Exec Bits

Good Friday morning to all of our members!

First, I want to thank all of the volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped us put on the Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale and Cody High Style last week.

The Art Show grossed over $1 million in sales. At the main auction last Friday evening, 100 of the 108 pieces that were available sold and all 38 pieces that we created at the Quick Draw Saturday morning sold as well. That's a fantastic total and testament to the quality of art available in our show.

It was the first time that the Chamber had produced Cody High Style, and I was very pleased with how the Western Fashion Show and the High Style Furniture Exhibition went. We have great momentum for next year!

Kathy Thompson and Jill Osiecki are the Chamber employees in charge of the Art Show and High Style, but large events literally require an army of people working behind the scenes to pull them off effectively.

Kim Darby took the lead on the Fashion Show (with a lot of help from Chamber President Mike Darby) and produced an awesome show in a new venue. Mike Nelson and his crew from the UPS store did yeomen's work packaging the all of the art after it was sold. Members of Rotary moved art from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center (whose staff was also invaluable) so it could be sold at the auction, while hundreds of other unnamed (but NOT unappreciated) people served our guests and the artists so everyone could enjoy themselves in Cody.

As we wind down the 2012 show, we're already getting ready for 2013. Hard to believe it will be here before we know it.

Our next c2b (Cody Business Breakfast) has been scheduled. We'll meet next Friday (Oct. 5th) at QT's Restaurant in the Holiday Inn from 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. These informal networking opportunities keep growing in popularity and are a great chance to meet other business owners and community members. We always give away $20 in Cody Bucks too. See you there!

Finally, we have officially hired a new Visitor Center Manager to replace Karen Miller when she retires at the end of October. Lisa Beres, who currently works at the Cody Enterprise, will start at the Chamber on October 15. I will provide a Q&A with Lisa in our next newsletter so you can get to know her better. We had many excellent applicants for the position, and I know Lisa will serve our guests and members very well.

Have a great weekend and enjoy this great fall weather!

Scott Balyo

Executive Director