Chamber highlights innovation at luncheon

The Havre Area Chamber of Commerce is again looking local during its 105th annual luncheon meeting next Wednesday, featuring local business speakers with a theme of “Havre is open for business.”

“We’re continuing from the theme we started last year, featuring local businesses to talk about opportunities and some of the challenges they face doing business in Havre and on the Hi-Line,” said Chamber Executive Director Debbie Vandeberg.

She said the Havre Chamber received numerous compliments on the presentations at last year’s meeting — which featured Ron Brenna of Havre Laundry, Steve Reinke of Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Northern Montana Hospital CEO and President Dave Henry talking about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act — and the Chamber board of directors decided to continue with local business operators.

“We got so many positive comments on those types of things that the board just decided we needed to continue to roll with showcasing our own and listening to what our own business people are talking about and opportunities and great things that they are doing,” Vandeberg said. “And also if they have challenges and how they are overcoming those challenges.”

One of the featured speakers is Craig Tilleman, general manager of Tilleman Motor Co., which completed a renovation and expansion of its facilities last year. Another is Dax Carson of Pacific Recycling, which completed an expansion and renovation of its facilities also last year, and Carson Sweeney and Ralph Broadhead of NorthWestern Energy, who will focus on the company’s role and actions in this part of the state.

Vandeberg said the focus is on what the businesses have done to increase their business, and what it does for the region.

“Obviously, it’s about their company, but the community of Havre benefits as well,” she said.

At the meeting, the Chamber also will recognize outgoing and incoming board members and officers, including incoming President Debbie Callahan taking the reins from outgoing President Jacob Lorang, recognizing the board members and thanking the board members and volunteers that staff its 12 committees.

The luncheon meeting starts at noon in the Olympic Room of the Duck Inn. Cost is $25 for general admission and $20 for Chamber members.

People can RSVP to the Chamber by calling 265-4383.