Page 4 - HC B2B Spring21

CEO MESSAGE
WHAT MATTERS NOW
As Montana and more importantly for Helena – as Lewis and Clark County is opening up all of our businesses and events (no restrictions except the mask requirement) we look at what the Chamber needs to be focused on for our business community. What is it that will matter to our members,
the businesses, and to the community.
#1 – We will continue to focus on helping businesses recover from
impacts of the pandemic. Helping them find funding and assistance that will help to return their business to a pre-COVID state of operations.
#2 - Workforce Development is needed more now than even before COVID. Workforce shortages, affordable housing, childcare (enough), and workforce training continue to be at the forefront for our businesses.
#3 - Getting back to having the high quality of life – which is why we live in our beautiful area! With an influx of new citizens (houses selling in 24 hours....for more than they are listed for), we need to engage these new residents and get them integrated into our community. Let’s help them become Montanans!
#4 - Resume our wanted, needed, and greatly missed events, festivals, fairs, rodeos, and more. People want to get out and enjoy life, see their friends and neighbors and be active again. The Chamber’s events will be resuming in person soon and we hope to actually SEE you at them & participating. Zoom events have been effective and a good alternative but not in any way as effective as face-to-face events.
#5 - Keeping the Chamber relevant – we need to offer what businesses want & need. We need to engage our younger leaders and members – they are the future! We need to help our members stay connected to their customers and the community.
I am proud of the work of the Helena Chamber over the past year and feel strongly that we have done our
best to assist all Helena’s businesses (not just our member businesses) to get through the pandemic. I believe Chambers were invented to “help businesses survive” – so we returned to those roots this past year. Kudos
to the Chamber’s amazing staff for their extremely hard work through stressful times to go the extra mile for Helena’s businesses. Watch for Business After Hours and other Chamber events coming up as we transition to in-person “normal” events & programs! Stay strong - we got this!
Cathy Burwell, President/CEO
4 BUSINESS TO BUSINESS CONNECTION
VISION: Catalyst for growth; Convener of leaders and influencers; Champion for a thriving community. MISSION: Engaging and supporting businesses to facilitate economic growth and community prosperity.