Affairs Report
A series of panelists from the criminal
justice and parole system will talk
about the current parole system and
its challenges. In the afternoon, LJIC
will hear ideas for changes to family
law and parenting plan guidelines.
Representative Steve Lavin (RKalispell) serves on Law and Justice.
Legislative Audit Committee elected
new leadership including Rep. Randy
Brodehl of Kalispell as its new presiding
officer. The committee reviewed
twelve recent audits of state agencies
and programs. The Legislative Audit
Division provides independent and
objective evaluations of government
programs and operations. For specific
audit findings, visit www.leg.mt.gov/audit
Legislative Council will meet on
January 8 in Helena. Senator Chas
Vincent and Speaker Mark Blasdel
serve on the Council.
Legislative Finance Committee will
hear an update on the state budget
and revenue trends at its December
9-10 meeting in Helena. It will also
hear information related to the state
pay plan including recruitment,
retention and compensation trends;
receive reports on Medicaid spending
and major information technology
programs.
Revenue and Transportation interim
committee will meet on December 4-5
to continue its focus on two studies:
SJR23 – study of taxpayer appeal
process and SJR26 – study of oversized
loads. The committee will learn about
other state taxpayer appeal processes
and how Montana’s statutes compare
with the American Bar Association’s
model statutes for tax tribunals. The
committee will receive a briefing on
the movement of oversized loads and
discuss the DOT’s authority to create
oversized load corridors in the state.
>> from page 7
session. In addition, the committee
will hear two reports on the tax credit
for planned gifts made to qualified
charitable endowments and the tax
credit for blending biodiesel fuel.
Senator Janna Taylor (R-Dayton)
serves on RTIC.
State Tribal Relations interim
committee has not scheduled its next
meeting.
State Administration and Veterans
Affairs committee will meet on
December 10, 2013 in Helena to
continue to look at the state pension
system and election issues. Senator
Dee Brown (R-Hungry Horse) chairs
SAVA.
Water Policy interim committee will
meet again on January 6-7 in Helena.
Senator Chas Vincent (R-Libby) chairs
this committee that focuses on the
complex issue of water.
The Montana Land Board met in
November and reports its land holdings
generated almost $120 million for the
school trust over the past year. The
money it generates with land leases,
logging and other activities is used to
help pay for schools. It’s land holdings
are worth roughly $2.6 billion and
about eight percent of state school
budgets come from the land trust. The
next meeting is December 16 in Helena.
Sage Grouse Advisory
Council prepared its final draft
recommendations and sought public
comment around the state in a series
of Open House meetings in November.
The draft Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat
Conservation Strategy is available on
line at www.fwp.mt.gov/management/
sagegrouse/habitatconservation
Final recommendations are due to the
Governor in January.
On December 5, the Legislative Fiscal
Division will present a general fund
status report with revenue trends. The
update will serve as a trial revenue
estimate prior to the 2015 legislative
8
Last Call for
Discover Tuscany
>> from the cover
coach, admissions, and baggage
handling. Highlights include: a full day
in Florence, a full day in Siena and San
Gimignano, a full day tour of the Chianti
Region, and a half day tour of Pistoia.
The cost is $3,249 per person double
occupancy. Single travel is available
with a supplemental fee of $650. Final
payments are due in December. Don’t
miss this special opportunity.
Due to limited seating, we encourage
you to make your reservation as soon as
you have made your decision in order
to avoid disappointment.
For further information and registration,
contact Diane at 406-758-2803 or click
http://www.kalispellchamber.com/
programs-events/tuscany-italy/
Montana HealthCare Forum a Success!
Health Insurance Updates and More!
The Montana
HealthCare
Forum
Helping small
businesses
solve was
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group of individuals and interests
together to discuss problems and
improvements associated with
healthcare delivery, costs,
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programs. Each November, the Forum
holds a conference to highlight what
has been done, what is being done,
and what should be done to improve
healthcare and make it more affordable.
This year’s conference centered on the
changes taking place in Montana and
what Montanan’s should do next to
improve healthcare. Let’s take a look
at some information shared at the
conference.
The office of the Commissioner of
Securities and Insurance gave updates
on Health Insurance. Most individuals
are familiar that the federally built,
federally maintained Marketplace is not
working properly. The Commissioner’s
office is meeting with officials to try
and find out when this will be fixed.
Their office is working to continue to
do outreach and education all over
the state of Montana on how we
can adjust to these health insurance
changes. They are answering questions
through their new website www.
montanahealthanswers.com. Anyone
with questions is encouraged to get
on and get their questions answered.
The Montana PCMH Act is another
hot topic. Patient-Centered Medical
Homes or PCMH SB84 is a model of
health care delivery that emphasizes
primary health care, coordinated care
and prevention. In the PCMH model,
insurers will pay an incentive based
on the quality of the care received
rather than that quantity of care
provided. SB84 establishes standards
and structures for a statewide PCMH
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program. Dr. Paul Grundy, MPH, is the
“guru” for PCMH and the director for
Global Healthcare Transformation for
IBM. During the HealthCare Forum
conference, he shared many data points
on how PCMH is beneficial on a cost
basis as well as overall patient care. He
spoke to physician’s getting away from
episode of care to management of a
population by using PCMH.
Another piece to the updates on
Health Insurance is the people who
work directly with it. The Affordable
Care Act allows for two consumer
assistance roles. Those roles are
the Navigators and the Certified
Application Counselors. The Navigators
are contracted through grants and will
be the ones who carry out outreach
and education as well as enrollment
assistance. Certified Application
Counselors (CAC’s) are only offering
enrollment assistance. All of these
assistor roles must complete federal
and Montana-specific training to obtain
these certifications. The CSI office has a
list of all certified navigators, CAC’s and
agents to help answer your questions
at www.montanahealthanswers.
com. According to the office of the
Commissioner of Securities and
Insurance in Montana currently there
are 69 CAC’s, 26 Navigators and 291
Certified Exchange Producers. These
people are here to answer questions
that employers and individuals might
have regarding health insurance.
The insurance market is constantly
changing these updates shared at the
conference provide an updated look
at what is happening in Montana.
Montana
Board Chairman Reed Gunlikson presents Denise Nalty with a Director’s Award and
thanks her for her six years of service on the Board.
9
Your NW Montana BEAR Is the BEST In the State
We Can Help Your Business Too!
NW Montana Business Expansion and Retention Partnership
Ready to assist your business with tools and support to become a successful, vibrant part of the local economy!
a In two years, July 2011 to Oct. 2013, NW Montana Business Expansion and Retention Partners set three state records by
enthusiastically providing services to businesses in the Flathead area. Most BEAR services are free or minimal cost.
BEAR Facts - In Only 2 Years in the Flathead Valley:
a NW MT. BEAR conducted over 200 local business visits with businesses just like yours to determine how we can help each business.
a NW MT. BEAR served over 300 businesses by providing the services listed below; most of our services are free or minimal cost.
a BEAR awarded over $250,000. to 130 local businesses for training to over 280 employees.
a BEAR partners have helped businesses receive thousands of dollars in financing and business capital.
a BEAR Business partners are recognized professionals with the skills and experience to work with any size or type of business.
LOOK and USE these BEAR Business Services – And Many More
• Hiring and Building Human Capital
• Financing and Capital
• Business Leadership Training
• Marketing Plans
• Regulatory Requirements
• Government Contracts
• Relocation & Expansion
• Business Plans
• Employee Training & Education
• Information Technology
• Web Development
• Personnel Management
• Employee Training Grants
• Manufacturing Assistance
• And MANY, MANY More Services
• Energy Auditing
• Strategic Planning
• Networking
BEAR Partners
• Director, NW Montana Business Expansion And Retention Partnership (BEAR)
• City of Kalispell Community & Economic Development Department
• Flathead Building Association
• Flathead Job Service
• Flathead Valley Community College Workforce Training
• Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
• Kalispell Convention & Visitor Bureau
• Kalispell Small Business Development Center
• Montana Manufacturing Extension Center
• Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center
• Montana West Economic Development & The Flathead Co. Port Authority
• Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
• Whitefish Chamber of Commerce
Business support and expertise are just a call away. Call today for a BEAR visit to your business.
DeAnn Thomas, Director, NW Montana BEAR Partnership, 406.250.8077, deannthomas5@gmail.com
10
109th Annual Banquet & Auction
THANK YOU TO OUR 2013 BANQUET SPONSORS!
BUSINESSMAN SPONSOR
WINE SPONSOR
GREAT CHIEF SPONSOR
BUSINESSWOMAN SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSORS
HOST SPONSOR
TABLE SPONSORS
PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSOR
GENERAL SPONSORS
Crowley Fleck
Flathead Valley Community College
Kramer Enterprises
Mountain West Bank
Rocky Mountain Bank
Silverbrook Estates
Three Rivers Bank
CenturyLink
CTA Architects & Engineers
Drager Group
First American Title Company of MT
First Montana Bank
JE Engineering
JPL2 Consulting
Parkside Federal Credit Union
R Gunlikson CPA
Valley Ford
BANQUET AWARD WINNERS
42nd Great Chief
Van Kirke Nelson, MD
Businessman of the Year
Tom Lund, Rocky Mountain Bank
Businesswoman of the Year
Debbie Kramer, Three Rivers Bank
Member of the Year
Allison Rold, Wild Horse Limousine
THANK YOU TO THE BUSINESS AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS
The Kalispell Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, supports the mission of the Chamber and its work in community and economic research, economic development, and leadership development.
AAA of Montana U Alpine Theater Project U Belton Chalet U Blacktail Mountain Ski Area U Blue Canyon U Brannigans U Brix Bottle Shop U Buffalo Hill Golf Course U Certified Rolfing U Complete Nutrition U Conrad Mansion Museum
Counter Assault U Craggy Range Bar & Grill U Crevier’s Beauty School U Crown of the Continent U CTA Architects and Engineers U Daily Inter Lake U Eagle Bend Golf Course U Flathead Beacon UÊ Frontier Builders
Glacier Park Boat Company UÊGlacier Raft Company U Glacier Symphony U Glacier View Golf Course U Great American Grill U Hilton Garden Inn U Homewood Suites U Insty-Prints U Insured Titles UÊJoe and Colleen Unterreiner
KAJ-TV UÊKalispell Chamber of Commerce U Kalispell Convention & Visitor Bureau U Kandahar Lodge U KGEZ U Angel Massage Therapy, LLC U M Team Motivation U MacKenzie River Pizza UÊMission Valley Travel UÊMontana Trolley
MT Liquor & Wine U Natural Grocers U Northern Pines Golf Course U Northwest Montana Fair U PayneWest U Pets-Plus U Raven U Red Lion Hotel U Ridge Distillery UÊRocky Mountain Bank U Split Rock Café UÊÊSportsman Ski Haus
Summit UÊSweet No Wheat U Tamarack Brewing Company U Taste of Bigfork U Taste of Kalispell U Village Greens Golf Course U Whistling Andy’s UÊWhitefish Mountain Resort U Whitefish Theater Company U Wild Horse Limo
THANK YOU TO THE BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO PURCHASED LIVE AUCTION ITEMS
Barbara Schwarz, Kramer Enterprises UÊBob Nystuen, Glacier Bank UÊBrian Clark, Fun Beverage UÊBrian Pelc, First Interstate Bank UÊDebbie Waldenberg, Central Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electircal
John Barton, Certified Rolfing UÊJonathan Kuntz, Applied Materials UÊKaren Witt, NxGen Payment Systems UÊMark Priess, Glacier National Park Conservancy UÊMark Twichell, Merganthaller Transfer
Brad Buls, Mountain West Bank UÊDiane Kautzman, Rocky Mountain Bank UÊSteve Moss, Whitefish Credit Union UÊSuzy Williams UÊTom Lund, Rocky Mountain Bank
DESTINATION FLATHEAD INITIATIVE
100% of the proceeds from the Auction are dedicated the Destination Flathead Initiative. Destination Flathead supports greater access to the Kalispell area, through: securing completion of the
Kalispell Bypass, expanding commercial air services and facilities, developing the Kalispell Rail Park, and strengthening passenger rail service.
11
2014 Economic
Outlook Seminar:
Feb 14 in Kalispell
109th Annual Banquet, Auction & Wine Grab
The Kalispell Chamber
wishes to thank
the following
The Kalispell
Chamber
wishes
to
their support of the 2013 Wine Grab!
thank theforfollowing
for their support
Building Supply, Inc.
Bank
Alpine Lighting
of the
2013 WineGlacier
Grab!
Ohs’ Body Shop
American Homestead Mortgage
Hops
Banc Home Loans
Immanuel Lutheran
Park Side Federal Credit Union
Alpine Lighting
Lake Blaine Resort
Payne West
Communities
Brent Hall - ProBuild
American Homestead
Mortgage
Loren’s Auto Repair,
IncInsurance
Precision Engineers
Brix Bottleshop
Insured McDonald’s
Titles
Banc Home Loans
Pro Clean
JCCS
Carbonari
&
Associates
Brent Hall - ProBuild
Montana Coffee Traders
Brix Bottleshop
The Mountain Trader
ProBuild
JE Engineering
Carol Nelson Design
CarbonariCentral
& Associates
NAPA
Raymond James
Heating, Cooling,
Joe Unterreniner
Carol Nelson
Design
Nickel Auto Group
Red Lion Hotel
John Agnew
Plumbing
& Electrical
Central Heating, Cooling,
North Bay Grille
Scotti Belli
Cornerstone Wealth Management
John’s Angels
Plumbing & Electrical
Northwest Automotive
Super
Kalispell
Dairy
Queen
Dan
and
Kate
Neitzling
Cornerstone Wealth Management
Northwest Drywall1&(city center)
Kalispell Grand
Hotel Supply,Swan
Gardens
Dan and Kate Datis
Neitzling
Building
Inc.Lake Cabins
Sykes
Kalispell
Toyota
Defiance
Machine
Datis Gardens
Ohs’ Body Shop
Defiance Machine
Park Side Federal Credit
Union
Taste This!
Dorinda Gray
Kramer Enterprises
Dorinda Gray Drager Group
The Relax Room
Lake BlainePayne
Resort West Insurance
Drager GroupEisinger Honda
Precision
Three Rivers Bank
Loren’s Auto Repair,
Inc Engineers
Eisinger Honda
Pro Clean
Tinseth & Associates
McDonald’s
Enterprise Rent A Car
Enterprise Rent A Car
ProBuild
Montana Coffee
Traders James TireRama
Evergreen Disposal
Evergreen Disposal
Raymond
Far Tours
West Boat Tours
The MountainRed
Trader
Far West Boat
Lion HotelTorrent Technologies
Valley Bank
Farm-to-Market
Pork
NAPA
Farm-to-Market Pork
Scotti Belli
Valley Ford
Nickel AutoSuper
Group 1 (city center)
FirstTitle
American Title
First American
Flathead Farm
Mutual
North BaySwan
Grille Lake CabinsValley Linen
Flathead
Farm Mutual
Flathead Flathead
Valley Discovery
Sykes
Virtual Circuit IT
Valley Discovery
Northwest Automotive
Friends of Friends
the Chamber
Taste This!
Vision Energy
of the Chamber
Northwest Drywall
&
Glacier Bank
The Relax Room
Hops
Three Rivers Bank
Immanuel Lutheran
Tinseth & Associates
Communities
TireRama
Insured Titles
Torrent Technologies
JCCS
Valley Bank
JE Engineering
Valley Ford
Joe Unterreniner
Valley Linen
John Agnew
Virtual Circuit IT
John’s Angels
Vision Energy
Kalispell Dairy Queen
Kalispell Grand Hotel
Kalispell Toyota
Kramer Enterprises
12
Making Montana the First Best Place:
How Entrepreneurship is Creating
High Paying Jobs
RightNow Technologies was founded in
1997 in a spare bedroom in Bozeman,
Montana. By the time the company
was acquired by Oracle in 2012 for $1.8
billion, RightNow was Bozeman’s largest
commercial employer and the only
publicly traded technology company in
the state. RightNow had more than 1,100
employees, with half of them in Bozeman
and over 40 percent of those employees
were graduates of the Montana University
System. Their average Montana wage
was $86,000, more than double the state
average. The one-time sale created an
almost $80 million increase in wages and
salaries in Gallatin County in 2012 and
has led to a new generation of Montana
technology startups.
Greg Gianforte, founder of RightNow
Technologies, will give a first-hand
account of this Montana success story and
discuss the potential for entrepreneurship
to create more high-wage jobs in our state
at the 39th Annual Montana Economic
Outlook Seminar.
This half-day seminar and luncheon will
highlight the latest economic trends
for local, state, and national economies.
Bureau economist Patrick Barkey will
present economic forecasts for each
seminar city, and industry experts will
provide the outlook for Montana’s
important sectors: energy, nonresident
travel, health care, agriculture, real estate,
manufacturing, and forest products.
Continuing education credits are available.
Groups of five or more may register at a
discount. To register, contact: Christina
Henderson, Bureau of Business and
Economic Research, 406.243.5113 or
Christina.henderson@business.umt.edu
Chamber Recognizes Top Businesspeople
Posted: Friday, November 15, 2013 6:00 am
The Daily Inter Lake
The Kalispell Chamber also names a Businessman and
Businesswoman of the Year. This year’s businessman is Tom
Lund, president of Rocky Mountain Bank in Kalispell.
Lund was founding
president of the bank in
2004.
“He grew the bank from
an empty field to having
deposits of $21 million
and commercial loans of
$27 million and over 800
customers,” Mark Johnson
wrote in support of Lund’s
nomination. “Once the
Rocky Mountain Bank was
in operation and growing
its customers’ base, he acted
Tom Lund
as a mentor not only to his
direct employees but for
employees and officers in
many banks in the Rocky Mountain system.”
raise more than $50,000 to build homes for wounded and
disabled veterans. She also showed her commitment to the
military by leading the charge to send five tons of Christmas
presents to troops in Afghanistan through her co-founding
of Operation Santa.
She also has been a chairwoman for Habitat for Humanity,
director of the Glacier Institute, served on the United Way
advisory panel and was a board member for the Flathead
Building Association.
She also participates in community programs sponsored
by Three Rivers Bank — Highlander Track, Highlander Cross
Country and Heritage Club.
She was nominated by Brent Hall, who praised Kramer for
her professionalism and willingness to help others in their
careers.
Johnson pointed out that Lund has always been active in
local Chambers of Commerce. He is currently vice chairman
of the Kalispell urban renewal agency and a member of the
School District 5 long-range planning committee, Montana
West Economic Development and West Side Tax Increment
Board.
“She has made friends with other bankers, sharing ideas
and discussing banking industry issues and also relating
these issues to the building industry,” he wrote. “She is
called by many builders
and subcontractors and
vendors for banking
advice.
Lund’s also has been greatly involved in the Catholic church
and local service organizations wherever he has lived.
Businesswoman of the Year
is Debbie Kramer, who is in
charge of human resources
for Three Rivers Bank. She is
also a co-owner of builder
and contractor Kramer
Enterprises Inc.
“As far as success in her
job, Deb has been at
Three Rivers Bank for 25
years, starting as a drivethrough teller to now
being Vice President of
Operations and a senior
officer.”
Kramer’s volunteer pursuits
have touched many areas
of the community. She is
co-founder of the Flathead
chapter of Finally Home,
through which she helped
Kalispell Chamber’s
Member of the Year is
Allison Rold of Wild
Horse Limousine.
Debbie Kramer
Allison Rold
Reprinted with permission of the Daily Inter Lake
13
Doctor Wins Chamber’s Top Award
Great Chief Dr. Van
Kirke Nelson
Posted: Friday, November 15, 2013 6:00 am
The Daily Inter Lake
realm and in the arts.
Even though Dr. Van Kirke Nelson delivered thousands of
babies in his obstetrics and gynecology career before he
retired in 2002, he still always found time for numerous
valley and state causes, especially in the health-care
For his devotion to the Flathead Valley and his work in making Northwest Montana
a better place, Nelson was given the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s Great Chief
award for 2013 Thursday night at the Chamber’s 109th annual banquet.
In a nominating letter, Jim Oliverson, spokesman for Kalispell Regional Medical
Center, detailed the wide variety of recipients of Nelson’s time and energy.
“His shouts for more help for women’s and children’s health were heard all the way
to Washington, D.C. He was a driving force behind the improvements at Legends
Field. He and his wife served as community leaders on the campaign for the
Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science.”
Nelson, who started his medical practice in the Flathead Valley in 1962, recently
retired after 37 years on the board of the ALERT air ambulance, for which he was a
charter member.
He combined his knowledge of fine art with his passion for saving lives to help forge
the art auctions that have become a main event at the annual ALERT fundraising
banquets.
In May, Nelson was presented with the Montana Mentor Award by Flathead
Valley Community College president Jane Karas. She wrote a letter in support of
his nomination for Great Chief, citing his assistance with the college’s health care
programs in fundraising and partnerships with Browning and Blackfeet Community
College.
Karas also expressed her appreciation for Nelson’s engagement in the arts, such as
his sponsorship of Fine Arts Night and his willingness to help appraise art that has
been donated to the college.
“In the spirit of ‘It’s always better to give than to receive,’ Kirke is always first in line
to commit to noble and worthwhile causes, especially if it relates to our youth,”
wrote Robert Nystuen, president of Glacier Bank, for which Nelson also served on
the board of directors. “The generosity of monetary gifts from Kirke (and Helen)
Nelson are certainly noteworthy and admirable, but they paled by the gifts of time,
dedication and love for this community.”
Reprinted with permission of the Daily Inter Lake
14
Come
Celebrate
the Season
with us at the
Chamber
You are invited to join us in the
Chamber Building, 15 Depot Park from
5-6:30 PM on Tuesday December 12
for our annual Member’s Thank You
Holiday Party.
Thank You To Our Visitor Center
Volunteers!
Every summer our faithful volunteer team welcomes thousands of travelers to the
Kalispell Visitor Center. From June through September, 2013, we served 4,666 walkin guests, handled 631 phone calls and mailed out 673 visitor information packets.
Our volunteers answered questions about Glacier Park, Flathead Lake, lodging,
restaurants, campgrounds, museums, hiking, fishing, special events and much more.
This summer we were fortunate to have five student volunteers from Flathead and
Glacier High Schools join our Visitor Center team. In addition, Harrison McGillen
and Haakon Sande, participants in the International Baccalaureate program at FHS,
completed research projects benefitting the Kalispell Convention & Visitor Bureau
and the Crown of the Continent Travel Planner Website.
On November 12th, we took a group of Visitor Center volunteers for a ride on the
Montana Trolley and visited Kalispell Hilltop Inn, Hilton Homewood Suites and
Best Western Flathead Inn & Suites. We were all impressed with the hospitality and
devotion to guest comfort shown by each of these facilities.
We’d like to express our appreciation to the following Visitor Center volunteers:
Laurel Thompson, Lillian Hinkley, Tammy Yonkers, Joanne Ross, Delores Bunyea, Su
McCadden, Harrison McGillen, Haakon Sande, McKenna Miller, Will Thompson and
Jackson Day.
15
Vista
Linda
Mexican/American
Restaurant • Cantina • Catering
This year we will again be donating
100% of our Split the Pot for the
evening to our local Kalispell Food
Bank. We are hoping that our members
will be generous with their donations.
Vista Linda will be preparing the food.
THE WORLD IS COMING TO
WHITEFISH
JOIN THE FUN!!
An Introduction for Sponsors
January 2014, Whitefish will host an event that is unique among winter sports; our own version of Montana’s
Extreme Winter Games. It is an opportunity for thousands of spectators to be entertained by a
great competition combining skiing, horsemanship, and all the fun social aspects of Whitefish’s legendary
Winter Carnival.
Pre-­Event Media:

By The Numbers:
The Dates: January 24-26, 2014
Spectators: Estimated 3000 daily
The Location: Whitefish City Airport and Downtown Whitefish
The Non-Profit Beneficiary: WINGS, Cancer Support and Human
Therapy on Horseback
Platinum Sponsor $3,000 Gold Sponsor
$1,000 Silver Sponsor
Coordinated PR effort for months prior
Posters distributed at retail locations throughout the
Flathead Valley
Print ads-­­local / week prior
Radio ads / week prior
$500 Bronze Sponsor
$250
The Hype: $15,000 added money –The biggest Skijoring purse in the World…nearly $20,000 last year
Sponsor Benefits:
Branding, Promotions, Direct Sales & Advertising
The Poster: Hundreds of promotional event posters distributed throughout the Flathead Valley. Your company logo or name
included on the base of the poster.
The website: www.whitefishskijoring.com, updated, with recognition for all sponsors at all levels, including links to sponsor
websites and promotional weekend events.
The Commemorative T-­­shirt: All competitors, volunteers and sponsors will receive the Commemorative T-shirt with your
logo and name on it.
Banners on Jumps or Start Wall: The jumps are the focal point of the race course for thousands of spectators and the
photographers who capture the action.
Print/Newspaper Ads: Both pre‐event post‐event “thank you” can include your company logo or your name.
Live Announcer Mentions: Joe Warner is one of the best rodeo announcers in the entire Pacific Northwest. He does an excellent
job “sprinkling” sponsors mentions and brief “LIVE ADS” during any lull in the action on the racecourse. Let the thousands of spec‐
tators know about your business (And that you want their business!!)
Contact Scott Ping #406-261-7464
www.whitefishskijoring.com for complete sponsorship opportunities
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