Visit Billings Supports Local Events with Grant Dollars

By Baylie Redman

Throughout the year, Visit Billings and the Billings Chamber of Commerce love bringing exciting new events and opportunities to our community. We see these events as opportunities for growth in our economy and quality of life in Billings. This is why the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) offers grants to help bring these events to town. Many of these events bring tourists from all over Montana and beyond, resulting in an increase in hotel nights, additional customers to local shops, restaurants and cafes, and a boost in the cultural life here in Billings.

In the upcoming year, the TBID Board is offering grants to two of these events. We want to congratulate MINT Film MT for receiving a grant for the MINT Film Festival, as well as Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale for receiving a grant for their upcoming concert, “A 1920’s Evening.” Both events offer cultural and economic opportunities for the city of Billings and promise to bring in talent from all over the country.

The MINT Film Festival is a five-day art, film, and entertainment event in Downtown Billings, presenting over 60 films from across the world, along with actors, producers, and directors from LA and NYC. The Festival is expecting upwards of 2,800 attendees who will bring in roughly $700,000 to businesses throughout the Billings community. In addition to helping attendees register for the event, MINT Film MT is also offering a “Plan Your Stay” page to help tourists prepare for their time in Billings, advertising for a variety of local hotels, restaurants, shops, and more. We look forward to seeing the success of MINT Film Festival and all the benefits it brings with it.

“A 1920’s Evening” is a special concert presented by the Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, featuring soloist Conrad Tao. An internationally known pianist and composer, Conrad Tao will attract tourists from outside of Billings to the event, resulting in a number of people staying in hotels and dining at local restaurants.  In addition to the economic benefits the event could provide, “A 1920’s Evening” serves as an opportunity for cultural growth in Billings, improving the quality of life in the city.

Both events have a lot to offer our community, which is why Visit Billings and the Billings Chamber of Commerce are so excited to support them through the TBID grants. Both events take place in Downtown Billings this September. Congratulations once again to MINT Film MT and Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, our 2019 TBID grant recipients!