By Ryan Hamilton, Big Sky Town Center
BIG SKY–The Big Sky Chamber of Commerce has been working with an agency, AD Creative Group, to define Big Sky’s brand by developing a logo, tag line and a three-year marketing plan for the community. The resorts in Big Sky have marketed themselves for many years, but the community needed to develop these tools as an umbrella for the community as a whole.
A Jan. 4 meeting was the jumping-off point where the agency’s research was shared with a wider group of stakeholders and the overall vision for the future marketing plan was discussed.
“It’s an exciting time for the Big Sky community, for the resorts, and for the Chamber,” Chamber board member Bill Simkins said. “We had an honest, spirited discussion about the future of Big Sky and that felt refreshing. We’re working on building a consensus on how we should best position the community going forward.”
The Chamber has made strides this year in leading or supporting some big projects, including the design and permitting for a gateway entry monument and community wayfinding signage project; funding for the Big Sky PBR; a speed limit study on U.S. 191; the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center; the Biggest Skiing in America winter campaign; the formation of the Park Districts to control park and trail resources; a familiarization tour with a dozen well-connected travel journalists last summer; and support with securing the direct flight to New York.
Currently, the Chamber is searching for a new Executive Director. On Jan. 4 chamber members met the two top candidates for ED at Big Sky Resort. The Chamber board will announce its decision by the end of the month. Chamber projects are funded by membership investments, Big Sky Resort Tax and the Big Sky Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
