The Chamber invites you to attend Business After Hours hosted by Travel Cafe, July 12th, from 5-7pm.

Spend an evening networking with other Billings Chamber members, while enjoying great food and drink.

Also, drop your business card at the door and automatically enter to win one of the fabulous doors prizes, which include: a vertical briefcase, a pack- and-go blanket, wine case, and coffee mug with assorted coffee.

Contact the Chamber today to make your reservation!

• Date: Wednesday, July 12th
• Time: 5-7pm
• Location: Travel Cafe
• Address: 313 North Broadway
• RSVP: 245-4111

The Montana Chamber of Commerce has launched a new website for the chamber's health insurance program, Montana Chamber Choices. www.chamberchoices.com provides basic information about the program, sponsored by the state and 37 local chambers of commerce. “Now small businesses can go online and check out what we have to offer, “ said Webb Brown, President/CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce. “We plan to grow and expand this website based on feedback from those businesses.”

Choices started in May 2004 as a fully-insured choice in the small business market. Choices offers a variety of health insurance plans for small businesses, with one to 99 employees. Over 270 businesses, including more than 2,500 lives enjoy Choices coverage, with more individuals added all the time.

Choices was started in part to address the issue of the high number of uninsureds in Montana. Nearly 60% of the current customer base was previously uninsured. “Getting more people covered means less cost-shifting and better care,” noted Brown.

Another purpose of Choices was to control premium increases, realizing that health insurance costs are averaging in the mid-teens annually, and some business are seeing 30 or 40% increases. “We are happy that our first renewal increase was only 9.9% and our second year was only 7%,” said Brown. He added that the latter increase included a $200 wellness benefit to every plan.

Finally, as a bona fide association plan, the chambers were happy to provide yet another benefit of membership to their members. “This is a major issue for business in Montana,” added Brown. “And Montana’s chambers of commerce are working to provide choices for our members. In a variety of ways, we’ve got you covered.”

This month's book, Good to Great by Jim Collins, is a #1 Best Seller with over two million copies sold. The book provides an in depth look into why some companies make the leap from good to great and why some companies don't.

Come and participate in the Book Club discussion over coffee at Borders Cafe. Join us Wednesday, July 12th!

• Date: Wednesday, July 12, 2006
• Time: 8-9am
• Location: Borders Cafe
• Contact: Linda at (406) 245-4111 or linda@billingschamber.com

The Billings area is a growing, changing community. Keeping our city vibrant and healthy requires insightful leaders who have the ability to communicate and work effectively with a wide variety of groups and individuals. Leadership Billings, a program of the Billings Chamber of Commerce, is designed to facilitate the personal development of the leaders of tomorrow. This is done through education, networking, peer interaction, problem solving and project cooperation. Keynote speakers, panel discussions, experiential exercises, and site visits provide an opportunity for participants to explore the city's history and economy; interact with and learn from business, government, and educational leaders; further develop interpersonal and leadership skills; gain insight into community issues; and learn about volunteer opportunities.

Applications are being accepted for Leadership Billings 2007. For program information or an application, please call Linda Gleason at 245-4111 or email her at linda@billingschamber.com. Information is also available on the Chamber’s website at ItsInBillings.com. (Go to Chamber Information, then Chamber Events, then Leadership Billings.)

DEADLINE: Applications and a $100 non- refundable deposit are due no later than August 10, 2006.

Shelley Pierce and husband Rich welcomed their little one into the world Saturday, July 8th at 2:38pm. Sydney Nicole Pierce weighed 9lb 3oz and measured 21.5" long.

Congratulations Shelley!!

• July 12: Chamber Book Club, Borders Cafe, 8-9am
• July 12: Business After Hours, Travel Cafe, 5-7pm, $5
• July 26: Rise & Shine Billings - Tax Increment Finance District, Billings Sheraton, 7:30 - 9am, $15

For more information on these or other Chamber events, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (406) 245-4111.

CANDY TOWN USA, INC.

• Contact: Amy Pawlowski
• Address: 896 South 29th Street West #B
• Phone: (406) 651-9196

UNIQUE SCREEN MEDIA

• Contact: Kevin McNamara
• Address: 4140 Theilman Lane, Suite 110 W
• Phone: (406) 935-7465
• Website: www.uniquescreenmedia.com

After over a year's efforts by the Billings Chamber of Commerce to persuade the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) to hold their annual Wing Ding in Billings next year, the GWRRA formally announced on July 3rd that they will be returning to Billings! The event opens Wednesday, July 4, and runs through Saturday, July 7, 2007, at the MetraPark Convention Center.

Wing Ding is the world’s largest convention of owners of Honda Gold Wing motorcycles. Wing Ding 29 will highlight the celebration of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association’s 30th anniversary.

More than 14,000 Gold Wing motorcycle owners are expected to attend Wing Ding 29. Due to its proximity to Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Beartooth Pass and some of the most exciting and beautiful motorcycle riding in the world, Billings has been a favorite destination ride and vacation site for GWRRA Members. As with Wing Ding’s previous visits to Billings—in 1997 and 2000— the event is anticipated to generate $10-15 million dollars in direct economic impact to the Billings area.

Joan E. Kronebusch, Director of Sales & Marketing/CVB explains, "This is so exciting for not only the Chamber, but the entire city. We have already had one business offer to host an event for Wing Ding 2007. We will begin forming our planning groups and work closely with GWRRA officials to make this even better than the last time they were here".

For more information about GWRRA call (800) 843- 9460 or visit their websites: www.gwrra.org or www.wing-ding.org.