Cody Chamber E-Newsletter  -  April 25, 2014

Exec Bits. 

  

 

One week until the East Gate opens. Like many of you we're very excited for the start of the summer season.

 

And to celebrate this important occasion, your Cody Chamber is hosting a complimentary breakfast next Friday, May 2 between 7:30-9:30 a.m. We're calling it "Park n' Pancakes" and it's our way of saying thanks to you for being a member.

 

We'll have board members flipping pancakes and staff available to talk about what they do at the Chamber. If you display your materials in our visitor center, it's the perfect time to drop them off for the summer season. Come and see the changes we've made to serve our guests better and network with your fellow members. Invite someone who needs to join the Cody Chamber - we'd love to see a big group.

 

Our next big event is Spring Into Yellowstone: Cody's Birding and Wildlife Festival. Now in its second year, we continue to see a lot of growth and enthusiasm for this event. Held May 14-18 this year, it includes exclusive nature tours, a trade show, dynamic speakers, workshops, a special dinner and more.

 

We put on the event in conjunction with a number of partners including the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Shoshone National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, Yellowstone National Park, Friends of a Legacy, Audubon and others as well as some terrific sponsors. Check out www.springintoyellowstone.com to register or for more information.

 

I have heard from many of you regarding our current rent/building situation. Thank you for your strong support. I really appreciate all of the diverse opinions - all of which have been prefaced with the belief that the Cody Chamber does a lot of important work for the community. That's always our goal and one we are constantly examining to make sure we're relevant and valuable to our members.

 

In regards to the rent, our board has met with representatives from the City of Cody (our landlord) and has started the negotiation process for determining our long-term facility needs and costs. I want to reiterate that we have a very good relationship with the City and have been treated very fairly for many years.

 

Over the next several weeks, we will work with the City on a reasonable compromise for our future rent. Please reach out to any of our board members or myself if you have opinions or suggestions. We appreciate the feedback.

 

A very big thank you to all of you for your support and investment. I especially want to recognize our Buffalo Bill Partners: Wells Fargo, Pinnacle Bank, Blair Hotels, Best Western and our newest investor at this level ($4,500), Wal-Mart. In addition two of our members have renewed at the Community Legacy level ($2,250) First Bank of Wyoming and Pahaska Tepee. Many other members have increased their support level as well, and on behalf of the board, let me say THANK YOU!

 

I plan to spend a lot of time visiting our members during the next few weeks, and if you would like to schedule a specific time to visit one-on-one, please email ([email protected]) or call me directly: 586-1571. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Finally please extend a warm welcome to the many soccer fans that have traveled from throughout Wyoming and surrounding states to be here this weekend for the Yellowstone Shootout. It's great to have them in Cody - as well as the Songs of the Cowboy music fans, and we appreciate their business.

 

Thanks for being a Cody Chamber member! 

Scott Balyo
Executive Director

 

2014 Cody Chamber
 Board of Directors

Greg Pendley
President  
Cody Trolley Tours
 
Scott Wagner
Vice President

Buffalo Jump Winery

 

Rita Conners 

Secretary
Big Horn Radio Network
*Cody Marketing Council

 

Justin Sanders
Treasurer
Big Horn Federal Savings Bank
  
Wes Allen
Sunlight Sports
 
Luke Anderson
Wyoming Financial Insurance
*Ambassadors
*Government Affairs
*Buffalo Bill Art Show

 

James Blair
Holiday Inn - Blair Hotels
 
Nancy Tia Brown
Mayor, City of Cody
  
Theresa Donley
Donley Team - Western Real Estate

 

Derek Moore
First Bank of Wyoming
 
Erika Quick
Quick Draw Productions

 

Bev Richard
Coldwell Banker Antler's Realty Inc.
 *Cody Marketing Council

Leslie Slater-Wilson 
Traces of Light
 
Marc Thompson
Thompson Law, LLC
*Cody Stampede
 
Mark Westerling
Wells Fargo Bank, NA
  
Brett Whitlock
Whitlock Motors
  

Tom Wilder

Eastgate Liquors

*Committee's

Upcoming Events
 
April 25
Songs of the Cowboys (event runs through the weekend).  Mostly takes place at the Holiday Inn, $10 per performance.

April 25
Yellowstone Fire Soccer tournaments

Northwest WY OHV Association, Red Lake Trailride, 9am to noon.

May 1
Business After Hours with Wyoming Financial Insurance, at Buffalo Jump Winery.

May 2
Meeteetse spring garage-a-rama (runs through the weekend), 8am to 3pm.

May 3
Optimist garage-a-rama, at the Riley Arena, 8am to 2pm.

Cassie's Steakhouse, spring fling.

Collin Raye concert, Wynona Thompson auditorium, 7:30pm

May 9
Best of the Rockies Horse Sale, in front of the Irma Hotel (Ranch horse competition Friday, sale on Saturday).
 
May 14
Spring into Yellowstone: Birding & Wildlife Festival (runs through Sunday).
Upcoming Cody Club
Presentations
 
We will hold two lunches per month from January - May.
 
May 5
Ambassadors Non-Store Front Ribbon Cutting

May 19
National Parks Day Luncheon (RSVP required)

June 2
Dana Sander, Northwest WY OHV Association

July 14
TBA
  
Watch your e-mail for further Cody Club Announcements!

Is it snowing?  Is it sunny?  See it all on the Webcam!

 

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Our Mission:
The Cody Country Chamber of Commerce, the community's "front porch", represents the interests of its members and the entire business community, extends exceptional western hospitality and promotes an unparalleled visitor experience.
  
We're here to help you!
 
Get social with us:
 
Find us on Facebook             Follow us on Twitter

 

Feel free to contact us
with any questions at: 
307- 587- 2777

Thank you Renewing Members!

 

The response to our new Tier system has been very positive!

  

Individual & Non-Profits 

Friends of the Beartooth

 

Scout

Beartooth Country Flowers & Gifts
Big Horn Paint

Dan Miller's Cowboy Music Revue
Plush Pony
QM Appraisal
Rocky Mountain MoJoe
Simpson Gallagher Gallery
Wander Wyoming

  

Pony Express

Boot Barn
Cody Dug Up Gun Museum
Maurices
Shoshone Office Supply
 
World Ambassador  

Cody Ace Hardware
Holm, Blough & Company  

 

Community Legacy

Pahaska Tepee Resort
 
Buffalo Bill Partner
Wal-Mart

 
We're processing more memberships every day, if you're not listed here, rest assured you'll be in one of the next issues!

  

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VFW Benefit BBQ - Donations & Volunteers needed!

 

The local VFW is planning a benefit BBQ on May 31st to help raise funds for the Operation Finally Home project. This group is currently building a home for Jimmy Butz, a local wounded veteran and his family. John & Robin McClure estimate they need approximately $25,000 to finish the home.

 

The VFW would like to have a BBQ and an auction with live entertainment at the Post located at 808 12th Street. All funds will go to Operation Finally Home Cody to be used on the Butz home. They need volunteers and donations! Cody Merchants could donate auctions items, service certificates (oil changes, pedicures, etc.), floral arrangements, a pair of boots, a painting, anything that they can auction or use as door prizes would be appreciated. Restaurants and grocers could donate slaw mix, baked beans, paper plates, napkins, forks and cups. So far the VFW has a 300lb hog donated and a case of chickens. They could still use a case of Boston butts. They also need help cooking and serving and musicians to entertain during the day. All charitable donations are tax deductible.

 

If you wish to donate money, checks can be made out to "Operation Finally Home Cody." Funds stay in our community. If you would like to help, please contact Jean Collier at the VFW Post in Cody at 307-587-3671 or John or Robin McClure at 307-527-9985.  

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Spring into Yellowstone: Birding & Wildlife Festival!

 

May 14-18, 2014.  See the magnificent birds, wildlife, and natural history of northwest Wyoming's  Greater Yellowstone Region through the eyes of top scientists, birders, and photographers. 

 

View the available tours and activities:
http://www.springintoyellowstone.com/schedule.html 

 

Trade show details:
http://www.springintoyellowstone.com/trade-show.html 

 

Register online!
http://www.springintoyellowstone.com/registration.html 

 

  

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Yellowstone Invites Anglers To "Talk Trout"

 

Yellowstone is known as a prime destination for anglers.  However, protecting and preserving the park's world class trout fisheries is an ever increasing challenge.

 

Park staff members will travel to nearby communities in the coming weeks to talk with anglers about the ongoing efforts to restore native fish species, the threat of aquatic invasive species and recent changes to fishing regulations.

 

In addition to the general public, local fly shop employees and fishing guides are encouraged to attend the following outreach meeting in Cody, WY: Wed., April 30 in at the Holiday Inn, 1701 Sheridan Ave.

 

Fishing season in Yellowstone opens Saturday, May 24.  Information on fishing and fish conservation in Yellowstone is available online at http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing.htm.

  

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SBA and AARP Wyoming invite you to attend a Start Your Own Business Workshop.

 

For many 50+ individuals, entrepreneurship training is the toolkit that empowers them to use their experience, knowledge, and skills to become job creators. In addition, entrepreneurship training focuses on helping experienced professionals leverage their career knowledge for a new business.

 

Although this event is targeted towards those who are 50+, anyone who would like information about starting a business is welcome!

 

When:   April 29, 2014, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Where:   Grizzly Hall Room - Park County Public Library, 1500 Heart Mountain Street

Presenter:   Bruce Morse, Regional Director, WY Economic Development Center

                                   

This is being presented during lunch time, please feel free to bring a Brown Bag Lunch.

 

For more information, or to RSVP, please contact the SBA at 307-261-6500.

  

 

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Small Business Week May 12-16, 2014.

 

More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create almost two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. To recognize the important contributions that small businesses make to our economy, the President of the United States recognizes the critical contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small business owners by annually proclaiming National Small Business Week.

 

To recognize and assist Wyoming's small business community DURING National Small Business Week 2014, the Wyoming Entrepreneur Small Business Development Center will be sponsoring a daily webinar from May 12-16. All webinars are free of charge and each will take place from 12-1:00 pm. The webinar schedule is as follows:

 

May 12 & 13. Introduction to Wyoming Business Resources. To encourage your success, the State of Wyoming offers programs including free market research, trade show grant opportunities, help with patents and trademarks, government contracting assistance, and much more. Learn about the many resources the State of Wyoming offers to new entrepreneurs and established businesses.

 

May 14. Not Your Grandfather's Marketing. Learn how marketing has changed in the 21st Century.  If you are still relying on Yellow Page ads and email blasts for your marketing, you need to attend this webinar.  We will discuss what works in today's very changed and social media world.

 

May 15. Improve Your Cash Flow. Don't get caught with an empty bank account. Learn how to improve your cash flow by better coordinating your sales, collections, disbursements, capital expenditures, and other cash management issues. We will also discuss sources of financing for your business start-up or expansion.

 

May 16. Start Your Own Business. Get help exploring the pros and cons of owning a business, evaluating the skills and knowledge necessary for success, and understanding some of the licensing and permitting requirements.

 

Separate registration is required for each webinar. To register go to http://wyen.biz. If you have questions, contact Peggy Baker at (307) 382-0947. 

  

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Cody FAM Tours!

 

Hiring seasonal staff?  Be sure they know about Cody and the local attractions!  Climb aboard the Cody Trolley for a Free, fun fact-filled, three-hour tour that stops at major Cody attractions.  You and your employees will learn the answers to the most frequently asked tourist questions.  Customer service tips provided!  Everyone should be able to "Recommend Cody" to keep visitors in town longer.
 
On-site presentations by managers of: Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center, Cody Trolley Tours, Cody Murals, Old Trail Town, Dan Miller Show, Cody Nite Rodeo, Dug Up Gun Museum, Tecumseh's Miniature Village & Museum, Cody Chamber Visitor Center, Cody Gunfighters, Cody Cattle Company.

 

Four tours available -
May 19 : 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm.
May 20 : 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm.

 

Seating is limited, reservations required!  Free passes & goodie bags.  Tours fill fast, sign up now for the best choice! Call the Chamber at 587-2777 to reserve your seat! 

 

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Yellowstone Park - East Entrance Opening Soon!

  

 

Outside of another blizzard or major snowstorm, the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park should be on schedule for an opening date of May 2nd!

 

2014 Spring Road Vehicle Opening Dates 

  • April 18: Mammoth to Old Faithful; Madison to West Entrance; Norris to Canyon.
  • May 2: Canyon to Lake; Lake to East Entrance (Lake is one mile south of Fishing Bridge).
  • May 9: Lake to South Entrance; West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass); Tower to Tower Fall.
  • May 23: Tower Fall to Canyon (Dunraven Pass); Beartooth Highway.

Park facilities/campgrounds opening & closing dates: 

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/ocd_locale.htm 


Webcameras: 

http://www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm 

    

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Chamber Members!
 
If you display brochures or business cards in the Visitor Center, please make sure to drop off a large supply to us for the upcoming summer season!

 

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