Montana Chamber to Endorse Supreme Court Candidates |
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The Montana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors supported a process to interview candidates for the Montana Supreme Court and offer endorsements. Next Thursday, September 5 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m, we will detail that process and announce the candidates to receive our organization's endorsement.
As a business leader, we hope the additional information will be of value to you in your decision-making process in the upcoming elections.
This meeting is members of the Montana Chamber of Commerce only.
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If you have questions or want to discuss this position, please contact
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For the last third of a century, the Montana Chamber of Commerce has conducted a review of decisions from the Montana Supreme Court to assist its members and the public in understanding the work of the state’s judicial branch.
The Montana Chamber is one of the only state business organizations in the entire country that monitors and reviews the work of all three branches of state government. We hope this important work allows the business community to better understand and have their voice heard in our representative democracy.
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Alex Sakariassen, Reporter - Montana Free Press; Montana Lowdown e-news
Come November, Montana voters will decide whether to adopt some of the most significant changes to the state Constitution since its creation and ratification in 1972 — changes that would reshape Montana’s primary elections and enshrine the right to abortion in Montana’s foremost governing document.
The appearance on the 2024 ballot of the three constitutional initiatives that would enact those changes came down to the wire this week as Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen faced an Aug. 22 deadline to certify every statewide candidate and ballot issue that will be put to voters this fall. After verifying the tens of thousands of signatures submitted by the initiatives’ backers this summer, Jacobsen certified all three.
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Sign up to receive the FREE Montana Lowdown e-newsletter here.
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PHOTONICS: Another Treasure of the State |
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Montana has been on a steady march toward becoming a regional tech leader long before the federal government designated the state as 1 of 12 new regional Tech Hubs in July.
The designation of the Headwaters Tech Hub comes with federal funding, which will open new doors for the tech community in the state.
The photonics industry, in particular, has been leading the way, and two key members of the community, Jason Yager, of the Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance, and Garrett Smith, of Reveal Technologies, join Tom Schulz on Voices of Montana to discuss the new technologies, the impact they could have on our lives and the economic future of Montana.
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Scaling Montana Summit - October 23-24 in Bozeman
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Attend Montana’s Premier Innovation Ecosystem Event
The Scaling Montana Summit happening October 23-24 at the Kimpton Armory Hotel in Bozeman is the event of the year for founders, startup operators, investors, corporates, and service providers committed to starting and scaling companies here. This is where you uncover new technology trends, supercharge your growth, and build meaningful connections to grow your business interests in the innovation economy.
Be inspired by next-level keynotes, fireside chats, and interactive workshops covering product, design, marketing, sales, talent, leadership, and investing. Forge valuable relationships with corporate partners, customers, co-founders, potential employees, and investors.
This is where business gets done and opportunities are unlocked for anyone scaling technology companies in Montana.
ked for anyone scaling technology companies in Montana.
Early Bird Alert! Buy tickets at $199 / per person & book rooms by 9/6 for the best value!
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Last Day to Vote in Round 2
August 31
The Montana Chamber's Coolest Thing Made in Montana contest continues. Round 2 concludes this weekend with the final Round 3 of voting to begin on Tuesday, September 3. Small and large business designations will be made and the same rules apply - VOTE daily.
Winners will be announced at the Montana Chamber's 2024 Annual Meeting on October 30 in Billings.
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Join us in Billings on October 30, 2024 for our annual business meeting and Titans of Business Oro Y Plata Awards ceremony. We'll convene business and industry leaders, recognize innovators, and share the Montana Chamber of Commerce highlights from the last year.
Tickets are $55 / per person for Members
$70 for non-Members
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Silver Anniversary of Business Days at the Capitol |
2025 marks the 25th Annual Montana Chamber of Commerce Business Days at the Capitol, the premier event to bring together business leaders and policymakers. Help us kick off the start of the 69th Legislative Session on January 8-9, 2025 in Helena.
Registration is $225 / per person
Lawmaker Appreciation Reception ONLY Tickets are $100 / per person
This event is sure to sell out fast. Register here to secure your seat now!
For sponsorship of these two events, contact Stacye Dorrington at stacye@montanachamber.com.
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SAVE THE DATE: Registration Opens September 16
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DON'T GET LEFT IN THE DUST!
Calling all trailblazers! The 2nd annual Blazing Trails: Montana Women in Business Summit is on the horizon. March 5-7, 2025.
Be a part of this phenomenal event and the conversation that’s driving change and promoting equality for Montana's business women. HAPPY (belated) WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY - it was August 26.
Registration is $495 / per person and a group rate for lodging at the AC, Element, and Kimpton will be available on our website.
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Last year's event SOLD OUT with 240 women from across the Treasure State descending on Bozeman. Don't wait. Register on September 16.
Guarantee your seat NOW and gain exposure for your company with this highly influential audience by sponsoring the event. View sponsorship opportunities here.
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Recruiting & Retaining in
Today’s World
Written by Bryan Peterson, VP, Human Resource Services
The nature of our world has made it very difficult for employers to recruit employees. There is not a silver bullet out there for recruitment.
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Solid recruiting practices are a must, but how many employers are looking at their processes as a way to recruit and retain employees? Many employers get hung up on our low employment rates and our aging workforce as to why they struggle to attract and retain employees.
There are things that we can control as an employer to engage applicants and current staff.
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Recruiting Process- Post ads that are truthful about the position. Make sure postings or ads paint an accurate picture of what the position entails- not just the “good” stuff. Consider posting wage/salary ranges. Many ads that do not include compensation information are overlooked by potential candidates. Indicate if you allow for a flexible work environment. Show some excitement for the position in the ad.
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Interview Process- This can be a big part of your onboarding process. Develop and utilize behavioral based questions. These types of questions can be the most accurate predictor of future performance as the candidate will have to answer with examples from their own past performance in similar situations. Can you give someone a walking interview to show them what the working environment and the work actually look like? Are you staying in contact with the person after you offered the position? Communicating during the “dead zone” from when you offered the position to when they start employment shows you care and are excited about them joining the team.
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Onboarding- this is different that orientation. Orientation is the initial period where the employee is filling out the required paperwork, familiarizing themselves with the handbook, and getting a facility tour. Onboarding is a longer-term event. We may take them to lunch on their first day. An actual training plan is waiting for them so that they can see what their first 30-60 days or longer is going to entail. They know who to go to for what in the organization. A welcome sign greets them on their first day. Their workstation is ready to go, email is active, and they already have calendar invites waiting for them. We want them to feel like they’ve already been there for a month.
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Leadership/Management- this is also an area we can control. One of the top reasons given that employees leave employment is poor management. What does your environment look like? Are we leading with a “my way or the highway” style, or do have an inclusive environment where employees are praised when they do well and held appropriately accountable when they do not perform/behave? How we lead, supervise, and manage can be a very effective retention tool. There are obviously many more ways and ideas to successfully onboard and retain new and current employees. Start with a look in the mirror first. Are our own processes, or lack thereof, getting in our way as an organization?
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Montana Chamber Member Spotlight:
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From our beginnings in Bozeman, Montana to a globally-recognized, US-based manufacturer of silicon and germanium parts — Lattice Materials is trusted as a go-to partner for the most difficult and high-risk projects.
With 30,000 sq ft of manufacturing and production space, our team has the capacity to put together precise, custom orders with flawless quality. No matter the application—on the ground, in the sky, or above the atmosphere—our parts answer the call.
Founded in 1989, our mission has always been to provide customers with world-class service, sensitivity, competitive prices, rapid delivery, and above all else, an unwavering commitment to quality and precision. When every piece is mission-critical, there is no room for inconsistencies.
To learn more, visit their website here.
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This Business Brief Is Sponsored by Our Treasure State Member:
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To learn more about Treasure State Membership benefits for your business, contact Matt Olson, Director of Network Development at Matthew@montanachamber.com | 406.360.6443
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