Christmas
2021-12-25
Merry Christmas!

BSED January Executive Committee Meeting
2022-01-05 07:30 - 09:15 (America/Denver) | Untitled
January Executive Committee Packet 01.05.22
Please note that this meeting will be in-person on the 1st floor of Granite Tower. As capacity is limited due to social distancing measures, please RSVP to rsvp@bigskyeda.org if you are planning to attend.

BSED January Board Meeting
2022-01-13 07:00 - 21:30 | Untitled
BSED January Board Packet 01.13. 22
Please note that this meeting will be in-person at Billings Public Library, Community Room. As capacity is limited due to social distancing measures, please RSVP to rsvp@bigskyeda.org if you are planning to attend.

Startup Roadmap
2022-01-20 13:30 - 15:30, 2022-08-18 13:30 - 15:30 | Untitled
Designed for individuals who would like to start their own business. This is a great overview of things to know about start-up costs, financing options, and business planning. A wealth of information and resources are provided free of charge.

Workforce Revolution: Spark the Revolution in Your Organization
2022-01-25 08:00 - 10:00 | Untitled
Workforce Revolution: Reimagining the Way BillingsWorks
Billings is experiencing extreme workforce challenges. The labor market is undergoing structural, worker-driven changes causing major worker shortages in organizations. It is crucial for employers to understand the market trends to best respond to ensure a strong local workforce.
It is time to reimagine the way Billings works.
Spark the revolution in your own organization and make changes at the basic level to create a strong foundation for future success; be a talent incubator for your employees and create the best possible experience for them; and broaden your lens when searching for talent – your best employees may be beyond your current scope.

Session 1 | Spark the Revolution in Your Organization | Spark your own revolution and begin reimagining how the essential components of your organization could reach their highest potential.
Spark your own revolution and begin reimagining how the essential components of your organization could reach their highest potential. Hear from local business leaders about changes they have made that revolutionized the way they work, the way their employees work, and the way their business excels. Be inspired to ignite the ideas and processes at the basic level of your organization to ensure success and sustainability.
*Join us early at 7:30 am for coffee!
Questions? Email marcell@bigskyeda.org

Building a Digital Advertising Campaign
2022-01-25 10:30 - 12:00 | Untitled
Stop “boosting” posts and start creating a serious digital advertising campaign for your business! This workshop will discuss the various outlets to promote your business through digital advertising while getting the most for return on your investment. Learn how to establish goals for your campaign while reaching your ideal customer.

Value Proposition
2022-01-27 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-08-25 10:30 - 12:30 | Untitled
Your Value Proposition is the reason why customers turn to your company over another. It solves your customer’s problem or satisfies your customer’s need. In this workshop you will work on discovering your company’s value proposition by answering these questions.

What value do you deliver to the customer?
Which one of our customer’s problems are you helping to solve?
Which job are you helping the customer get done?
Which customer needs are you satisfying?
What bundles of products and services are you offering to each Customer Segment?

Learn the Mechanics of a Federal RFP! Tips to Help You Be a Responsive Bidder
2022-02-17 10:00 - 12:00
Please join the Montana PTAC to learn how to respond to a federal RFP. Topics to include:

How to make a go/no-go decision
Basic structure of a Request for Proposal (RFP)
Tips to prepare a responsive and effective proposal
Understanding the statement of work and evaluation criteria
Q&A session

Attendees will be provided with a copy of an actual federal RFP with highlighted sections and notes to follow along with during the presentation and to reference back to at a later time.

Workforce Revolution: Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast
2022-02-23 08:00 - 10:00 | Untitled
Workforce Revolution: Reimagining the Way BillingsWorks
Billings is experiencing extreme workforce challenges. The labor market is undergoing structural, worker-driven changes causing major worker shortages in organizations. It is crucial for employers to understand the market trends to best respond to ensure a strong local workforce.
It is time to reimagine the way Billings works.
Spark the revolution in your own organization and make changes at the basic level to create a strong foundation for future success; be a talent incubator for your employees and create the best possible experience for them; and broaden your lens when searching for talent – your best employees may be beyond your current scope.

Session 2 | Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast | Revolutionize your company culture! Learn how culture & strategy work together in business to best accomplish your goals.

The culture of your company determines success, regardless of how effective your strategy may be. Hear from subject matter experts on cultural best practices they have implemented in their organizations to achieve business success.
Enhance employee experience, embrace flexibility, incorporate upskilling, and staff for resilience!
Gain insight on what drives talent relocation and how to best leverage it in your organization.
*Join us early at 7:30 am for coffee!
Questions? Email marcell@bigskyeda.org

Waiting for the Phone to Ring? Next Steps for Registered Government Contractors
2022-03-10 10:00 - 12:00
Please join the Montana PTAC for a high level training on how the federal government and state of Montana purchases products and services. Topics include:

Federal and State of Montana purchasing thresholds
Conducting market research
Federal purchasing vehicles (methods)
Where to find opportunities and how to get automatic notices
Marketing your business to government agencies
Tips on finding subcontracting opportunities
Q & A session

Who should attend? Any business in any industry who is interested in learning more about how the government buys things. It is not a requirement to already be registered in SAM or eMACS to attend the training, but we will not be going over the registration process in this training.

Understanding Government Contracting Small Business Certifications
2022-07-26 11:00 - 12:00
The SBA provides several programs to help small businesses win federal contracts. Learn how participating in these programs can help businesses:
Win a fair share of federal contracts
Qualify for exclusive set-aside and sole-source contracts
Partner with established contractors to win contracts
This is a virtual meeting, no fee, but registration is required.

BSED August Executive Committee
2022-08-03 07:00 - 09:00 | Untitled
August Executive Committee Packet 08.03.22
Please note that this meeting will be in-person at Double Tree Hilton Hotel, Skyview Conference Room. As capacity is limited, please RSVP to rsvp@bigskyeda.org if you are planning to attend.

BSED Electronic Vote
2022-08-18 08:00 - 15:00
The Big Sky Economic Development Board of Directors is holding an electronic vote on Thursday, August 18. The meeting will include two action items and corresponding materials are attached for your reference.
Consideration will be for the following items:
1. Confirmation of Nominating Committee recommendations for EDC Board positions – Action Item: to call for a vote of the EDC Member Investors to select EDC board members.
2. Approval of 504 Loans- Action Item: consideration of four 504 loans as recommended by the EDC Loan Committee
El.Vote Materials 8.18.22

Use YouTube to Grow Your Business
2022-08-30 10:00 - 11:00
Learn how to use YouTube and the power of video to promote your business or brand.
In this workshop we’ll cover:
Creating and organizing a YouTube channel
Adding videos and streaming with YouTube Live
Video ad formats

BSED September Executive Committee Meeting
2022-09-07 07:00 - 09:00 | Workspace
Executive Committee Packet 09.07.22
This meeting will be held in-person in the Zoot Training Room on the 2nd floor. Please RSVP to rsvp@bigskyeda.org if you are planning to attend.

BSED 2022 Annual Meeting
2022-09-08 03:00 - 16:00
Big Sky Economic Development is hosting their 2022 Annual Meeting, Thursday, September 8, 2022, at the Babcock Theater in Downtown Billings from 3-4 pm.

Rock31 and Big Sky Economic Development Grand Opening Celebration
2022-09-08 16:00 - 18:00
Please join us as we celebrate the Grand Opening of Rock31: Business Incubator, Accelerator, and Co-working Space and Big Sky Economic Development on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 201 North Broadway at 4:00 -6:00 pm.
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will begin promptly after the BSED 2022 Annual Meeting. After the ribbon is cut, guests are invited to go inside the newly renovated building for a Grand Opening Celebration, drinks and appetizers will be provided. In addition, BSED/Rock31 team members will be in attendance to provide guests with tours of the building.
Lower Level:

Rock31

First Floor:

Rock31

Second Floor:

Small Business Development Center
Training & Event Space

Third Floor:

Big Sky Economic Development Offices

Please email marcell@bigskyeda.org if you have any questions!

Sell Online with E-Commerce Tools
2022-09-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Untitled
Learn how to sell your products online. We’ll walk through listing your products for free with Google Business Profile and Merchant Center. And we’ll show you one way to sell on your website, using an E-Commerce store built with Shopify. Plus, learn about more helpful tools to stand out online, such as Local Opportunity Finder and Grow My Store.
In this workshop, we’ll:
Discuss the Products tab in a Google Business Profile
Introduce Google Merchant Center and the basics of creating a free account and a product feed
Show you how to set up an E-Commerce website using Shopify

BSED September Board Meeting
2022-09-15 07:00 - 09:00 | Workspace
BSED September Board Packet 09.15.22
Please note that this meeting will be in-person at Big Sky Economic Development, Zoot Training Space and Conference Room on the 2nd floor. As capacity is limited, please RSVP to rsvp@bigskyeda.org if you are planning to attend.

Strategic Teaming Alliance Roundtable
2022-09-15 08:00 - 10:00
PLEASE JOIN US: September 15, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Standard Time) for the third in a series of VIRTUAL STAR roundtables designed to assist small businesses with navigating and benefiting from doing business with government agencies and large federal contractors (often referred to as Primes)! Connect with panelists from a variety of large and small businesses currently successfully performing as prime and subcontractors. Learn helpful tips to assist your company in achieving its government contracting goals.
This is a series of events and new panelists will provide unique information at each roundtable!
What: The Strategic Teaming Alliance Roundtable is a resource for small businesses to learn how to team up and/or bid on government contracts available on or near the missile wing Air Force bases and beyond.
When: Thursday, September 15th, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Standard Time) – a Zoom link will be provided upon registration.
Who: On September 15, 2022 ~ Representatives from Northrop Grumman Corporation, Honeywell, and 4M Research will showcase large federal contractors and small businesses currently doing business with either Northrop or its subcontractors. Jayce Blood will also be joining the September STAR. Jayce is the Director of Business Operations/Small Business Specialist at Malmstrom Air Force Base.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

Each STAR panel is unique and offers new presenters and perspectives
Meet new large and small contractors and learn how to connect
Learn about new opportunities nationally and on or near missile wing Air Force bases – (Cheyenne, FE Warren, Malmstrom and Minot)
Gain insight and information about the importance of registering with the large contractors, SAM.gov, and others to help you get noticed and propel your contracting opportunities.
Find out about free resources to help you on your journey

Startup Roadmap
2022-09-15 13:30 - 15:30

Innovention: From Idea to Investment
2022-09-20 10:00 - 11:30
Innovention: From Idea to Investment” is an interactive class that will focus on intellectual property considerations for startup and post-startup companies looking to build an IP portfolio that will be attractive to investors. Participants will learn how to conduct their own patent and trademark searches, engage in an infringement analysis, and best protect and enforce their intellectual property. The program will include a discussion of international treaties for the protection of IP assets and a discussion of the various types of contracts necessary to maintain a healthy IP position.

Assistance for Business Clinic - Billings
2022-09-21 08:00 - 17:00
The Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Montana Department of Revenue, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, US Department of Labor, and Montana Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve in partnership with local Chamber of Commerce, Job Service Employer Committees (JSEC), and Montana State University will host the Assistance for Business Clinics (ABC) statewide.
The Assistance for Business Clinics are designed to provide new and established businesses, accountants, bookkeepers, human resource professionals and attorneys with updated information on topics such as: Montana Department of Revenue’s new Form MW-4 and their E-Services, Unemployment Insurance Tax requirements, workers’ compensation coverage, Independent Contractor regulations, using Labor Market Information to make business decisions, the Registered Apprenticeship Program, tax incentives, minimum wage, overtime, new hire reporting, child support services, USERRA laws and regulations.
Hosted by Big Sky Economic Development

Value Proposition
2022-09-29 10:30 - 12:30

Expert Week
2022-10-04 08:00 - 2022-10-06 17:00 | Untitled
We are excited to host our first Annual Expert Week! We will have various experts in house providing FREE one-on-one assistance to your businesses. Each day will feature a different area of expertise for business owners to ask questions and seek guidance.
Tuesday, October 4th | Attorneys
Wednesday, October 5th | Marketing
Thursday, October 6th | Accountants
Friday, October 7th | Tradeshow
We will celebrate the conclusion of Expert Week with a Tradeshow featuring resources from across the state that could be beneficial to your business, and a TACO BAR for all attendees! To be eligible to use these free services, the SBDC requires attendees to register as a client: Montana SBDC Network (ecenterdirect.com).

BSED October Executive Committee Meeting
2022-10-05 07:00 - 09:00 | Untitled
Executive Committee Packet 10.05.2022
This meeting will be held in-person in the Zoot Training Room on the 2nd floor. Please RSVP to rsvp@bigskyeda.org if you are planning to attend.

Expert Week Tradeshow
2022-10-07 11:00 - 14:00 | Untitled
We will celebrate the conclusion of Expert Week with a Tradeshow featuring resource partners from across the state that could be beneficial to your business, and a TACO BAR for all attendees. We will have Made in Montana, Export Montana, SBA, PTAC, VBOC, SCORE, Big Sky Trust Fund/ Department of Commerce, Womens Business Center and MORE- you will not want to miss this!!
More information on the events leading up to our Expert Week Tradeshow:
We will have various experts in house providing FREE one-on-one assistance to your businesses. Each day will feature a different area of expertise for business owners to ask questions and seek guidance. We will have 30 minute one-on-one sessions available to reserve with each expert.
Schedule of Expert Week events is:
Tuesday, October 4th | Attorneys
Wednesday, October 5th | Marketing
Thursday, October 6th | Accountants
Friday, October 7th | Tradeshow

Learn the Basics of Google Ads
2022-10-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Untitled
In this workshop you will learn how to reach more customers and grow your business with Google Ads.
In this session we’ll talk about:

How to create an account and set up an ad campaign
How to write great ads, refine keywords, and include ad extensions
How to measure success
