Take Action! Move Beyond SAM!
2023-02-15 11:30, 2023-03-15 11:30, 2023-04-19 11:30 - 13:00, 2023-05-17 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Untitled
Please join the Montana PTAC for a high-level VIRTUAL training on how the federal government and State of Montana purchases products and services. Topics include: – Federal and State of MT 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 that is interested in developing a focused market strategy for the government segment. It is not a requirement to already be registered in SAM or eMACS to attend the training. However, we will not be going over the registration process in this training.

Developing an Exit Strategy
2023-02-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Untitled
An Exit Strategy is a long term planning process a business owner undertakes to sell their business or transfer ownership to someone else. Join us to learn steps you can take to develop an exit strategy for your business.

Office Closed | President's Day
2023-02-20 08:00 - 17:00
The Big Sky Economic Development offices will be closed today in observance of President’s Day.

BSED August Executive Committee Meeting
2023-02-21 07:00 - 09:00 | Untitled
This meeting will be held in-person in the lower-level Venture Conference Room. Please RSVP to rsvp@bigskyeda.org if you are planning to attend.

BSED March Executive Committee Meeting
2023-03-01 07:00 - 09:00 | Untitled
This meeting will be held in-person in the lower-level Venture Conference Room. Please RSVP to rsvp@bigskyeda.org if you are planning to attend.
Executive Committee Packet 03.01.23

Creating Lasting Loyalty
2023-03-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Untitled
Are you looking to create a lasting loyalty in your business? We’ve got a training for you! Join us on March 8th at 1 pm at the Laurel Chamber of Commerce for Creating Lasting Loyalty. You’ll learn how to keep your employees engaged, happy and loyal to your company. You’ll also learn how to develop customer service strategies that will keep your customers coming back for more. We know what it’s like operating a business: it takes time and effort, but this event will help you figure out how to make those efforts worth it.

BSED March Board Meeting
2023-03-09 07:00 - 09:00 | Untitled
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 Board Packet 03.09.23

Startup Roadmap
2023-03-09 13:30 - 15:00, 2023-04-13 13:30 - 15:00, 2023-05-11 13:30 - 15:00 | 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.

Resource Partners for Business
2023-03-29 09:00 - 16:00 | Untitled
Got an idea for a new business? Looking to expand your current business? Want to learn about the resources available to you?
Come to our Resource Partners for Business event on March 30th from 9:00 am- 4:00 pm, in the basement conference room of the Big Horn County Courthouse. We’ll have representatives from the Small Business Development Center, USDA Rural Development, Zero to Five Montana Child Care Business, HRDC and Hardin Economic Development who will be there to answer questions and help you get started!
*We will break for lunch at 12:00, lunch will be provided by our sponsor Visit Southeast Montana!

Make Your Small Business More Accessible
2023-03-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Untitled
When businesses build digital communications that allow people with disabilities to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with products and services, it expands their market. Implementing accessibility best practices can help businesses grow, and improve the experience for all users.
In this session we’ll show you:

What does accessibility mean, online?
How to design for accessibility: web pages, email, and tips for physical spaces
Tips for being more inclusive

Iron Bow Technologies Virtual Scheduled One-on-One Meetings - REGISTRATION DEADLINE
2023-03-30 17:00
Iron Bow Technologies Virtual Scheduled One-on-One Meetings, in collaboration with the VA OSDBU Direct Access Program.
This event will be held Thursday, May 11, 2023 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET, by confirmed appointment only.
The deadline to register for consideration is 3:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Learn more & register: https://vetbiz.va.gov/events/event-detail/?id=55cb2a18-cec4-ed11-83ff-001dd80705f1

RFP Brownfield Assessment | Mandatory Pre-bid Zoom meeting
2023-04-03 10:00 - 11:00
RFP Information
For more information CLICK HERE.
Zoom Meeting Information
Join Zoom Meeting

BSED April Executive Committee Meeting
2023-04-05 07:00 - 09:00 | Untitled
This meeting will be held in-person in the lower-level Venture Conference Room. Please RSVP to rsvp@bigskyeda.org if you are planning to attend.
Executive Committee Packet 4.5.23

BSED April Board Meeting and Board Planning Session
2023-04-13 07:30 - 12:45 | Untitled
This meeting will be held in-person at Rocky Vista University- 4130 Rocky Vista Way, Billings, MT 59106 in Glacier Hall. Please RSVP to rsvp@bigskyeda.org if you are planning to attend.
BSED Board Packet 4.13.23

RFP from Brownfield Assessment DUE
2023-04-13 08:00 - 17:00
For more information CLICK HERE!

Making Your Website Work For You
2023-04-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Untitled
Your website should act as one of your best employees. In this workshop, we’ll discuss your target audience, how to craft a strong call to action, and how to create a flow that converts. We’ll also discuss online tools you should be using.

Better Off in Billings Event | Quality of Place for Quality of Force
2023-04-20 09:00 - 16:00 | Untitled
Increased opportunities, mobility, and technology have changed the rules of talent attraction and retention. In a game where many can choose place first, it is more important than ever for communities, especially those with a wealth of job opportunities, to provide a strong quality of place. Join us to examine ideas to Engage with, Advocate for, and Invest in our community to strengthen our quality of place.
We will explore the importance of quality of place and the factors most relevant to today’s workforce. Attendees will hear from a panel of local leaders about attractions & amenities; parks, recreation, & trails; housing; arts & culture; and networking & belonging and the role they all play in creating a great place to call home. BillingsWorks will announce enhancements to the Better Off in Billings campaign to further strengthen talent attraction & retention efforts and illustrate what it means to be Montana’s City. BSED will also announce the 2023 Space2Place Placemaking Projects for Yellowstone County.
Join us for a full day of learning about the importance of quality of place, collaborating on new ideas, and celebrating what Billings has to offer today and the opportunities that lie ahead tomorrow!
Lunch will be provided, one drink ticket per attendee will be provided for the reception following the announcement of the 2023 Space2Place projects.
RSVP HERE!

Social Media: Beyond the Basics
2023-04-25 08:00 - 12:30 | Untitled
You’ve got a Facebook business page, Instagram account, and dabbled in the latest social media trends. But how do you know that your social media efforts are effective and efficient? This workshop will discuss advanced techniques for getting the most from your social media channels for your business.

We will discuss:
– Paid advertising.
– Using Meta Business Manager for consistent posting
– Reviewing social media insights and analytics

4+ hours of highly valuable tips and tools on how to make the most out of your social media channels for your business for only $25!
Register Here: mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/5556

Office Closed | Staff Planning
2023-04-28 08:00 - 17:00
The Big Sky Economic Development offices will be closed today for staff planning.

BSED May Executive Committee Meeting
2023-05-03 07:00 - 09:00 | Untitled
This meeting will be held in-person in the lower-level Venture Conference Room. Please RSVP to rsvp@bigskyeda.org if you are planning to attend.
Executive Committee Packet 5.3.23

Economic Development Week
2023-05-08 08:00 - 2023-05-12 17:00
Let’s celebrate Economic Development Week – May 8 -12, 2023!

Profit Mastery
2023-05-09 08:30 - 16:00 | Untitled
In our hands-on Profit Mastery workshops, you’ll learn to understand your financials, learn how to manage your business to increase profitability, and strengthen your relationship with your lender. Discover how to actively manage YOUR business and accomplish YOUR goals.
Alongside other business owners and managers, you will analyze real-world business problems and uncover how to:

Overcome common business problems
Understand your financial position
Use tools to take active control of your finances
Make effective pricing decisions
Evaluate and manage cost patterns
Make your business bankable
Avoid cash crunches
Plan for transition
Strengthen your lender relationships

We’ve drastically reduced the price of this workshop from $895 to $150 (a $695 savings plus an additional $50 discount over our online course) thanks to our generous sponsors at the Montana Department of Transportation’s DBE program.
This is a 2-day workshop with the first session on May 9th and the second session on May 16th. Lunch will be provided for both days.
Click here for more on the class: http://wwwMa.brs-seattle.com/workshop

BSED May Board Meeting
2023-05-11 07:00 - 09:00 | Untitled
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 Board Packet 05.11.23

MEDA 2023 Spring Conference
2023-05-22 08:00 - 2023-05-24 17:00 | Untitled
MEDA is excited to announce that our Spring 2023 conference will take place in Billings, MT May 22nd – 24th. This conference is hosted by our Eastern Montana Region Economic Developers (Billings and east).

Our conference theme is: What connects us today? What connects us tomorrow?

Topics to include: Entrepreneurship, Community Development, Energy, Tourism, Healthcare, Agriculture, Legislative Recap, What unites us as a region? AND MORE!
Registration and conference agenda details coming soon!

Questions? Email marcell@bigskyeda.org

Rock31 Accelerator Pitch Competition
2023-05-23 15:00 - 17:00 | Untitled
The 2023 Rock31 consumer products accelerator helps founders grow their companies through access to a wealth of resources and expertise. Led by a community of industry leaders and experts, including successful founders, the program offers intensive education, mentorship from hand-selected teams, and connections to retailers and investors.
Join us at the MEDA Spring Conference for the Rock31 consumer products accelerator pitch competition.

This event will be held in conjunction with the spring conference in Billings at the Northern Hotel. All are invited to attend (conference registration is NOT required).

Hear pitches from 5 of the 8 companies that participated in our first SBDC/Rock31 Consumer Packaged Goods Accelerator.

The Accelerator helped founders grow their companies through a 10-week program. We provided intensive education, mentorship from hand-selected teams, connections to retailers and investors and access to a wealth of resources and expertise. These companies spent 4 hours a week for the last 10-weeks working through our curriculum, diving deeper into their companies and getting reconnected to their “why”. We are excited to cap off this amazing accelerator with a pitch competition where these businesses have the opportunity to win cash prizes and have the potential to meet investors.

The Rock31 consumer products accelerator helps founders grow their companies through access to a wealth of resources and expertise. Led by a community of industry leaders and experts, including successful founders, the program offers intensive education, mentorship from hand-selected teams, and connections to retailers and investors.

Program Highlights

10 weeks long
Goes from: March 20th – May 23rd
Class meets on Monday from 10am-12pm and Thursday from 12pm-2pm
Experienced entrepreneur guest speaker every Thursday
Curriculum designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs
Pitch Day on May 22nd in-front of a panel of judges and a large audience
Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. In-kind contributions for all participants
