A MESSAGE FROM TODD O'HAIR, PRESIDENT & CEO
The Montana Chamber broke attendance and sponsorship records for our annual meeting in Bozeman in late October. And we did it again for Business Days at the Capitol. Never before have we maxed out registrations for our programs as early as we have this year. Long before the Thanksgiving break, we hit our maximum attendance for our panel discussions on January 2 & 3. 
 
While our day sessions are booked, we still have availability for the Legislator Appreciation Reception, the evening of January 2nd. 

Don’t miss out—this is sure to break records as well!
 
The early interest suggests equally high anticipation for the 2023 legislative session. The Montana Chamber’s “Business Days at the Capitol” is one of our signature events and is widely recognized as the premier kick off to the legislative session. And the Montana Chamber of Commerce is prepared to kick off the session with a bundle of pro-business legislation, designed to improve Montana’s business climate. 

Stay tuned as we put the final touches on the logistics for communicating with members, seeking input and providing critical updates on the 2023 legislative session.
RECORDING: ELECTION DEBRIEF AND LEGISLATIVE OUTLOOK
Click above to watch the 55-minute Panel Discussion and debrief of Election 2022 and a look ahead at the 2023 Legislative Session.
 
Our Chamber panelists include Jessie Luther, Chamber Board member and partner in the Taylor Luther Group; Brian Thompson, Montana Chamber lobbyist and Attorney at Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven; John Iverson, Montana Tavern Association Government Affairs Director; and Charles Robison, Montana Chamber Government Relations Director. 
BUSINESS DAYS 2023 - SOLD OUT!
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE TO THE
LAWMAKER RECEPTION & BANQUET
2023 Business Days at the Capitol
Lawmaker Appreciation Reception & Banquet
JANUARY 2-3, 2023 | HELENA MONTANA

Lawmaker Reception & Banquet Sponsor:
2023 is going to be a big year and the Montana Chamber of Commerce will be kicking it off with the Lawmaker Appreciation Reception & Banquet, Monday, January 2 at the Helena Civic Center.

Join us as we welcome the 68th Montana Legislature into session. Guests include Governor and First Lady Gianforte, Lt. Governor Juras, and other statewide elected officials. Government relations, business executives and business owners, association representatives, and more will be in attendance. Business Days at the Capitol has already sold out but there is still room to attend the largest networking event of the season!

Lawmaker Appreciation Reception & Banquet:

Monday, January 2 | 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | $85 per person | Helena Civic Center
Thank you to our generous Business Days sponsors!

Hospitality: Healthy is Wellness

Platinum: Applied Materials, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana; First Interstate Bank; Montana Department of Commerce; Montana State Fund; Montana State University; New Horizons Studio; NorthWestern Energy; Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education; Republic Services; Stockman Bank; University of Montana; and Valley Bank of Helena

Gold: Allegiance; Atlantic Richfield Company; Blackfoot Communications; Boeing; Charter Communications; Fidelity Diagnostics Laboratory; PacificSource Health Plans; and Washington Companies

Silver: Crowley Fleck; Montana's Credit Unions; and University of Washington WWAMI

Bronze: Amazon; Billings Clinic; Montana Travel Association; PayneWest Insurance; and Reach Higher Montana

Copper: Anderson ZurMuehlen; Consumer Energy Alliance; Leadership Montana; Midland Claims Service, Inc. and Industrial Injury Claims®; Montana Bankers Association; Montana Hydraulics; Mountain Health Coop; and Silverthorn Renewables
THE PROSPECTS 2023
The Montana Chamber Foundation collaborated with Microsoft Philanthropies to launch the Community Skills Initiative and to help jobseekers, professionals, and students gain new skills for in-demand roles in the digital economy. 

“Having the chance to give Montanans the opportunity to complete and receive free education that can be used in all aspects of their lives has been an awesome experience. We are excited to keep promoting these educational tools throughout the year for everyone around the state.” James Easton, Workforce Strategist at the Montana Chamber Foundation.

WINNERS

16-24 Category:
$1,500 FIRST PLACE, Chris Piccioni, Billings 
$1,000 Second Place, Ashton Losleben, Ronan 
$ 600 Third Place, Rachel Eliason, Billings 
$ 400 Fourth Place, Coltaon Oland, Billings 

25+ Category:
‍$1,500 FIRST PLACE, Niusha Hadziomerovic, Kalispell 
$1,000 Second Place, Andrew Mulvaney, Helena 
$ 600 Third Place, Rennie Winkleman, St. Ignatius 
$ 400 Fourth Place, Derek Houseworth, Kalispell 

Teams of 2-4 participants:
$2,000 FIRST PLACE, Kadin Dunn and Austin Janz, Billings 
$1,500 Second Place, Alicia Williams and RayLee Bierly, Missoula 
THE PROSPECTS 2023
YEAR THREE OF OUR PROSPECTS BUSINESS PITCH COMPETITION!

A virtual statewide entrepreneurship competition for students with new ideas and existing small businesses. This collaborative initiative invests in our students while developing a mentorship platform to connect with business and community leaders. 

NEW THIS YEAR is an in-person competition for the TOP 10 winners of the high school Prospects competition to compete for the $5,000 Grand Champion prize in Bozeman. This will be hosted by Montana State University's Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Montana Pure Protein offers pulse protein and starch ingredients used to create solutions that satisfy consumer market demands for sustainable, flexible and nutritious food products.
MONTANA BUSINESS NEWS
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THIS BUSINESS BRIEF IS SPONSORED BY