By Abbie Digel, explorebigsky.com editor
The Big Sky Chamber hosted its semi-annual Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 7, in the Big Sky Chapel. Started last year, the Town Hall meetings allow a variety of organizations to present to the community on everything from marketing projects to organizational improvements, to working initiatives and more.
About 50 people attended the Town Hall meeting. “It was a good turnout, but we always hope for more,” said membership director Robin Brower-McBride.
This was Marne Hayes’s last Town Hall meeting as the Chamber’s executive director. Her final day at the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce is Tuesday, Dec. 20. The top four candidates for the director’s position will be interviewed on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at the Board of Directors’ meeting. There will be an opportunity for full public interaction with the top and final candidates during their final interviews.
The board hopes to have a new director by the end of this month and starting within the first few weeks of January. The Chamber is looking for part time help to assist Brower-McBride with administrative responsibilities between the few weeks after Hayes leaves and a new director is hired.
The Chamber recently chose the Billings-based A.D. Creative Group to assist in development and implementation of a strategic planning, marketing and branding initiative to identify and promote Big Sky as a travel destination.
A.D. Creative Group has hosted two private meetings in Big Sky, and plans to conduct more through December and early January that will be open to the public. The next meeting, on Dec. 14 in Big Sky, will be a chance to give A.D. input on their initiatives for Big Sky’s new brand. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more details.
Hayes also discussed improvements to the Biggest Skiing in America campaign. Ryan Hamilton and Eric Ladd, both of the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Montana Western Heritage center committee, spoke of the success of their final round interview with the CHF and MWHC board. The home of the facility will be announced by the end of January.
Look for an extended overview of the Town Hall Meeting in the Dec. 16 issue of the Big Sky Weekly.
