ChamberCast

The world is a risky place but we can all be a little more prepared than we are now. America First Response , our guest this week, offers trainings in CPR, active shooter, and more to help you be ready for anything. https://www.billingschamber.com/

Every year, the Chamber's Board of Directors gets a new Chairperson. Earlier this month, Nichole Mehling passed the gavel to Julie Seedhouse, making now a perfect time to look toward the year ahead at the Chamber. Marya and Jack's answers to this week's Rorschach questions: 1. What is your favorite thing to do in Montana in the summer? Marya : Backpack and fly fish and garden. Jack : I do a lot of...

It's time to check in on the Chamber's new DEI Immersion Program! To do that we sat down with two recent graduates: Toby O’Rourke, President and CEO of KOA; and Shelli Mann, General Manager of Boothill Inn & Suites. This episode was recorded on May 27, 2022. Register for Chamber Golf DEI Network Website

Logan International Airport is a lynchpin in our local economy and there are a lot of exciting developments that we thought you might want to hear about. Our guest this week is the director of Aviation and Transit for the City of Billings, Kevin Ploehn. Our Episode on the South Billings Recreation Center

One of the most exciting projects lately has been Visit Southeast Montana's Burger Trail. Brenda Maas and Cassie Solberg joined us this week to show off their new project! The Burger Trail Visit Southeast Montana Marya and Jack's answers to this week's Rorschach questions: 1. What is one place is Southeast Montana that everyone from Billings should visit? Marya : Bighorn Canyon National Recreation...

We wanted to do something special for Small Business Week, so this is a very different episode of ChamberCast. We got together with Shane Flowers at Ranch House Meats and Marguerite Jodry at Zest and learned how to cook a steak and shrimp scampi at Zest! Please enjoy what is a much longer episode than normal and let us know if you enjoyed this episode. Thank you so much to PayneWest for sponsoring...

In honor of Small Business Week--May 2nd through the 6th--we want to highlight some of our outstanding local businesses. This week we sat down with Veronnaka Evenson with Swanky Roots to talk about their very unique process. Swanky Roots Small Business Appreciation Week Marya and Jack's answers to this week's Rorschach questions: 1. What has been inspiring or motivating for you recently?  Marya :...

Tourism is a big part of our local economy, so who better to talk to than the executive director of one of our largest attractions -- Zoo Montana -- and the Chair of the Board of Visit Southeast Montana , Jeff Ewelt. For more on Visit Southeast Montana, check out our episode with Brenda Maas, the Director of Visit SEMT: Visit Southeast Montana Tourism Marya and Jack's answer's to this week's Rorsc...

Simply Local Magazine is one of our most important partners! If you haven't browsed this magazine, you certainly should. Simply Local Magazine Simply Local: Business News Marya and Jack's answers to this week's Rorschach questions: 1. Who is the most influential woman in your life? Marya : My grandmother. She passed away but I find myself influenced by her ideals and approach to life every day. Ja...

Everyone knows that Billings has a lot to offer in the realm of outdoor entertainment, but indoor activities are less publicized. Our guests this week have some options to get you out of the house, even in the winter. GoUnite After Rage Marya and Jack's answers to this week's Rorschach questions: 1. What is the best part of your job? Maya : The people – my coworkers and the amazing individuals thr...

How do we get people visiting our community to try out local businesses? Our guest this week is Luke Ashmore, the Program Manager for VisitBillings, is trying to solve that problem with Billings Trail Guides. VisitBillings Billings Trail Guides Email Luke at luke@visitbillings.com Marya and Jack's answers to this week's Rorschach questions : 1. What are your favorite activities in the area you wou...

The East Billings Urban Renewal District (EBURD) is an important part of our economic future. The director of the BURD, Zack Terakedis joined us this week to talk about all of the exciting projects currently underway. There is a lot to be excited about in this episode! Marya and Jack's answers to this week's Rorschach questions: 1. What are you most excited about in the EBURD? Marya : For more dev...

It's Agriculture Celebration Week, so it's only fitting that this week we sat down with the week's host, Jess Peterson; the chair of the Ag Committee, Mike Phillips, and the Chamber staff member who planned this week's events, Alyssa Voeltz. Overview of the Chamber's Celebration Week Events Our Ag 101 Podcast Episode Here are Marya and Jack's answers to this week's Rorschach questions: 1. What is...

If you or someone you know is interested in running for office, the Billings Chamber's Candidate School is essential. Two former candidates, Hannah Olson and Darron Olson, joined us to talk about their experience, alongside Dan Brooks, our director of Business Advocacy. Learn more or register for Candidate School Here

Our guests this week are Colton Welhaven from Buchanan Capital, and the Billings Chamber's own Cathy Grider to talk about NextGEN. Billings NextGEN is the premier young professionals’ group here in the Billings area boasting over 200 members!   NextGEN is a program of the Billings Chamber of Commerce and is the leading social and business networking group dedicated to building a better Billings. M...

You might have heard about the potential development of an Aquatics and Recreation center in South Billings. Many Billings residents are excited by the idea of this facility, but it would also have a big impact on our economy by attracting visitors. Alex Tyson from Visit Billings and Dick Zier from the South Billings Urban Renewal Association joined us this week to update us on this exciting proje...

It's Keep the Cheer Here week! Now is the time to get out and shop local. One of the fantastic businesses you should visit is The Base Camp . In the meantime, enjoy this interview with the owner, Scott Brown, who has a fascinating and entertaining story about how he started the business and some great advice for business owners. Keep the Cheer Here Shop Small Tour Also check out our episode with L...

As we start to look ahead to this holiday season, we want to shine a spotlight on some local businesses. This week, please enjoy our conversation with Skip King, owner of King's Ace Hardware. Keep the Cheer Here Shop Small Tour Here are Marya and Jack's answers to this week's Rorschach questions. 1. Why do you hang your hat in Billings? Marya : I was born and raised here in Billings and my family...

The labor shortage is on everyone's mind right now. This global problem is making it more difficult to do business here in Billings, and the impact around the world is wreaking havoc on supply chains. This week we sat down with Mike Wilson from Whitewood Transport and Brad Anderson from Anderson Management group to discuss these issues. In this episode you will hear a great explanation of the prob...

Agriculture is Montana's—and Yellowstone County's—number one industry! With the NILE fully underway this week, we felt that now is the perfect time to give you some basics of the agriculture industry. We sat down with Callie Coolie with MSU Extension and Bonnie Deverniero with the NILE to talk all things ag. MSU Extension Northern International Livestock Exposition Billings Chamber Ag Committee If...

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Cybercrime is a risk for everyone--individuals and businesses, no matter how small. Dena Johnson from Payne West Insurance is one of the foremost experts in Billings on this topic and our guest for this week's episode. Cybersecurity Resources from Payne West Shred It? File It? Or Recycle It? – PayneWest Insurance Marya and Jack's answers to this weeks Rors...

2021 is an election year in Yellowstone County. Councilwoman Kendra Shaw joined us this week to discuss everything on the ballot this November. For more information on this election, to register to vote, or apply for an absentee ballot, visit the Y ellowstone County Elections Office webpage . Absentee ballots will be mailed out to all registered voters who have requested one on October 13th , and...

Covid-19 is not yet done with our community. Last year, Billings had one of the few public school districts in the nation that remained in-person all year. To repeat that success, School District 2 has chosen to require students to wear masks. This week Greg Upham, Superintendent of Billings Public Schools sat down with us to explain that decision. Dr. Michelle Pierson of Billings Clinic joined us...

This week, Billings TrailNet's Program Coordinator Lynn Harper joined us to talk about all things Billings trails and especially Ales for Trails! To learn more, volunteer, donate, become a TrailNet member, or buy tickets to Ales for Trails visit Billings TrailNet.org .   Marya and Jack's answers to this week's Rorschach questions: 1. What is your favorite trail food? Marya: So many things… Chocola...

This week, Jennifer Reiser, COO of the Billings Chamber and Heidi Davey, Business Development Manager at Altana FCU joined us to talk about the brand new Leadership Billings Alumni Network. The Leadership Billings Alumni Network meets the fourth Wednesday of each month and the time varies. The next session is Wednesday, August 25th and will focus on community and social service organizations, and...