We were wondering about the turnout for the Rodeo being in the middle of the week but with a sold-out Reserved Grandstand and folks arriving from South Africa to attend, there was no need to worry! 

Thank you to the coordinators over the July kickoff week.  They work very, very hard during this time to ensure its success for everyone.  We also appreciate your understanding regarding the Fireworks display and are grateful to the supporters of the Fireworks event who help make this event happen when conditions are safe.   

Sincerely, RLA Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Center

The Red Lodge Area Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Center has some important announcements!

• Sadly, the Chamber was only able to reap the benefits of working with Rich Bruner as the President for a short stint.  Rich shared his calm presence at many round table discussions, listening and waiting until the end to pleasantly note his summarized insight that would change everything.  We will miss your business objective, financial  understanding and vision.  We are proud of you for your promotion with First Interstate Bank.  
• We will also miss the bright-eyed, business savvy professionalism of Pam Wagner, owner of Junction 7, on the Chamber Board.  Pam has a strong background, priceless skills and a continued proactive approach to business.  We will miss you dearly, Pam.  
• Doug Bailey has agreed to be the new Board President at least until November 2012!  Doug's vibrant presence as the Vice President has earned him his wings with the Chamber!  
• Welcome aboard, Kathy Robson, co-owner of Red Lodge Books, to the Chamber Board!  Kathy is deeply connected to the community with her roles with the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, Christmas Stroll, Spring Fling and other community events.  Red Lodge Books has hosted After Hours, sponsored raffles and has done so much more to promote the Red Lodge area!  
• Welcome to the Board, Jeff Schmidt, General Manager of Red Lodge Mountain!  We are glad to have Red Lodge Mountain representation on the Board again!  Thank you, Jeff, for your cutting edge efforts with the sustainability program at the Mountain.  The Mountain has constantly been making improvements, offering creative Pass Programs and being a leader in marketing for the Red Lodge area. 

Thank you, Chamber Board!

• Have you seen the Chamber Lawn?! Thanks to the 25+ Volunteers who helped the coordinators, Brad's Pro Cut Lawn Care.  Volunteers included the Lions Club, the Boys and Girls Club of Carbon County, Teens in Action, All Nations Garden Club, Volunteers of the Chamber, an anonymous donor and visitors just driving into town!  Volunteers showed up to pull weeds around Chief Plenty Coups, trim shrubs and trees, clean up thorny rose bushes and more!  We could have never cleaned it up without you!  Thanks for donating your time and equipment to take care of this gateway to Red Lodge!  We LOVE IT!
• The Chamber's website is ready!  We will also be adding Facebook and Twitter soon.  Please double check your business information, email any changes, logo, etc. and enjoy the new website!  It is multi-faceted with advertising opportunities, links to our E-Newsletters and a more user friendly approach!  Thanks to  Member, Creative Design Works, for our website through the years.  They have been outstanding to work with and have done so much for the Chamber.  Friends of the Beartooth All-American Road Coordinator, Kim Capron, is the blessing behind the new website!  She has donated countless hours creating it and providing guidance to Chamber Staff.  We hope that you enjoy it!  We gladly welcome your comments for constant improvements to the site! www.redlodgechamber.org!
• Member, AllTrips (AllRedLodge.com) is conducting a 1000 person survey and you are invited to partake and share!   The survey addresses technological experiences while traveling in the area.  Please visit their Website for details or email drew@alltrips.com.
• The Highway sign to YNP via Red Lodge has been updated!  Thanks to the conscious efforts of Member, Gordon Gallagher, and owner of Gallagher's Irish Rose Bed & Breakfast!  Gordon contacted the Chamber noting that the exit sign was bypassing Red Lodge for YNP.  The Mayor was immediately contacted and he corresponded with MDOT and the sign was remedied!  A thank you card on behalf of Red Lodge has been sent, but your positive comments will go a long way.  Businesses are kindly encouraged to email your note of thanks to lflynn@mt.gov and/or sstreeter@mt.gov (Stefan Streeter) or call 252-4138.
• We wanted to ensure that you had access to this article in American Cowboy:  Red Lodge area article
• REWIND E-Waste Event results:  The group succeeded in recycling almost 15,000 lbs of e-waste on Saturday, June 9 in the Visitors Center parking lot!!!!  14,886 lbs. to be exact...thanks to you for showing up and doing a good thing!  Great job, REWIND! 
• The MTOT is ahead of the curve with the new digital iPad magazine, Get Lost in MT: The Magazine:  Office of Tourism Update
• Beartooth Country:  The Absaroka and Beartooth Ranges is a new book scheduled to be release on 7/23/12 showcasing more than 20 images from Member, Merv Coleman!  You will be able to find it at Member, Red Lodge Books!
• Beartooth Evening Adventures is in full swing!  FREE programs every single night Monday ~ Friday through August 10!  The Farmers' Market is now held every Friday in Lions Park from 3:30-6:30 p.m.-what a blast it was last week!  Please support our Members, Hope's Homemade and others who participate!  Details
• FUN RUN-CHAMBER-FUN RUN-CHAMBER:  Please keep us in mind!
• The Hungry Bear Cafe' is offering nightly dinner specials Monday~Sunday!  Call for details at 446-9177!
• Linx is wheeling out year #2 in Yellowstone National Park!  To find out more about day pass prices and route information, please visit:  Linx Info
• Member, Outside Bozeman's summer news:  Summer Mag
• RLACF is embarking on another adventure~the Healthy Communities Coalition!  If you are interested in joining this group please contact Tracy at 446-2820 or email her at tracy@rlacf.org!
• YNP Reports strong June numbers, 2nd highest on record under 2010:  YNP June 2012
• Thursday, 7/22 6 p.m. $18:  Preservation Award Recipients Town of Bearcreek and Little Cowboy Bar.  Please call 446-3667 for details!
• Thursday, 7/19 5:30-7 p.m.:  Chamber After Hours at Whispering Winds Horse Adventures!  Did you know that they have a horse camp for youth?   Come to the After Hours for some ranch cuisine and to learn more about your fellow neighbor and Chamber Member!  55 Ladvala Road in Roberts, 671-6836. Afterwards, enjoy Creekside BBQ at Rock Creek Resort until 9!
• There are lots of events happening, please call the Chamber for a list for you or your guests, also visit redlodge.com!
• Rally weekend this month!  7/20-22+
• Cruisen' Red Lodge this month! 7/28 & 29
• Sunday, 7/22 Lions Park 6 p.m.: Shakespeare in the Parks presents "Hamlet"! Bring your lawnchairs and picnic dinner! 
• Monday, 7/23 5:15 p.m.:  NorthWestern Energy will be hosting a meet and greet with the Board of Directors and Leadership Team.  Please RSVP to lana.monson@northwestern.com or 655-2538.
• Saturday, 8/4:  Climb to Conquer Cancer, Beartooth Blitz and more!  Call the Chamber for details.
• Saturday, 8/4 at 6 p.m.:  Roaring 20's Museum Fundraiser at the Range Rider Lodge in Silver Gate! Fully "funned" with the 1924 movie, "Trip through Grasshopper Glacier County"! 
• The Cycle Greater Yellowstone has gone public!  Find out more about this huge 2013 event happening in your community!  Nonprofits, get your groups ready to line the streets, welcoming 1000+ bicyclists from around the world:  Cycle Greater Yellowstone!
• Fire Restrictions and updates:  www.redlodgefire.com/Fact Sheet
• Montana Office of Tourism July 5 Fire Update: Fire Update 7-5-12

Thanks for becoming a part of your local Chamber/Visitors Center!

• Welcome, Barrie T. Boulds with Boulds Enterprises, dba "Barrie T. Boulds Private Chef & Catering" as well as "Sydney's Bistro Dressings"!  You can call Barrie at 640-2893 or email her at bboulds@gmail.com.  Please also visit her websites at chefboulds.com and sydneysbistrodressings.com.  She offers fine masterpieces to fit any budget!  Sample menus are available on her website.  Thanks, Barrie, for joining!
• Welcome back, Elk River Outfitters!  Conveniently located within minutes of downtown, you can enjoy the beauty of Rock Creek while gradually rising to view 7 ranges!  Book now at 860-3699!  Email Cyndi at cedward@imt.net and visit their website at elkriveradventures.com!  Thank you to all of our adventure Members!  The Red Lodge area has so much to offer and people travel from all over the world to experience it!
• Welcome back, Fly Fishing Only Adventures!  Andy is in full swing and is ready to take you on a JOURNEY!  Please contact him at 425-1761 and visit FlyFishRedLodge.com!
• Howdy, Paramount Siding & Windows!  A community Member has already seen their contact info in the Chamber Channel (article in the Carbon County News) and called for more info!  Thank you for taking advantage of other Chamber Members!  They can be reached at 1-866-344-8811/paramountsiding@live.com! 
• Welcome, Town Pump, to the Chamber!  We received Thom Propp's completed application in the mail!  You can reach Thom at 497-6700 or email him at thomp@townpump.com.  Town Pump is a convenience food store that offers quick service groceries, dairy, health/eauty aids, soft drinks, adult beverages and lottery. 
• Cheers to Lotions and Potions Bath & Body Boutique!  When owner, Danielle Moore, joined the Chamber, we quickly added her to our Facebook page and shared photos from her site.  Within one week, she already had guests visiting and purchasing items from her store that they had seen on the Chamber Facebook page!  We were all elated and encourage everyone to like us on Facebook, taking advantage of their Chamber Membership!  Please check out her glasswork and bath and body items at www.redlodgelotionsandpotions.com, email her at danielle@lotions-and-potions.com or call her at 426-1020.
• We celebrate Beartooth Electric Cooperative, Inc. joining the Chamber!  BEC strives to improve service and has recently launched a member satisfaction survey.  Please visit their website at beartoothelectric.com or contact Kaaren or one of the other wonderful staff at 446-2310.  They will be happy to help you! 
• Welcome, Absaroka Hideaway Homes!  You may know Alison and Marvin Schieldt through Benbow ATV Rentals!  These active Chamber Members also contributed to the After Hours raffle in June.  We appreciate your support and joining Absaroka Hideaway Homes, your newest adventure!  If you need a rental home for fiends or family, please call them or our other Chamber Members.  Their number is 328-4352 or visit benbowent.com!

• Energy Update:  July
• Free training $ for your nonprofit through the Incumbent Worker Training Grant Program.  It is very helpful and easy to apply for...It has saved your local Chamber about $1500 in training funds:  Training $
• Big Sky Economic Development Update:  Newsletter
• State of Montana Chamber Updates~including Member benefits that you are entitled to and other great information:  State Chamber Info/July 9 Update
• Ride Share in our area!  Brand new, please review details:  RideShare MT
• TIIP (Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program Grant):  Deadline to submit is 5 p.m. August 1.  The funding pool has been set at $550,000 through the State of Montana Office of Tourism. 
• Yellowstone Country Board Minutes June 19, 2012:  Minutes
• Tuesday, 7/17 Restaurant Reality Training through the SBDC with:  Restaurant Reality and Training Outline
• Thursday, 7/19 8:30-3 Billings Montana, Get Your Business Online!  Register