Beyond Corbet's Couloir: Let's Be Wild 

 

Chamber Calendar of Events

Thursday, June 27
Winter Marketing Workshop

Tuesday, July 2
Green Drinks JH Hosts Summertime Networking Event

Thursday, July 4
Howdy Pardners Fourth of July Parade

Thursday, July 11
Business Over Breakfast

Please see more community events at the end of the Lowdown. Thanks to the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce Members who are utilizing jacksonholechamber.com/events!

 

Membership with the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce has seen steady increase in recent years and the organization reached the 1,000 member milestone last week. I am very proud of the team here at the Chamber. Their commitment to the membership and willingness to listen and provide individualized support ensures that Chamber benefits continually improve and diversify. Our growing membership shows the energy from our very active board of directors. Their enthusiasm spreads through the community, engaging current members and attracting future members. Funding support contributed by the Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Joint Powers Board has been an integral component to the Chamber's ability to add value.

 

Thanks to everyone who attended the celebration on Monday evening at the Wort Hotel's Silver Dollar Bar. We look forward to continuing to work with our current and future members to champion the interests of local businesses, enhance their prosperity, and strengthen the economic climate of Teton County.

 

For more information about the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, please contact President/CEO Jeff Golightly, 307.733.3316 or jeff@jacksonholechamber.com , or visit  www.jacksonholechamber.com.

Jackson Hole Winter Marketing Kick-Off

 

Local businesses can leverage winter efforts by jumping on board!

 

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is pleased to join Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board, Cactus Communications, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for the kick-off to winter planning at the Wort Hotel on Thursday, June 27 at 8:00am.

 

Learn about market research and results from winter 2013, hear an update on airline service for winter 2014, and hear about marketing plans and cooperative opportunities. This discussion will also focus on sustainable tourism and how you and your business can become part of the conversation.  

 

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Kate Sollitt, 201.1774 or lodgingtax@tetonwyo.org.

Join the Howdy Pardner Fourth of July Parade by June 26 

   

This is your last chance to join the fun and celebrate Independence Day with the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce and Howdy Pardner Ambassador Club.   

 

Entries are $25 and will be accepted until Wednesday, June 26 (no entries can be accepted after the deadline).

 

The Fourth of July Parade begins at the Rodeo Grounds at 10:30am and travels through Town Square. Music, horses, clowns, roller skates, and classic cars will be among the ranks. Would you like to join the fun?  Contact Rachel Eden Reich, Events Coordinator, 307.733.3316 or rachel@jacksonholechamber.com.

 

Click here to view the complete schedule of events for the Fourth of July in Jackson Hole!  Are you planning a community event that's not currently listed? Please email Kate Foster, Communications Manager, kate@jacksonholechamber.com. 

Green Drinks JH Hosts Summertime Networking Event

   

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support Green Drinks JH, which will be held on Tuesday, July 2 from 5:00-7:00pm at LIFT, 645 South Cache. Green Drinks JH is an informal networking event where members of the business community can connect and discuss projects and ideas related to sustainable business practices.

 

Special Presentations: TravelStoryGPS and The Murie Center will present. TravelStorysGPS is a smartphone application that connects travelers to the land through vivid and engaging stories told in real time, and raises money for land conservation. For more information, please visit www.travelstorysgps.com. The Murie Center inspires mindful action on behalf of wild nature. We explore the value of nature, its connection to the human spirit and ways that people can live and work to protect wild landscapes. For more information, please visit www.muriecenter.org.

 

If you are interested in either hosting or presenting at a Green Drinks JH event, please email Green Drinks JH. For more information, please contact Maureen Murphy, Director of Special Events, mo@jacksoholechamber.com  or 307.201.2302.

Nominate your Service Superheroes for the Golden Spur!

   

Each quarter, the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce awards the Golden Spur to the individual or business in our community that went above and beyond the expectations of a customer to provide genuine western hospitality.

 

Winners of the Golden Spur receive public recognition via press releases, social media, and announcements at various Chamber events; a prize package worth more than $500 donated by local businesses who support western hospitality, including Jackson Bootlegger, Blue Lion Restaurant, The Harmonic Spa, Judge Roy Bean's Old Time Photos, Lexington Jackson Hole, Homewood Suites by Hilton, and MADE; and a beautiful award worthy of framing to be displayed at your place of business.

 

Nominating someone for the Golden Spur is EASY! Just fill out the convenient online form (click here) by Monday, July 15. For more information, please contact Kate Foster, Communications Manager, kate@jacksonholechamber.com.   

Lodging Availability Boards: Fill Your Rooms!     

 

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is pleased to host two lodging availability boards, one at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center and at the Administrative Offices. Visitor Services Agents will update these boards at 11:00am and 4:30pm each day.

 

Lodging properties, we can help fill your rooms! Please email your daily availability to info@jacksonholechamber.com or call 307.733.3316. 

Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce Offers Extended Hours 

 

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce extended hours for the summer season made possible by the Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Joint Powers Board.

 

The Administrative Offices will be open until 7:00pm each evening except Tuesday and Wednesday through at least Friday, September 20. The offices at 112 Center Street are conveniently located just steps away from the popular Town Square Shootout which begins at 6:00pm.

 

Extended hours will provide visitors more access to resources and information about businesses and events throughout the valley. Rick Howe, Director of Visitor Services, commented, "Staying open until 7:00pm better matches the expectations of shoppers, whether they are local residents or visitors."

 

The decision to offer extended hours started with the Business Development and Visitor Services Committee which has worked to connect shoppers and patrons with businesses through creative shopping initiatives and augmented visitor services.

 

2013 Summer Schedule of Hours

Monday, Thursday, and Friday: 8:00am-7:00pm

Tuesday, Wednesday 8:00am-5:00pm

Saturday & Sunday 10:00am-7:00pm

 

For more information, please contact Rick Howe, Director of Visitor Services, 307.201.2294 or rick@jacksonholechamber.com. 

 

Wyoming Office of Tourism Summer Campaign

   

Advertising is in full swing for the Wyoming Office of Tourism Summer Campaign. Is your listing ready for tourists?

        

Industry partners and businesses are encouraged to update their online presence on www.wyomingtourism.org.  

 

More than $5 million in advertising is pushing potential visitors to WOT's consumer website which contains partner's information. Business listings, events as well as deals and packages are all available opportunities.

 

For help with updating or creating a business or event listing, please contact Darin Lundberg, darin.lundberg@wyo.gov or 307.777.8596. For more information on how to upload or create a deal, please contact Lesley Rowbal, lesley.rowbal@wyo.gov or 307.777.2881

 

Don't forget the deadline for the 2014 Official Travelers Journal is right around the corner.

Community Foundation of Jackson Hole Offers Nonprofit Workshops

   

The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole will offer nonprofit workshops featuring John Heymann, NewLevel Group at their offices, 245 East Simpson. Workshops are $20 per class per person or $10 for Wyoming Nonprofit Network members.

 

How to Be a Great Board Member will be held on Tuesday, July 9 from 5:00-8:00pm. The participative workshop will give Board members and staff of nonprofit agencies an opportunity to explore best practices for building and maintaining a healthy and vibrant governance board.

 

Mastering Great Presentations will be held on Thursday, July 11 from 8:30am-12:00pm. A clear, compelling message, delivered with passion and polish, is an important component of organizational sustainability.

 

Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Please contact Rebecca Jenkinson, rjenkinson@cfjacksonhole.org or 307.739.1026.

1-2-3 Webinar - Take Your Products from Garden to Market! 

 

Wyoming Entrepreneur SBDC and the U.S. Small Business Administration will present the 1-2-3 Webinar "Take Your Products from Garden to Market" on July 11 from 2:00-3:00pm.

 

Presenter Donn Randall, Wyoming Business Council's Agribusiness Division - Farmers Markets Program, will share expertise of how to sell home-grown products at farmers markets and through other direct marketing methods.

 

There is no fee for the program, but attendees must register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/716268704.

 

Silicon Couloir Pitch Day

 

Silicon Couloir's second Pitch Day will be held Friday, August 16. Entrepreneurs trying to start or grow a Teton County business will have the chance to sell their ideas to a group of more than 100 potential investors. Applicants should send a ten-page investor slide deck by Monday, July 1 to pitchday@siliconcouloir.com. Six slots are available. 

Intensive Entrepreneurship Program Coming to Jackson this Fall

 

An intensive entrepreneurship program is coming to Jackson this fall to help jump start aspiring entrepreneurs and to encourage Wyoming's economic growth and diversification. Silicon Couloir and Central Wyoming College have partnered to provide the "Start Up Institute," a program designed to provide participants with the tools and skills that companies utilize to launch successful business ideas. From October 7 to December 13, participants dedicate three full days per week to class time in addition to working through their ideas after class time.

 

The institute is a hands-on, experiential and practical course focused on helping individuals work on and launch their business ideas. The courses will be taught by Sandy Schultz Hessler, who has been on the faculty at Harvard, Tufts University, and Miami University in Ohio.

 

The deadline for the first round of applications is Monday, July 1 and enrollment is limited. Financial assistance may be available to those who qualify. Go to www.siliconcouloir.com/startup for more details and to apply. Or contact Liza Millet, Silicon Couloir co-founder and Start Up Institute Program Director, 917.864.9395 or startup@siliconcouloir.com.

 

Wyoming Broadband: Business Demand Survey 

 

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is actively involved at a state level through the Wyoming Chamber Partnership. In coordination with WCP, Wyoming Business Council, and Wyoming Rural Development Council, we are surveying businesses in Wyoming about their internet usage, needs, and interests. The survey will:

• Verify geographic areas unserved and/or underserved by the availability, adoption, and application of broadband in Wyoming
• Guide efforts to increase broadband availability, adoption, and application in Wyoming businesses, and
• Assess current usage, quality and affordability of broadband services

It is important that the voices of Jackson Hole businesses be heard! The survey will take approximately 5-7 minutes. You can take the survey online at: http://wyomingdashboard.org/surveys/demand/business.

Transportation Needs Survey 

 

The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana is involved in a tri-state study of resident and visitor transportation needs to and from recreation sites around the region with assistance from Yellowstone Business Partnership. Please take five minutes to provide your input!

 

The study will focus on the community's perception and knowledge of what demand there might be for public transportation to trailheads, river put-ins, and other recreation sites. In addition, businesses currently using a shuttle vehicle will be asked to share their interest in expanding their business model. Click here: http://B4BBusiness.surveyanalytics.com. 

 

Travel and Tourism Board

Destination Sales Trade Show Participation Application

 

 

As requested by the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Joint Powers Board have underwritten the hard costs associated with acquiring booth space at several key Destination Tradeshows. The Chamber will attend each show to represent our destination at large and is currently seeking applications for businesses to accompany the Chamber as Destination Representatives at these events. Applications are due Wednesday, July 3. For more information and to receive an application, please contact Kent Elliott, Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce Destination Sales Manager, kent@jacksonholechamber.com or 307.201.2306, or visit www.jacksonholechamber.com.   

Economic Indicators 

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce tracks a variety of economic indicators and each week we look at the trends that shape Jackson's economy. For more information, please contact Casey Stout, Executive Assistant, 307.201.2303 or casey@jacksonholechamber.com.

• Visitor Inquiries were up by 14% for May 2013 as compared to May 2012 and up 26% as compared to May 2011.  Visitor Inquiries for January through May 2013 were up by 10% and up 21% as compared to the same time periods in 2012 and 2011.
• Visitation at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center was up by 9% for May 2013 as compared to May 2012 and up 41% as compared to May 2011.  YNP visitation for January through May 2013 was up by 6% and up 28% as compared to the same time periods in 2012 and 2011.